Ok. So, I took 2 lessons. Bought some secondhand gear. Took it out last weekend, just to check all was well. Flew the kite no problem; light breeze, easy.So today it was...well...a little breezy. Gusty maybe. No problem I thought. If I stand as I am supposed to, 90 degrees to the wind direction, I will be able to launch and hoist the kite well outside it's powerzone, and gently bring it to 12 o'clock above my head where I can then apply a little power.
Ok. Out onto gravel/sand in front of the mudflats and water.
Hmm. Quite windy out here. And I'm still pretty close to the shore.
No worries....
Launch as planned, then gently direct upwards....but the kite turns abruptly to the right (as I realise, much much later, because I was pulling on the control bar too much)....and directly into the FULL power area. While I am standing on the gravel/sand.
Uh-oh. This is bad.
The kite pulls me from zero to sprinting speed in about 1 second. As I find myself running forwards faster than I have ever ran before...I find myself thinking erm...how do I get out of this. I am literally running just fast enough to stop falling on my face. Which would be bad, because I am on gravel/sand mix.
Wind gusts and I nearly take off. Waaaaaaa. Then more running at top speed (while trying to reach the safety release) until I hit mudflats. I decide sitting down is a good idea.
Bad idea.
Kite pulls me onto my front at speed. Now I cannot see and am laying on top of the safety release. I roll on my side and pull the safety while still being pulled along. Nothing happens. I pull again, harder,...and it releases.
Still being dragged.
?#@?!!! I reach behind me for the 'total kiss your kite goodbye' release toggle that will detach me completely...bang...kite gone and still flying...and I come to a st
op.Spit out mud and start cracking up. Still sitting in mud laughing when a bystander shoots by, chasing my kite which is now working its way across the mudflat. He and his mate, who are unsure whether to burst out laughing or ask 'are you ok' run across. As they realise I am laying there nearly wetting myself with laughter, they crack up too. Great guys.
Fun day. I learnt something about kitesurfing today. Looking forward to my next time out
: )
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