Are there any beginning kiters on this forum?

[Kenny]

I ask this question because I have seen a few new kiters show up at Rush Lake with no training and the wrong equipment for their experience level and/or prevailing conditions.

I would be happy to help you out and give you some advice to help keep you safe and have fun.

The conditions in Utah are different than other locations. Wind here tends to be more gusty and on the light side the majority of the time. So the equipment that works well here is different than other localities.

The number of kiters has really grown and new kiters may feel hesistant saying anything. Let me just say that the local kiters are very friendly and most will want to help you out. We have had some serious injuries and one fatality (Mitch, we miss you), so the power of the kite needs to be respected.

Please introduce yourself and don't hesitate to ask your questions.

Kenny

[hedquista]

definitely glad to help out too I appreciate all the help I had starting out which really made a difference for me. I am usually out when its windy so please ask myself or some of the more experienced kiters to help you out... and get a helmet. (Marine products $40, could save your life)

Chris

[Lisa Moss]

I have a couple of questions.

1. I'm used to keeping the kite directly above my head as a safe spot, and I've overheard that out here, that you should never do that. How often do loftings occur? What kinds of conditions do I keep my eye out for, etc. Any info on this topic would be good, this is all pretty new to me.

2. Where do i get one of those sand bag things from?

3. Ok, this one is kinda stupid, but I have to ask. Has anyone kiteboarded the Great Salt Lake? It just looks so tempting driving by on the way to Rush. Maybe if I wear a full wetsuit and some goggles and do my best not to wipe out...

Lisa

[bordy]

I have a couple of questions.

1. I'm used to keeping the kite directly above my head as a safe spot, and I've overheard that out here, that you should never do that. How often do loftings occur? What kinds of conditions do I keep my eye out for, etc. Any info on this topic would be good, this is all pretty new to me.

If you fly a C-kite this is a huge no- no. While a SLE style kite provides more depower it can still loft you, the idea is by keeping your kite off to the side if a gust hits (which is very common at Rush ) you will just get pulled along on the ground. You should have you kite out toward the water so that is where you will get pulled. Lofting happen and as I mentioned is mush more common with a C-kite but it can and has happened with SLE style kites. It just a good practice. You may have heard about a Kiter named Mitch who was lofted and inmpacted/dragged to his death two years ago at Rush. Because we all know huge gust and wind shifts can and do happen at Rush we are all quite careful there. It helps to always glance up wind for any sighns of changing conditions ( like little dust devils, changes in the chop, etc) and come in and land if you see these conditions. Also always be ready to use you saftey or realse your kite if you cant get back in in time.

2. Where do i get one of those sand bag things from?

Try Cloud 9 in Draper, of if you are feeling handy you can make your own from lots of Items Kenny uses a gas can filled with clean water he uses to rinse himself and his gear off with, some people use sun showers filled with water, others roll up bads with gravel. My wife throws sand into some trash bags and then sews some fabric and handles on mine. just as long as the bag wount puncture your Kite.

3. Ok, this one is kinda stupid, but I have to ask. Has anyone kiteboarded the Great Salt Lake? It just looks so tempting driving by on the way to Rush. Maybe if I wear a full wetsuit and some goggles and do my best not to wipe out...

Kenny suits up with goggles and some times a nose plug, and gets after the salt ponds so perhaps he is the best resourse for a answer. I have inhaled salt water from the lake in once, and never want to do it again. I would rather drive to the ocean for a day session ( about 9-12 hours) then loose the linings of my lungs and windpipe again, there are plenty of good freah water spots around when the wind is Ok. but almost everything in Utah is a bit gusty, Which is why we all try and Fly SLEs.

Lisa

[rizzle]

We have Kite weight bags to(sand bags) come in and check it out...

X Nation Sports
9860 So 700 E.
Sandy, Ut
801-908-6852

[bordy]

I forgot Ryan has our back!!!!

[Kenny]

Lisa,

I have kited the GSL a number of times and so has Doug, Marty, and Mike Rossberg. The GSL is not favored because of the nasty salt water. It can be diificult to predict the wind as well. That being said some of the most memorable and epic sessions I have had have been on the GSL. I have ridden a frontal wind that switched from SW to W to NW in the course of an hour. It can be one of the most beautiful and surreal places on the planet to kite. It can also kick your backside if you swallow any brine. When you get to the point that you can ride upwind and do entire sessions with your hair dry. You are ready for the GSL.

The salt ponds are a portion of the GSL that has been isolated by I-80. The wind blows like a fan almost every day. The place is stunning in a great basin sort of way. However, one swallow of that brine will cause your throat to swell shut, so keeping your head out of the water is a must.

As far as putting the kite directly overhead, don't do it. As Bordy said fly the kite to one side with the kite directed towards the water.

Have fun and we will see you on the water.

[Lisa Moss]

Thanks guys!

-Lisa

[Altakoko]

Along the lines of newbie questions. My big fear is getting dragged, lofted and or beaten to death by gusty conditions. I try to fly the kite on the edge of the window at ~30 degrees (or less) from horizontal when I see gusts coming and I'm on the water but not riding. Is there a more effective way of minimizing exposure to big wind than this? Is there a good way to completely kill the kite (when you're on the water) short of pulling the chicken loop?

Mike
PS. The kiteboarding community (particularly Jon and Lisa) have been very helpful to me in my first few sessions of learning. This is a good thread, thanks for starting it.