Hi there,
Not amused about a guy trying to intimidate my kite boarding girl friend today. Appreciate if the person could contact me, or otherwise try the same crap tomorrow when I am kiting!
I have always been tolerant and respectful towards you guys. Even when there are occasional wind surfers coming very close at speed and I wonder whether they see their environment well and are able to avoid collisions last minute. Or just don't care. And I am not complaining about those who enter the pond upwind where the kiters do their tricks. We are all just enjoying our sports and some degree of tolerance and flexibility is necessary to keep the peace. This was a bit too much today so would like find out what this guy's problem is.
Agro older looking man with hat or helmet and beard and a blue-ish sail (with some red and black possibly). Guy riding past my gf on the weed bank outside the pond and yells some crap at her. Second time he charges at her, passes by as close as he possibly could, risking a collision obviously. That was around 4ish today.
Man up and do it all over again tomorrow, as I am planning to kite myself then. Let's see what happens. Possibly will be on the same kite, yellow Ozone Enduro, or blue Enduro. Will try and position myself in the same spot so we can meet. Otherwise you find my number in my ads.
Yes you poleys were there before. And so were the dinosaurs. You don't own this spot. We live and kite here almost every day. If you like speed, do it where you don't potentially run someone over. Or replace your milky window with something you can actually see well through. And if you are looking for confrontation, well, pick a man and not a woman to start with!
That's it really. 
Select to expand quotewaveslave said..
Chillax Kraut,
no one died.
lol.
EDIT after having cooled down a bit.
No one died yet. True. Luckily. A high impact full speed collision would possibly change this.
To all others, haha you are funny. I thought the good old rivalry disappeared ten years ago.
Select to expand quoteStuthepirate said..
Sour Kraut
A poley with humour, well, it seems there is hope. 
Forgive us if we take the p!ss Russ, but the problem here is you have not detailed the situation.
All you say is a bloke abused her. I can understand you wishing to defend your girlfriend but importantly: What happened 5min before the abuse? Was she on port or starboard, overtaking or being overtaken, did she make the inside gybe insanely late not realising the windsurfer can't gybe in 5cm of water...?
Nobody will yell abuse without an incident to start it
NOT saying it was her fault, there has been ROW discussions here before where the windsurfers said yeah the kiter had ROW. But you can't have a sook and beat your chest and challenge the bloke and have any credibility unless you tell the whole story.
So what did she do (rightly or wrongly) ??????
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Forgive us if we take the p!ss Russ, but the problem here is you have not detailed the situation.
All you say is a bloke abused her. I can understand you wishing to defend your girlfriend but importantly: What happened 5min before the abuse? Was she on port or starboard, overtaking or being overtaken, did she make the inside gybe insanely late not realising the windsurfer can't gybe in 5cm of water...?
Nobody will yell abuse without an incident to start it
NOT saying it was her fault, there has been ROW discussions here before where the windsurfers said yeah the kiter had ROW. But you can't have a sook and beat your chest and challenge the bloke and have any credibility unless you tell the whole story.
So what did she do (rightly or wrongly) ??????
Thanks for suggesting a constructive analysis and possibly solution.
First of all, I wasn't there to be honest. I tend to trust my gf and her story as one would. I have been kiting with her for years, and in exactly the same spot out on the weed bed. So I think it is safe to say that she is mowing the lawn and pretty much going back on forth in one very clean line, as in riding up and down the street, transition jumping, with the occasional backroll, but no sudden or persistent upwind or downwind jerks. She always looks back before changing direction i.e. turning around. She is very focussed on her environment (3 kiters, two beginners and one guy stuffing up his trick upwind of her, ran their lines into hers over the past few seasons, which made her pretty aware of her environment). She knows ROW in an out, no problem with that. Yes she is a woman but guess what, she has a brain, eyes, and she can ride. She is not doing massive boosts or loops, neither any flicky flicky tricks. Pretty boring well behaving rider really. Perhaps this is the problem. She has been riding in exactly that spot for the last 4 years, 3 times per week in average.
We have pole dancing friends, so I think we have some ok degree of understanding of how quickly you guys can change direction, jump or turn to avoid collision. Which is my whole point. Wouldn't you try and not come too close too fast to anyone?
And in order to keep moblility more or less at acceptable level, why would you enter the rather shallow weed bed area anyway?
So, pretending we are in court, do I know 100% of the story. No, but I trust my gf would not make something up for me to drag some wind surfer into a fight.
Did she do something wrong? I doubt it.
