Hi, it seems every other city has a beginner buddy network so keen to find fellow beginners for Botany Bay (and surrounding southern areas). I've had a few lessons, have the kit, and sort of pottering along but would clearly be good to have similar starters to share tips and help launch/land etc as no one in my family seems keen to hold a kite and sit on a windy beach for an hour. Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer not to post.
cheers
Anthony.

Hi Jon, sounds good. I'll PM you as a few others have contacted me so hopefully we will have at least a smallish Botany Beginner network. Cheers.

Hi Tobias, sent u a PM. Looks like we have a few now (albeit we haven't yet managed to meet up because of the conditions). So we have me, Scott, Jed, Jon and yourself (BtW we met at Kitepower when we were waiting for our lessons).

Once I have everyone's details I'll PM or text everyone so hopefully at lest some of us can meet up in person and help each other out.

PS if you are reading, thanks to the gentleman with the 17m at Botany Bay on Sunday arvo who took time out to help me launch and fix up my board straps (albeit I then spent 1 hour flaffing around in the water).

Hi All.

How about an app. similar to Gaydar?

Everyone who logs on can see all newbies in the immediate area. Anyone an app. designer?

I'm heading out (no pun...) anytime I can. PM me if you want to join up.

Cheers
Scott

Scott, good idea. Would save us doing the back-and-forth texts and emails which can't be the most effective way to do things.

Did a quick app store search. This app called "Glympse" looks like it might do the job for us (I'm sure there are lots of others). Looks like you can allow certain people to see your location and ETA at a destination but only for a certain period of time you choose. So I'm thinking, for example, that if I decide to head down to BBay, I send you guys a text/email with this link that shows where I'm going, what time I'll be there, and when I'm there, which car park I'm in (doesn't look like the people you send to don't need the app, all you need is internet). But I'll keep it available only for say 2 hours so you can't stalk me forever. Also, I guess, if you see me arrive and then leave you know the wind is bad and I've just wasted an hour or so.

I'll do 5 more mins of research and then choose an app that looks like it might work and then PM you. We can try it out next time and see if it works.

cheers
anthony

Hi Tobias, sorry didn't see this until now. I thought you were still waiting for your board? Scott and I actually managed to meet up yesterday. Dolls looked a bit crazy for us so we went to where everyone else was a bit further north half way up. Fair to say we were the only beginners there and it was probably a bit crowded and strong for us but we at least got in the water briefly before we tapped out. Will send you a text or PM with the 3 or 4 so other beginners who have got in contact through this forum. Cheers. Anthony.

Hey everyone, I'd be keen to jump in here as well

I got a few lessons last summer but didn't have the cash at the time to get the gear. It's now warming up, I have the the cash and will be getting my gear sorted in the next couple of weeks. Once I have my gear sorted I plan on getting another lesson or two with KP using my gear so that they can show me proper setup/pack down and use etc, then I am going to be getting out around Botany/Dolls as much as humanly possible so would be happy to hook up with anyone that is out.

Hi guys - there are a few of us newbies who have responded either to this post or directly to me. I think probably only two of us have actually met up (Scott and I) since it seems quite difficult to coordinate family responsibilities, working hours etc etc but hopefully as the wind gets more consistent during summer we can all meet at least a few times on the weekend.

At the moment the best way to do it seems by texting (either group or individually). Also have tried this app that basically just is GPS so people you text can tell where you are and heading.

So with all that being said it would be great to meet a few more newbies so we can help each other and also crowd out the more experienced guys. So probably best if I PM you guys with my mobile and/or others and we can meet up next time it all fits.

Cheers
Anthony

I've got my first lesson today - 3 - 5pm. Wish me luck!

I was very happy with the progress - got all the way to trying to waterstart before I ran out of time in the lesson. When I started body dragging I couldn't figure out how to go DOWNWIND to start with, which was nice as being able to bodydrag upwind was my #1 goal.

Admittedly I'd already flown the big kite a little last year in a secluded spot where I couldn't mow people down, and have windsufing experience, so had a good headstart.

I'm keen to meet others in the sport, and working remote freelance I'm pretty flexible with timing. Hope to see you all soon!

Looks like we are starting to build a good size group of newbies. We'll be taking over Botany before they know it

jms- glad to hear your lessons went so well, awesome mate.

Alystan - I live out Castle Hill/Kellyville way so have a to trek all the way in, we might be able to arrange a pick up spot somewhere along the way. I will PM you my details

Warehouse, if you are not careful, you will end up giving everyone from the north shore a lift! I met up with Tobias at BB on the weekend and that was after he spent 1 and a half hours on public transport getting there - i admire the dedication.

Scott had the good idea that all us newbies should have a BBQ one weekend at BB to meet up so we'll recognise each other in the future. The wind doesnt seem to be too promising for this weekend (not that we need it to have a BBQ but might be better for you North Shorers to kill 2 birds blah blah) - so should we tentatively say weekend after (ie Saturday 23rd) and can rain-check and work out details closer to the time - let me know if people think they might generally be free to make that or if u have other suggestions.

The downside of this proposal is that it might be an awkward 1 hour weird men's club gathering spent eating burnt sausages but the upside is that we (or at least some of us) can help each other out in progressing faster and crowd out those show-ponies doing their jumps in front of me every weekend. It will also save me from maintaining everyones mobiles which i lose so cant pass on.

P.s. i dont know where all you guys are going out at BB. I have been there quite a lot lately but never seem to see other beginners albeit I tend to pick an area where I don't see too many other kiters.

Cheers
Anthony

Saturdays up to 1300hrs are generally hard for me as I have baseball commitments. But Sunday 24th is looking clear though

Sounds good to me :-)

I'm up for the bbq, Sunday the 24th works for me.

In northerly everyone tends to cluster around that first groyne so I tend to go bit further down south. Also later the better I've found - no swimmers and the pro kiters starting to pack up. From what I can tell Dolls seems like a mad house all the time.

If wind is ok will aim for late session (post 5pm) on Saturday and keen for Sunday if reasonable. Perhaps if wind is good a few of us can coordinate to meet up - can use this post Saturday morning to check in.

Cheers
Anthony