So as I am learning my Imp 3.5m on light wind days, I usually go to a park that is pretty big/open. 4 baseball fields and 2 soccor(football fields). Usually one of the field are being occupied by a game going on so I set up far from everyone in an empty field and fly. There is a kids play spot across the field with slides, swings and all that fun things kids like to play on.

Just about everytime I have been out there a kid around the age of 2-3 comes running all the way across the field to me/the kite. It takes the kid about 1 or 2 minutes to get to me. Follow the kid is his/her parent on their cell phone walking far behind them.

Although I feel confident flying and avoiding obstacles and people, I dont want kids below or down wind of the kite. Every time I had to yell (not rudely but loud enough to the parent to hear me over their conversation on the cell phone) to have their kid stand on the side and watch and not under it trying to grab the kite...

Are people really this oblivious to the danger of the kite or lines taking out their kid?

Sadly I think I need to find a more remote spot to fly.

Just wanted to see if this is common where you fly at or if people here are

The general public has no notion of how dangerous it is to be down wind in range of our kite and lines. This is why "we" have to the best job possible in letting them know the dangers and being polite while doing so. Land your kite if you have to so that you can explain the safest point of view. Even kids at that age can be coaxed in staying behind you and watching from there. Everyone is in their own little world and just making them aware of what you are doing is key to keeping them from being hurt. Carry a little pocket kite (available at some toy stores for a buck or you can make them) tell the kids that if they sit and watch what you are doing, you will give them a kite afterwards!

I have been on the beach static flying and have people walk directly towards me like I was just standing there, not flying a kite.(I don't know how you miss a kite that is 20ft across in the air) To everyone else, it's their beach too! Just as the park is to them.

You can fly safely in a park, you just have to let people know as they walk up to figure out what it is that you are doing, that standing behind you is the best place to watch! A general hello to start usually works for me. I always introduce my self to anyone that approaches me about what it is I'm doing. If I have to land the kite to let them know where to stand then that's what I do. Just part of the public game.

Fly safe!

yep, your kite is a kid and dog magnet. If you are in a public place you will have that battle. Tell the child you have to keep the kite way up high unless they stand behind you to watch and that might help. At least you probably won't hurt them keeping it at zenith or slightly to the side if the wind is high for your size kite.

"Carry a little pocket kite (available at some toy stores for a buck or you can make them) tell the kids that if they sit and watch what you are doing, you will give them a kite afterwards!"
Good idea shehatesmyhobbies!

I've had to land the kite a couple of times due to kids running under. Its hard because some times they come out of no where

BeamerBob, I've noticed that about dogs. They go CRAZY over these kites!

Very common in some places I fly. I find that most are just really curious and don't realize that there is any danger involved untill I explain to them what the potential hazards may be. That being said, there was only one occasion where the parent was just as ignorant as their kid and both of them wouldn't get out of the way. Most of the time I can be the only person flying a kite in a huge open field and out of nowhere people start to show up like it's a UFO or somethin. Around here power kiting is a pretty rare hobby and most simply have never seen anything like it so I guess that's what really attracts them. I can totally relate to what your sayin though.

You as the pilot have to look out for the public , they have not a clue.

distance is first passive act YOU do as the pilot , trekking away is the always sending the right message. and as they keep coming. pause, stop, control your gear demonstrate courtesy, then just

YELL(like you mean it)

As everybody above says you just have too keep a look out for the wee buggers!
People don't realize how much damage a kite could do or think they have right to walk right under kite!

I just tell the kids that they can help me fly by standing behind me and blowing! They usually do this for a little while and then lose interest (or get light headed) and leave.

Yep, the people I run into (pun intended) seem pretty clueless....I even had one guy grab one of my handles when I was static flying in pretty strong winds....gotta keep an eye on them at all times!

from what ive read in 5 years here, there are tons of idiots out there, oblivious to the dangers, so we have to take responsibility for them and ourselves to keep everything in a good light--not always easy to do..... people around here have to leash their dogs and control them, so thats never an issue..... people on the other hand, well, some get it and some dont and you just have to be polite and direct, if a bit stern so they realize the potential dangers.....

I wish people would leash thier kids and control them sometimes.

I have had many people watch me kite. Many kids and many adults. The kids I can handle as they really don't know. The adults sometimes annoy me. I had on two separate occasions people throwing things at my kites. One guy arrived at a park I was kiting at with his dog, came and let his dog off leash and began throwing a ball in my direction. When I had asked him to stop he gave no response. The wind puffed and my kite fell to the ground; where, he tossed the ball at my kite to get his dog to run at it. I got the kite to relaunch before the dog got there and in turn scared it. The owner began threatening me for apparently attacking his dog. I then reminded him that it wasn't an off leash park and that his actions would have been the reason his dog got hurt and I should phone SPCA on him for such cruel behavior. He leashed his dog and before leaving muttered something about kiters ruining his Ontario beaches and the sport should be banned. I also had someone get upset because I wouldn't let them fly my access the first time I had it out. He asked to fly it and said that he flew tons of kites on some Australian trip. When I wouldn't let him he got quite pushy insisting that he should show me how it's done. Eventually he got tired and left. There are other situations most are the lack of other people not knowing the risks. I will usually land my kite if someone is approaching me, as I'd rather that than seem like a jerk trying to take over the park. And it's easier to get the point across that it can hurt them if I land it quick showing my concern for their safety. But if I can I won't fly when there are others in the immediate vacinity

As dumb as you can possibly imagine people can be, they'll always find some way to surprise you with how dumb they can actually be :ticking:

Quote:

Originally posted by Feyd I wish people would leash thier kids and control them sometimes.

