Sport Today

Let me just start out by saying that I do not mean to trash the entire
kitesurfing community.  I have alot of respect for the pioneers of this
sport.  Anyone willing to get dragged onto the beach out of control,
thrown over and into parked cars, dragged into the rocks, dislocate
shoulders, It is a great new exciting sport and I have several friends
how have gotten gung ho about it, some have even gone so far as selling
all of their windsurfing gear to buy kites.  I also think that for
light wind (8-12) conditions on flat water kiting is the clear choise
for those that like to jump and get big floaty air.(Which is why I
can't wait to try it).

I do not know quite what to make of this kite scene however.  It is
getting more and more popular.  It seems to be really attracting
the "look at me" guys.  Alot of them start getting this attitude that
windsurfing is now dirt compared to kiteing, BS!!  It looks like a alot
of fun but I just don't know if I want to be lumped in with a group
that has a growing attitude.  I do know that I don't want more then one
of them sailing in the line up with me.  They take up 50 yards of space
down wind with their razorblade lines.  It is getting to be a bit of a
circus around here and locals are getting a bit fed up (surfers and
windsurfers).    I do see a future for kites and I do see myself
getting one one day, but there are going to be problems if people dont
use common sense and police themselves.  It is now the begining of
landsailing season around here and guys are using kites now and going
up the beach.  One of these days some one is going to dump in a crowded
area and they are going to hurt some one.  Then before you know it all
wind powered vechicals will be banned from County beaches.

So I guess what i am trying to say by this big winded rant is, for all
you kitesurfers out there:  Stay grounded don't get such a big head
your no better then anyone else just because you doing the newest
thing, and please be respectful of others, don't go flying through the
line up and expect everyone to be cheering for you.  Police yourselves
don't make a mistake that forces the government to make a decsion for
you and everyone else.

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 I do not know quite what to make of this kite scene however.  It seems
to be really attracting

I'm a kiteboarding novice, female, and in my 50's----so I'm glad you're
not trashing the whole kiteboarding community based on behavior of some
kiteboarders that you may find offensive.  I'll have to agree that it
shocks me to see even the 'expert' kiteboarders amongst the windsurfers.
Many of them do seem to have the 'look at me' disease, but then there
are windsurfers who are like that too. It's generally less dangerous
with the windsurfers however. (Persoanlly, I think such behavior has
'difficult to resist' biological/genetic roots.)
Frankly, I just want to be away from any windsurfers when I'm learning
my new sport. I recognize the potential dangers to myself and others. I
don't want to hurt myself or anybody else. I just want to have fun. If I
were to go to a spot where there were a number of people windsurfing, I
would want to go to a different spot to kitesurf. Likewise, if I were to
go to a spot where there were a number of people kitesurfing, I wouldn't
go out on my windsurfer there unless I could immediately sail a safe
distance away.
This sport of kiteboarding is a new challenge and so much fun. it
quickly lets me know both how 'mature' my body is getting and how
'youthful' my mind can feel. Call it the blending of the ages. If you
can waterski, you can learn this sport. It is a possibility for young
and old alike. I bet you will love it when you try it. And I encourage
and welcome to this new sport any responsible ***s who will conduct
themselves in a way which will not jeopardize our access to this nations
waters. There's a lot of water out there and if we use it wisely we can
all share in it in a variety of ways. Amen.
Susan in Ct.

The sport started with kitemakers - they are very low profile people -
then some windsurf people got into it with their marketing tricks and
they figured that theres more money in the "hey look at me crowd"

SO they are now marketing this to snowboarders, wakeboarders etc...
rather than the better crowd of windsurfers... they have said already
that thats where the money is...

i think it sucks... but who cares what I think.. there are previously
windsurf companies whose marketing slogan is (and i quote)

"Our kites are the best and everything else SUCKS!"  (they print this
in magazines... this kind of add attracts idiots I think

they have a great product by the way... they choose to market it in
this way... sad.

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Do you really think that your typical snowboarder or wakeboarder has the
attitude and patience to learn how to kite sail? They might pop for the gear,
but after a few good spankings you never see them again.

I know what you mean about the attitude that Windsurfing is obsolete or
something which seems so prevalent amongst kiteboarders. I have been
trying to understand that one for a while now. I learned kiteboarding
reluctantly because I could see them comming and I figured I didn't
want to be out there learning this thing  when there are a bunch of
other begginers out there learning at the same time. But I also got
into it because I could see the potential. At this point I still dream
about surf sailing but the surf isn't always good around here and too
many times the wind is only about 12mph so I kite.
   I am really pretty stoked on both and have no intention of quiting
Windsurfing. When the wind picks up and the SW swell hits the west
coast I'd rather windsurf. Surf,Sail,or Kite its nice to have options.
Later Jeff

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I feel the same way after learning kitesurfing for 1.5 years.  I windsurfed the other days in 20 -
30 knots and found that windsurfing is simply so simple, so fast and so effortless in high wind.
Kitesurfing is a great sport but in high and gusty wind, I'd rather be windsurfing.

I don't think great sport such as windsurfing will ever "become obsolete".  Just look at windsurfing
winter cousins - snowboarding has been around for more than 20 years but if you go to a ski resort,
the majority of people still ski.

At the moment, kitesurfing has upper hand in light wind and windsurfing definitely has upper hand in
high wind.  Competition is healthy and the manufacturers should use this opportunity to improve the
equipment further.

It's nicer to have options.

Hung.

Well it is good to see that there are some level headed kitesurfers out
there.  When I posted this rant I fully expected to get some body
rattled, but I guess all of those guys only participate in the
kitesurfing news groups now.  I actually have noticed a little less
attitude lately now that the sport is starting to get more
established.  I still am very turned off by the My kite rules other
kites suck avertising campain and attitude.  I still have not tried the
sport yet, but I would jump at the opportunity(no phun intended).

By the way I meant for the subject to be Big Kite = Big Head.  Kite
Kite just does not make any sense.  Maybe I should post this  on a
kitesurfing group and see what kind of reaction I get.  :)

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  I am sure you will get an intense and probably viollent reaction on
the kitesurfing e group.  Many of those guys(99% male)seem to have this
"extreme" thing going on in their lives. Although there are many with
interesting things to say. It would be good for a laugh for you to post
there. Later Jeff

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