Don't sit on your arse on light wind days

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

First day in Hatteras....ever. Of course the wind was steady good for weeks & today..not so much. Maybe 10mph? Big group(60 kiters) from Boston here. Nice people. BUT most everyone was just chillin out. A few pumped up a big kite - and went for it. Most sat on their arse.

This was the optimal time to practice self rescue in safe conditions...so I did, I can't tell you the number of times that when I had to self-rescue that I failed, or panicked. It' s one thing to go over this on land & explain. It's another to do it when it really matters. Big conditions with an inverted looped up mess or a barge coming when the wind has shut off (Rooster)- or heading to and standing in snake infested reeds (Sherman). For me, the first 4 or 5 pulls was a challenge. Call me lame. Call me a kook. I don't care. But today - I finally got it. Shallow water (on my belly - not standing), light wind - helped me a lot. Tomorrow, I will do it again in the Canadian hole. Deep water. I will practice again in the ocean with the waves pulling my kite into the beach because the last time the wind died in the ocean (Jamaica), I was in 10 foot swell about a mile out in shippng lanes heading for a light buoy (much bigger than you think) I was being pulled into nasty fire coral(no booties or vest) with big waves breaking over it and I thought I was going to die. I got a lucky break that day. I released my kite & the lines caught on the reef. No damage to me or the kite. But a long humiliating swim. My longtime friend, Brian Shurton did everything he could to help, but couldn't without endangering himself - that's when I realized I was really on my own. Funny ending to that. I broke my big toe walking on the beach back to Time & Place..Thank goodness for strong rum punch & well...other Jamaican things that can ease your worries. "Cause every little thing is gonna be all right".

Practice practice practice. I also just stood there today with a kite that was too small for the wind (10 Rally), but practiced launching, re-launching, hot launching etc. It makes a difference. I feel more confident.

A kite in your hand-when you can, no matter what the wind is doing is great for your skill improvement. Hopefully I will be a better and safer kiter by practicing in more challenging conditions. I great way to start the season. I can't wait until tomorrow!

The moral of the story is. Don't just sit on your arse. Practice self rescue. Put a kite in your hand, fly it. The more you fly, the better you will be.

DOPEFLY · Since 13 Oct 2007 97 Posts Maui

I sit on me arse quite often, lassie, but can attest to the benefits of a wee bit of practice. The Pamlico Sound is heaven sent and I'm glad your taking advantage of it's shallow splendor - I miss it!

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

10 mph is more than enough for a raceboard or foilboard. no need to sit on the beach Smile