I understood the question.... But as I saw in earlier posts, you went from a trainer to a 12m kite with no lessons. I had to bring up the glaringly obvious. Cart before the horse is a harsh way to learn how to kite.
No experience other than a trainer, no small depoweable kite, no baby steps, and your wife launching your 12m while strapped in.
Geezus.
Be careful man. I hope you have full coverage insurance.
I've got a 30k doctor bill myself from kiting, pre health insurance, lol. (Not funny, actually ) I simlpy fell backwards snowkiting in 15mph winds with a 7m and bonked my head on the ground, blew a dicsk in my neck, and nearly lost the ability to walk. I will be mildly handicapped the rest of my life from this sport. (but still addicted) Lots of experienced kiters get hurt every year, (eg: Kinsley Wong) some die.
Again, not to be patronising, but ANYONE who would just hussle you along without bringing up the "Hey, do you know your putting your life in danger" point is just plain irresponsible imo. Too much of this going on in our sport.
I just diddn't see anyone looking out for your health and future, that's all.
My 2 cents. Rant off.

Quote:

Originally posted by cdakiter I understood the question.... But as I saw in earlier posts, you went from a trainer to a 12m kite with no lessons. I had to bring up the glaringly obvious. Cart before the horse is a harsh way to learn how to kite. No experience other than a trainer, no small depoweable kite, no baby steps, and your wife launching your 12m while strapped in. Geezus. Be careful man. I hope you have full coverage insurance. I've got a 30k doctor bill myself from kiting, pre health insurance, lol. (Not funny, actually ) I simlpy fell backwards snowkiting in 15mph winds with a 7m and bonked my head on the ground, blew a dicsk in my neck, and nearly lost the ability to walk. I will be mildly handicapped the rest of my life from this sport. (but still addicted) Lots of experienced kiters get hurt every year, (eg: Kinsley Wong) some die. Again, not to be patronising, but ANYONE who would just hussle you along without bringing up the "Hey, do you know your putting your life in danger" point is just plain irresponsible imo. Too much of this going on in our sport. I just diddn't see anyone looking out for your health and future, that's all. My 2 cents. Rant off.

Sure, your point was pretty clear in your last post, and I put a smiley to let u know I wasn't trying to be smart.

I participate in a few dangerous activities, always have done. I've broken ribs, my hand, and even my elbow (that I still can't lean on properly because of lose bits of bone in there ). I'm very cautious and only take calculated risks (that sounds humorous reading it back after stating what bones I've broken...lol). Any mistakes I make along the way while learning to kitesurf are down to me and me only. I'm very much of the mind that one is responsible for one's own actions. The responses I received in this thread were extremely educational. I believe any advice given anywhere is taken "at one's own risk." Of course, it is irresponsible to hand out bad advice to a clueless person looking to partake in a dangerous activity. That is not what has happened here.

I hope you can appreciate the irony of a person who brakes their back kiteboarding without health insurance handing out advice on being responsible. :D

Maybe you should make a post in the beginners look here sticky thread.... seriously. Then it will always be there, and all beginners here will see it.

BTW I'm still considering selling my kite. It just seems so involved and expensive. We'll see though. I had such a rad time at the beach yesterday bodydragging with my trainer kite that I just don't know if I can't not learn to fly across the water

Once your skilled with the trainer take your LEI out in 11mph winds. Not 10 not 12...11.
Just kidding - but seriously take it out in light winds where you have to work to keep it up and practice doing just that. Then let it land downwind of you and pull your release and practice your emergency stuff. You can do this in a soccer field if you don't have enough beach.

Besause of this I can self launch and land my LEI 4 different ways and have been able to emergency land it despite no flag out line.

Then when you get into an emergency you know what to do - and get lessons. :karate: