Safety When Launching and Landing - The Kiteboarder Magazine

New School
Letter
of the month
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to tell you that I think you are on the
right track and are maintaining the proper outlook
for the future of kiteboarding. I am a 27-year-old
long time kiter from Kauai who moved to Emerald
Isle, NC last year and have since opened a shop
and school. When I start advertising, it will be with
you and if you ever need anything from me or my
area, just let me know. Keep on! Don’t hesitate on
voicing your opinion on policing local spots. Our
sport can never be a complete free for all, or we
will end up stuck with crappy little spots that no
one wants to ride.
Thanks,
Christopher M. Keiser
www.crystalcoastkiteboarding.com
We appreciate your support and hope that
printing your letter will help your new shop and
school grow. Please send us some shots of your
local crew and check in with us soon -Ed.
Never Leave Home Without It
Kevin Langeree’s face explains it all as he flies across the Hood
River sandbar. Lens: Jon Malmberg
Letters
What our readers have to say
Send your banter, happiness, rants, raves to editor@thekiteboarder.com
Windless in Wisconsin
Dear Editor,
It’s a rainy, windless day in southern Wisconsin, and I have been glancing over some of my
magazines and I decided to drop you a line. I am a kiter living in Madison, Wisconsin and
have been riding for about four seasons. Ever since I started, I have been reading various
kiteboarding publications and taking in every last bit of kiteboarding related material I can
get my hands on. I have known your name from the magazines from day one and have
always enjoyed your contributions both written and photographic.
Through your editorials I think you touch on the majority of issues that hit home (or should
hit home) with most of the kiting community. I have just found asnews.net and can’t get
enough of it; you must be a busy guy. Kiteboarding has changed my life. I am turning 27 this
August, and I have never felt better. I have lost weight, gained mental focus in all aspects
of life, and I know that kiteboarding has played a major role in all of it. In the future, I want
to make kiteboarding an even bigger part of my life by some how making a career out of
it (coaching, working or owning a shop, working for a manufacturer, anything). If you have
any ideas and the time to share them, I am all ears. Anyway, keep up the good work and
continue to steer our sport in a positive direction.
Jens Hanson
Dear Editor,
How’s it going down there in Texas? I just thought I’d share a potentially
negative experience that became very positive as a result of me
being a kiteboarder. A couple of weeks ago, I went out to Lake Mojave
with my Dad (69 years old) and my son (14 years old) to rent a boat, do
a little wake boarding, and hopefully do a little kiteboarding!
We traveled north about 12 miles from Katherine’s landing, about six
miles from “6 mile.” We had stopped so I could launch, and be followed
by the rental boat. Long story short; the boat failed to restart, and
after a few hours of trying to get the boat out of vapor Lock, my Dad
was getting concerned. We had tried to flag other boats down, but we
were in a cove that was rather hidden from the main part of the lake so
no one could see us trying to reach out for assistance. The temp was a
cool 110 degrees, and I knew I had to do something. I saw a few boats
northward about a mile or so. The wind was slowly dying, but was still
blowing out of the south at 9-12 mph. I flew my kite out to the middle
of the lake towards the anchored boats I saw off in the distance. As the
wind was dropping below the threshold, I saw a 23ft ski boat about 500
yards away. I started waving and actually stopped in the water so they
would come closer.
The Kiteboarder 16
This is a very cool letter to receive. Kiting has changed my life too. Our team works really
hard to create original content. It is nice to be recognized. Most people will tell you
that you will never make any money in kiteboarding. They are probably right. However,
the friends I have made around the world are priceless –Ed.
They saw my kite and came over and asked if I needed help. I told them
my situation. They were very cool! I landed my kite in the water, rolled it
up and placed all my gear on the boat. They then took me back to my
dad and son and then took us all back to the marina safe and sound. I
want to give a big thanks to Jeff and Kathy Orr from Poway who went
out of their way to provide us with a random act of kindness and prevented
what could have been a much greater hassle than it turned out
to be. The moral of the story is -- always bring your kite with you!
Stinkies is blowing 11-18 mph right now… gotta go!
Brad Benter
San Diego, CA
This story speaks for itself. I am glad to see you came prepared and
everything ended up ok. I am hoping you will be able to give Jeff
and Kathy a copy of this magazine. Next time your wife gets mad at
your for going riding, remind her of this story and tell her it is safety
training —Ed.