Sport Today

Hello,

I'm looking for someone to give me a private kite surfing lesson in
Rhode Island.  If you or someone you know is an experienced Kitesurfer
and want to make some extra money, send me an email.  The lesson would
be for me and my friend, we're both in our late 30s and we would rent
the equipment and meet you somewhere in RI or Southerneastern
Massachusetts.

Thanks,
Gary

Gary,

Couple bits of advice:

a.  This isn't a very good place to ask this question... this is a
-windsurfing- newsgroup.  Try http://www.kiteforum.com instead.

b.  Not many places rent kitesurfing gear (kites in particular), in fact
I don't know of any that do, and for a good reason, it's a -very-
dangerous sport that...

c.  ... requires -professional- training.  Just because a kitesurfer
claims to be "experienced" wouldn't be a good enough reason for me to
put my life in his/her hands.  Look for a -certified- instructor.

d.  Why Rhode Island?  Why not head south to the outer banks where there
are a bunch of well equipped schools as well as warm, protected waters.

Thanks for the input and the link to the kiteforum site.  I've actually
found lots of places that rent equipment and have instructors, but the
lessons are very expensive...that's why I'm looking for an experienced
kitesurfer for private lessons.  I don't think I'm putting my life in
anyone's hands by taking kitesurfing lessons.  If someone is not
experienced or does not impress me during our initial meeting, I'll
cancel the lesson.  Lastly, I live in Rhode Island, not the Outer
Banks.  Once I become an experienced Kitesurfer, most of my surfing
will be done in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Thanks,
Gary

Good Luck, you will need it. You are a fool. Think this through. You
are going at it the wrong way. Go back to start, clear your mind,
become a student in your head first and begin anew. Kiting requires an
A game approach from the very first step. Bro, you ain't got nothing
figured out!

Huh? He's looking for instruction so he can sail where he lives.
What's wrong with that? Locals will have a much better idea of local
laws, rules, customs, waters, launches, etc.

Glenn

I think the problem is that this n00b (like alot I've met) ask for
advice then completely ignore it.  I've been surfing for 30 years,
windsurfing for 20 years and kitesurfing for 4 years and there's a huge
difference between how you should learn these sports.  Kitesurfing is
dangerous, period.  Where this n00b is screwing up is:

a) renting equipment - he hasn't a clue what he's doing, how would he
know the right equipment?  Kite size, rigging, etc. all come from
experience not found in the showroom.

b) not learning from a certified instructor - sure, some "experienced"
kiters might be good instructors, but most aren't.  And what makes an
"experienced" kiter?  How would a n00b know?

c) kiting in R.I. - sure people kite there.  People have kited in
Antartica, but it doesn't make it a good spot to learn.  This n00b is
lucky that for the cost of a couple tanks of gas he can drive down the
coast and be in an area where the water is warm, there are no cliffs,
telephone poles or trees to worry about, the water is shallow for miles
out, there are no dangerous currents to worry about, there are dozens of
certified instructors and several well stocks schools...

And yes, I know where R.I. is and I've surfed there, and no I wouldn't
teach anyone there when there's one of the best spots in the world to
learn just down the road.

Sorry, but this n00b is a moron.  Just hope he -only- hurts himself and
not somebody else or causes the sport to be banned because of his stupidity.

Ok, I'm done.  Rant over...

Gobigkahunanice name, very creative and tough, unfortunately your
rant is weak.

Ignore adviceIm actually doing a tremendous amount of research
and reading on Kitesurfing.  Im also approaching my new interest in
Kitesurfing as a slow and long process.  By no means am I expecting to
take the world by storm as a superstar Kitesurfer in the near future.
The fact that I solicited advice and information on this message board
proves that Im looking for advice from experienced people who
dont mind helping me

I've been surfing for 30 years,

? dangerous, period..
?
I think you were just looking for an excuse to stroke your ego by
listing your years of experience and pretty much have added absolutely
nothing to my goal of gaining research in this sport.

