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Yellow kiter yesterday crashed at Leo
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rowena



Joined: 13 Aug 2003
Posts: 168
Location: Mars satellite

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:20 am    Post subject: Yellow kiter yesterday crashed at Leo Reply with quote

and almost hit me. The kite crashed about 30 feet in front of me. If it had hit me I would have been seriously hurt, and by the look in your eyes (yes, I was close enough to see them), you knew it was close. The "covey" of kiters who descend on Leo in the afternoon need to be experts, or stay out of the congestion. I don't know who you were, but as you floated downwind to zero's you didn't look in control at all. If there's a crash at Leo between kiter and windsurfer, it may start Civil War, and we don't need that, do we?
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nealpar



Joined: 25 Oct 1998
Posts: 624

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It could've been George the plumber, or Ron...they both use yellow BEST kites. George is a very good kiter, and I can't imagine him dropping it, so it may have been Ron, but who is respectful of windsurfers, as he is one himself, so if it dropped, it must've been a total fluke and not in any way an attempt to unreasonably endanger windsurfers.

However, I totally agree that if otherwise mediocre kiters descend on Leo, that one day, there will be trouble, resulting in the total ban of kiters. Therefore, the kiters need to police themselves, and be harsh on those they perceive to be out of their league at crowded Leo.
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sharkasm



Joined: 10 Apr 2000
Posts: 149

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smile

Last edited by sharkasm on Sat Dec 26, 2015 3:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
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jp5



Joined: 19 May 1998
Posts: 3394
Location: OnUr6

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most of the kiters there are pretty good about raising their kites when I go by. Sometimes accidents happen and since the wind quicky picked up to 20 with gusts over 25 then this fellow probably found himself in over his head rather quickly. I could tell he was drinking a lot of ocean on the way in and I kept an eye on him to see if he would need rescuing, as did another kiter.

I think it is safer for all when the kiters stay down by zeros and when you have a day of no surf, like yesterday, then there really isn't any reason for them to be up by the point. We all need to look out for each other out there and with mutual respect and consideration being key factors, I think it can be done.

I am glad no one was hurt.
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sharkasm



Joined: 10 Apr 2000
Posts: 149

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smile

Last edited by sharkasm on Sat Dec 26, 2015 3:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
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rowena



Joined: 13 Aug 2003
Posts: 168
Location: Mars satellite

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This dialogue is way overdue. The kiters need to know the animosity level is high, and segregation needs to happen. We shouldn't have to worry about whether or not a kiter is skilled or not. The kiters have miles of ocean to play in. Leo is our windsurfing playground, just because of the nature of the sport. I know what a windsurfer's going to do, but not a kiter. Even the skilled ones I don't trust because anything can happen out there. I unfortunately agree that a collision is probably going to happen eventually. Really, kiters need to zip in for a couple of runs and then move on. I hate to get Big Brother involved, aka, the lifeguards, but maybe that's next? What should we do?
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rowena



Joined: 13 Aug 2003
Posts: 168
Location: Mars satellite

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

P.S. I haven't met a kiter on land I didn't like, so it's not personal, and I think that's the same for most of the windsurfers.

It's just the nature of both the sports, and whether or not they can coexist in a small area like Leo with natural hazards like rocks and surfers. Segregation like on Maui might be the best course....
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jp5



Joined: 19 May 1998
Posts: 3394
Location: OnUr6

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We had this same situation last season. Because of the hassles between surfers and windsurfers and between kiters and everybody, the lifeguards just might shut it down to all but surfers.

It's true that a lot of kiters don't know right of way rules, but a few windsurfers don't either. I'd rather give way and avoid a collision than push my right of way and get hurt.

If we try to get along and don't involve the guards then we are less likely to lose our playground. I have talked with some of the kiters and they are nice people but when you feel animosity from a group, you're not going to be nice. Last year I had a kiter jibe right in my path and I crashed to avoid hitting him. I spoke to him on the beach and he was trying to avoid me as best as he knew how. We shook hands and that was the end of it.

Weekends at Leo with a strong wind and a good south swell is a complete zoo. Conflicts are unavoidable so I try to get my sessions in during the week. The parking is better too.
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makaniman



Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 22

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:30 pm    Post subject: kiters on Maui's north shore Reply with quote

Actually, this year on the north shore kiters seem to be pretty much disregarding the agreement made several years ago about safe flying, specifically around Kanaha and the airport ! Why they are flying so near a busy airport is another isssue ... and when some errant kite brings down an aircraft ... ???
At the busy Kanaha break, even old timers are coming up and flying very aggressively with lines crossing near sailors everyday and there have been very dangerous interactions ... as far as I have seen, they are out of control... and it is time for the state, county, and or FAA to step in !
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johnb



Joined: 01 Sep 1998
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:40 pm    Post subject: Nailed at Crissy Reply with quote

I got completely taken out two years ago at Crissy. Kiter wiped out, kite came straight down at full speed crashed right into my rig while I was going full speed. Knocked me right down on my back and sent me tumbling. Fun.
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