What I suggested is that the guy approaches me, either by phone, or here, or perhaps we can try and replicate the same incident tomorrow. With me in the driver's seat
Whatever she might have done or not, she doesn't deserve some bonehead charging at her, if that's true. But also to come here and start crap about tangling some one up in your 4 lines etc is just as stupid, sorry. He wont be hard to find if he's a regular, have a chat first
Select to expand quotefiriebob said..
Whatever she might have done or not, she doesn't deserve some bonehead charging at her, if that's true. But also to come here and start crap about tangling some one up in your 4 lines etc is just as stupid, sorry. He wont be hard to find if he's a regular, have a chat first
Agree mate, my tangling/looping scenario was a bit unsophisticated and just a result of being a bit agitated. Will sleep over it and hopefully he either contacts me, or I will see him out there if he is local. Thanks.
Select to expand quote2knots said..
This is just the post Iv been waiting for so I can raise concerns about the pond at the next council meeting!!
As for threats on seabreeze not cool, we have all been there. Hay my GF got jumped on in the pond by a kiter. I was never after blood.
Also she gets abuse ever time she sails in the pond by kiters, that why she stopped learning.
The pond was always a good place to Learn any many water sports but way to much Agro now.
Sorry about the bad experience your gf had. I actually think it is a friendly place and we co-exist just nicely, most of the time. Like I said a few of you are sailing from outside the pond into the flat water upwind section, just the very southern tip, in order to practise I believe gybes? Usually ending up in a sail/board sitting in the water for a while until the guys ride away. This is where I jump and loop usually. I never ever yelled at these guys even if they screwed up my timing. I just turn around or ride outside the pond and coodinate my timing in a way that we end up in that sweet spot at different times. No big deal really. Tolerance I think it is called.
But then there are those who come from far upwind, pretty much the sandbank where WA Surf is teaching kiting, then turn down wind picking up speed, and shooting down towards the dog beach, so just at the southern most point of the weed bank before it becomes deeper and choppy. These guys don't really seem to care and I always wondered whether they are aware of kiters being present in this area. Maybe they are very well aware and know what they are doing. Again, even though I am worried this may end up nasty, I have not yelled at them yet.
Wind surfers being downwind in the pond is of course tricky as those who stuff up jumps or tricks or those who can't keep upwind or those who's kite is inverted or can otherwise not be relaunched end up in your part. Not necessarily they plan to do so. I avoid this part always, and so far successfully.
I assume you raised the incident with the kiter? Hope he apologised? I am not after blood either. Would just like to a) stop such behaviour in everyone's interest and b) find out what the hell his problem was.
Why would your gf be abused for practising in the pond? Unless it is in the upwind "trick" zone?
Anyway I hope it was exceptions from the friendly rule and she will find motivation to go back.
And I hope the agro attitude, from whoever is not really a trend. Would be a shame...
Select to expand quote2knots said...
Also she gets abuse ever time she sails in the pond by kiters, that why she stopped learning.
Want to cry now...thats no good 
She will get the mojo back one day.
It's just no cool that at present the women are getting subjected to some crap from both windsurfers and kiters.
I'm glad Russ posted his situation because some windsurfers/kiters need to calm the farm when at the pond because in a small area situations will arise.
RussKraut...So Angry 
I agree its a damn shame that somebody took to abusing your GF but Its pretty uncool to broadcast your point of view to the world in such a threatening and ridiculing manner. Was it not just one person doing the abusing? Yet many windsurfers reading your posts may now feel they have to watch out for someone wanting revenge?
I hope that all reading this post don't think this attitude between windsurfers/kiters is the norm, hey It's normally a thumbs up and a smile 
. Please you need to get over it as this talk could just encourage animosity between 2 fantastic and usually quite friendly water sports.
BTW the comments about the guys starting from out at the Sandbank and picking up speed (usually on a predictable/ regular course), you will find that these are the more experienced guys/girls utilizing the same flat water as everyone else is entitled, to get the thrill of a tad more speed and they would be very aware of whats going on around them, except it is very difficult to predict anyone suddenly changing Tack or Jumping without looking first. But hey we all make mistakes every now and then and hopefully learn from it and not get aggressive about it.
C'mon Russ be the more sensible one and let us all get along nicely, we all love it on our water! It was one guy probably having a really bad day anyway 
Lunny
Select to expand quoteRussKraut said...
If you like speed, do it where you don't potentially run someone over.
Or maybe if you like doing dingly dangly stuff don't do it where you might cause an accident!
Select to expand quoteleftfield said..RussKraut said...
If you like speed, do it where you don't potentially run someone over.
Or maybe if you like doing dingly dangly stuff don't do it where you might cause an accident!
