Just a warning to all beginners, even if you've been kiting for a few months but you may kite for a first time in a new spot.
Take extreme caution.
today, I was out at my usual spot just messing around by myself with a trainer kite in 20 knots. Then these 3 marines, here in Jamaica for 3 months, arrive one with kite gear. I was just packing up to leave when they arrived so i briefly said hi and introduced myself, they didn't seem in the least interested in getting some info on the area, any conditions they might want to know about etc.
so i decide to go for a lil walk and circle round, came back round and decided to take my trainer kite out again for another spin as i was having shitloads of fun teasing these dogs on the beach with the kite lol .
the guy all geared up was the 2 month rider , the other 2 guys never. spoke to them briefly again and told him if hee needed any advice or help just shout me, i'll be right here with ma trainer kite.
so he goes and hooks in, while i'm setting up my trainer, and next thing i look across and his noob buddies , (whom he gave absolutely no sintruction to) launched his kite (10m 2012 Rebel in 22 knots, the guy was 135lbs) , launched the guys kite DIRECTLY down wind. obviously way too much power soo he's being pulled inland (as the wind is pretty much directly onshore)... loses control and it smacks into some small trees. i rush to get it out ... luckily north's are build tough and he got no damage.
so he goes and sets up again, and i show the guys how to launch him at the edge of the wind ... so he gets the kite up , clearly over powered. so i ask if he's depowered, he told me he didnt know how , so i had to show him how the depower works.
he gets to the water ( remember almost directly onshore wind, and this spot is quite choppy) ... i gave him some advice ... not to be afraid of pulling your QR.
so i launch my trainer kite again and messing around , while he's trying to bodydrag out a lil so he can try launch, next thing i know his kite has crashed on the beach and he doesn't know how to re-launch.... long story short, ends up in the bushes again.
then they left....
JUST some advice to new-comers to the sport... if you reallyyyyy want to try and kite in an area you DO NOT KNOW,,,, and you're lucky enough to meet a local kiter there.... take some time to chat to him and ask everything you need to know about the area and the conditions etc. it might save you losing a $1500 kite... and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Bless !