Awkward Situation

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

So as I was leaving shipwrecks today, and this newbie was just just getting started.
He asked what I thought of the conditions for him trying to bodydrag with his 12m.
I told him he might be able to make it work seeing as the wind was coming down.
Then he told me that he had never been in the water before, but had lots of land experience.
I wished him luck and went about my business.

He then proceeded to rig his older 12m LF c kite when everyone else was lit on 9s.
After suiting up, he asked me if I could give him a "quick bodydragging lesson" even offering to pay me.
I told him I didn't have any teaching experience and wouldn't feel comfortable teaching him.
I didn't want to be responsible for him hurting himself or others.

I'm all for helping people, especially noobs, but I had to draw the line somewhere.
What would you have done in this situation?
Would you have helped him at all, or tried to dissuade him from kiting then altogether, or what?

By the way, if this guy is reading this, no hard feelings.
It was just a weird situation for me.

vspec34 · Since 16 Jul 2007 7 Posts Renton/Vancouver, WA New Member

Being a noob myself, I think you did the right thing. I'd probably recommend that he get someone to instruct and watch over him for his first water entry. I'm all for practicing on your own, but I respect the power of the kites and think that one needs some form of proper instruction/someone to watch over them until they feel comfortable being in the water.

bustingbladder · Since 12 Jul 2006 387 Posts Seattle Obsessed

body dragging at Shipwreck.. Shocked

With the big uglys...... Neutral

Andrew, I think I would have just said, Uhh not a good idea dude. Tough call man.

Sella · Thu Jul 10, 08 12:22 am

Tough call...but the right decision IMO if he's asking for a 1-on-1 about body dragging. If he crashed the kite are you going to teach him how to relaunch too?

Sooner or later he'll quickly learn Mother Nature doesn't shut down when the fun factor goes away.

Charliesurf · Since 01 May 2008 4 Posts New Member

Its certainly a tough one. If he was going in regardless I would have given him a few hints and tips about bodydragging. I may have suggested a smaller kite if everyone else was lit on 9's

But most importantly and hes willing to pay, is point him in the direction of the nearest school.

I always keep the schools number on my mobile as you find people ask lots of questions at the beach, I always recommend giving X schhol a call heres the number.

Its easy in hindsight for me to write this, but you did what you believed was the right thing at the time. Thats the important thing

C

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

It's a good thing to set people straight. Good job man!

Sometimes it is the right thing to tell somebody to not take a stupid risk.

Newbs don't know what they don't know.

Better to be uncomfortable and tell somebody the truth than to sit back and watch the carnage.

People getting hurt and or hurting others is not a good thing for access to sites.

I will buy you a beer at Dble. Mnt. any time you like,

b99

forrest · Thu Jul 10, 08 6:03 am

If time allowed, I probably would have just given him the body drag lesson and then asked him to fetch me some beer afterwards.

Bettyboarder · Thu Jul 10, 08 6:09 am

stringer,

Ditto what everyone else said. You did the right thing. I wouldn't of given him a lesson I would of just told him to go take one too.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1216 Posts Portland BRACKISH

To borrow an old quote...

jahmbi · Thu Jul 10, 08 6:24 am

THE GUY IS FAMILIAR WITH KITES AND IS A LOCAL CONTRACTOR Twisted Evil

HE LANDBOARDS AND WANT S TO GET INTO THE WATER HAS HAS THE EXPERIANCE OF OTHER SPORTS THAT CROSS INTO KITING ...YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED OUT ON MEETING A COOL GUY ... BUT IT MOSTLY SEEMS THAT ALOT OF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN LITTLE CLICKS AND REALLY MOSTLY CARE OF YOURSELFS EVEN WHEN YOUR OUT HERE ....SOME OF YOU MIGHT STOP AND SAY HELLO BUT FOR THE MOST PART IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU AND IT SHOWS Twisted Evil

TROLL

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

JAMBI, TROLL DUDE!
IS ALL ABOUT THE SESSION.
TWO OF MY GOOD KITE BUDDIES WERE OUT AT NORTH COAST ON MONDAY.
I WAS SO HAPPY TO BE AT THE COAST WITH AWESOME CONDITIONS I HARDLY SAID ANYTHING TO THEM BESIDES, HEY DUDE. I GOT TO SESSION AGIAN, LATER!

SOMTHING ABOUT THE COAST? MAYBE IT WAS THE SUN, THE GOOD CLEAN WIND AND THE POUNDING WAVES THE DRAWS SO MUCH FOCUS.

SESSION, SESSION, SESSION, SESSION. SO BEAT, GOT TO GO HOME NOW Crying or Very sad

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

It seems a little tight fisted not to offer any help at all. If the guy has kite experience and is going out regardless of whether you help or not, why not give a quick run down on the basics of dragging? Maybe even offer some safety tips. That would not make you responsible for anything, in my opinion.

jahmbi · Thu Jul 10, 08 7:19 am

HoodRat · Since 30 Mar 2008 199 Posts Stoked

what goes around comes around

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

oh ya ,

cannon fodder Razz

send him to Flo
we never get enough Laughing

nothing like watching someone gettin thier chops busted (steep curve to learn
kites are)

Seriously if he can get the kite in the air not much of a prob to direct him to the water
I always help those kind of guys just watch the ensuing
CArnAGE
Kinda like Registerd fracturing his fibula and driving home to eugene when learning
on his own Rolling Eyes

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

We all have different comfort levels when it comes to instructing others. Stringer, thanks for sharing your experience and seeking advice. Your post is not clicky or arrogant in the slightest. After all, you did talk to the guy and shared your view of the conditions at the time. I was about to just PM this to you, but figured this one might help balance out some of the others' perspectives.