Give a guy a launch?

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I see this shit happen all the time. It bothers me when someone doesn't help. I'm able to self launch in most conditions, but I prefer to be launched and landed by a person. It's easier on your kite and nerves.

Dudes that just don't have time or manners are gonna be at all beaches. Beaches be crazy, like dat.

We are all at different levels in this game. I'm an experienced kiter. I'm good enough to know when someone needs help. I'll help em to avoid a disaster.

If someone asks you to launch/land a kite you should do it.

Do your best to keep it all safe, your best.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Isn't it part of the game no matter how special or good you think you are to help launch and land. You never know when that person you just shut down May be in a position to help you. Don't bravo foxtrot your fellow kiters and friends!!

shred_da_gorge · Wed Jul 08, 15 10:03 pm

SalmonSlayer you nailed it. I lived in this town for over a decade and it grew old and I moved, now I too am a tourist. Localism abounds here, though a great many of the locals are indeed friendly people.

But if someone tells you they don't want to launch or land you, why not respect that? Would you rather have someone screw up a launch or landing than to be honest? Like others are saying, if you can't launch or land on your own, that's what you need to practice.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

I don't think everyone is on the same page for a definition of localism.

Is this like surfing, where you show up at a localized spot, get physically threatened or assaulted in the lineup, then go back to your car and the windows are broken, tires, flattened, and windows waxed? Or where you're not allowed to get a wave without someone dropping in on you? That is localism, where you're told to leave because you're not local. Usually its because waves per session are a finite resource and visitors have misbehaved in the past. I don't see ANY of that in the gorge.

The attitude of some kiters is the same as any sport... mtn biking, skiing, etc. Yearning to feel superior is a juvenile attitude and a weak method of self-validation.. it shows insecurity.

As for those being unwilling to help: maybe they're in a rush, or have kids at home and only have 90 minutes to get their session in before their next obligation, or maybe they're just an asshole. So we don't really know why some people are unwilling to help, but karma is a bitch and it'll catch up with them one way or another.

As for locals in the gorge, I'd have to say just about everyone I've met since moving here two years ago has been really nice. There are a few salty dogs, but if they want to keep to themselves, that's fine by me. Plenty of happy peeps to hang with instead, and we're not really competing for resources in the same way surfing does.

1surfer · Thu Jul 09, 15 8:40 pm **Same here**

Its the same here on Maui. Some people never put out. I usually don't mind helping anyone who asks with launching or landing. However there are some people who never help anyone. When I see them ready to launch or land, I head for the parking lot ... got to find that fin screw in the car....

Ya know ?

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

If you don't help someone who asks for a launch, or especially a land, you are a CHOAD!
No excuses
And your probably a asshole in other aspects of life.

Nuff said