Don't know how to contact all byron kiters since we met years ago on the bay saga and it's all about to come out in the press again this week. Basically see minutes of last weeks council meeting below.
Report No. 12.5.Kite Surfing Ban on Main Beach and within 500m of Protected Reserves
File No:ENG1241774 #1242124
Resolved:
1.That Council authorise the engagement of legal advice on a proposed ban of setting up of kite powered equipment at Main Beach, Byron Bay.
2.That pending this advice, a memorandum of understanding be formalised with the Cape Byron Trust to extend the ban to Clarkes Beach and "The Pass" (required to stop kite surfers from entering Main Beach).
3.That if a ban is allowable Council receive a further report of funding required to add appropriate pictorial images to regulatory signage on all beach access tracks between the Main Beach car park and The Pass.
4.That Council note that it has no jurisdiction over areas that are managed by other agencies such as Department of Lands, Marine Parks or NPWS.(Woods/Tucker)
Story so far..
-Local concerned kiters met maybe 4 years ago when bans were first discussed by council and formed a group.
-Submissions were tabled with council from kiters (from memory about 30 pro kiting and 10 against)
-A working group was formed by council with surf club, waterways, marine parks, rangers, swimming groups, which I sat in on with liaison from NSWKBA to discuss safe usage of the area.
-All logical arguments pro kiting and safe shared usage were tabled at meeting.
-There was more co-operative logical discussion at meetings especially by Waterways and professional lifeguards than extreme anti-kiting complainants.
-A self imposed kiters area user guide was tabled by kiters (viewable on NSWKBA website) to prevent area from being closed, flyers and signs were offered to council. See link to map below.http://www.nswkba.com.au/resources/Documents/Byron%20Shire.pdf
-The wash up... This latest agenda on the meeting came out of the blue and after there has not been a lot of kiteable days in the Bay, so is not linked to any events that I am aware of. I knew nothing about it until council contacted me this morning warning of some press coverage. I can't see the 500m of protected reserves part of the statement being approved as it not logical or enforced as council does not own or control this area. The main beach ban if it does go ahead with co-operation from Cape Byron Trust (council only controls high water main beach to clarks; Cape trust Clarks to pass) is NOT the worse outcome. There was discussion of working with Cape Byron marine parks to implement a water ban similar to what is already in place Jet skis.....ie they are banning setting up on this area of the BEACH.
-What we can do. A separate area of concern is the little tern breeding area at Belongil. I'm guessing that is why the tacked on '500m of reserves' statement suddenly appeared as it was never discussed at any working group meeting. Be respectful if near this area. I don't think there is submission process open; but in the meantime be aware press and other authorities are monitoring the area. Be wary of the press, I got baited years ago, I hope none of that appears. The press were quoting from this forum.
NSW waterways distances off rules apply. Copied under for info of interstate visitors........
"Sailboarding (sometimes referred to as windsurfing) and kitesurfing (sometimes referred to as kiteboarding) are surface water sports that combine elements of surfing with sailing and kiting, harnessing the power of the wind.
Both sailboards and kiteboards are classified as vessels and therefore come under NSW marine legislation.
Distance off
When travelling at 10 knots or more, sailboarders/ kitesurfers and their equipment, including kite and lines, must:
Maintain a minimum distance of 60m from any persons or non-powered vessels or 30m from powered vessels and any objects in the water or, if that is not possible, a safe distance.
Stay out of a designated swimming zone
Lifejacket
An appropriate lifejacket must be worn when sailboarding more than 400m from the nearest shore.
An appropriate lifejacket must be worn when kitesurfing more than 400m from shore and kiting alone."
Good luck with the fight, lazy council can only solve conflicts by ban's, laws and police.
I guess byron offers the only kiteable location for a NW?
Last trip had good conditions north of byron at brunswick exposed empty beach.
Hi Jeff
I have been talking to some council members over the past week, give me a call.
Jase 0419 686188
I have started a face book page guys - Byron Bay Kitesurfers
and have already about 40 local kiters on that page, anyone interested please join the page and any imput would be appreciated.
Jason Golding
0419686188
So whats with the Police state tactics. Are they joking, wearing Life jackets 400 meters from shore. So are they going to have the water police or Council rangers sitting around in the water near Kiters issuing tickets. Are they afraid that people are going to have too much Fun and be risk takers. Or are they going to place a Ban on Risk Takers in the Byron Shire !
What is with this need to control people. I don't get it.
I'm also surfer, surfing is a dangerous sport in small, medium and big surf. Especially if the surf break is crowded, you can be surfing by yourself or just with a couple of people and have an accident.
