Depth of water is critical - I have a lump on my chest due to landing badly in less than a foot of water - though crashing from above 20 mt might be a bit painful

"and if you live anywhere where there are always waves, you can forget it." - depends which kites - my fuels go down in waves and I get water behind the leading edge - game over - my flysurfers - just reverse launch and I'm up and riding.

That's not good business sense. You go where the market is. Why do you think luxury car makers are now making 4x4. I ride both foils and tubes...in less than 25 knts I'm happier in foils. Easier ride better upwind jump higher in lower winds. Bigger wind range...I can go on. But it's personal choice....

A life vest doesn't cost much

All these newer kites are a dream compared to what we used to use. Landboarding in gusty winds on playing fields in London with Psycho 1 or Mastair is a real challenge - you really had to watch the kite - keep it slightly powered up - as the kite would constantly fly over your head and collapse when...

When I have had to self rescue - roll kite up - put on board and swim - we don't have rescue boats....but then I learnt how to self rescue - sounds like your foil riders didn't

Decline....on our beach their use has gone up...mainly for use in sub 18 knts.
and I contest about dangerous - never seen a foil in a death spin......I agree a bit more awkward in self rescue but not dangerous.

A few years back took a 12 mt mastair and 9mt psycho 1, board and harness and travel l bag to India....14 KG all in...and these kites were not the lightestfoils by any means

the top two photos from stephz are psycho 3's......still have 13, 10 and 8 - but ride mainly now my speed 4 lotus 10 and fuels for high wind. I think the soul seems a go to kite though

Compare with downhill MTB - lots of minor injuries - breakages - not too many fatalities.....Kitesurfing not many minor injuries - but when it goes wrong game over