Watto5 said..
The answer to the original question may well be skewed by windsurfers who are guilty of:
1. Saying they tried kiting, but because they were "experienced" windsurfers, thought they didn't need lessons (i.e. proper lessons from a qualified instructor), and so never really learned the proper safety procedures etc. - hence developing the view that it's really dangerous, and returned to windsurfing.
2. Assuming because they've heard how "easy" kiting is, that after they found it was going to take some time (maybe a year) before they got beyond the "kook" stage, they decided it was too embarrassing to continue (of course you can't admit that - better to say "ah it's too easy").
3. Assuming that because they windsurfed they had at least 50% of the kiting caper covered and that they'd pick it up in super quick time.
I spent (5) years enjoying windsurfing. I'd love to say I could reliably plane out of gybes in all conditions, but despite all my efforts I reckon that was beyond me (I'd argue only about 1 in 20 people can, and they are generally 10 or more years plus in the sport). I then decided to have some kiting lessons. 2 years down the track, I spend more time on the water (rather than in it), I can make reasonably reliable turns and I have heaps more to learn if I wish.
I've met many more kiters who have windsurfed (informed opinion), than windsurfers who've kited (as reflected in the survey). Generally ex-windsurfer kiters don't lay sh1t on windsurfing as such. Why would they? However, without exception they enjoy the fact that a full quiver of gear is considerably cheaper, they don't need a van to carry their gear and they can travel with their gear with minimum fuss. In any event, each community seems to be full of great people.
In summary, IMHO, anyone who says kiting is "easy" just doesn't get it. Sure, it can be dangerous - particularly if you haven't been prepared to spend some time learning the safety issues (and "the rules"), but like windsurfing, it's fun and it's addictive. Why don't we all just get on the water, respect everyone else's right to be there as well, and enjoy whatever it is that we do.
I love how people finish a post with "why can't we all just love and accept each other how we are blah blah" at the end of a explanation of why their sport is better and how the opinions of people, who actually bothered to post an answer to the OP, are invalid because they possessed a whole lot of false assumptions!
One of the risks you face when you ask people to post their opinions is that they might actually provide it.
I take from your post that you have no intention or desire to return to windsurfing. You are perfectly happy kiting. That's fantastic!
I windsurf and have no plans to ever kite. a) because I think it's too dangerous. B) because I don't think I would find it challenging enough. c) the other plusses for kiting like cost and transport are not enough to out weigh the first two.
Some people have returned to windsurfing, and of those that have posted, the main reasons given are they found kiting easier and preferred the challenge of windsurfing. Safety concerns were another common reason given. No one said it was "easy"; just easier.
It's also commonly accepted that the learning curve to get planing in kiting, to an intermediate state, is faster than with windsurfing. You even point out that it you are at a satisfactory intermediate level kiting in less than half the time you spent windsurfing. You also mention it can be dangerous; presumably accepting that it is more dangerous relative to windsurfing?
On one hand you dismiss the bulk of the pole-to- kite-to-pole answers and you then basically give the same information, it's easier and it's relatively dangerous.
IMHO,
, it would be perfectly reasonable to provide your opinion regarding the OP without any need to justify it or to point out the flaws in other people's, and hence, actually provide love and respect to everyone regardless of their addiction.
Peace brother
PS. I do realise the slight air of hypocrisy in my logic.
