I just don't get it.
I was taught and led to believe that kite surfing is about being out there with the freedom of the wind, the ocean, the waves, sun and just fun.
So what's with the attitude from some kiters?
My observations (please feel free to add more):
* Kiters that don't want to help you land or launch.
* Kiters that come to you giving you unwarranted advice whilst you're setting up or separating the lines.
* Kiters that look at you angry if you ask someone else next to them to land your kite.
* Kiters shrugging their shoulders and doing the slow shoe-shuffle mumbling "do I have to", when asked to land your kite.
* Kiters that walk up to you without even introducing themselves, saying hello or welcome - nothing, and yet criticise your equipment infront of your mates, even going as far as saying it's crap.
* And my greatest one: kiters that talk and try to sound cool like DJ jocks or Sean Connery. Like speak clear English hommie!
Just because you can kite surf does not make you anyone special.
I will give you a hand next time your kite ends up in the sand dunes or trees, no worries matey 
Select to expand quoteLoftywinds said..
I just don't get it.
I was taught and led to believe that kite surfing is about being out there with the freedom of the wind, the ocean, the waves, sun and just fun.
So what's with the attitude from some kiters?
My observations (please feel free to add more):
* Kiters that don't want to help you land or launch.
* Kiters that come to you giving you unwarranted advice whilst you're setting up or separating the lines.
* Kiters that look at you angry if you ask someone else next to them to land your kite.
* Kiters shrugging their shoulders and doing the slow shoe-shuffle mumbling "do I have to", when asked to land your kite.
* Kiters that walk up to you without even introducing themselves, saying hello or welcome - nothing, and yet criticise your equipment infront of your mates, even going as far as saying it's crap.
* And my greatest one: kiters that talk and try to sound cool like DJ jocks or Sean Connery. Like speak clear English hommie!
Just because you can kite surf does not make you anyone special.
Have you ever thought it might just be you lofty
Select to expand quotehargs said..
Loftywinds said..
I just don't get it.
I was taught and led to believe that kite surfing is about being out there with the freedom of the wind, the ocean, the waves, sun and just fun.
So what's with the attitude from some kiters?
My observations (please feel free to add more):
* Kiters that don't want to help you land or launch.
* Kiters that come to you giving you unwarranted advice whilst you're setting up or separating the lines.
* Kiters that look at you angry if you ask someone else next to them to land your kite.
* Kiters shrugging their shoulders and doing the slow shoe-shuffle mumbling "do I have to", when asked to land your kite.
* Kiters that walk up to you without even introducing themselves, saying hello or welcome - nothing, and yet criticise your equipment infront of your mates, even going as far as saying it's crap.
* And my greatest one: kiters that talk and try to sound cool like DJ jocks or Sean Connery. Like speak clear English hommie!
Just because you can kite surf does not make you anyone special.
Have you ever thought it might just be you lofty
*sigh*
Thanks Marvs... I feel welcomed at last...
lofty your right - kite hippies are a small mob these days
Back in the early 80s there were very few of us who learnt to windsurf, big waves out the car window and big yarns wether you new someone or not - gone are them good hippie days too
If you got a bong im sure we can get some "Old School" rocking again at the beach
You must be talking about the kiters who scowl when you ask them to help launch your kite and only are only prepared to give you 1 minute of their time and if you take a little longer they let go of your kite even if you are not in the right launch position yet. A number of a'hole kiters have done this before you give the thumbs up signal, what's going on in your heads?
Select to expand quoteLoftywinds said..
I was taught and led to believe that kite surfing is about being out there with the freedom of the wind, the ocean, the waves, sun and just fun.
It is.......last time i checked, kitesurfing was not a team sport.
One of the main reasons I got into it is the fact that u can go alone.
Learn to self launch and land, then utilise the miles of coastline at ur disposal...
Select to expand quoteGilly3 said..Loftywinds said..
I was taught and led to believe that kite surfing is about being out there with the freedom of the wind, the ocean, the waves, sun and just fun.
