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Newbie with Handicap

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oshivan
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Newbie with Handicap

Postby oshivan » Wed Jan 31, 2018 8:56 pm

Hi There

I am going to Graan Canaria next week and I am thinking about starting with Kitesurfing.
My problem is that I have an Eye disease and I am only able to see about 10%.
For someone that doesn’t know how much that is. I am able to read something in 1 meter distance that a normal person can read in 10 meters.

bicycle and Snowboarding is not a problem at all (also high speed 50km/h)

I think I would’t have any problems to see other kitesurfers as long as they are on the board.

But are there maybe others swimming when only the head is visible?

Is there any minimum speed?

I would apriciate if anyone can suggest if this sport is save form e and others.

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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby Toby » Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:04 pm

Hi,

I don’t think it is a problem for you.

Sure, don’t ride in areas where swimmers are.
But normally we have areas just for us.

Our speed is maybe at 20-40 km/h
Normally we don’t go that fast, rather a cruising speed.

The problem rather could be seeing the Kite?
And other kites...I think adding a flag people with bad vision use in their arms, the yellow with the black dots could show others to keep distance.

Not sure if Gran Canaria is a good learning spot.
In Las Palomas (?) with its big beach it’s fine...if you get some wind there.
The main spot at Pozo is quiet dangerous due to its stony beach and wind power plants.

Please let us know your experience after you went and tried!

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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby oshivan » Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:21 pm

Thanks for your reply

As far as I can see on youtube video's. It shouldn't be any problem to see other kites.

I was more worried about swimmers at kite spots.

We are located at the east of gran canaria. We will probably do a 12h course at http://www.pozowinds.com/

They write that the location depends on weather ocnditions. I guess they know where to ryde.

I will let you know how it was.

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Toby
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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby Toby » Fri Feb 02, 2018 10:35 am

Ok, good luck !

I am sure they will take you to places with no swimmers.

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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby jakemoore » Fri Feb 02, 2018 3:38 pm

So do you have problems with visual fields, with central vision, or with focus?

For example a macular dystrophy with good peripheral vision and poor reading I would suspect very small limitations.

If it was a disease which weakens the wall of the eye such as keratoconus, or a disease with increased risk of retinal detachment I would exercise extreme caution regarding face impact with water.

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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby oshivan » Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:23 am

Hi

Yes it is a mascular dystrophy. I just have poor reading skills. Only the focusing is affected. The Name is Stargardt disease.

Unfortunatly there is currently a lot of wind at gran canaria. The kite school is not sure when it is getting better. However if cant do it at Gran Canaria, i will do it somwhere else.

Thanks again for your help!

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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby oshivan » Sun Feb 18, 2018 2:57 pm

Sorry for my late update.

Unfortunately, we couldn't finish our course due to big waves. So we only have finished all exercises on land until 1f. I will probably finish my course this spring in lake garda(italy) or france.

I will let you know then.

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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby Toby » Sun Feb 18, 2018 4:05 pm

Too bad, sorry to hear!

Ask is before you plan...people here know when and where it should be best for you to finish your course!

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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby oshivan » Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:23 pm

Hi There

Last Weekend, I was at lago di como in Italy and I finally managed to pass level 3.

I don't have any doubts that my handicap is any safety issue. I was able to see all other kiters without a problem.

However, during my past lessons I have lost twice my board and I couldn't find it anymore. Bodydrag uppwind is not a problem at all but if I fall and the board is too far away, I can't see it anymore. Luckely in both situations the teacher was able to find my board. I'm just scared that if I do that sport independently, I will soon or later loose my board.

I was thinking about a safety leash, however my last teacher told me to not use it because it is too dangerous.

Do you have any tipps for me how to avoid loosing my board? GPS tracker?

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Toby
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Re: Newbie with Handicap

Postby Toby » Mon Jul 09, 2018 6:56 pm

There is a roll leash you can use, it is less dangerous than a normal leash.

http://shop.flysurfer.com/flysurfer-rol ... re=english


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