What's the worst thing about kite surfing?

[sonny2727]

while waiting for wind thought I might ask this question. For me it's self landing in 20 plus knots. But generally launching and landing you need other people in high winds. This would be my number 1 issue with kiting, anyone who can solve this problem will make kiting less social

[juandesooka]

Repetitive strain injuries from kiting too much ... elbows, ankles, hips. Old dogs can learn new tricks, just costs a lot more.

[matth]

Getting skunked.

[knyfe]

waiting for wind of course !!!

[bigtone667]

Waiting, stopping, working, packing up, < 7 knots, > 51 knots

[edt]

Getting skunked.

the only thing worse than getting skunked at home is traveling to beautiful exotic locations and getting skunked there

[bc-sf]

Getting skunked.

the only thing worse than getting skunked at home is traveling to beautiful exotic locations and getting skunked there

add to that getting 'wet skunked' - where you give it a go despite knowing it's not enough and you only get one or two tacks in before having to pack it in, of course with a bunch of wet and sandy gear now.

[sonny2727]

Ok here's my full list
- crap forecast (20 kts but actual 10kts)
- packing wet sandy gear and no place to dry
- too many people , specially popular beaches with many kite schools and Japanese tourists taking group photos and dog
walkers who let their dogs play in shallow water - seriously couldn't find a better place
- Kite line tangles - and seaweed in lines
- big kites with small pump valves
- body dragging to board- what a waste of time
- bar grip - falls apart even if pay $700 - cant be that difficult to invent better grip

[OzBungy]

while waiting for wind thought I might ask this question. For me it's self landing in 20 plus knots. But generally launching and landing you need other people in high winds. This would be my number 1 issue with kiting, anyone who can solve this problem will make kiting less social

Any experienced kiter can self launch and land in way over 30 knots with almost 100% reliability. It's easy. Practice more.

Since taking up foiling the worst thing about kiting is that it is always on. Every day. Sub-10 knots up to 30+ knots. The problem with that is that it means the other things I do don't get done. I try to reserve time to do other stuff, then I hear the breeze in the trees and I have to go.

Used to be I could look at the forecast and reliably pick a few days to go to the mountains or go and do something else. But now ...

[plummet]

Getting skunked.

the only thing worse than getting skunked at home is traveling to beautiful exotic locations and getting skunked there

add to that getting 'wet skunked' - where you give it a go despite knowing it's not enough and you only get one or two tacks in before having to pack it in, of course with a bunch of wet and sandy gear now.

To add to this.

The moist, sandy and damaged skunk.

No only do you get desperate after waiting for wind. You then go out in shitty conditions. The kite falls out of the sky gets washed in through the surf and torn to bits on the rocks.....

Also even if there is wind the conditions are not always what you feel like doing. Ie its 15 knots chop when you feel the need for a 30 knots boost feet!