As for renting equipmentobviously Im not going to walk into a
shop with my credit card in hand and ask for rentals.  Also, Im most
likely going to go with a certified instructor for water lessons, but
will probably attempt to learn the initial kite aspect of the sport on
my own.  Im planning on purchasing a trainer kite and spending a
weekend flying it at a local park or beach.

the water is shallow for miles

I actually found this to be a good point, but it can also apply to some
spots in New England.  While I would like to go to the Outer Banks for
Kitesurfing lessons and to surf, I dont have the time to make that
trip.

Sorry, but this n00b is a moron.  Just hope he -only- hurts himself and

? not somebody else or causes the sport to be banned because of his
stupidity.

I never knew my intention of learning to Kitesurf could possibly lead
to the banning of the sport.  Once again you brought absolutely nothing
to the table with this point.  You continuously insulted me for no
other reason than you knew you could get away with it since your hiding
behind your keyboard.  I highly doubt you would have taken that tone
with me if I was to ask you Kitesurfing advice in personactually I
know you wouldnt, so either be helpful or stop acting like a tough
guy on a message board.

Listen Gary,

As I recall -you- were the guy asking advice about kitesurfing on a
windsurfing newsgroup, and just as soon as you received it, you
completely discounted it.  Then you further elaborated by saying that
you always ignore advice.  Then why bother wasting other people's time
in the first place by asking for it?

So it comes as a complete surprise that your actions on the beach might
effect other kiters' access to the beach?  Have you even read any of the
  threads on this group?  Or any of the kiting forums?

Not only are you a moron, but a jerk.

Gary, you have been warned and given way more attention than you
deserve. Go find the kite forum. Be sure to ask what a kitemare is and
how they happened. The big kahuna was really being nice in trying to
help you. You can die from kiting and more than a few have. Ask
yourself how did these accidents happen? It is time for you to move on
to the kite community and start your journey. The experience that was
shared here is priceless but you don't seem to get it. We are seeing
something in you that needs to be addressed. Take the advice to
heart,suck it up and move on.

you 2 are idiots and just looking to stir up trouble...take care and
good luck.

Come on Gary, how old are you really?

Gary, how old are you?

Gary,  totally agree with you
you asked a reasonable question, to a group of people who would seem to be
friendly and reasonably well equipped to answer your question,  and you got
some self serving ass wipe telling you that he has lots of experience and
knows that your an idiot for asking a friendly question.
seems that the dissent between kiters and windsurfers is not exclusively the
result of kiters "starting it"

Good luck with your search and happy kiting.

Dave

Dave,

Agree with you, but only to a degree. Things started out innocently
enough but quickly got serious. I doubt if it a had been a beginner
windsurfing question things would ever have gotten so rough, no need.
But Gary initially asked about very serious life or death issues
(kitesurfing) and when he was given blunt professional quality advice he
chose to disregard it.

A little more diplomacy from us might have helped, but Gary quickly
showed that he was willing to take on the world. I think it's called
"testosterone poisoning". Willfull foolish young men like Gary do get
killed and the first responders who got to him were only trying to help.

Experience can be a very harsh teacher, sometimes she only gives a
lesson once and it's for keeps. Say a prayer for the dude he needs it.

Ray

Ray,

I'm not sure how I'm "taking on the world" by trying to connect with an
experienced kitesurfer for private lessons.  The only advice I
disregarded was going to the Outer Banks for lessons.  Because I have a
family, I don't find it appropriate to disappear for a weekend to the
Outer Banks for Kitesurfing lessons.

As I see it, everyone who has offered advice has done so by insulting
me.  I'm not sure how you feel about being disrespected, but I always
try to treat people with respect.  The 2 idiots who initially responded
were much moe interested in stirring the pot than giving me sound
advice.  You might want to read the enitire thread before siding with
your windsurfing buddies.

Gary