05/07/2024
Hey You All!
On the photo... is my face after yesterday's encounter with one of the rentals at LoStagnone. I share the story, to bring more awareness to all kitesrufers out there!
I know everyone gets a crash now and then, it's an extreme sport, and the lagoon gets rally crowded. BUT it is your (shcool, instructors) responsibility to make sure that people you decide are rental level - TRULY ARE! It is a horror what we all see on the water sometimes and no one says s**t. Just some comments, but nothing in the open.
Dear fellow instructors - It is not rocket science to explain from the first moments on the water to a student that they are not alone out there! That they need to take a conscious decision on which way to go - depending on the all time changing conditions out there!
Everyone - AWARENESS is crucial in our beautiful sport. LoStagnone can get super crowded! Fully packed with lessons, rentals, independent users. From time to time a wind, wing, kayak or sailboat joins the party as well. Let's not forget those, who think they can, and come to practice as LoStagnone is said to be very easy, beginner friendly and safe for beginners.
That's the key - beginner does not have to equal independent nor safe kite spot use.
My face: The guy was upwind, and probably waterstarted or tried to get speed riding to the right. I was on my left - downwind from him. He might have known the rules of way.. but then WHY to waterstart when you don't have free space for that?
I can't imagine how you hit a 169cm person riding with the lines only (he caught me with lines and just after I heared the kite crash) other that a waterstart going very wrong - if you can - give me suggestions!
My question is - was he rental level?
Later that day I visisted the place he came out from. They were very nice and understanding (and also had stories of being hit by others to share!!). The manager has good skills, that I can say about her for sure 😉 To be clear - I have no grudge to the place.
Since nice won't cover my pain, I just hope I won't have a scar. I got the name of the student/rental.. and info .. wait for it .. he had some 10h and is independent.. 😳
This is where my doubts hit! You can be riding both ways, upwind in less than 10h but is it REALLY being INDEPENDENT? For some, maybe, for others not necessary...
Please, dear fellow instructors and schools, keep that in mind before you give a person the gear and let them out there. It's your responsibility. It is one thing to crash your kite (his had no brand, or size, just white.. maybe indestructible).. and other to hurt another person.
Everyone out there should react when they see someone struggling. And you see that! Every day!
People kite size choices (!!), struggling to launch, being dangerous out there. Sometimes not even waterstart level but alone - loose canons riding all over the place. I see others laughing at them but not helping, if you don't want to - ok - send them to me, I will!
Sometimes 1 extra hour can save a lot of problems, accidents, drama.
Again AWARENESS - it is an extreme sport, it can get ugly, and yes - people have died - so please make sure you are not supporting the bad name of the sport.
It just became super clear for me that it is time to stop being silent about the level of kiters and instructors out there. It's enough of the observer pose.
Have a good day you all, have a safe one also!
Karolina
IKO International Kiteboarding Organization