I know I have had a few accidents and been a victim of surfboard collisions over the years I've been surfing. Does this mean that the Council and various interest groups will try to put Bans on Surfers and Surfing ? Will the Council limit how many people are allowed to surf at the Pass, Wategoes, Clarks, Tallows and Brockenhead for safety reasons ?
It's all so ridiculous. Where will these Bureaucrats stop !
I reckon you guys go talk to Surfing NSW & Surfing Australia and get some allies.
You've got to stop Big Brother before he gets out of control.
i actually think the bans are a good idea. experienced riders are fine and do no damage, but beginners and tourists who ride with no respect on the main beaches only create more negative publicity for local kiters. main beach is average at best anyway.
give the council this and it will keep them happy and show that we are prepared to compromise and work with them.
I think they're worried about getting sued again. They are probably the most sued council per capita in Australia . havin said that. I sayF*** em, if they're nice, and have them put up their little warning signs, they have them for surfboards right? Beginners have a right to be there as much as anyone. Same on the roads, same on a surfboard, a climbing rope, wherever. Who was it who used this beach in the first place and got this amazing town the image it has? The surfers. Welcome to the new surfer-Kitesurfer. Rather than ban it they should actually have a festival for it bringing the best riders from all around the world. It's sick beach and kite zone and one of the best places to watch such an event from.
Viva Byron Kite Festival!
SUPs should be banned way before kitesurfing. They are dangerous, have poor steering, are ridden by amateurs, and are a general disgrace to the entire watersports community.
You need to be a bit careful with just letting ban's go through without good reason and safety reports etc (proof). It's set's a precident that council and non-kiting folk may take for granted. I'm not saying it's a bad idea. just make sure the right loops are jumped through.
Isn't there a rule in place about kiting near flagged swimming areas any way. last time I was in byron there were a few on main beach anyway.
My thoughts anyway
Does the councils renewed interest have something to do with AShole hanging out in Byron over the last several weeks?
Pearl...the "area banned" plan you posted looks quite reasonable...given Byron tends to be a little less crowded in a northerly, it would seem workable. Do you have access to the report itself and the background as to why it was submitted...usually there is a problem/incident which leads to the councillors call for a report and recommendations from the staff concerned.
This sport gives sight-seers another thing to do while they're in town on cloudy, windy, overcast 'sh**ty' days, something there's been quite a lot of down here of late ;)
Each one of the 10 tourists and locals on main beach today STOPPED and looked in awe at the glorious sight of Kiters on the sea.
No-one was hurt, everyone got a little fitter and healthier. Imagine if this were a beach where kiting is actually promoted and encouraged?
Fear is motivating what factions of council are currently planning where it should be Integration.
"...stopped and looked in awe at the glorious sight of kiters on the sea..."
it's completely misguided and overinflated views like this that lead to the 'look at me' showpony riding that is the cause of most of the trouble on our beaches.
i hate to tell you, but the general public don't care about kiting or kiters, and nor should they. nobody is swooning with wonder as you boost big close to the beach or snake more waves than a goat boat. the only time people notice is when you fly kites close to their kids or ruin the lineup in the surf.
so please just find a quiet beach somewhere and don't make our already tarnished reputation worse. it's not your obligation to impress a disinterested public: just ride...
It says in your profile you are 37, yet your behaviour, spelling and grammar would put you more in the 5-10 year old category.....
Hey Stamp. next time your meditating on how to be more like a sea urchin and a less like an egotistical kitesurfer, I want you to 'channel' a message from me, look at the back of your hand and read between the lines
Pretty disappointing to hear a couple of kiters ie ewe and dwdw (such a great name, spell it twice m8!) going on the negative. Leave AS (whoever he is) out of it. When got into this sport I found the comraderie and support of all involved extremely inspiring. I guess we all have our low days. You guys just strangely seem to enjoy them....
If they do ban kiting the bay it won't be for what AS did, or what you bozos did, it'll be for what you didn't do. Long live kiting the bay and being the biggest poser you can [}:)]
On the positive, here's a link I found on a cool facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/389236877800357/ to the byron councillors email addresses.
www.byron.nsw.gov.au/councillors
Oh sorry Stamper, even though you wouldn't know cause you haven't been here, you're right, every time it hits 20 kts it gets so packed with those 10 hardy souls beachwalking.
Come on down but beware you might be tempted to forget yourself and have a good time, but, that probably wouldn't look very cool would it?
See you at caba for some summer NE's!