Being Considerate When Landing Your Kite
There are a number of good kiteboarders out there who have no clue or consideration for landing their kite to someone on the beach. Be a good kite-lander. Here are some tips on how to land your kite like a pro:1. Use the "I-want-to-land-my-kite" hand motion: Pat the top of your head with your free hand. This hand signal is universal for "land-my-kite" and any kiteboarder who has been properly taught should know this signal. Use the signal as soon as you approach where you want to land your kite or as soon as you can get someone's attention to land your kite.
2. Walk/land the kite TO the catcher: Don't make your catcher run around and chase your kite. If space allows, walk upwind or downwind to the position of where the catcher is or at least try to keep them from having to run up or down to catch your kite.
3. Bring your kite down slowly: The depower range on today's kites allow riders to control the kite better in windy conditions. That said, be sure to balance the depower and speed of the kite when bringing it kite down to the catcher. Don't just turn it down and crash it to the person on the ground.
4. Once caught, SECURE your kite: Don't assume responsibility on the catcher to take care to secure your freshly-landed kite. When someone catches your kite, unclip from your safety leash and either leave the bar or, if there is room, walk the bar back with you to the kite. Secure your kite yourself, then wind up your lines to keep the beach clean and tangle-free.