Mission accomplished :puzzled:





But who are going to put the parents on a leash?



ATB,
Sam

Well I just have to say at least parents come out after there kids where you are AZKevin. I have on 2 occasions been flying and have had a kid run out to me from across the field and no parents in tow. Both kids were around 2 to 3 years old.

The first one I tried asking him where his parents were no response so I picked him up and started to carry him across the field. I was met by 3 people about 100 feet from the playground area, Mind you I was probably about 400 to 500 feet from this thing when I picked up the kid, Anyways the 3 people were his hysterical mother in tears that her baby was missing, The father and the step mother all very gracious that I had "found" and returned there kid.

The second time, I was actually in a buggy and a toddler cam running out onto the field. I stopped the buggy and landed the kite. Of course this time the kite was hopping around and 3 teens saw that I was having trouble. With there help we got the kite subdued. They asked me if she belonged to me and I said "Nope I thought she was with you guys." Now we went off on a search for her parents. 5 minutes later we had a person on a table asking who her parents were. A woman sitting about 20 feet away talking on her cellphone said she was her daughter. I was so stunned that this woman hadn't known her child was missing for like 10 minutes. I wanted to smack her upside the head. I DIDN'T.

I also had a guy park his car directly under where I was flying on the beach one day. I ended up parking my kite on top of his car on accident. SERIOUSLY ACCIDENT I felt bad it was a nice car and no damage was done but it was an accident. 5m flow on a bar very hard to control landings.

I have also had a girl run right over my kite lines while the kite was bouncing on the ground. I ended up chasing the girl down, her age was about 15ish, and proceeded to explain why that was so dangerous. I wasn't mean about it but I did let her know how seriously bad it could have been.

People are stupid when it comes to our hobby but all we can do is educate them and hope they learn from us.

And a small comment on the leashes. They may be ridiculous, some call it mean, but they do help keep kids safer.

I think that you should almost have to take a parenting class as part of requirements to graduate. To many people letting their kids get away with everything. I know that kids have a mind of their own and will always at one point give a parent some trouble but it seems that there are too many who let their children run the house hold instead of the other way around. And too many parents not giving the proper attention to their kids that soon both parent and kid think that this the accepted norm when everyone else knows that it isnt and shouldnt be the case

I used to leave my stuff directly under the kite, or next to it when I land it. I tell the looky loo's that pile over there under the kite is the remains of a little kid that got caught in the lines of the kite. Little kids say, "Cool, can I see?" and parents drag there kids off in discus. Now I explain the dangers of getting to close and then end up leaving cause they didn't listen.

I like the "Stand behind me and blow", good one Kent.

Unfortunately common sense doesn't exist anymore. I'm glad to see that kiters for the most part are the minority that does still have it and exercise the common sense everyone should have. Using restraint in dealing with people that are clueless will give the sport a good name and showing the courtesy you all have stated just reinforces that.

May the winds always blow where you want.

More often than not I opt for landing the kite and waiting for the kids or parents to get bored. If things look good ,kids and parents following suggestions ,getting behind me and able to stay put , I'll fly and put some time into explaining things. Flying in a local park a lot I tend to shut it down rather than risk tangling up with anyone and having the park ban powerkites.

beating the sh** out of our kids is as American as hotdogs and hamburgers

"Beat on the brats..beat on the brats..beat on the brats with a baseball bat, oh Yeah..oh yeah ..oh -oh, oh -oh!"-RAMONES:singing:

Sadly it's not always the kids fault that their parents aren't looking after them. Yet they get the bad name from it. I feel horrible when my kids act out in public, it's my job to teach them to become responsible adults and if I'm not doing it then how are they to blame for not learning it.

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza As dumb as you can possibly imagine people can be, they'll always find some way to surprise you with how dumb they can actually be :ticking:

albert einstein once said"only 2 things are infinite--the universe and human stupidity, and im not sure about the former"....... how true lol

Well at least I know these types of people are everywhere! I don't blame the kids. For the times it has happened for me so far, the parent has been in tow but seemed clueless to the danger. Hard to educate them when they are too busy with their cellphone convo to care about a kite or their kid. So yes it is our responsibility to watch out for others especially kids.
As for the parents...if they are under the kite or within range I might just buzz them with a low swoop :frog: