I was kiting at Witsands yesterday - awesome conditions 28 knots cross on, a little swell about too.
I was riding in from the backline (starboard tack - right of way is mine) when another kiter was riding out. It looked like we were going to pass each other without hassle when this kiter suddenly decided to jump right in front of me! I quickly took my kite to 12 and stopped going forward else our lines would have crossed. It all looked like it would be okay however on landing his jump this chap wiped out and his kite crashed to the sea right over my lines!
I was about to pull my quick release when my kite started flying again and did not appear to be tangled with his. Unfortunately the collision between my lines and his kite shredded his kite and left it unflyable!
I was really sorry to see his kite ripped as I know his pain, however this situation could easily have been avoided if he followed the general rules of kiting.
Starboard tack has right of way
Dont jump within 100 meters of another rider
Come on guys with more and more people on the water we need to follow these rules as best we can else more kites will be trashed and the likelihood of a serious accident are much higher!
Safe kiting
G Man
S bend to blind...piece of cake (not)