It is.......last time i checked, kitesurfing was not a team sport.
One of the main reasons I got into it is the fact that u can go alone.
Learn to self launch and land, then utilise the miles of coastline at ur disposal...
Already there Gills. Just the attitude from some I've seen during the years ...
Select to expand quoteLoftywinds said...
.
* And my greatest one: kiters that talk and try to sound cool like DJ jocks or Sean Connery. Like speak clear English hommie!
.
Yeh!!! Spin that dek boyyy. I sound like Sean Connery.
Last I heard Australia is a free country and if you don't want to speak to or associate on the beach with middle aged balding men then this shouldn't need justifying.
People should learn to self land and launch and also invest in a pump that works. Alternatively get used to hearing NO when requests are made for the above.
Select to expand quoteGilly3 said...Loftywinds said..
I was taught and led to believe that kite surfing is about being out there with the freedom of the wind, the ocean, the waves, sun and just fun.
It is.......last time i checked, kitesurfing was not a team sport.
One of the main reasons I got into it is the fact that u can go alone.
Learn to self launch and land, then utilise the miles of coastline at ur disposal...
On the money...
Select to expand quoteRPM said..
Last I heard Australia is a free country and if you don't want to speak to or associate on the beach with middle aged balding men then this shouldn't need justifying.
People should learn to self land and launch and also invest in a pump that works. Alternatively get used to hearing NO when requests are made for the above.
Free to be rude and arrogant? - yep welcome to Straya.
Select to expand quoteRPM said..
Last I heard Australia is a free country and if you don't want to speak to or associate on the beach with middle aged balding men then this shouldn't need justifying.
People should learn to self land and launch and also invest in a pump that works. Alternatively get used to hearing NO when requests are made for the above.
One day you'll rush in over powered trying to during a squall with you 9m up with gusts punching past 40 knots. You will crave that assisted land then. But who will you see? That balding middle aged dude you refused to launch.......
As you get ripped off your feet and slammed on the ground ,dislocate your shoulder, are unable to pull the safety and just before your unhelmeted head smashes in the boulder wall only then will you realize that Karma is a bitch.
Select to expand quoteLoftywinds said..Gilly3 said..Loftywinds said..
I was taught and led to believe that kite surfing is about being out there with the freedom of the wind, the ocean, the waves, sun and just fun.
It is.......last time i checked, kitesurfing was not a team sport.
One of the main reasons I got into it is the fact that u can go alone.
Learn to self launch and land, then utilise the miles of coastline at ur disposal...
Already there Gills. Just the attitude from some I've seen during the years ...
Yeah this is the problem, the attitude. Any competent kiter and self launch and land, but if there's people around to help it sure is a lot more convenient. It's just a shame when you ask someone for a launch and they look at you like you just asked for their firstborn child... like dude just hold my kite for 30 seconds it's not a big deal.
It's like that some places here that are very cliquey, especially if you aren't the same race or speak their language... unfortunately.
Like all sports there are some idiots. Look at driving on the road....some people will let you in when you are trying to change lanes while others will block you and then stare you down.
Some kiters definitely think they are gods gift to the earth!
Hi Lofty,
It does seem to be a very different sport from what it was in the early days. I think that on the whole, most people are friendly and happy to assist, but I do know what you speak of.
In the first years of kiting, if you saw a kite up across the bay, you'd drive the 25 minutes to go and see who it was and speak to them about gear and lessons learned. There was a real camaraderie in those days, perhaps it was that all of the gear was trying in earnest to kill you should you fail to pay attention for half a second, or perhaps it was just the need to find someone who cared to share stories and the stoke with.
I've saved lives of, and have had my life saved by kiters who sprinted at super human speed to intercept an out of control kite kite before getting smashed. Thanks Chris Brent, never seen a big fella move at that kind of speed before as I was planing on my belly under an unstoppable 11.8m (16m), no depower Wipika Airblast kite in an unexpected 30 knot southerly buster in Sydney. Most kiters will have to Google Wipika Airblast to understand ... 
