The butter flat water in this video makes it look less windy than it actually is. But the mirror like conditions got us wondering, What are the lightest conditions you are riding in, and what gear are you using?"
Does Aaron Hadlow's latest PKRA video profile sound like he is burned out on contests? Should Hadlow regroup and win back the 2010 world title from Kevin Langeree? Or should he do more lifestyle riding, video parts and magazine features to keep pushing the sport forward? Let us know what you think?
As you crest the hill you can see whitecaps all across the lake, it must be solid 9M weather at least. Anxious, you can feel the adrenaline start to rush as you get closer and closer to the beach. The same beach you have frequented for the past seven years. It is a rather nondescript beach, but it is perfect to kite from, easy access to the water and you can kite from South-west-north wind. The best part is that it is an hour from the city so you can make it there after work. As you get to the beach you don’t see a single kite in the park, strange you think. Yet there is a large group of kiters gathered in front of the park, the group is discussing the no kiteboarding sign Unfortunately this is not a fictional story, this just occurred to a kitesurfing beach north of Toronto in Georgina, Ont. The beach has been closed to kiting. To learn from this and protect your beach from being closed down here is some of the history that brought us to this point. Two years ago the local kiters started discussions with the local ward councilor for the area who was getting complaints from the residents that whenever it was windy they could not get into the park as it would be filled with kites, and that these same kiters would park everywhere in a frenzy to get to the water. The kiting community came up with some rules that we all agreed to, and ran them by the town and local ward councilor. It seemed to make sense for everyone. The rules were pretty simple. They were to keep the kites on one side of the park. Don’t rig more kites than you are using. Do not lay your lines out unless you are ready to launch. And park courteously. Over the course of time the local kiters, who became known as the grumpy guys on the beach, would try to educate other kiters on the rules. They would move kites that were up against the kids’ swing sets, and would gather up lines that were left laid out. We became known as the grumpy guys, as we attempted to police the rules and protect the park that is 10 minutes from our homes. In the end we failed. On a windy day, kiters would show up... park wherever they could (and get ticketed as the neighbours called the town), then blast into the park. They would ignore the rule that said use one half of the park only as locals would attempt to communicate to everyone that the beach would be closed if rules were not followed. The park which is 100 feet by 150 feet would have 40 kites on it... kites and lines everywhere! A mad rush as people trying to get their kiting fix. It seemed inevitable that the town would close us down. Behind the scenes, the local residents kept calling their councilor, who lobbied the local parks department and ultimately they were successful in getting kiting banned from this beach. A few lessons were learned here, the biggest one is that you can not assume you have rights to a beach. They can be revoked instantly. Most kiters are very reasonable, but few take the time to read rules when they reach a beach in a frenzy. What is the biggest change each of us can make when we kite? ASK ABOUT THE RULES WHEN YOU SHOW UP. As one of the grumpy kiters who tried to protect his local beach (and failed) I can tell you that I must have told the same story hundreds of times. About 50 per cent of the time kiters ignored the rules, stating that it is a public beach and I have no power to impose rules on them... after all they have just driven an hour in brutal traffic to get here, and the last thing they want is someone telling them they have to follow some rules. Contrast this with when a new kiter shows up an asks the rules. There is no confrontation, they are eager to kite, but don’t want to mess up kiting for themselves or anyone else. These kiters, once the rules are explained are the same kiters that now help educate others on why the rules are there and encourage others to follow. This also eliminates any contention with the locals riders who again, tell the same story hundreds of times a weekend. These new kiters tend to be welcomed in quickly and we get back to what we all enjoy, which is kiting. None of us like rules. We love the beauty and adrenaline rush of kiting, but we need some self-imposed rules or the local residents will police us with a less than desired result. So the simple learning is ask the rules when you get to the beach, be proactive in your community and help other kiters to do the same. This way we can stop more beaches from being closed.
This topic has been the elephant in the kiteboarding room for quite some time. But with the sport growing rapidly, a few experienced riders are starting to ask questions about how to maintain kiteboarding's good safety track record, and in some cases improve it. Mandatory certification for new riders would be good for the schools, but would it be good for the sport? And more importantly is mandatory kiteboarder certification inevitable and/or desirable?
Pssst... What to buy a kite? by Tonia Farman It’s time. You saved up the cash and are ready to go buy your first new kite. You’ve soaked up SBC product reviews, geeked out on forum gear discussions and listened to your friends rant and rave about their own gear. As if you made an announcement that you are ready to buy, you start noticing kiteboarding gear ads, offers, packages, and discounts everywhere you look. Even some dude at your local beach boasts he’s a rep, claiming he’ll “hook you up” with a deal from the back of his van. I call these shops-on-wheels “van brands.” But more about them later. Everyone wants your business, but not everyone deserves your business. This economy is bringing out some creative efforts from brands and dealers to sell product, which makes it a fantastic time to buy kite gear. That said, consumers need to know how to weed through the marketing hype and even the flashy low prices to make the most qualified and informed buying decision. Here are some tips: Survival of the Fittest (Customer Service) Brands There are more than 40 kiteboarding companies who want your business. In a challenging economy, who knows how long a company will be around to warranty your kite. Make sure the company whose kite you are considering works with a network of brick-and-mortar retailers so you always have someone to go back to you if you ever have problems. A strong retailer network shows a brand’s support of their customers through valuable hands-on product demonstration, education and service. Brands that deal with local retailers also support the local kiteboarding community and events. Secondly, ask about a brand’s customer service and warranty policy. The retailer selling that brand’s kite should know the company’s warranty policy. To take it one step further, a brand that truly supports their customers will stand behind ALL of their products for warranties. Customer service is crucial, especially if you’re new to kiteboarding gear. If a company doesn’t have it, move on. Yeah, yeah, you’ve heard it before, but really… Buy from a reputable dealer! Why does everyone assume that your local dealer will be more expensive than buying direct or from eBay? Local dealers want your business. Here are some of the many advantages of buying from a reputable local dealer:
1) The Service A full-service retailer should be able to walk you through setting up your kite, even if it’s just in the shop over the counter. Should any problems occur after purchase, the dealer should support you by providing some sort of solution—whether it’s offering a repair service to fulfilling a warranty.
2) The Relationship Most kiteboarding retailers are small enough to remember their kite purchase customers. Buy a kite from that shop and there’s a good chance your benefits as a customer will expand to other purchases and services.
3) Access & Influence Shops play a very active role in creating and sustaining safe access for you to go kiteboarding. As you pump up at your local beach, you probably have no idea that a local shop is working hard to develop and foster relationships with local authorities, parks, ports, coast guards, lifeguards, and townships to keep kiteboarding not only legal, but seen as a valuable economic driver in the community. Furthermore, when cynics or local authorities question kiteboarding safety and access, shops have an influential advantage in that they help fuel local economies by paying taxes and employing locals. This, in turn, weighs much heavier in an access battle than a van that drives up to the local beach pawning gear.
4) Keep it local Support your local economy. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s cool. You, the kiteboarding consumer, play a very important role in our sport. You are in the driver’s seat to affect the future of kiteboarding. When you’re looking to buy, be smart and beware. Avoid the “van brands.” The more “van brands” consumers support, the more service-based retailers that will end up out of business. When retailers go out of business, manufacturers lose their distribution, connection and support to their customers. The gear might be cheaper, but the outcome is costly for everyone. Don’t just buy off-price unless you are confident with the product and the level of service you will receive with it. Kiteboarding gear is a lifestyle investment. Purchase wisely and you’ll be happy and addicted for years to come. Tonia Farman is the executive director of the AWSI and founder of KB4C.
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