Kitemare at Sherman Island yesterday

rivella · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 1

I would think that every kiter out there carries some kind of device to cut lines in an emergency. Apparently not! By the way, much better than a knife are scissors for that purpose since you don't need leverage to operate them. Just attach them to your harness and save your own life if you need to.

windoggi · Joined: 22 Feb 2002 Posts: 2743

mtraveler · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 152 Location: Maui, Hi.

rigatoni · Joined: 25 Feb 1999 Posts: 498

I might define PATHETIC and IGNORANT as denying the inherent dangers of your sport to yourself as well as others just minding their business on the beach or just trying to enjoy themselves on the water. I might also define it as a kiter who comes on a windsurfing blog as a pretext to put down the sport. Kind of lame dude.

Plenty of room out there for all of us and we should look out for each other regardless of what we are sailing. Kudos to those who rescued that guy.

mtraveler · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 152 Location: Maui, Hi.

Most every sport has its risks and I am certainly aware of what can and will happen on the water! No one is denying the dangerous aspects of Kiting, but to explain Kiting to others and only talk of the risks is IGNORANT! Sorry, but it is.

... oh and I wasn't putting down the sport of windsurfing, just the way someone was talking about kiting!

tsokat · Joined: 15 May 1997 Posts: 326

My experience on and around the water, is that most everyone, whatever they are using to power their board, is quite sympatico-probably more so than in "real life". The beer brought by my friends who kite is just as cold and delicious as that of my friends who sail. The Sherman Island area, perhaps due to the vast amount of water available on which to play and warm temps by Bay Area standards, is especially so. And let's not forget that the real human interest story here is that a WOMAN, who happened to be a windsurfer, put her own life at risk to help save the life of a man, who happened to be a kiteboarder. That story is inspirational for me. Folks, please have fun, be safe, keep spreading the good vibes and keep looking out for the safety of your fellow brothers and sisters on the water.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

Carol,
You inspires me. I was at SPI this spring when a kiter drown in 3 feet of water in an area busy with windsurfers and kiters. Nobody notice his struggles and he paid with his life. Maybe we should all be like you and pay attentison to others. I do watch out for fellow windsurfers but not really for kiters. That will change now thanks to you. Feel good about yourself cause you deserve it......Tony

bad_dolphin · Joined: 26 Feb 1995 Posts: 77

Carol, you ROCK! How fantastic to be so aware of what's going on around you, and then to immediately not only take action, but the right action. It's great to know that there are people like you around, and you're an inspiration to everyone to pay attention and help out on the water.