I'd like to think that there is still plenty of ALOHA, on the beaches amongst kiters.
DM
Select to expand quoteActionSportsWA said...
I'd like to think that there is still plenty of ALOHA, on the beaches amongst kiters.
Is the spirit of Aloha like when Rick Kane got smashed by the Hui for being so hoale he doesn't even know he's hoale?
I agree that kiting is a solo sport but it's always more fun with a mate or two, when I'm Kiting without any Kiting mates - I always rig to self launch. If another kiter offers to assist, great - less wear & tear on my gear....I think most of us have come across some arshole that you have asked & has refused.
As Plummet said, Karma will sort them out & don't let them stop you doing the right thing.
Select to expand quoteRPM said..
Last I heard Australia is a free country and if you don't want to speak to or associate on the beach with middle aged balding men then this shouldn't need justifying.
People should learn to self land and launch and also invest in a pump that works. Alternatively get used to hearing NO when requests are made for the above.
RPM has had enough of this people-pleasing BS in the kiting scene.
He's fully gone into an aloof arsehole mode,
staying distant ...
He figures that'll get their undivided attention.
lol.
You would 100% get a No!
however I'd just say it straight up to your face and smile also.
you would be straight back on seabreeze complaining and carrying on like a pork chop...
Hence I rest my case regarding old balding men... Behind seabreeze the red thumb rules them!
Select to expand quoteRPM said..
You would 100% get a No!
If a hot-as-fish-grease kite babe asked you for an assist ...
You would 100% say NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !
(girl germs)
Dude, that's very telling of you.
lol.
Select to expand quoteRPM said...
You would 100% get a No!
however I'd just say it straight up to your face and smile also.
you would be straight back on seabreeze complaining and carrying on like a pork chop...
Hence I rest my case regarding old balding men... Behind seabreeze the red thumb rules them!
Apologies in advance to anyone who rides RPM kites. Due to the information in this thread I'll be staying well away from you.
Douche.
What makes fellow biker so special? Nothing
What makes fellow driver so special? Nothing
What makes fellow skydiver so special? Nothing
What makes fellow snowboarder so special? Nothing
What makes fellow skater so special? Nothing
What makes fellow windsurfer so special? Nothing
What makes fellow KITESURFER so special? NOTHING
I already said it somewhere else. Be thankful, they actually pinpointed themselves as jerks, gives u a target to hit some1 for no reason when u angry or a subject to ignore and stay away from. Depends on what kind of person are u.
Next time pull hard on 1 steering line behinds his back when he is about to waterstart if it will make u happy.
Jerks, jerks everywhere.
I can see where RPMs probably coming from. More and more Im seeing guys ask for a launch because they have no interest in learning to self launch.
Also how many guys come up when you are mid pumping up and ask you to launch, then give the bitchy attitude face when you answer "in 2 minutes".
A cheeky "self launch you lazy **** " isn't going to hurt anybody.
Select to expand quotebjw said..
I can see where RPMs probably coming from. More and more Im seeing guys ask for a launch because they have no interest in learning to self launch.
Bollocks mate! I can self launch no problem. But I'd rather ask for assistance any day, than having my kite's LE pop as it was poked by a stick or something sharp.
It is sad that in the last several years. I have had to add some extra care into teaching the launching process to my students, in order to make them aware of the impatience of fellow kiters that they may ask a launch assist of.
and as for that Whoossy 11.4 Airblast story. I self learn't with a 8.4 Airblast and a 16.4m Airblast. inland reservoir by myself trees and rocks. 195cm directional board with 10' bungee leg rope. No QR back then, to unhook meant fishing the donkey dick out pulling chicken loop down and out.
try that with 22.5ish metres of kite dragging you across gravel and rocks. luckily chinese scrub makes for a good kite catcher.
