VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Just wondering during these winter months if theres any beginner areas where someone whos new to the sport can get some dryland time with the kite or even beaches that are user friendly

Hey Rook, one of the best spots is Island View Beach. Look for a SE wind. Check Kelp Reef (at least 12) and Vic airport (at least 10). Lots of days where there is just enough to fly on land in the field. Careful if the grass is wet (slippery). There is often other kiters there to help you, just ask. Lots of room (sandy/pebblely beach) down wind. In the spring, check for the low tides which will give you lots of sand. Lastly, ask Jimmy Lewis for more tips; he's always at Isl View. omorrow and Sunday might be good.

Today would have been good for learning!

yeah, and maybe get Gareth out too.....he's such as sparky guy and sure knows all about local infrastructure, ha!....I reminisce!

Infrastructure is really good around here. They build a set of lines that stop your kite before you get dragged across the parking lot. These are deluxe lines, they give both audio(loud bang) and visual(big spark) to tell you that they have been succesful in stopping your kite and preventing further injury. They span the whole of the launchsite. Of course, you need to be encased in rubber for these safety lines to work(oh yes, being dry also helps).

of course, taking lessons and listening to locals means that you probably won't have to rely on local infrastructure to stop your runaway kite.

Lol!
Gareth, I will never launch anyone again at IV, and will always have that memory etched in my mind! Every time you launch your 14m when it is blowing 25+, I think, "would he be doing that if he hadn't hit his head so hard at IV that day?" ;)

I take full resposibillity. But yes, my brains are mashed. I keep thinking that I will start wearing a helmut again, especially after reading the accident reports onthe web. It seems that most kiters die of head injuries, and when they survive accidents, it is often the helmut that saves them. my helmut still has a crease and some deep scratches from that day.

....and considering history here, Gareth, like that fateful day at IV, the few Nitinat incidents surfing or just you plain mowing lawn and being levelled by a forehead-cracking rock I wonder if it's your time for full body armour and full face motorcycle helmet Ya gotta stick around to take care o' them kids, maybe u should take up stamp collecting, eh?

I was thinking more along the lines of knitting, however, those needles have sharp points, so maybe not. How much adrenaline can you get collecting stamps? I will just have to stay with kiting for now. Luckily we always have protective armour in the form of 5mm of neoprene.