I've had it. What to say that hasn't been said a million times before??
Good fricken luck to us and fingers crossed …
FYI, just to advise that KBV are naturally interested in assisting where we can regards safety.
I shall post more on this matter, as KBV have been in contact recently with local councils, KA , schools to consider what options KBV as a volunteer organisation can do
Ok thats Fookin crazy , I'm a Ozzie living in the UK and have been teaching kiting here for 5 + years , our beginner courses are 2 x 6hr days and the majority of peeps return for at least 1 - 2 3hr privates before they feel ready to start venturing out to progress on their own gear.
I've been looking at the local schools in melbs packages , since I plan on returning to oz next year and I have to say ... Wow .. Really.
The idea of letting a student out on their own after 6hrs is just crazy ( I cant cover kite setup , kite/equipment knowledge /wind theory and safety in 6hrs ), let alone anything else... and tbh i have to think that you are looking at possible misconduct incase they get hurt when releasing people with less than the skills they need to be safe .. i know the iko program is alot longer than 6hrs too
Hey everyone.
Im a beginner and looking to get lessons in St Kilda. This thread and everyones comments is obviously a concern for me!
Can anyone recommend a good company to get lessons from?
Much appreciated!
^^^ Whatever company you go with you will benefit massively by trawling through all safety and etiquette-related threads on seabreeze, especially Victorian venue-specific issues.
Spend plenty of time at the beach just watching - see how the experienced and less experienced kiters launch, enter the water, leave the water and land their kites.
Most experienced kiters will be happy to spend a few minutes explaining protocol to you and help with assessing the conditions relative to your skill level.
And to all newbies, here are my pet hates:
Don't kite Altona at all until you can comfortable stay upwind, raise and lower your kite appropriately when passing others, and generally be in control at all times. If your teacher/school/shop says Altona is fine for beginners, punch them in the face for me. If Steve or other suitably skilled and responsible teachers are escorting beginners one at a time out to the outside sandbar at the Apex park end that would be the only exception.
Don't kite Brighton in northerlies. Just because experienced kiters are making it look good doesn't mean less skilled kiters will be able to keep their kites in the air, let alone stay upwind.
Never stand around on the beach with your kite at 12.
Never launch or land with members of the non-kiting public anywhere remotely near you or within 50m downwind of you.
Don't short-tack on the primo flat-water sections at Brighton. I mean there should be no short-tacking anywhere anytime, but it sh!ts me no end when rookies are oblivious to the etiquette and circulation through the main slicks and kickers at Brighton and they just mow lawn through there all day.
Look at kite sizes others are using. If the good guys are all on 8s and 9s, and you only have a 12, then just watch - you'll learn a lot. I will not launch you if you are obviously going to be overpowered.
Don't use a board leash. I will not launch you if you are wearing one.
Other than that, take care and have fun. Considerate and mindful kiters are always welcome.
Nothing nanny about it, in fact it could be read entirely as narrow self-interest - I don't want people jeopardising access to my local beaches or pissing off crew who have paid their dues. If that leads to greater safety and enjoyment for others as a side-effect, so be it.
