Hi everyone,
I'm in the middle of a training coarse and have to give a 10min info session on Monday 23rd Nov.
I've decided to do it on kiting awareness aimed at the beach goer/pedestrian.
my main points were going to be:
lines - trip/tangle hazard - dangers under tension
wind window and downwind clearance - hindenburging,crash zone
in case of emergency - catching the leading edge
just wondering if the community thinks I should mention other key points or points not to mention.
It's not like I've got a huge broadcast audience, but if I successfully transfer the knowledge, i'd like to plant the best seeds in their minds.
Keep it simple.
1. Avoid kite lines at all times.
2. If a kite is flying, being launched or landed - DO NOT STAND DOWN WIND (ie. make sure you can see the kiters back).
I would never rely on Joe 'kite ignorant' Public to launch, land or assist in an emergency. It's far more likely to go horribly wrong than right.
Explaining the wind window and downwind clearance is likely to confuse people, see #2.
here is the thing, once you start teaching public how kites and lines are dangerous, they will ask why are they allowed on public beaches... (same way you can't ride dirt bike on the public beach)
therefore, kiters should keep away from crowded places... only launch and land when there are no passers by... and they should kite away from swimmers.
i've seen kites drop out of the sky and swimmers being in between the kiter and the kite, grabbing the lines to help out... what the hell was the kiter doing so close to the swimmers anyway... in the end, if some kiters don't care about contributing to bans, consider the fact that you may get sued by any injured parties. This has been all said million times, but every year there are new kiters who need to be educated...
