Lately a few people asked so; “How does the 6m Peter Lynn “Swell” kite flies?

I decided that a video was the best way to describe it… I hope that you get the idea of the direct input and feeling and the ease on the bar. How you can drift or place it wherever you want it in the window with absolute ease. Power at your finger tips that you switch on and off at will. Fuuun !

It has long been one of my favourite kites in the waves and also fun to use in loop sessions.
Also super fun is the AXIS Woodpro 6’0″ Snappy and agile it keeps you connected to the wave. The combination is really killer. Ha and of course Underwave wetsuits keeping me warm.

Ced

Dealing with crowds is not something I do often, but spending time in Europe over summer and in Cape Town over season makes it impossible to avoid.

There are rules which sadly a lot of kiters are not aware of like:

• Right shoulder forward has right of way (starboard for the sailors)
• Rider getting in the water generally have right of way
• Rider on a wave has right of way
• When passing a rider, if you are upwind, kite high, if you are downwind bring kite low
• Stay away from learners
• Stay away from swimmers
• If you are a learner or beginner find quiet spots
• Don’t go out in conditions beyond your expertise…

But sometimes there are just too many kites and the rules can’t work.
In the last few weeks, I have been in situations where I just couldn’t get out of the way and ended up getting screamed at by some self entitled spot hogs.

Which brings me to the next point: What happened to curtesy, manners and stoke and accepting that everyone makes mistakes?
Does everyone have to act like crazed Roman drivers high on Caffeine?

I come from a time where when there was any other kiter you were immediately smiling at each other and helping each other out. Those days are gone…
Over the last few years I have witnessed kiters leaving others to drift out or to look for their board because it might take 5 minutes of their kiting time?
I have seen people walk away from landing kites or refusing to help launch…

In the water no one smiles…
I have made mistakes and specifically gone out of my way to apologise to the kiter only to be sworn at every time I came past them. It baffles me, but then most of the world does.

Being a loner in my kiting outings I will go look for empty spots, but sometimes I can’t. And having abuse hurled at me just ain’t my idea of fun in the water.
So yes I hate kiting in crowded areas, mostly because the bullies get their way, and sadly our sport seems to have a few.
Yes i will go out of my way to find empty spots, and
no, I don’t profess to know it all.

So could everyone take a chill pill, a dose of humility and smile a bit more?

Ced