Laughingman wrote:
It would be a serious error in judgment to go kiting and think just because you are with "people" that you are safer. YOU ARE NOT! It is highly unlikely that anyone would be able to get to you on time if you are knocked unconscious or you are drowning, or both...This is an extreme sport. You risk your lives each time you go out.
Pete
Right, it's an extreme sport. I do take the carefully estimated risk everytime - in every differing circumstance. It's a personal evaluation and not 100% foolproof.
I DO FEEL SAFER if there are people ashore.
I have had a helping hand several times.
Surely getting knocked unconscious is probably lethal, even with 10 kiters around. It has happened with 40 kiters around.
It's a risk I take.
For me, and a lot of other well-experienced kiters, sometimes our judgment is that it is not too dangerous to go out alone, in some circumstances. So I wouldn't make it a dogma to never kite alone.
Is it a bad example for beginners?
At any point they will have to learn that they themselves have to judge their skills, the circumstances and the risk that they're willing to take.
In this case, if you set an example, you're probably not alone anymore.