Hey all just wanted to give ya my first impression of what you guys are, I'm sure use too.

Wind: 20+MPH Gusts: :shocked2:+MPH
Kite: Beamer III4M

:wee:
Got picked up about 8' -10' off the floor @ feet lvl and was yanked about 25'-30' feet from where I left the ground. (Buddy as my measure because I was way to busy looking at my landing zone) Got slammed to the dirt and dragged for another 30'-40' cause I didn't wanna let go of the kite due to by standers in the area. Hooooooooooooked...line and sinker. Got a skinned elbow, dirty jeans, a dirty jacket and huge A$$ smile on my face.

Question is- did you get any respect for the wind? Seems from your post you might have been a little too gung ho for those conditions and kite size. Don't want to read about you injuring yourself or others in starting out.

Good thing you were able to walk /limp away - problem is try doing that a few times and see how many of those times you can actually get up. Not to tear down your glory moment - we all have them and refer back to them as "wow" moments, but after my first serious dumping I got myself a helmet and gear and learned what kite to fly in what conditions. Good story, I just want to hear more, and hopefully less hairy, stories from you in the future.

Yes, for sure! I learned a few lessons from it.

To beachrights..I am a big outdoors guy....so as far as gaining respect of good ol' mother nature...that I already had. Been worked by her in the best of situations let alone those times she likes to put the smack down. However-I definitely gained a ton of respect for Kites. What my kite and I am sure others like it can do with the right conditions is outstanding.

I should have stated that I have flown 1-1.5M kites a while back for some time. So I already have a little flying ability in me. Only practiced with this kite about 6 times total and never really had any solid wind. Well today we worked late, the wind was nice at my work but when we got to our normal field there was a bit more. Which is odd because usually spot on as far as wind conditions from work to our field about 1 mile away. The gusts weren't that bad,until the one that crunched me. We should have seen it coming though, as the wind deff picked up while we where there and the gusts where for sure stronger but as we where just having fun, being totally ignorant of our growing situation, we where just getting a little air here and there. On purpose of course.;-), and then I really set it up and you now the rest.

But yea flexiblade your right I aint a spring chicken no more. Not that age has anything todo with it really. But I aint an old geezer yet nether...I don't own gear yet and will wear it when I do decide to take it out in more modest conditions than today.

Dress for the crash not the Ride.

I ride a street bike and on that forum...you always hear from the new guy that talks about how much fun they had haulin butt down the street..Just bought the bike for his first ride, No helmet, no pants, gloves blah blah blah. I always think to myself about how dumb these guys are about not wearing gear, and then say, Well it is natural selection at work. If your gonna be dumb you better be tough. I'm not trying to preach here ether, to each his own for sure. You wanna ride with the wind in your hair have at it. But for me now that the adrenalin has worn off and I read your posts, I look back at my first post and think....Yeah I'm that guy here, On This Forum. Well to those who care. I'm sorry. It was a spur of the moment decision to do it. Not an excuse. I know, it could have gone wrong real fast...it didn't and I walked away freakin amped but it could have and that was one of the biggest lessons I learned from this. Will that stop me trying to do it again with more control..heck no. But I will deff work up to it.

Gotta say thanks to everyone here. Been a lurker for a while before I purchased my Kite. Then signed up when I really made the decision. Basically picked the Beamer due to a bunch of good posts about it from here. Tons of info on all aspects of the sport. Good community as well.

welcome to the forum!in your post you stated that you didnt want to let go ,as bystanders were in the area......i think you need to fly with some kite killers--not only will they save others from injury,they'll save you from disaster also......i NEVER fly without them,and believe me,ive had plenty of times where kk have saved my behind........

Glad you be stoked!!!

I'm not new to wind, been windsurfing 20 years, landboarding 3. BUT...on the beach with kites and other people, my main consideration is safety, so I don't ruin this for myself or others. There are places this has happened, and all I have to do is hook somebodys child or dog or wife or run into them and I think there is a real possibility I'll contribute to getting this thing banned at our local spot.

In windsurfing, we grab big sails and sail overporered till forced to something smaller...kiting, I grab small, then work up if necessary. Overpowered in kiting is not usually smart, esp. for new kiters. Plenty of guys here (better than I) to offer excellent advice and help, if you want it.

Have fun!

johnnylaing nailed it - we obviously don't want anyone hurting themselves (even though that is part of the allure of this sport - flirting with disaster can be intoxicating), and almost more importantly you have to think of yourself as an ambassador of the sport - that you and your actions can reflect on anyone else that flies in and out of your area - the Jackass from Florida that got smacked into a building during hurricane Fey is a prime example. You'll be testing your limits for sure - just one step at a time and find the safest way that you can to find that thrill you crave - rock on dude.

Flexi, very good point about the guy who hit the building. That launch is being watched very closely by marine patrol and lifeguards. If any thing ever goes wrong there again, its over for kiteboarding at that spot. We are already limited in launches in the area and unfortunately that incident did not help things.
Respect your surroundings and stay safe!

I agree that you need kite killers so you can let go without risking loosing your kite or hitting anyone with it. My mate made our kite killers out of sweatbands, velcro straps and bungie cord. Work perfectly.