Kook kiting through surfers & swimmers - Torquay

Haha snap! My only defence would be that the one time I went there I didn't see any Australians.

In response to "Col": I mentioned that the surfer did "not take evasive action" simply to indicate, contrary to Surfer62's assertions, that it wasn't necessary. I was well clear of the surfer and he was able to maintain his outward paddling trajectory.

Despite Surfer62's claims, RalInn isn't sticking up for me because we are "mates"; he's just calling it the way he saw it. The local Torquay kiteboarding community is fairly tight-knit and gets on well. RalInn and I get on well, but I wouldn't say we're close mates. A significant cause of anger and disrespect in the local kiteboarding community has been Surfer62's internet forum obsession: Several members of the local kiteboarding community avoid him because they've been slandered previously in his forum pot-stirring forays. Contrary to Surfer62's claims, he is not a representative of the local kitesurfing community.

No other kitesurfers witnessed the incident, but I've subsequently spoken with two windsurfers who saw what happened from shore and they said the surfer seemed to be having a "bad day" and was inappropriately aggressive; they said that I wasn't doing anything wrong, ie <5 knots water speed, riding in windsports zone, and well clear.

We could argue the toss for ages about whether or not I was too close or going > 5 knots, but there are a number of factual errors in Surfer62's tirade that need correcting:
- I didn't give the guy the bird.
- I didn't aim my board at the surfer and he didn't have to take evasive action.
- I've never been criticised before for irresponsible riding, by Surfer62 or anyone else.
- The reason I don't (usually) visit internet forums doesn't relate to "coolness" but more to the fact I work long hours.

The underlying theme of Surfer62's sensationalistic and factually inaccurate post is correct: Irresponsible riding will lead to bans and must be discouraged. But irresponsible, attention-seeking, and pot-stirring internet forum posts that fuel public anger and fracture the kitesurfing community could be problematic too.

Several crew have pulled me up and indicated seeking legal redress is over-the-top and, in the cool light of day, I tend to agree. It's probably best for this issue to be sorted out via Surfer62's preferred method of communication: The internet forums.

Irresponsible riding WILL lead to bans. But so will sensationalistic wolf-crying Saturday night forum posts, urging vigilante justice, born of loneliness and social isolation.

OMG!! Some of you are as pathetic as a slingshot warranty.. This forum is full of w@nkers.. Now if you will excuse me I am going to check out redtube

I agree. This whole thing and the way it has been handled IS unbelievably pathetic. But it seems to be Surfer62's way of interacting with the world.

Anyway, I'm done here. Fatboy over and out.

Thanks Ral Inn, I did notice later on after the tide came in, that the guys were setting up on top of the small cliff, and then drift launching the kites from the narrow beach. I must say that I did find the locals friendly and helpful.

The romans gave us kites, doctors and very naughty boys

Good to see fatboy and the big blue monster out again yesterday (sunday) but now staying well clear of the other water users, not that hard really, alls well ends well.

Man, these guys are a couple of ****......

This post rocks on... Surfer62 you Rock on man! You are so good at reporting events at your beach, you should be a water surf cop dude..

why dont you dumb kitters go down to bells and show them how good you are
good photos chances too

To Change the subject. Whats wrong with a Slingshot warranty

I think he actually meant kitten (small pussy)

i doubt it. Without a physical defamation (i.e. saying XYZ is a douche bag and he smells girls bicycle seats) its difficult to build a case. He also wasn't named in the original post so that would create problems in a defamation case.

awww nuts!

There is always one... always.

Stabber, today, you're him.

I've read a dozen threads, or so, this evening and seemingly you've managed to bring attention to your new avatar in half of them. I guess there's nothing like being proud of one's self. But, to be fair, having the balls of the Western World in your hand is no laughing matter.

However, can you please tell us how you've managed to get 'Bama to smile like that? Is it your pleasant demeanour, your early onset Parkinson's tremors, or what you've promised him after the photo shoot?

Whatever the answer, would you please do the same to the kiting community... God knows they need it.

Its what he is doing with the other hand that's making him smile.. Nobody's safe around stabber