Just curious if there are any rules of thumb on kiter etiquette (so I don' t break any).

Some are obvious like not playing jumprope with other kiter's lines (unless they are the ones holding the end twirling it around you), not skiing over said other kiter's lines, staying upwind of fliers etc.

At one point today my kite was sliding to and fro on the ground and kept sliding over this other guys lines that were neatly laid out (well, they were before my kite ran over them). I apologized and it was all cool but should I maybe have stopped my kite from sliding like that? Then at another point my kite was flagging about and came to rest with my lines draped over his kite. I can only imagine the host of potential tragedies.....

I've yet to meet a kiter with a chip on his/her shoulder but you never know...maybe they can smell the newbie on me like my dog can sense a puppy so they overlook things ; )

Some of it's common courtesy and common sense. Always park your kite with it clear of any other kiters. If you land on their lines, promptly move your kite so it's not on them any more. I always try not to run over anyone elses lines with the buggy. Sometimes you've just got no choice. I have run over lines on grass or soft sand, but if I do then I'll go slowly and make sure that nothing gets tangled in the rear wheels. Usually we try and park all our kites the same way in the same area so the pit area is nice and contained. Leaves more room to play.

If you're looking for proper rules, there is a kiters code of conduct, both the AKA and FISLY rules show who's got right of way and such. It's worth a skim even if you're not a racer.

You will get over your clumsy stage real fast. You'll know how to bring your kite down and have it stick well the the ground. ( it's all in how much brake you stake the kite with )

An important rule riding around others it that the person passing upwind sets his kite high as possible and the downwind person is obliged to fly low and under it. Don't follow that one and you may anger a person or 2 ! If you are stuck out and people are passing you try and hold the kite steady at 45% and let the rider decide if he is going over or under.

Very good point Ken, if you're downwind of someone and they're coming up on you fast bringing your kite high or having it high is pretty dangerous. It'll force the guy passing you to put his kite high and at speed that's a great way to have a wicked OBE. Of course if you've got your kite high and it's been high for a while then the incoming rider should be prepared to go over/around you.

There's nothing quite like coming up on someone fast who's got the kite low or on the ground only to have the kite shoot straight to zenith on you. There really is very few safe options at that point.

The way it usually works is there's 3 positions in the sky for your kite, you only usually buggy/atb in two of them, below 30deg, 30-60 deg, then 60-90deg from the ground.

Below 30 is the full on speed, keeping your kite low,

30-60 is the going high, but don't want to get yanked out of my buggy,

60-90 will not get you going properly/safely with any speed, it's the parked or jumping position.

When Kiters are riding the same direction of me and down wind. I like to try to "Bonk" them on the head with my kite. I call this game. "bonk"

after riding on a beach with lots of people I am considering attaching a bike bell to my handles....

DQ

I hear Eli also likes it when people bump his back axle as they go by. I think it's called Bump.