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Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:46 pm
by voodoospirit
happened this summer.
the kiter was putting his CL, the helper was holding the kite but dropped it on its way , the kite bumped on the ground , took the wind, lines went tight, one line was around the kiter's arm and the kite started to KL on the ground in the power zone, the kiter managed to depower the kite as far as he could so he was only dragged ( i caught him up despite i had my synergy at the zenith and about to go, but i ran fast still)
when we saw the kite dropped and take the wind, we ran towards them ,the kite started to KL, we were 2 to jump on the kite and as i already had my synergy in the sky, i jumped on the kiter, the QR was full of sand, unable to QR him.

all i have to say, is that the kiter had some good reflexe to depower the kite as much as he could, saved his ass, QR wasnt working (we saw him trying to QR when he felt the lines getting tight) and even so, i think the bar would have been blocked by his arm. the kiter was experienced and the helper as well. shit happens.

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:18 pm
by AndrewJMcGee
This TOPIC MAKES ME SICK TO MY FUCKING STOMACH!!!!!

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:34 pm
by powerkitefan
this guy won't help launch your ktie

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:22 am
by ToastSYN
Rightguard,
I'm not falling for your trap. The thing is most of the guys around that beach already scoped out the situation and knew your girl was with you and aren't going to come to her rescue on the premise that shes good looking. Also though I don't know you, If I saw your situation at the beach I would avoid it because most guys who bring their girlfriends to the beach and don't ask for help though they obviously need it usually are cocky assholes(not saying that you are but the chances are high in situations like this). I'm assuming here though and I would probably be wrong in this case but without first knowing you it would save me the trouble of possibly dealing with someone that I don't want to.

I'm know your not trying to bash anyone, sorry if I sounded overly defensive.

Yes I was once a beginner. However the first thing I ever did was ask around when I showed up to see what was going on before I tried to launch or even just setup. I also spent a long time being extremely helpful and going out of my way to help people. I earned the respect I have from most everyone down there by being the helpful guy. Now though there is a growing number of people down there who expect help without being friendly and/or helpful. Remember that respect given is respect earned.

My best advice here would be go and be overly nice and helpful to those around you and maybe that will motivate them to help you later when you need it. I definitely rather help someone I knew rather than a complete stranger. Plus maybe you might make some good friends by chatting up the locals. We're all at the beach to enjoy the sport just like you are so reach out a bit. We don't bite its just we see 100 new people every week coming through and don't bother to walk up and talk to everyone.

Hopefully that helps you to understand the mentality that your being exposed to... Don't get me started on the other beaches because each little section has its quarks. I'd suggest though trying Naish beach for the rest of your stay.

-Toast

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:07 am
by rightguard
Toast, just like you say, I hope my response didn't seem overly defensive. I'd have to say I'm a little socially inept, but that's from shyness not arrogance. I bring my wife down with me, because she enjoys the beach, and I don't have to ask for help. I would like to meet more people down there and should put more of an effort into introducing myself. I've lived on maui for 20 years now, so hopefully the rest of my stay will be for a while.

It's kind of funny... I like to go down, hang out, and watch. So far I've tried to help when I can, but sometimes being helpful makes me feel like I stand out even more. I've gone to help a few people and they blow me off "I don't need your help." I guess so far I'm just trying to figure out how the whole thing works. Plus I guess since no one knows me they just think I'm visiting and a noob. I'm only one of those things.

Tuesday I went up and checked out Naish beach. That seemed like a nice place to launch, but I didn't have the time to wait for the wind to pick up. I only brought my 7.5, and it wasn't enough. Thanks for the words of advice, believe me I hear what your saying. Aloha

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:49 am
by Laughingman
We all need to get over ourselves. This is my first year kiting, I took lessons till I was broke and then went out with my girlfriend and taught her to help to launch me. It wasn't always pretty. In fact we even had one close call, which by the way was totally my fault, but I still learned from it and so did she. There were many times when she was getting ready to launch me and people would step in and help out taking the kite and assisting with my launch. Now Beth can assist in launching and landing kites confidently and is the first to help someone in need.
I have made a point of going out of my way to help people to launch and land their kites. I don't see it as something I could abandon anytime soon. These people have become our friends.
There is a sub culture within kiters and if we don't help each other what does that say about our community? Don 't be surprised when you loose access to your launch, and don't go blaming a noob, if you lead be example the accident likely would not have happened.
Experienced Kiters need to lead by example, if the example you set is not one which shows a helpful nature, and one that supports the community which you are a part of, what does that say about the community as a whole? Your actions are effecting the actions and behaviour of the noobs around you.
We need to set the example, so that people that are new to the sport see how they should act. It is our responsibility to assist and educate new kiters to act accordingly. If you do this, one day you will not get the chance to help a noob since everyone you have influenced will have already jumped in to assist.
It is all about passing the torch. At your beach, if people are not being helpful, don't blame anyone but yourself.
Be a part of the solution, not the problem.

Sincerely

Pete

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:33 am
by Kosh
There has been a few cases at our beach where a complete beginner has shown up with his girlfriend and an old kite. She has tried to help launch the kite for him, and we have been 4-5 experienced kiters standing at the beach looking, talking about "this doesnt look too good", but deciding the dangers was mostly to the health of the kite, not the kiter. Usually the wind havent been very strong (6-7ms). Luckily no accidents yet, but if a situation occurs, someone will run to assist.

But..when a stranger/beginner shows up at the beach, rigs his equipment with some distance from everyone else, doesnt approach/talk to anyone else on the beach, and get help from his inexperienced girlfriend launching the kite...I feel reluctant to help him (except when really needed) since he clearly shows that "he doesnt need us". Always helping when people asks for it, or when dangerous situations occur though.

We are a great helpful community, but sometimes people need to show atleast some interest in getting help from experienced kiters for us to bother help them when not really needed.

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:14 pm
by superstoke
Some guy asks his clueless girlfriend to launch him and totally kooks out then gets pissed that people didn't drop everything they were doing. Give me a break. What an arrogant prick. Then all these internet do-gooders that come and chime in how much they help people bring the arrogance to a whole new level.

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:19 pm
by Younger
I can't believe the assholes that contribute to this blog - I can see how 'superstroke' above got his nickname, hours of self stroking!

How inviting or welcoming do you think you appear to a noob or visitor with attitudes like that? Do they really have to come up and pay homage to you and ask your advice for you to then consider helping them?

Some people have said you shouldnt have to help anyone as they should be able to self launch or land - this is certainly contrary to everything I have been taught or experienced since I started.

You guys really need to get your heads out of your own asses and remember back to when you were first going solo on the beach having done your lessons. You were probably nervous and intimidated and would have loved a little bit of support and guidance. Certainly on the sunny shores of Ireland, all I have ever encountered is a willingness to help and give advice, no matter how cool the guys look.

Re: Are you really that cool...

Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:07 pm
by superstoke
It's the difference between asking for help and demanding help. If you want to demand help you have to pay for a lesson.

Again all you internet do-gooders are a load of cr@p.