GENERAL
Kite surfers leave wave of complaints in wake
GABRIELLE KNOWLES
330 words
16 February 2008
The West Australian
METRO
61
English
(c) 2008, West Australian Newspapers Limited
The soaring popularity of kite surfing has created conflict on popular
beaches and some swimmers have complained about encroaching wave
jumpers.
Surf life saving clubs and The West Australian have received calls about
the problem. Surf Life Saving WA operations manager Chris Peck said
that, anecdotally, there was concerns about mixed-use activity at City
Beach, Scarborough and Mullaloo.
"Driving along the coast, theres a proliferation of kites," Mr Peck
said. "I liken it to the explosion of windsurfing 20 years ago, because
they had a similar impact on surfers and swimmers when they ripped in
and out."
Kite surfing, also known as kite boarding, involves using an inflated
kite to pull a rider on a small wakeboard-like board. In Perth, the
season is traditionally from October to March, when regular sea breezes
are expected.
WA Kite Surfing Association president Alex Bell said the association
tried to educate all kite surfers and warned them not to launch or kite
in flagged swimming areas, patrolled by lifesavers. "We are blessed with
so much space in WA that there is absolutely no reason to kite anywhere
near the flagged areas," he said.
Mr Bell and Mr Peck said swimmers had to respect other beach users.
"Swimmers and surfers do not get the right to the ocean," Mr Peck said.
Some councils might need to create designated zones for kite surfing.
"Its becoming more critical for everyones safety and enjoyment on the
beach," he said.
Stirling and Cambridge councils said they had not had any complaints
this season about kite surfers at areas they controlled - Scarborough
and City Beach respectively. Cambridge chief executive Jason Buckley
said beach inspectors occasionally had to move kite surfers jumping
waves in public swimming areas but most stayed away from swimmers.
A City of Joondalup spokesman said it got complaints periodically. They
were investigating a recent complaint but no one had been hurt in the
incident.
The others (non kiters) need to understand a little bit more about the sport. Some complaints can be coming from situations that are not dangerous. Just the other week I went about 10-15m downwind of someone, and they yelled out "TOO CLOSE". Sure if I was upwind of them it would have been, but being downwind I was no risk to them. Of course I said sorry and just moved away.
Situations like that when WE know its safe for the bystander might be getting complaints aswell.
Absolutely wrong. Article by West (a slowly dying org.) is simply the reaction and view of vocal minority.
If kiters stay out of flagged swimming areas then there will never be a need for flagged kiting areas. Kiters are actually good in the ocean because they rescue swimmers in trouble.
So stay the heck out of the flagged swimming areas!
At City Beach on Sundee the swell was up a little and I saw again and again kiddies, mums etc dodging pointy surfboard thingies that were flying at them after botched re-os and other pointless (due to the constant closeouts) manouvres all arvo.
Boy they sure looked like they were dodgy and crowding the swimmers but strangely there was no mention in that pinnacle of information The West???? 
I reckon we definately have to be giving swimers and other water users a bit of a wide-berth (even outside the flags) for a while before there is a media kite-linchin though... Still there is plenty of open uncrowded spots so not that hard really.
Best to start taking some photos of dune walkers and show-offs. The ocean is HUGE, there is NO REASON to be kiting near a swimmer once you are powered and on the water..................come on guys and gals clean up your act because a ban will effect you the most!
nothing like a 'lucky' australian to embrace facism so openly and wholeheartedly, once the bait of security and safety is loaded onto the facist hook, its just a matter of time before we fight each other trying to take a bite.. yesterday or the day before, empty beach 15-18 se, two of us kiting, all of a sudden, and i mean literally....'bang', fifty surf-club kids turn up for board paddling training, the beach was closed for swimming, we were there first, for something like nearly an hour, they had the whole beach, but decided to paddle out amongst us with bouys and sand bags and set up a string of cans right through where we were kiting, no warning, then all of a sudden we got fifty kids paddling around us, their moronic, mortgaged flabby pasty one eyed parents were watching, saw us out there before their kids, and had the hide to come up to me, after i decided that it was too risky to kite because of the kids, and tell me that i should be more responsible because i was getting too close to their kids... now i'm a really nice guy, pretty placid, but i can punch like real hard, luckily the husband of one very loud over zealous woman, who attempted to try and chew me out with a terribly nasal voice, knew this, because i tell you in this day and age of equal rights and opportunity for all, her face was about a 'come on dear i think you've said enough' from being pulped in front of her kids.... we don't need to ban kiting from beaches, we need to ban surf-clubs, and soccer mums
Right on Harry!
Not ALL soccer moms though.
Funny thing is that kids and dogs love to be in and among the kites...most really like the vibe....but some (dogs especially) freak out. Had a dog try and bite my leading edge at KS for the longest time....just me and the dog on Thursday. Just wait until the crazy soccer moms start pulling on your bar.
I have seen on more than one occasion a guy on a blue kite absolutely ripping between swimmers at brighton/scarborough, no question this guy is a good kiter but its a matter of time before he stuffs up and hurts someone.
ripping in the waves right where everyone is swimming is just dum.
