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fly on your own?

alasdair macleod - 30-9-2011 at 11:08 AM

What are your feelings on flying on your own?
I buggy on beach on my own and very often don't see anyone else on beach.
Now my problem is that i've been reading about guys getting hurt or worst & it's now messing with my fun! :no:

BeamerBob - 30-9-2011 at 12:05 PM

It's something to consider. I ride alone sometimes and it affects how much I push my kite size and how aggressive I am in riding. At Ivanpah, you could be out there for days laying on open ground with an interstate right beside you and maybe no one notices you. Having someone around is much preferred.

flyjump - 30-9-2011 at 12:11 PM

i almost always fly on my own, procede with caution

B-Roc - 30-9-2011 at 12:21 PM

Whenever possible I try to fly with other riders and I way prefer to fly when people are on the same beach / lake so someone can see me if something goes really wrong. However, you've got to do what you've got to do so when I'm alone I just don't push as hard as when my fellow riders (or some beach walkers) are with me.

Drewculous - 30-9-2011 at 01:05 PM

always alone.... unless you count the douchebag soccer coaches..... but they'd be the LAST people on earth to ever help me :lol:

helmet up, be safe!

43patrick - 30-9-2011 at 03:06 PM

I to am usually alone, and like others It changes how much I go for it, at least at the beginning of the session. After getting in the groove I tend to forget about it until getting MUCH higher off the ground than planned. Maybe it is backwards but It does not bother me as much to be alone on the water.

John Holgate - 30-9-2011 at 04:37 PM

I'm always on my own at the farm and sometimes on the beach I'm several miles from anyone who could give me help. But I am confident in my ability to judge the conditions and keep an eye and ear out for signs of gusts. I'll probably be a kite size smaller than if I was buggying with others but I'm usually just cruising. I'll always do a slowish run up and down the beach to start with just to note any hazards.

It's like most things in life, it's as safe as you want to make it. Go out in 20mph with a lifty kite and start jumping.......well, the risks go up somewhat. Cruising on the beach in an onshore breeze..... frankly, I think the drive to beach is more dangerous.

How is that 3m Method going ?

Kamikuza - 30-9-2011 at 05:11 PM

Basic water craft - tell someone where you're going and when you're due home. Even if you're not riding alone ... tell someone.

Bladerunner - 30-9-2011 at 05:20 PM

+ 1 for lacking guts when flying alone.

This winter I was on my own on a lake right next to a highway. I got lifted as high as I have ever been by a gust . Something like 20ft up? I held on and landed soft but not pretty and let the kite flag off one handle as I crash landed.

I looked over at the highway thinking I must have caused some fuss. NOBODY was paying attention and I was on my own to react. Darn good thing I didn't get injured.

The 1st year I snow kited alone I bought a cell phone and GPS to call in my location. Of course I soon found out that all the mountian lakes I wanted to kite had no cell coverage. :duh:

chicagokitelandboarding - 30-9-2011 at 05:21 PM

We usually ride together over here in Chicago we all rush to the beach lol on the same time :wee: always have a phone close and ride in a place the have people around you

shaggs2riches - 30-9-2011 at 05:48 PM

On land 90% of the time I'm alone. My wife might come take the odd pic, but that's about it. I won't even go to the lake alone to fly on land. Out there no one would find me for days if I got hurt. I did notice though that this summer having my brother and his girlfriend at the lake. I was struggling cause my kite bowtied, asked my brother 30 feet away to grab my board cause it was floating away from our end of the beach (cross-shore winds). His girlfriend piped up "you're a grown man figure it out yourself" They walked away to their car, and four teenage daughters and packed and left. I had to drag my kite onto the beach, pack it and all my stuff, put out their fire, clean their garbage. I got my 9&5 year old boys all dried and dressed, put a movie on in the truck with some food for them to eat while I walked half way across the lake and back to find my board. Half way back the clouds rolled in fast and a thunderstorm broke out. Moral of the story....don't always trust those around to help you in a situation.....more importantly don't bring people to your secret private beach/lake, the next week the same people went there by themselves, and had a fireworks party. The landowner of the only way in lives on a hill facing the lake and saw the whole thing. Lucky for me he was fine that they were there, but would have appreciated warning that they were gonna set them off.

Feyd - 30-9-2011 at 07:15 PM

Because all of us here have conflicting schedules it's not always possible to get to ride with someone. Riding with someone is obviously better from a safety perspective as well as increased fun factor. But if it comes down to riding solo or not riding at all I'll ride solo.

