Today I had my first negative comment (in seven years of power-kiting) from a member of the public regarding my kitebuggying .
I must say, before I begin this rant, that I am way to sensitive about this sort of thing and I should just 'let it go'... and I will, as soon as I have got this of my chest.
I went to Tahunanui Beach after work for a hour or two of buggying in a brisk nor-wester. The tide was dead low so there was heaps of beach to play on and being a weekday there weren't as many people as there had been last week, during the holidays. There were about 6 or 8 kite surfers enjoying the breeze, but today I was the only kite buggy there. Now, kite buggying usually attracts attention on the beach because its a rather new, and unique sport. I often get groups of people just stop and watch for a while or point and wave as I go past. I always give way to pedestrians but they will often, quite obvisously, give way to me so they can watch me go by. When they do I usually tip my hat, or wave to thank them, but they really don't need to let me by as there is plenty of beach for all and the buggy is surprisingly manouverable.
Anyhow, I was happily rolling down the beach when a lady called out to me, "Excuse me!", trying to get my attention. I turned around a went back to pull up beside her. Probably one of the usual questions like "what is this sport called?", or "...where can I buy one?", I thought to myself....
Her: "Do you think its fair that one person takes up such a big area of beach? Your using this whole strip right down the beach and people are to intimidated to cross the beach.
Me (kind of surprised): "Are they? They have nothing to worry about. I know it looks a little 'on the edge' at times but really, I have full control. I've never hit a person, or anything else for that matter with kites or buggy, in five years of buggying."
Her: "But what if you did? You could really hurt someone. "
Me: "I don't know what to tell you.... Its not likely to happen. This is a lot safer than it looks. "
Her: "That family over there are afraid to cross the beach", (gestures towards a couple with a toddler who had been watching for 5 minutes or so), "What gives you the right to hog all this space?"
Me (getting pissed off now): "Look, I'm not stopping anybody from using any of this beach. If that family are to scared to walk across the beach that really is their problem. There is NOTHING for them, or anyone else here, to worry about. I am in complete control."
Her: "Well thats what all sportmen say, but...."
Me (interupting her): "Look, theres nothing I can say that will make you happy.... get a life." (I start to buggy away)
Her (calling after me): "Whats you name? Hey! Whats your name?"
I was tempted to call out "Rumple-f****n-stiltskin" but refrained. I don't know why she thought I would give her my name, when she obviously just wanted to make trouble for me.
I waited a minute or so (for her to go away) then slowly pulled the buggy up near the family she had said were afraid to cross the beach. The Dad came over to me immediately, with a big smile on his face.
Me: "Gidday mate. I just wan't to apoligise if my buggying worried you guys in any way. I hope I wasn't stopping you from crossing the beach."
Dad: "Nah not at all, we were just enjoying the spectacal. Looks like a heap of fun."
Me: "It is. But don't be afraid to cross in front, It's not as out-of-control as it looks."
Dad: "Hey, no problem here, we were just stopping to watch."
Me: "Oh... ok then. I was just told I was imtimidating you and felt bad about it."
Dad: "Not us mate... carry on" they walked off happily down the beach (not across it).
I buggyied away somewhat perplexed. Maybe she meant another family? This was eating away at me now. I packed up kites and buggy, then went over to another famliy that were playing in a tidal pool nearby. I apoligised to them in the same way and was met with the same response..."No worries here, in fact we were enjoying the show!". The kids chimed in in agreement "we liked watching you too!"
I apoligised to a third family which were the only others nearby. No problem there either, in fact I was asked where they could buy one for themselves!
Now, like I said before, I am waaaay to sensitive about these things and shouldn't have let it bother me like it did. I was having such a good day before she came along and I let her ruin it for me. And I'm obviously still stewing about it now or I wouldn't be ranting like this. Hopefully now that I've got it off my chest I can stop stewing...
8:02:05 PM 
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