Safety related info, for sticky forum note, and pdf

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

I had an idea of putting together safety related info brochure that would help newcomers in joining kiteboarding community. Forrest recently posted concerns about the gear that might end up in hands of uninitiated. Two things somewhat came together for me. Since I had some very rough outline ready, I decided to put together this brochure for comments and collaborative editing. Please remember, this is a very rough draft, more illustration of the concept than ready product.

It needs work on text, both content and language.

Gear section needs to be expanded.

I inserted there my own photos for illustration purpose only, some of recent work of our photographers would be much more appropriate. I didn't want to use stuff they posted on the web in respect to the copyright.

Graphic outline is quick and dirty. Needs lots more work.

When finished, this brochure could be used as a sticky on nwkite forum, and as a handout at the boot etc.

My goal is to present this product at the CGKA meeting for the approval and further disposition.

Comments? Helpers? Naysayers?

Mark

http://lucidcolor.com/pub/draft.pdf

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Looking good so far! We also developed a hand out for the Spit... though I am not sure if its been used so much. Hard to tell.

http://www.nwkite.com/downloads/HRKBGuide.rtf

I'd be happy to support a sticky for the For Sale section. Most of the time it seems like pretty good gear in there, but I see questionable stuff every so often.

Maybe I am just being selfish but I'd rather not see cheap old crap gear on our beaches. It tends to attract the wrong type of kiters, and its unsafe for them and others.

Some people want to get into the sport for as little as possible, which is being a bit naive. Selling to experienced kiters is a different matter, but its usually not the case. People have to understand that this sport is expensive and time consuming, its not something to try out and stop doing ... its a lifestyle choice.

I like seeing the sport grow but I want the right kind of people, not the wrong kind. Sorry for being so selfish, I can only imagine myself 5 years ago when I learned and my state of mind at the time... Very Happy

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 22, 08 8:13 am

A good start for sure despite your difficulties with the english language. HaHa. I'm only kidding, I jest b/c all my stuff is reviewed by a technical writing expert and she hammers on me from time to time.

maybe I'll write something up in the interim.

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jul 23, 08 8:55 am

Well, I guess before we sit down and write this thing, we need to decide a few things. So the target market is obviously new kiters, but what are the messages that we are going to try and convey? I think it should be rather Gorge centric. points that I think should be touched on, and forgive me if you already did it, I don't have the pdf open in front of me.

Intro cautionary, yeah kiting is fun, blah blah blah.

1. realistic discussion on costs- no cheap way around
2. time and energy needed to kite effectively- travel time, minimum 10 outing? till proficient? - input would be nice here.
3. Still want to, ok lets do this!! Lessojns, lessons, lessons.
(4. list of what to look for in a instructor and list of local schools
5. list of internet links to how to pages
6. Gear discussion. old, new, boards, etc. for this region. where to get, list of swap meets, remind people that don't need to freakin obsess over their first kite.
7. List of local spots good for beginers, coast, sauvie, HR
8. map of the spit, special considerations
9. general outline of the rules of the road, how to be a courteous kiter, when to give way, when to check if someone is ok,
10. what to do when the shit hits the fan, kitemares, what NOT to do.
11. who is the troll and where does he live?

shit dude, that is allot of info? I'd be writing a book. So maybe just talk about gear then>??

forrest · Wed Jul 23, 08 10:36 am

I agree that it should be Gorge specific. I've spent some time thinking about my opinion and it's really about gusty puffy wind as the problem isn't necessarily the kites, it's the geography.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jul 23, 08 11:13 am

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

Bettyboarder · Tue Jul 29, 08 7:03 am

Mark - it looks nice. Kiteboarding Mag seems to do an "intro to kiteboarding" issue every year. I think this years issue was pretty good.

http://www.kiteboardingmag.com/article.jsp?id=1000061655