Unfortunately, a lot of beginner kitesurfers, even after successfully completing a beginner’s course, have not internalised the launch procedure. It is just not taught sufficiently during the courses because it is “no fun” and takes up too much time. I have also realised that kite schools avoid teaching launching and landing on land due to liability issues. They simply outsource the danger of learning launching and landing on land to the post course stages and effectively avoid severe accidents during their courses. I think this is a serious problem and we simply cannot improve the situation by demanding better kite courses or teaching beginners to launch unhooked (what?). It is not realistic.
LET’S START MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON A SMALL SCALE FIRST!
Whenever you (as an experienced kitesurfer) are asked to launch a kite….
- Is the chosen kite size realistic?
- Check if the kitesurfer has put his kite at a possible launching position. The kite may lie just upwind of hazardous obstacles (trees, fences). Also the pathway between the kite and a possible launching position of the kitesurfer may be obstructed by other kites or beach goers. If one of the points is true do not pick up the kite. Go to the kitesurfer and explain why you will not launch him in this position. Explain why you will carry the kite to a better position and point him the way to carry the bar to the new position (usually in front of obstacles so the lines do not have to be carried over them and do not get tangled). Beginners do not do this intuitively. Just tell them what to do.
- Do not pick up the kite as long the kitesurfer is not ready and looking at you.
- Do not pick up the kite if the kitesurfer has positioned himself too far up-wind or in a totally wrong position. In this case go talk to the kitesurfer and explain what would have happened.
- If you pick up the kite and the bridle is wrapped around a wingtip, do not try to unwarp it or ask somebody else to do it while you hold the kite up. Simply put down the kite und pick it up again. In most cases this is sufficient.
- If the kitesurfer signals “thumb up” and the kite flutters, put down the kite and go talk to the kitesurfer, explain.
- If you see someone else about to commit a gross fault get involved!
Advantages:
- You will save people from getting hurt or even dying.
- You will reduce the probability that somebody failing at launching will get you hurt.
- Your local spot is less likely to get shut down because of a tragic accident.
- There will be less damaged kites and more well preserved ones on the used market.
- You will experience gratitude from decent people who actually understand what you are talking about and have learned something.
- You will rarely experience reluctance because you have identified the kitesurfer as a beginner due to their actions.
- Most kitesurfers you help will know what you are talking about because they have completed a beginner’s course.
- The frequency of you having to actually teach others will reduce naturally.
- A certain faction of the kitesurfers you help will develop a profound knowledge of kiteboarding and will help newbies in the future which actually multiplies the reward of your effort and the difference we make is applied on a bigger scale. Maybe they will be encouraged to do so by reading this post.
- You may make some friends.
- Also you will improve your Karma
Preconditions:
- Profound understanding of kiteboarding and some experience.
- At least basic “people skills”, some confidence.
Disadvantages:
- You will never hear from the people you have saved.
