Ode to the fellow kiter.

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

So I was out kiting Monday and was testing out a new kite. 2010 OR Rise 10m. And was doing a kiteloop out in the channel and ended up crashing. No big deal except for the fact that the kite inverted, relaunched and then crashed again. I was able to get it relaunched, re-inverted? (back to normal) and then untwisted my lines to make everything back to how it was. Only problem now was that I had drifted down a couple hundred yards down from my board and it was nowhere in sight.

I body dragged for a while but with no luck, ended up going back to the end of the sand bar and looking out for it, still no luck.

So I ran with the kite back to the event site and there was a fellow kiter there and the first thing he said to me was "do you want to borrow my board to try and look for yours?" Without any hessitation or thought that I had just lost my board, so I would probably loose his. He just offered it to me and wished me luck.

I accepted his offer and started at the event site and rode all the way up to the Hatchery, but with no luck.

By now, the sun was starting to set, my hands were freezing and the wind was all over the place so I decided to give up for now and head back.

Luckily, on the way back to the event site, I see my board, glimmering in all its glory. Just where I had left it.

So now I am out in the channel with two boards trying to get back to the shore and am able to kite on my board while holding his board and I get within maybe 1000 yards from the event site and the window shadow near the event site takes another victom. So I'm there, so close to my final destination and I get stuck, kite hindenburges and starts blowing downwind.

By this time, a fellow kiter launched from the event site and was trying to come over to me and see if he could help me bring in all this gear, unfortunately, he too was stuck by the evil window shadow ogre and had to swim back.

Eventually, I get back to shore and am able to return the board to the fellow kiter. Grateful and exhusted.

So I guess the whole point of this article was to share my experience and how awesome it is to have a community that helps everyone else out.

For that, I am thankful (and I still have my board)

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 440 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

... that is a great experience! Nice to know people are that generous and helpful.

hip in white salmon · Since 11 Jul 2007 149 Posts Stoked

Mass karma to those who do...thanks in adv!!!

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

Man, I probably would have had like 1/4 the water time last year if it wasn't for people either loaning me gear or somehow saving my sorry ass when my shit breaks.

Chooch · Wed Apr 21, 10 7:52 pm

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Glad you were able to get your board back! Thats sweet!

Raj · Since 13 Oct 2009 113 Posts Stoked

I lost my board in the channel at HR today and am super thankful to the kiter who found it and brought it in. It was already waiting for me at the event site by the time I dragged my sorry ass back to shore. Thx again!

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1736 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

GO LITTLE JOE!
Buy that guy a beer!

vangondc · Fri Apr 23, 10 11:52 am

Any time Raj, see ya out there. Thumb's Up

Raj · Since 13 Oct 2009 113 Posts Stoked

Sooner rather than later thx to you!
drinks on me.

green turtle kiter · Since 11 Jul 2009 48 Posts

I read the forum here time to time to get advice and see what is the latest in the kiting world. I am often pleasantly surprised to read stories such as this one.

I wonder if this same story can take place elsewhere?

Sella · Sat Apr 24, 10 10:32 am **Re: I wonder**