I don't think we can or should "hold the shops responsible" exactly. But I do think the shops should do what they can to make clear the potential dangers and the need for lessons - from this shop or another. Until licensing is imposed I don't think it's fair or realistic to tell shops they can't sell a kite to anyone that comes in. We can just hope (and encourage them) to give the customer the necessary into to succeed safely. Perhaps a safety DVD could be part of that.
But frankly Rick makes a good and somewhat scary point. It ain't the beginners that need the info. It's the experts that are getting caught with their boardshorts down.
Working To Avoid Fatalities, DRAFT Kiteboarding Guidelines
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Tom183
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There's a pretty clear line between what is "adequate" instruction and what isn't. You can't blame someone for not knowing something if you didn't teach them that. And some guys need more instruction than others - that's the problem with the 3hr-hero lesson, it's not enough for 99% of the newbs out there.
Yeah, a few guys are dumb-asses and won't pay attention no matter how many lessons they take, so you shouldn't EVER sell them a kite! Shops that are serious about safety should quiz potential buyers to see if they know what they should know, if they don't pass then don't f*cking sell them a real kite.
Unfortunately, the thing newbs need to know the most about (flying the kite) doesn't get nearly as much focus as "getting up on the board". Many newbs I see today have spent less than 2hrs on the trainer and crash their kitesurf kites frequently - which is an easy way to cause complaints and get kiteboarding banned. The newbs who spent enough time to learn how to fly a kite first are a lot safer on their own than the newbs who didn't.
Yeah, a few guys are dumb-asses and won't pay attention no matter how many lessons they take, so you shouldn't EVER sell them a kite! Shops that are serious about safety should quiz potential buyers to see if they know what they should know, if they don't pass then don't f*cking sell them a real kite.
Unfortunately, the thing newbs need to know the most about (flying the kite) doesn't get nearly as much focus as "getting up on the board". Many newbs I see today have spent less than 2hrs on the trainer and crash their kitesurf kites frequently - which is an easy way to cause complaints and get kiteboarding banned. The newbs who spent enough time to learn how to fly a kite first are a lot safer on their own than the newbs who didn't.
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afflatus
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Don't post angry Tom,
sure..
It's frustrating for you to see downed kites, but if they are well off shore no ones going to be upset...
re-launching is part of the experience, its the having a coach with you out there that makes the difference between screwed or just being schooled..
Take it off the beach, that's the answer and also the reason for all your anger.
you cannot get your head off the beach, you're stuck there...
Most men stumble on the truth in time, however most just pick themselves up and move on.
Winston Churchill
Think about it.
Tom tom tom,,,think about it...
sure..
It's frustrating for you to see downed kites, but if they are well off shore no ones going to be upset...
re-launching is part of the experience, its the having a coach with you out there that makes the difference between screwed or just being schooled..
Take it off the beach, that's the answer and also the reason for all your anger.
you cannot get your head off the beach, you're stuck there...
Most men stumble on the truth in time, however most just pick themselves up and move on.
Winston Churchill
Think about it.
Tom tom tom,,,think about it...