After a long spell away from windsurfing I agonised about what to do for a return to windpowered water sports. I opted for kitesurfing in the end and its something I sort of regret. I sort some advice and I met up with some kiters who I used to go to school with. One of which is Denzil Williams the top UK Amature and all round nice guy.



I too hurt myself due to gusty wind conditions and a lack of brain power. I had my kite at the top of the wind window in about 12mph winds just getting used to it. A Few times it dropped slightly and I pulled it back round into flight and back up to the top. I remembered the training and kept it moving. Then it dropped a wee bit further than before. Took me a while (possibly a second) to realise that unlike learning to windsurf I didn't A drop back into the water with a lul or be get pulled off in a gust and C there is no control when the lines are slack! Hang a minute what happens when it gust again. Oh yeah 15 foot in the air and 30 feet down the beach i found out. Where's the skin that was on my leg and why do my feet hurt so much. I'm no strainger to a bit of pain and I'll show you the scars to prove that but this hurt for quite some time.



You need a shit load of space (Can I say that here?) and to learn you really need a buddy to help launch and retrieve your kite. If you get it wrong it will show you no mercy at all. My body is too frail these days for that kind of abuse so its back to the board with a mast and sail attached. Shame though but if you want a good hardly used set up inc kite board bag etc I got one for 650. Virtually new.

No Kitesurfing lessons at the sailing centre as Stu is still in the Southern Hemisphere and Dave has gone to the Red Sea. The Kit is for sale at about 800 quid. They will have to bought through a sealed bid system. Contact Ian or the Wardens at the lake if you want to have a look.



Mike

Quote:

I'm sure someone will correct me if there's a good reason why Ainsdale isn't suitable.



I lived in Ainsdale for 15 years, in that time I saw the sea twice!! I would say that that would make Ainsdale not very suuitable for anything other that sand racing!! Not sure if they still do it but is was fun to watch, more fun than watching a Kit Surfer!!



Quote: I got banged up at the weekend on underwater rocks but if i was on a windsurf board i would have almost certainly got my face smashed up. As it was i only got a bruised elbow and back



All I can say to that is BULLSHIT!!!



Sheet out you stop!!! You wouldnt have been dragged underwater!



I am glad to hear that you didnt get to badly injured. At the end of the day we are all water users (jet ski's are not included, they are total T**ts) and we all have to support each other.

edited by: fatboy, Apr 23, 2004 - 07:23 PM

Quote:>>



I lived in Ainsdale for 15 years, in that time I saw the sea twice!! I would say that that would make Ainsdale not very suuitable for anything other that sand racing!! Not sure if they still do it but is was fun to watch, more fun than watching a Kit Surfer!!



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I wasn't sure that Ainsdale was suitable for a beginner; but I know damn well that it's good to kitesurf, hell I've driven back on the coast road often enough and seen the guys out in winds I could only dream of planing in: on many an occasion I have parked up and got the binoculars out to watch.

Why would the tide going out be a problem? surely you can walk your kit to the sea quite easily with a kite setup and get planing in a few inches of water?

It's one of the advantages that even the most hardcore windsurfer surely cannot deny? Eh Fatboy???

So six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Seems like use a bit of common sense and the effort put into learning will reward you with a good buzz.

But if you try and push your luck (or talent) then you can quickly become another serious injury statistic.

Well I suppose if she insists then we might both be after that kit.



As for the original question - if everybody keeps the safety of themselves and the public in mind then there's no need to restrict any of our sports. Just don't let the few numpties spoil it for the majority.



(Not sure about the attitude of the various Councils though, with all the radio adds at the moment trying to persuade everybody to sue anybody for anything they might just decide to ban everything so they can't be held responsible if somebody wants to make a claim.)