Today at the beach there was a person on a kite that was bought from interstate (on ebay) that had no clue what he was doing couldnt even set up the lines to his kite.. i think when people sell stuff online and interstate they should ask the buyer if they have any experience.. because we dont want anyone to get hurt or killed ,kiter or bystander.
To make matters worse the person then proceeded out onto the water with no experience in flying the kite, self rescue, body dragging and the saftey release. luckly nothing bad happend but to avoid this happening i think people should just ask buyers if they have had lessons or are getting lessons before they sell the kite.
cheers Jake
Do you ask someone if they have driven a car before you sell it to them ?
I can understand your point but surely i can still sell it to whoever i want.
Maybe the seller can just say "if you have never kited before, i recommend you get lessons"
The only way that can change is with some sort of system that prevents kiting at beaches without the appropriate license/permit. I.e. like a sailing club where you can't use their facilities or boat ramp without being a member. Kiters could easily purchase gear from overseas with little or no restrictions so it would be nearly impossible to manage at equipment level.
This would leave it free for people to buy gear from whatever source they want but prevent them kiting at spots until they are certified. Most riders don't want this which means it will never be implemented until large scale bans happen.
It's pretty easy to spot someone with no idea. At our local beach we always go over to them and offer a hand. If it's clear that they are going to put themselves or others in danger we inform them of what can potentially go wrong.
Example
One guy, clearly a beginner, was teaching his brother on a narrow stretch of beach. I made a point of telling them about the power of a 12m kite in inexperienced hands, about the post and wire fence just downwind of the kite, the kids playing just next to them, the surf club guys who take a dim view of irresponsible behaviour and how accidents can ruin it for all of us. They thought better of it and packed up, much to my relief.
Not sure I like the licencing system as Saffer suggests. It was discussed on this forum a while back. Many questions will need to be addressed if a licence/permit is required to kite.
Who will issue the licence?
Who will enforce it?
What do you need to do to get a licence?
There will be a fee of course.
What about standards national/international/state.
How do visiting kiters from OS get a licence or prove that they are capable kiters?
Do we sit a test - practical/written?
Who runs the test - AKSA, Water Police, Coastal Patrol, Waterways? More fees!
Will we all be required to wear PFD's as is required in some states of Aus?
When someone has completed a lesson from an IKO instructor do they then qualify for a licence? Maybe 2 lessons?
Who will write the standards and who will endorse them?
If people from outside the kiting community write the rules I am very sure they will be unworkable.
As you can see there are many things to address. If you suggest AKSA do this then think again. AKSA is a small body of unpaid volunteers. Let's not even consider a licencing/permit system as it will not make kiting safer.
You can lead a man to knowledge. but you can't make him think!. ...... . . . . . .
its not the seller of the kite at fault its the numb nuts flying with no experience. there will always be people trying their hardest to remove themselves from the gene pool
^^ Management at beach level is the key. If you see someone doing something dumb or dangerous speak up, preferably with backup.
When selling gear online, I always quiz the potential buyer on what they are currently using, how long they have been kiting and how heavy they are etc. you can quickly gauge what their story is. If they have not had any lessons I tell them to have some, work out if they like kiting and call me back after if they are still interested.
If they try and tell me "it's ok mate I'll be fine" I try a little shock tactic and tell them about our about our mate Laurie, an experienced kiter who had an horrific accident here some years back, hospital for 6 months, still learning to walk after 12 months and years before returning to work full time.
