Two things:

First, it's nice to have you back, fo, both of you... goodfo and badfo... hope you get to stay, a lot of us have missed your words.

Secondly, wouldn't it be nice if one or all of the kite safety/teaching organizations, actually put their money where there mouth is and helped out a helmet manufacturer to design a helmet, specifically for kiteboarding...one with "no bucketing", "no visual interference", "no hearing restriction", "no line snagging", "proper protective neck extention", etc.

Then, with a decent helmet available to the public, ENCOURAGE all the kite instructors to wear the darn things.

Here are some past KF threads that discuss the pros, cons, and short-commings of the available helmets, to help get the organizations started... just do a search and start reading... these topics:

Re: kitesurfing safety helmet?

Re: Kitelines guillotine?

Re: Helmets - there should be a Law !!

Re: Want to leash up your glasses? See this!

Re: "Hook Knives...don't bet your life on them!"

Wouldn't it be nice to have a proper helmet available... and a proper kiting organization, backing such an item?

helmet.. smelmet...i ride o'natural!!!

You got it wrong, supachip. KiwiMike was not showing off, he was showing what not to do.

I know the guy. The incident you describe certainly doesn't characterise him.
What seasoned rider can pretend he never experienced that sort of mishap?

In any case: "Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment."

no alexrider..it doesnt characterise him
, but if youre trying to set up a kite SAFE association..helps if you are safe to start....

P.S the BAR is hanging on the dive shop wall...kind of like a trophy....

yes alexrider/silverfox/blah blah..sasha... you are backing your buddies in everyway...nothing wrong with that.. i do too..but sometimes your buddies aint quite the saints you INSIST them to be..to the rest of the unknowing kite community.

are you standing behind KIWIMIKES lack of safety skills buy acepting him trying to 'show off' and crashing his kite in front of the dive boat. potentionally damaging the engine or even drowning himself.or is that OK in your (KBA) eyes...after all you were the main contributer to the 'defect kite thread'???

Yeah, well...

I'm of the opinion, the biggest hot-dawg misanthropes are also the same guys that want to start a sand sawmi concession...

It's an unfortunate blend of narcissist melded will low IQ producing nothing less than a passionate half wit...

What I really object to is the tendency to solicit the innocent with tales of

"it's so much fun you'll love it" and I can teach you to be safe, You can see how good I am..etc.

Trouble is, they kind of gloss over the looming potential that they might just as easily end up in the morgue.

that's not something they think about, they are focused on constructing some sort of following even though they would not admit it...

That's the motivation that seems to fit with these fired up types---anyway,

We got a dead guy that would still be alive, save a stoked, and yes passionate kiter solicited him...

That's my major gripe with the passionate they are just distracted enough to forget that you should not try and sell this sport...

It's just too insidious...

Just my humble opinion...
fokiten

The true identity of F*ckithen (maaate) is finally revealed. Its late, I'm a bit drunk, and I have to get up way too early tomorrow, I'll have a read later and come back at ya's.

Promises promises...

You now have a fresh opportunity to stay on topic and move this thread forward, Steve...

Here's hoping you've grown since our last encounter...

I really doubt it though...headshake...
fo

Does not seem like you've learned anything as you've aged even more old mate. Stay on track, lay off the insults, and you may show us all that you actually do respect others, otherwise its just back to all your usual clever banter based on a massive amount of inexperience!




Hmmm, no, there is some truth in Toby's advice BUT we need to put the horse in front of the cart here. First thing is to learn to fly a kite, a small trainer kite, well away from people and crowded kite surfing spots. If people cannot do this, then they are not ready to be put in charge of a real sized kite surfing kite!
Once they can demonstrate they know how to fly a kite, then they should be shown how to safely depower the full sized kite, before they get to fly it.
This would be part of a first lesson conducted entirely on a beach, followed by a second lesson conducted entirely from a boat with a real sized kite surfing kite.

We agree on many points Fo, but lumping all beach instruction in the bad basket is very dumb and is your opinion only (and opinions are as common as assholes). You don't run a school, nor do you have years of experience teaching and dealing with the enthusiastic public or even live in a part of the world thats highly populated. Therefore I don't think you have the correct qualifications to advise on how to safely teach this sport and deal with public perceptions.

experience comes with age...

I may not run a school, but I have eyes and the pragmatist's view on living.

There's worth in being taught by the local talent, rather than by some sand swami elsewhere--

you become the (local) baby chick with a beach full of Mother Hens who know the spot and its quirks...

you'll receive tips for life...

Be the new guy that says, "I know what I'm doing, I took lessons while on vacation."

and you'll be viewed as a pariah...

and yeah, the locals will just watch you struggle....

There's not much I can see that makes a paid lesson your best choice...

It takes a village to get you up to speed...

I'm comfy with not liking paid for beach lessons..

Best Regards
fokiten