So there seem to be about 3000 kiters in this area now.....

H wrote:

Respect is earned on and around the water. It doesn't come from a certificate.

That's right on, H, and that's the good news for developing kiters. No one dislikes a noob because he or she is a noob. If you take it easy and don't do reckless things you will make friends fast, and those friends will hook you up.

When I showed up here in 2003, I had been kiting since 2001 but I was still green because I had been stuck in grad school in Gainesville for three years without a ton of water time. The Sarasota and Tampa crews took me in and a lot of local riders stepped up and took over my kite education.

Between everyone here and the St. Augustine crew, I have had a lot of kiters help my development over the years, and it is still going on with some of the local rippers teaching me some stupid tricks I shouldn't even try with these old bones.

Part of getting that helping hand, however, is not biting the hand that feeds you. Treat your local scene right and listen to the more experienced riders.

Besides, it is better to pay for wisdom with someone else's flesh.