Yeah dogs are wicked. They bark and bark, and when I fly the kite closer to them the run off as fast as they can, and slowly creep back. Very funny. The owners enjoy watching it too.
And they might be able to "ban" kitesurfing, but they will have a hard time "stopping" kitesurfing.
I think they clubbies on the 1000ft douche bag boards are more of a menace. Especially when they are trying to surf the waves in between the flags, and their leashless boards are let loose amoung the swimmers.
"come on guys and gals clean up your act because a ban will effect you the most!"
No need to yell Henny Penny
I know this is slightly of beat to this topic but gota tell ya,s about Sunday at Casterway's beach Noosa.....kite clinic being run by our local kite shop,topic....self rescue,beach safety.....50m's down the beach dad is teaching his young son to kite....he was prety good for a 12 yr old,wind was strong weather was lousy.......anyway's a group of 'onlookers' were watching right in the kill zone of this youngin's kite,while we were all discussing public edicate.What were the family meant to do ,tell the group of people to p##s off,or come in ,pack up?..... kiteing activity was way down the beach,away from the public.... how are kiters meant to constantly deal with ignorant people that 'sticky beak' then turn around and say"those kites are too dangerous","should not be allowed on a public beach"....yes we are trying to be concious of those around us,I'm personaly sick of the constant ridicule kiters are copping from all angles while the majority of kiters are just trying to enjoy there time on the water!
Read the article again .The headline is usual alarmist media hype ,the content paints a different story though and I quote
"Stirling and Cambridge councils said they had not had any complaints
this season about kite surfers at areas they controlled - Scarborough
and City Beach respectively. Cambridge chief executive Jason Buckley
said beach inspectors occasionally had to move kite surfers jumping
waves in public swimming areas but most stayed away from swimmers.
A City of Joondalup spokesman said it got complaints periodically. They
were investigating a recent complaint but no one had been hurt in the
incident. "
Of course as a community we need to be vigilant and make sure that everyone enjoys the beach..
There has been a huge storm in a teacup going on here .'bans imminent" and so on
I recently spoke to the co ordinator of beaches here and he said there have been no complaints that he was aware of and again I quote he said " maybe a few guys going a bit close to other water users but on the whole no probs "
I spose having not much wind this year has kept a lid on things .Thanks to everyone for talking to each other and helping to get the word around about local issues that we need to keep an eye out for like getting too close to the flags and other water users
Mr Float is right onto it because this article is not bad at all.
It does, in fact include numerous positives about kiting.
It could have been far worse. Yes, the headline is alarmist, but hey, it is a cowboy tabloid paper we are talking about here.
Of course, kiters should stay well clear of swimmers, but there's nothing in that article that would seem to threaten any sort of ban. Like the guy says, it happenned with windsurfers back in the day and I'm sure all sorts of other waters get complaints from swimmers and beach walkers regularly.
I once had some mother freak out at me telling me not to fly my kite near her kids (near the lagoon at dee why for those of you who know it). I told her that as long as I remained downwind of them that is was physically impossible for my kite to harm her precious babies... and that they don't just fall outof the sky.
She spent the entire afternoon eyeballing me as if I was out to kill her children... sheesh I dont even think I crashed my kite once that afternoon.
I must say, I've been asked more times "is it fun?" or "does the kite pull hard?" than been complained at... then again, maybe I look like I'm high off my nut with my big fat grin 
... might worry a few people [}:)]
Its important to remember that in their minds they came first and we came second (Its actually the case too),we are the minority group with the big scary thing at the end of our lines .Respect the masses and keep your beach open to kiting.
... might worry a few people [}:)]
It's a constant issue this shared beach thing.
In Melbourne, the beach behind the marina is pretty much marked out as a kitebeach, yet parents bring their kids down to that stretch of sand to play in the water. Fortunately we get a few guys (mainly instructors) that warn people of the dangers. A guy came up to my mum who was trying to take a few photos of me and told her it wasn't safe to stand where she was!
The rules of the beach generally are you are safest swimming between the flags and other users have free reign outside the blue flags... it works both ways!
Realistically if you stick to the concept of only coming within 20m of the shore when you are launching or landing you shouldn't get in the way of too many kiddies.
I guess the best thing to do is be friendly to others when you aren't flying and gently warn non kiters of the potential dangers, and make sure you have valid kiting insurance...
... might worry a few people [}:)]
... might worry a few people [}:)]
Guy's,all this stuff starts everyone argueing over the same thing,there is so many people watching 'those magnificent men on there flying machines' some day's at the Noosa riv/mth its enough to create wind shear!.Why dont we all create our own sect er I mean church,'Church of Kiteing Fundamentalists' have a huge tax dodge,buy an Island in the Cocas somewhere,build a luxury clubhouse er I mean house of worship,and kite till ya drop er I mean head back to the mainlands and preach the learnings"one must meditate to reach the zenith without looking up" 
The threat of a ban is not scaremongering or extremist. It is happening all around the world - in the US and the UK there are total no-go areas for kites.