Like Kami said. Leave word as to where you're going and when you plan to be back. Most places we ride have no cell coverage so this is your best bet for rescue. DON'T LEAVE A NOTE ON YOUR VEHICLE. No need to tell potential car thieves that you aren't anywhere around and to help themselves.

When I'm out solo I cut back on the jumping. Beyond that I just ride normally. The biggest risk for us is going through the ice or some sort of catastrophic gear failure but you can minimize the risk by knowing the terrain, knowing your equipment ie regular inspections, and having the right gear to get yourself back without outside assistance.

We try to be as self sufficient as possible. Oh and always wear a helmet.

g-force junkie - 30-9-2011 at 07:33 PM

Don't count on anybody to help you, be self reliant and don't put yourself in comprising situations and by all means kite alone and with somebody. This sport has many pioneers pushing the limits alone and alot of them are on this forum.

alasdair macleod - 1-10-2011 at 01:18 AM

Quote:

How is that 3m Method going ?

perfect to fly in winds here we never have clean winds here just gust thats just life living on west coast of scotland.
I've been happy flying on my own.
Just start to think too much about it lately.!
P.s. who on here get's clean wind and what it like to fly in?:puzzled
All your posts have help clear my head off all the sh@t that was stopping my fun!
thank guys!

John Holgate - 1-10-2011 at 05:50 AM

Quote:

P.s. who on here get's clean wind and what it like to fly in?:puzzled

Ah, the sea breeze. Sun heats land.....land heats air.....warm air rises...cooler air off the sea rushes in to fill the gap....

you can hold your kite at the edge of the window and it just sits there. Just a smooth, constant surge of air. Kites that are tricky to fly in gusty conditions become calm and elegant. It starts happening in Oz around November and is often prevalent late afternoon throughout Dec to Feb and starts to tail off again in March.

It spoils me. And when I get the kite out at home, it's lumpy crud again. Stop....start...here we go.....nah, it's gone....

Summer's coming.......

kiteboyza - 1-10-2011 at 07:09 AM

I check out with my wife, tell her a time I will be back with a small safety buffer, after that send the military to find me, specially on the frozen lakes

Feyd - 1-10-2011 at 08:38 AM

Quote:

And when I get the kite out at home, it's lumpy crud again. Stop....start...here we go.....nah, it's gone....

John, excellent description.

bigkid - 1-10-2011 at 11:10 AM

Interesting to hear how many go off alone. I don't go alone anymore and when I go out my wife knows about it, where, when, and what time I will be home. The last thing my wife says as I leave is, "Be careful, and you better be able to drive home". You see I wasn't able to drive to the hospital one afternoon, and should have died before I got there.
Funny how wearing a helmet didn't protect 19 ribs, but the full face helmet was the reason the one rib shattered and punctured my lung. I wont be wearing a full face helmet any more, but the rib protector is part of the gear I wear now.
Be safe, after the crash it's hard to ask for a "do over".

greasehopper - 1-10-2011 at 11:43 AM

I fly alone as a rule but "somebody who actually cares if I come back", the Highly Significant Other, always know where and when so I'm not left for coyote bait.

Feyd - 1-10-2011 at 12:18 PM

I wear a full face 90% of the time I'm out either summer on the bike or winter on the kite. They have on more than one occasion saved my face in a crash either from lawn dart style impacts getting snagged on crusty snow or hitting trees and rocks in the woods on the bike. Also from impacts from longer kite bars, ejected skis or collisions with the shoreline when things have gone wrong too close to shore.

In FIS ski racing they do not allow full face helmets. Some say it's because in certain crash scenarios you increased risk of neck injuries tho from the FIS/USSA rule book it states that you cannot use helmets with face protection or visors they don't specify exactly why.
Obviously dirt bikers, mountain bikers, skier and boarder crossers various off road racers and a fair number of buggiers and snowkiters and paraglider pilots etc use them and seem to have good results.

