Having watched so many 'incidents' in the last few weeks I reckon the major reason for most f**kups is impatience!
Impatience causes noobs to venture out with the wrong equipment, in the wrong wind direction, in the wrong location and in way too windy conditions. Impatience causes the inexperienced to want to be experts NOW! Impatience even causes the experienced to make serious flaws in judgement.
Most incidents with launching are caused by being in a rush. (self-launching mishaps, lines attached wrong etc)
How can we get through to the inexperienced and stupid that they should be patient? Sometimes a 30 minute wait can make the difference between a perfect session or a ride in the rescue boat.
Should the rest of us start speaking up when we see someone setting up a 12m when we know it's gonna get to over 20 knots and squally? Dunno about you but I am starting to refuse to launch these gumbies now. (signs of gumbyness include oversized kite, reel leash, bucket hat, gloves, sea specs, impact vest and white legs
)
Maybe we should video these 'incidents' and post them here! Naming and shaming the obviously stupid.
What are your thoughts?
With concerns like these its a bit more apparent that there should be perhaps a beginners symbol as discussed in the Newbi forum. At least that way we are aware who is a beginner so it is more inviting to make a stand and give them life saving advice.
It doesn't cost anything and its no real inconvenience to a kiter. I don't really see a downside to having this, only pro's. And if a general Symbol, like a NSW "L" plate is used strapped to the back of a harness or something... at least we can claim when they F*ck up that "their just learning, sorry".
totally agree about the impatience thing...
just to clarify though... why are bucket hat, gloves, sea specs, impact vest signs of gumbyness?
- yes, bucket hat does make you look like a granny... but if kiting in strong sun it will protect your skull from attracting a skin cancer... i should wear mine more often, but due to impatience i forget to put it on most times... 
- gloves? - never wore them, but would have saved me from getting skin burns or blisters many times... that's more a sign of a softyness i reckon than your experience level...
- vest? - well, never wore that either, but if i didn't have strong bone structure, i'd already have broken ribs several times... so anyone learning complex tricks, a vest will also provide extra safety...
- sea specs? - now if you have sun in your eyes, why wouldn't you wear specs... not only that it protects from eye melanoma, but it increases safety... few time riding into the sun, i couldn't spot aproaching fellow kiter at all from the glare when i didn't have sunnies...
anyways, that's my 4 cents... over to the original topic now...
Usually the noob gumbies buy all the gear before they have any idea. Hence the evidence of gumbiness!!!
I had an idea about my students recently. A yellow rashy with a giant L on front and rear. Not to be removed until independence is reached. !!!
Was that you Dave that accused me of being a Euro off the Caloundra Bar on Saturday?
Hell no..I had already left before my C4 got rained on!!
Maybe it was bumspin???
I don't accuse people of being Euro's unless there is something flourescent on their kit and they sleep in a Wicked camper!!!
But I heard there was someone out the back in sketchy winds that had to swim in
A few noobs at our local were talking about attaching short pieces of ribbon to the tip of their kites so the rest of us can easily identify them.
Could work.
I'm all for seaspecs too - fair enough if you're a fat old guy and only go out for an hour you won't need them. But I go out from when the wind starts blowing til the sun goes down, and my eyes are ratsh!t for 3 days after if I don't wear them.
I reckon sunnies are a good idea, however sometimes not so practical in situations I get into. But when I do wear them on the water I just get a cheap $10 pair of nock offs does the job. Sometimes if I think I will loose them I put a string thing around the back.
I agree with the initial statement of daves.
However, wearing saftey equipment may look silly and uncool, but if it keeps a fella safe and in good condition to kite for another day thats way cooler
Hell i even were a nice bright red boyancy vest some times its so easy not to have to swim every time i fall of or just want a rest.
I couldnt care less what people think of me, But i suppose im just old fashioned
Don't get me wrong. I'm not bagging safety gear. I just have found that most of the noob gumbies that get themselves into trouble at my local seem to have the same uniform, only their judgement and kite skills do not match the conditions in which they kite. If they'd be a little patient and wait for conditions that suit their ability then less incidents would occur.
Everybody has to learn but it's the impatient people who overestimate their ability or underestimate the conditions that cause the problems.
Personally I can't wear sunnies in the water. Salt and spray just fog them up.
I'm a noob and I'm doing OK, Sometimes i wear a hat depending on what time of day it is and the bloke that has been teaching me takes the piss out of me for wearing a hat to protect my noggin. This criticism comes from a man who wears boardies over a wetsuit( like Clark Kent). I mean seriously who has the wardrobe issue? I had my 1st skin cancer cut off at 24 so i don't give a Rats A-hole what i look like
The biggest problem with kitesurfing is not the newbs but the so called 'experienced' tossers who like talking it up, telling everyone what the rules are on the beach, before going out and breaking all the rules themselves. If anyone needs naming and shaming, it's these hypocrites.
Nah not a rook. Been kiting since 05. In that time i've been happy to help newbs when i can because i remember how frustrating it was to learn. Most of the problems i've encountered have involved 'experienced' hypocrites who break rules and delight in telling others 'THE RULES'.
What's with personal attacks??
My comments are just observations on events at my local this summer. (with some light humour)
Lifeguards at Caloundra have affected over 20 rescues this year using IRB or jetski. Most of these rescues have involved inexperienced kiters venturing out in conditions that exceeded their skill level or in marginal sketchy winds.
That's why I raised the issue of patience.
If your local is mostly safe and can handle noobs then good.
I'm all for noobs and learners (I teach) but I'm against over confidence and impatience at my local.
All I stating is that everyone should analyze the conditions, their skill level, and exercise patience.
Hey bigwavedave...thats not an impact vest I was wearing...I'm just Fat lol, just kidding Dave I dont think it was me you are talking about but I do use a reel leash but my legs are tan, lol.
I went out for a kitesurf on Friday arvo around 1:30pm till 3:00pm (bulcock beach)and I was wondering if you have seen those massive ram air kits those guys are going out with. Man...are they sacry.... and they are like a block of flats to pass...I'm estermating the size is around 20foot wide and 4foot long. And another thing whenever they crash it looks as if the kite would never relaunch with the wineglass thats in them. I'm not sure if it was one of them (ram air kits guys) but I saw an IRB drop off someone onto shore with a kite in a hell of a mess (didn't see any board with them, guessing that went out to sea) how on earth do those things work after they crash in the wave zone? Give me a pump up any day or am I mistaken, maybe they are good, you tell me?
cheers Marcus
I have no problem refusing to launch obvious noobies on 12m kites when I'm rigging up my 8 (Unless they're 120kg).
I have no problem approaching crew at the beach who obviously have no idea and are jeopardising their own and others' safety.
I do it diplomatically, offer advice as to more suitable locations, equipment, or need for lessons, and have always had grateful responses when people understand that safety is the big issue.