Absolutely agree, it always goes both ways. I don't jump or do tricks unless I checked I have a decent distance to others (anyone no matter what they are up to on or in the water). Including space downwind of course. Can I always be a 100% sure especially when it is cramped. No, but I can try. And if someone else comes to close I don't immediately yell at them or charge at them or jump at them. Should I stuff up, I apologise, pretty common sense really.
You are not suggesting that all tea baggers should stay within the confines of the pond while weed bank is for wind surfers?
Select to expand quotelunny74 said...
RussKraut...So Angry I agree its a damn shame that somebody took to abusing your GF but Its pretty uncool to broadcast your point of view to the world in such a threatening and ridiculing manner. Was it not just one person doing the abusing? Yet many windsurfers reading your posts may now feel they have to watch out for someone wanting revenge?
I hope that all reading this post don't think this attitude between windsurfers/kiters is the norm, hey It's normally a thumbs up and a smile . Please you need to get over it as this talk could just encourage animosity between 2 fantastic and usually quite friendly water sports.
BTW the comments about the guys starting from out at the Sandbank and picking up speed (usually on a predictable/ regular course), you will find that these are the more experienced guys/girls utilizing the same flat water as everyone else is entitled, to get the thrill of a tad more speed and they would be very aware of whats going on around them, except it is very difficult to predict anyone suddenly changing Tack or Jumping without looking first. But hey we all make mistakes every now and then and hopefully learn from it and not get aggressive about it.
C'mon Russ be the more sensible one and let us all get along nicely, we all love it on our water! It was one guy probably having a really bad day anyway
Lunny
Hi Lunny, thanks for that. From my other comments you will have seen that I am quite reasonable and certainly not blinded by anger. I am not generalising or trying to stirr up things between kiters and wind surfers. We have enough trouble among ourselves I recon already. There are d$cks on both sides, and plenty. The reason I posted on your forum is simply to possibly trigger attention and get in touch with the respective person. Avoiding that we leave that to a similar incident which of course may be affected by emotions and the wind will make it hard to have a proper conversation.
I believe in general our co existence works very well and a lot of you are also kiting anyway which helps.
Cheers and enjoy
Select to expand quoteRussKraut said..leftfield said..RussKraut said...
If you like speed, do it where you don't potentially run someone over.
Or maybe if you like doing dingly dangly stuff don't do it where you might cause an accident!
Absolutely agree, it always goes both ways. I don't jump or do tricks unless I checked I have a decent distance to others (anyone no matter what they are up to on or in the water). Including space downwind of course. Can I always be a 100% sure especially when it is cramped. No, but I can try. And if someone else comes to close I don't immediately yell at them or charge at them or jump at them. Should I stuff up, I apologise, pretty common sense really.
You are not suggesting that all tea baggers should stay within the confines of the pond while weed bank is for wind surfers?
I was only suggesting it in jest in response to your " If you like speed, do it where you don't potentially run someone over." (sic).
You have come on to the windsurfing side of the forum and likened us to dinosaurs and suggested that we can't see through our "milky windows" and therefore a little gentle piss taking is allowed.
As you said it goes both ways.
If you are genuine in your want to find and talk to this agro windsurfer it might be advisable not to make threats to him on a public forum.
Enjoy the wind today and I wouldn't ruin your own session looking for a confrontation with someone who may or may not even be there.
Wow what a big man you are trying to threaten someone, it's all hearsay if your not the person it happened too. Go cry somewhere else.
I like the study of language, angry Mr Kraut talks about "kitesurfers" and "poley" or "pole dancers".
Amiable, kinder, gentler Mr Kraut talks about "tea baggers" ( self deprecating) and "windsurfers" ( some respect).
Shall we stick to being brothers, or at least strange cousins and show everyone a little respect. My brother kites, I windsurf, I hardly ever wish to tangle with him.
Possibly the most un reasonable post I've read since being on this site. Had you come on saying 'hoping someone can help as I'm concerned for the safety of others using this area due to a windsurfer acting dangerously' and then given a reasonable account of what happened, you may have got some support. Instead, it is yourself that sounds the aggressor and the unreasonable one and unlikely anyone will lead you to the bloke.
If I went after every kiter that acted dangerously, due to riding too close to me, boosting close to shore, not controlling your kites and them slamming on the beach, having your 50m lines take up half the ocean as you insist on learning upwind (pinnaroo) and slowly floating through the windsurfing area, losing your boards that we then go recover for you generally with no thanks, the list goes on, I'd be fighting most outings....however, I dont.
I'd be pis5ed if that happened to my girlfriend but I'd a) not be coming on here carrying on like a pork chop b) look at my own sport as well c) yeah, I'd go find the bloke and see what his problem was, I just wouldn't put it on here
Hey that sounds like god old ***** 
He obviously hasn't mellowed with age.
