Due to my hours and location, I'm finding that most of my sessions are solo these days. Even the beach can be empty for hours on end, no dog walkers or anyone.
What, if any, precautions do people take when kiting solo? I've been kiting for over 6 years now and have had a few, rare, accidents but have normally had other kiters around me. I'm confident in my abilities, but I'm wondering if I should have something to hand in case of an emergency.
My father-in-law, an ex-Navy rescue diver, suggested a heap of items to take with me. Personal locator beacons, flares etc. etc., but that is a little bit over the top.
An aquapac and phone maybe?
I often ride solo myself. You don't really need to do much different, just use your common sense. Launch and land with the kite facing the water, I always have my leash attatched to a flaging line for this, then switch to suicide. Don't go further offshore than you can swim in. Observe conditions properly(rips, banks, and other hazzards). and keep an eye on the sky, is there weather approaching? Really all the things that you should do anyway. And most of all revel in being the only one ripping that break!
Try to find a kite buddy
so much more enjoyable sharing experiences
and safer too.....
Not a lot of kiters in Timor (work location) so I leave details with someone - expected time out and back. As above, limit distance out - Advantage is there is generally the inquisitive observer - people on the beach that is - not the crocks and sharks!
When you think about it you're pretty much on your own no matter how many people are around. If you screw up in a jump or something I can't see anybody noticing then getting to you quick enough to save your life.
If you have a major malfunction and get blown out to sea somebody might notice and call the water police.
There's only one real rule for any extreme sport and that is to have an escape route and preserve it at all costs.
In the case of kiting by yourself that is to only go out in cross-on/onshore winds and to have landable beaches downwind of you. You will eventually get blown to shore.
You can also learn the inflato kite self-rescue thing. My mate did it recently and it is super effective for getting back in if the wind is too light to relaunch.
If the downwind beaches are a bit rugged then consider wearing booties.
You could go the path of helmets and lifejackets and mobile in a pouch and all that stuff.
