Postby soulpatch » Tue May 15, 2018 4:45 am
Thanks for all the great advice..... I love the videos and I have NEVER wanted to be in a lowlight video.... be it surfing, firefighting or rescue, being too drunk, capoeira, none of that..... I want to be the guy that isn't noticed!
As far as the self-landing goes, well, I have actually practiced that quite a bit during my lessons.... my instructor has me set it right on it's side and shortening up the high side to dump that leading edge right into the sand or water.
He's also just had me dump the release so I can practice cleaning it up and gain quick control of my kite so as to get airborne.
He has had me do that in open water and then relaunch both with my board and body-dragging.... I feel more comfortable putting it down than the self-launch aspect.
Honestly, I'd rather never self-launch but the reality of my situation is that if I don't I am really going to limit my time on the water just due to how my life is currently.
Also, where I live it is a big bay and, unless it is blowing offshore I can always self-rescue and ride my kite until I hit sand...... then it is a matter of hiring a cab or walking a few km's home with my gear.... god forbid!
All that being said, safety is my number 1 thing..... I won't do it if I assess a situation and there is potential for anyone downwind that can be harmed and if I feel the wind is too heavy..... right now I am not comfortable anywhere near what my kite is capable of handling wind velocity-wise so I am, oddly enough, really taking my time with all this.
After all, I'm an old man now, damn near 56!
I don't heal quite like I used to and I want to replace as few parts as possible as I get older.
I'm not a pussy but I have switch from running miles to kms..... still good for 45kms or so a week but I will not impress anyone with my lack of speed.
Lastly, I don't want to put my kite into a situation it will get torn up.... I am that guy that will sacrifice his body to save his surfboard.... it's instinct!
I think the main takeaway is push my limits but do it wisely.
I remember when reading waves surfing became instinctual..... the drop, turning, pretending I'm Phil Edwards, just feeling it and seeing what the wave had to offer.... that is where I am focusing my goals with kitesurfing..... finding the instinct in it and just having fun with whatever presents itself to me and not getting me or anyone else dead or maimed.
Oh, and lastly?
Feeling stoked and probably having a frosty beverage afterwards.