In this situation please find your inner Aloha and ignore this individual who has no Aloha.
It is not nice to be yelled at, and it's not just windsurfer vs kitesurfer. A windsurfer yelled at me (another windsurfer) when I was at SB last week. Admittedly I was at fault, but it was not deliberate that I passed too close (at low speed - it was just a matter of not enough wind when starting off). Anyway he had a good rant -which is fair enough, but then he proceeded to continue to abuse me when he passed me out on the weed bank. I didn't take too much notice of who he was but later when I was packing up some guy deliberately sprayed me with the hose even though I was dressed in dry clothes by then. I can only assume it was the same guy. This was hours later. Get over it!
The pond and environs is a crowded spot. Lots of people like flat sheltered water. No one tries to cause accidents. Most people look where they are going but not always. I had a kiter heading straight for me last week but he was watching someone way upwind and nearly didn't see me. Did I abuse him? No. Do I even remember his kite or what he looked like? no. You just get on with what you are doing.
Stay cool everyone, and don't spoil what should be a very pleasant afternoon on the water for everyone.
I think it's safe to say there are quite a few dickheads in either sport. Probably more a reflection of today's society.
Select to expand quote2knots said..
This is just the post Iv been waiting for so I can raise concerns about the pond at the next council meeting!!
What do you intend raising at the council meeting 2knots??? Have to be very careful.
The pond already has enough pressure from the seasonal influx of tourists maxing out the spot, forcing locals out to the weedbank, causing aggro. Basically screwing it already for local users. Probably contributed in some way to this incident.
The only thing worth raising would be a ranger crackdown on tourists camping in the local carparks.Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
^^^ that's crap Anita what's going on down there? 
The pond is maxed out. Space for everyone is at a premium which will always cause grief. Too much "the pond" promotion from certain entities.
I experienced much more intolerance from the kiters while doing kite lessons at Melville in a few occasions then I ever received from windsurfers (actually I don't remember ever being abused by a windsurfer).
The "intolerance" I experienced is mainly a number of unpleasant comments, but still, it was unpleasant enough to put me of the sport (temporarily).
And yet, I met a lot of supporting and helpful kiters. Some help me with the tips, some on the water.
One of them looked after me when I had an equipment failure all the way until I reached the shore.
Several times, I picked loose kiteboards for the beginners floating by.
It builds relationships and understanding to help each other, rather than yell and abuse.
Having said this I think the impatience it's related to the amount of "personal" space kites claim and the average age.
Younger people generally react more aggressively, and kiters are in general younger.
Not nice to abuse anyone, and is cowardly to attack someone who is physically unable to fight back.
Aggression tends not to be a good answer no matter how right you are.
I remember working in Canningvale Prison about 19 years ago, and I was running anger management groups, and was always saddened by the stories of good blokes who'd lost it when they were in the right, and then paid for it with severe jail time.
One guy I spoke to found out one of his good mates had had sex with his girlfriend and he thought he;d teach him a lesson with baseball bat, and it cost him 7 years in Canningvale. Another guy came home to find all his brand new TV and stereo set had been stolen, walked down the street to the local Drug House, and saw his gear inside. Went back with his shotgun and shot the place up, got 3 years in Canningvale for his righteous anger.
Moral of the story, no matter how right you are, aggression is rarely the answer, and you go from being in the right to being the bad guy, and sometimes you do jail time for it, or worse!!
water rage is just as sad as road rage
it doesn’t matter who is ‘in the right’ …. there's just no place for it
I kinda hope you find him. I also hope he knocks some sense into you. You've got a serious attitude problem. If everyone was like you then we'd need permanent ambulance stations at all sailing locations. Thankfully they aren't.
Select to expand quotehardie said..
Aggression tends not to be a good answer no matter how right you are.
I remember working in Canningvale Prison about 19 years ago, and I was running anger management groups, and was always saddened by the stories of good blokes who'd lost it when they were in the right, and then paid for it with severe jail time.
One guy I spoke to found out one of his good mates had had sex with his girlfriend and he thought he;d teach him a lesson with baseball bat, and it cost him 7 years in Canningvale. Another guy came home to find all his brand new TV and stereo set had been stolen, walked down the street to the local Drug House, and saw his gear inside. Went back with his shotgun and shot the place up, got 3 years in Canningvale for his righteous anger.
Moral of the story, no matter how right you are, aggression is rarely the answer, and you go from being in the right to being the bad guy, and sometimes you do jail time for it, or worse!!
Top answer Hardie!
Kite boarders and me get on just fine, yesterday I even launched a couple at Liptons, but then I know how to fit in 
One life, enjoy it and be happy, sounds simple as to me.