This logic kinda reminds me of people who refuse to wear seatbelts because someone dies in a crash becuase the belt kept them forom being able to get out. Sure that is a possibilty but the benefits far outway the risks. I don't know the details of your incedent and it doesn't really matter I guess. If I'm out riding by myself I'm going to give myself every advantage to reduce the chance of being injured and incompacitated. My full face is part of that equation for sure but to each thier own.

carltb - 1-10-2011 at 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alasdair macleod
How is that 3m Method going ?

hey man, you live on a small island so how come you cant find any clean wind? in the UK we get predominantly westerly winds so the west coast of scotland should be ideal. i love living on the west coast of england.
as for flying alone, be safe and pad up. flying amongst big groups of kites is sometimes a real pain and youll always get one idiot!!!! so youre not missing much mate!!!! lol:singing:

dandre - 1-10-2011 at 01:26 PM

Haha try flying in the mountains... Steady 10-20mph GUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTT
:Oh#@%$#!face:

I usually fly alone in full batman armor. i've been seeing more kites up in the air on good days; but usually the wind is so good I can hardly be moved enough to cross the meadow and investigate.

Txshooter38 - 1-10-2011 at 03:36 PM

I always keep my cell phone close by if flying alone...if no cell phone signal.....

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

indigo_wolf - 1-10-2011 at 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Txshooter38
I always keep my cell phone close by if flying alone...if no cell phone signal.....

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

FWIW: Spot has a lower buy in, but is subscription based, which may or may not be your cup of tea. It's also had its shared of teething pains.

On the plus side, there are alternatives. While some of them have a higher initial buy-in, they aren't subscription based. They generally have much longer warranties.

Some PLBs need to be reset by the manufacturer after use, sort of like car airbags. Some are more targets for water use and have better flotation characteristics.

Some names to Google are ACR Electronics and McMurdo.

ATB,
Sam

Txshooter38 - 1-10-2011 at 04:37 PM

@ Indigo_Wolf....I agree this is not for everyone. I have used mine with success from way out in nowhere land. It may not be for someone that is not going to get there monies worth by using it during other activities...biking, camping, kayaking.

indigo_wolf - 1-10-2011 at 05:35 PM

Just to be clear, I wasn't knocking the Spot. I was just trying to point out that a non-subscription based PLB, while it might have a higher initial buy-in (and maybe fewer bells and whistles) might be a better fit for someone that would be using it sporadically.

Basically...there are options out there and it's worth taking a look around to see what fits best.... sort of like harnesses. :smilegrin:

A few years ago, these would have been out of the range of most budgets but that's changed a lot over the years. While it seems over the top, the news is just chock full of stories of people that have <* wet blanket alert *> died within a suprisingly short distance from "civilization."

ATB,
Sam

Kamikuza - 1-10-2011 at 06:02 PM

http://locations.splocs.com/

alasdair macleod - 2-10-2011 at 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by carltb

Quote:

Originally posted by alasdair macleod
How is that 3m Method going ?

The wind up here is always gusty never constant. That what I mean by no clean wind up here!

carltb - 2-10-2011 at 07:00 AM

are you actually going to the coast to fly or are you still flting inland?

alasdair macleod - 2-10-2011 at 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by carltb
are you actually going to the coast to fly or are you still flting inland?

On a beach. Very rarely I fly inland!
Just looked at easy tide for tomorrow tide out when I finish work then look at xcweather and it says 28 gusting to 56mph! That's out of my comfort zone! Not fly in that! :mad:

carltb - 2-10-2011 at 09:33 AM

yea, looks abit gnarly up your ways next week!!! youve got about 20mph on top of what we're expecting.
have you got a tesco's bag and abit of string!!!

carltb - 2-10-2011 at 09:38 AM

http://s1000.photobucket.com/albums/af124/carltb/?action=vie...

AD72 - 2-10-2011 at 10:04 AM

Watch 127 Hours and then you will make sure to let people know where you are going.
I kited the SF Bay right by the Golden Gate Bridge a few weeks ago and had that feeling of unease as the nearest windsurfer was a good mile away. The conditions are harsh there with cold water, ship traffic, gusty variable wind and I don't want to even thing of toothy creatures. The locals advise on carrying a marine radio along with safety gear. Next time I am going to make sure I am kiting with a buddy as well. The first time I went I got separated from my board and fortunately a windsurfer brought it over to me.
After watching 127 hours my wife said "No more kiting the Bay by yourself."

v-tek - 12-10-2011 at 01:28 PM

If you can, make the first number in your contact your emergency number. Or write it down and put it in your pocket.

I got pulled up and landed on my head, I couldn't figure out how to work my phone.
I wanted to call my girlfriend, but every time I dialed I noticed I dialed my parent's number.
They are old and I didn't want to give them a heart attack by asking them to come take me to the ER.

Luckily, some kids came by and I told them who to find to call on my phone.
I always have my phone, always wear a helmet...