Productive day at Rooster today

Raj · Since 13 Oct 2009 113 Posts Stoked

Finally made some good progress in my kiting today.
It certainly makes a difference to have decent weather out and lighter winds. Trying to learn in cold,rainy, and gusty conditions were unforgiving......but I don't regret trying.

Stoked I made it up on my feet and was able to stay up in light wind for several minutes. Learned a lot!

Helmet was a good idea in the shallows. A bicycle helmet but what the hell...I'm kookin out in a free hand-me-down wetsuit. Anybody recommend a particular type or brand helmet?

And thanks to the other two kiters I've seen RR a couple of times for recommending I try out the pond east of the main beach. I would have spent a lot more time in the water than on the water if I went straight out from where most people launch.

Being on a trainer kite so much, I got used to feeling the power of the kite through my hands rather than my harness. Now I'm learning to lean against the kite and feel the gusts through my hands. What a feeling! Gliding along with the wind! Can't wait till I get turns down.

Also I'm glad I asked people about what's the more common injuries because I was prepared that as soon as one foot came out...I quickly slid my other foot out. In fact, I think I should have had my straps a bit looser because a couple times I didn't think I was going to get my feet out in time before getting yanked.

What are other common injuries to try and avoid?
Seems to me that ankles and knees can get jacked up pretty easily if you don't ditch the board at the right moment or plain don't land right.

All I gotta say is I've gained more respect for the power of wind and...........
I'm stoked!!!!!!!
Razz

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Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Nice dude, The first solid rides are the best of all!

Helmet: Pro-Tec Ace water helmet has been the best for me, and seems to work pretty well for just about everybody else I know who kites with a lid on (smart in my opinion).

Common injuries for me have been mostly as you describe: crashing with one foot still in the binding...

Never had any problems with the knees, but definitely had a jacked up small toe for a few months from having my foot rotate under the strap while getting yarded, damaged the joint lining and took a damn long time to heal.

The most painful foot injuries I've had had to do with sending the kite too far and plummeting back to earth in a free fall. I usually hesitate to kick my board off for the fear of landing on it, so I keep it on, sticking my feet out in front of me so I don't destroy my knees on the landing by landing flat on the board. Unfortunately this is rarely effective and often, as soon as I hit the water, one of my feet slips out of the binding and off the comfortable cushy foot pad and my heel ends up taking the full impact of the fall on the board rail just outside the foot pad. Very painful and every time I swear that I've broken my heel, but there's no bruise and feeling goes away after a few hours.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Very nice day indeed Raj

DrewB · Since 16 Aug 2006 384 Posts PDX Obsessed

Well done Raj!

I got one of these helmets at the end of the last summer. Pretty light and comfortable. I think it was $80 at Next Adventure and the brand is WRSI.

forrest · Wed Feb 10, 10 10:15 am

Yea man! Way to charge it mid-winter. You'll be stoked once it warms up!

Watch out for head trama dude, take it easy and slow. Also frustration can be an injury, remember it's the wind and it does what it wants regardless of what you want it to do.

Raj · Since 13 Oct 2009 113 Posts Stoked

ha ha, frustration definitely.
I've caught myself throwing a temper tantrum out in the water once or twice....and I'm an adult?
Gotta stop, laugh at myself for being a stupid human, and take a time out.....I never learned anything while being frustrated. Except to stop what I'm doing.

Gman, now that's a picture of stoked! Thx!
Somewhere near Dalton or RR?

And thanks for the recommendations!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

just 300 yrds closer to the ranger station