The first time there is a serious incident and a council cops a negligence claim and their insurance premiums go up - just watch all the "No Kiting" signs spring up.
Imagine: no Lucky Bay, no Scarborough Beach, no Leighton. Woodies might be spared as it's pretty isolated, do you fancy triple the crowds there because there is nowhere else to go?
All bigmark100 and the other posters in support are saying is that if we don't have an incident then there will be no grounds for restrictions. Fairly simple.
It may not be fair at times but if we keep out of their way then it will not happen.
Cheers.
Ok . Who was it
Looking at that pick it doesnt seem too bad. The rider is hardly moving. Sometimes swimmers pop outta nowhere, and your only option is to slow right down. If he had hit him, it would have been nothing compared to a surfboard hitting him at full speed.
It when the kiters come screaming through that problems arise.
the guy in the photo can't be all bad........ looks like he's riding a Spleen?....maybe the guy swimming is his mate!
If I've learn't anything about the media, you cant trust them. The swimmer was probably a mate of the photographer who told him what sort of shot he needed.....The photo and headline tell a different story from the contents of the story!
JimmyZ,
I have kited at Long Reef.
When you said you were told not to fly your kite near the womans kids,and then said it was near the lagoon, I had this vision of the noobs (knobs) that crash their kites in and around the Lagoon ,sometimes while there are small children there. Or they are doing stupid beach jumps,even though they can't even ride a board yet !
If you were walking back upwind along the beach, well, that has to be done.You did not describe it that way.
I recon the councils shouldn’t put out coast wide bans on Kiting (and agree, from what I have seen its defiantly coming) it’s totally unfair when only a small minority of people doing the wrong thing.
The best thing the local councils could do is to impose fines and confiscate the gear of the individuals that are causing the problems. Anything that looks like reclass behaviour, not respecting other beach users or putting peoples lives in danger.
For example, the guys that walk up Melville beach flying the kites over the road, kiters rigging and launching on the beach along side sunbathers and children then subsequently crash the kites almost on top of them. And obviously anyone that kites through the flags should be shot on site.
It doesn’t matter who has right of way at the time, we are the danger so we should move away. A 100m walk up the beach for a safe launch isn’t that big a deal.
This option is defiantly a win win situation, the council start to raise some revenue and keeps the public safe, we keep the beaches open to kiting and get rid of all the idiots.
I have just completed my recreational skipper’s ticket, maybe we need some kind of basic licensing / registration like this, could be through WAKSA ?. It could be combined with their third party insurance (which I recon should be compulsory if kiting anyway) and even some kind of registration number positioned on the kite for identification.
Personally I would be happy to do anything to keep the beaches and rivers open to kiting
Cheers
Mark
On beaches that are designated for kiting it's up to us to educate the beach goers as they just don't understand about the "danger zone". I go up to people on the beach often and tell them what will happen if they stand below a kite etc and if it's done tactfully they don't mind at all and will usually step away. I don't care if people think I'm the middle aged meddling old biddy on the beach. It's important that we keep up the communication with swimmers etc
There will always be the clowns 
who insist on looping the loop close to shore just to show off. I've seen instructors who know better do it just to show their students how clever they are. These guys should have their licenses taken off them.
I cannot see why there has been complaints from Mullaloo. All beach users go to the point or between the flags at the surf-club and hardly any (if any at all) go throughout the whole mid stretch of the beach, unless they are walking. All kiters ride downwind of the flags and upwind af the point, and try to avoid people. When ever we are walking up the beach, we keep our kites high. Whenever we get dragged downwind towards the point we choose theleast crowded spot to get out, and yet there are still complaints from beach-goers. We do just about everything to avoid them for not only thier safety but also our own, and so that we have more freedomm when riding without having to worry about other people. Just about the only time beach-goers come into contact with us, is if they are walking and we are launching/ landing our kites and ever then we wait untill the area is clear before doing this. If there are restrictions put in mullaloo it woulds just make the place more dangerous to kiters (as a smaller area means more kiters packed together) and there would be even more complaints because we would not stick to that zone (deleberately or non-deliberately) so that it was safer for us, or if the wind was so light we had to keep riding downwind. Will someone please explain to me why the people at Mullaloo have been complaining?
And by the way, every single person who has approached me at mullaloo has said something along the lines of: 'hey mate, how ya doin? how long have you bin riding for? Is it fun? How hard is it? Your kite looks good. Got any pointers if i wanted to start? Wow that looks like a heap of fun!' ectectect. All of the people who have approached me have had huge grins on thier faces, and all been genuinly interested in the sport, wanting to find out the smallest bit of info about it. Almost every time i have been down there almost every beach go-er watches all the kiters and kites with smiles on thier faces. All the parents point out the kites to thier kids and smile at the kiter, or just say hi. I have not yet seen ONE person at mullaloo who has been even slightly bored of the sport, let alone against it!
