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WAKEUP CALL FOR BOTANY KITERS BEHAVING BADLY
If you kite at Botany Bay you should be aware that that Kitesurfing is currently under the spotlight by Southern Sydney NSW Maritime Authority.
If the situation doesn't improve soon it's highly likely that there will be significant consequences for kiting in the area, possibly even a ban on kiting altogether.
There are significant number of other water users in the Bay. Currently, many are very unhappy about the behaviour of some of the kitesurfers on the water in this area.
It's a busy waterway and common courtesy on the water is absolutely essential if kiting is to be continued to be permitted there by Maritime authorities.We should not underestimate the power that these other groups yield, and as our sport continues to explode it's becoming more and more important that we observe the rules of the water and are courteous to ALL other vessels.
THE ISSUE:
Complaints have increased DRAMATICALLY in the recent year of kiters insisting on enforcing RIGHT-OF-WAY rules on the water. NWS Maritime rules are that all water users should take whatever actions are required to avoid collisions. Just because you may have right-of-way does not mean that you must enforce it. If your insistence on right-of-way results in a collision you may still be held responsible because you did not take action to avoid a collision.
NSW Maritime have contacted NSWKBA and asked us to self-police the situation before they are forced to take action themselves. They are being reasonable and patient, but if we don't fix the situation, they will.
THE SOLUTION:
Common courtesy will go a long way at resolving this situation. PLEASE BE COURTEOUS TO ALL OTHER VESSELS AT ALL TIMES. (even if you think you are in the right) Give way to all other vessels on the water at all time, even when to don't have to.
Do not be surprised if you are slapped with a $500 fine for disregarding the rules of the water. NSW Maritime officers are watching.
Kiting could be banned. It would be a disaster if kiting was banned in Botany Bay. Not only would one of the best kite spots in Sydney be gone, but the beaches where it is currently tolerated will become crowded, and eventually lost too.
Please visit the NSWKBA website and familiarize yourself with our guidelines. http://www.nswkba.com.au/coc
IMPORTANT ! Pass this message on to other kiters !!!
Mark Morgan
President, NSWKBA
Feel free to contact me or any of the NSWKBA with questions / comments on this matter.
Another of the over-riding rules is that the more manoeuvrable vessel is required to give way to the lesser one even if they have the right-of-way.
For instance, a power boat has to give way to a tanker at all times if the tanker is in a navigable channel (not much room to manoeuvrer).
As it's difficult to find a craft more manoeuvrable then a kite surfer, application of this rule can go a long way in keeping the peace.
Cheers.
Being a local rider, I can't recall seing any problems with kiters enforcing right of ways to other recreational water users. With the exception of other kiteboarders. I have certainly seen problems with crowded areas of Botany. I.e 1st Groyne, where there seems to be an increasing numbers of beach goers and families that habit the foreshore. Maybe i am just enjoying myself and not noticing the idiots on the water. I am all for self regulation, and think it is too long overdue to this popular Sydney Spot.
Hey all, I spoke to a guy in Bias boating the other day when I was picking up some new pulleys (nice work with the plastic dodgy pulleys Naish..what a joke) and he was saying its mainly around the dolls point area where the boaters have issues with kiters.
He said he's personally had a few near misses with kiters not moving out of the way round that channel, and like it or not according to maritime regulations we are a "vessel" now so that means we've gotta give way as the more manouverable one
Won't be long till we've gotta get registered I reckon, then its a short step to licences.
Dont let kiters go the way of the endangered species known as the "jetskiier", jump the boat if you have to 
...or just move.
Can't we get some vibrant signs up around the usual launching spots with safety and right of way instructions? I'm sure there's dozens of kiters, international or not, who don't know the rules.
Harder punishment (like a stern talking to rather than just a heads up) would give a reality check to those messing up.
I've also noticed people are flying too aggressively near the shore and are losing control crashing their kites on the beach.
I really don't want us to lose this spot so let's prove to NSW maratime society that we are responsible.
Also please don't crash your kites into my head when it's blowing 25 knots or I'll burn your kite when you land it and p!ss on the ashes[}:)]
Being all for self-regulation, as I am, doesn't mean we should let it run riot.
I think we should take a leaf out the WA Safety Bay action - sign post a few water regulations and common courtesy rules on every groin. It wouldn’t take much to put a sign with Graphics advising Kitesurfers of where they should launch / kite and the right of way rules.
I think that if it is posted with graphics, just like WA have done, it would greatly reduce the common excuse "I can't read English" bulls***t", and at the same time create an environment where etiquette should be observed.
We all know there is very little margin for error in our sport, especially for newbie’s. Providing some guide rules would benefit everyone including those that can self-regulate.
Besides, swimmers have flags and signs advising where it is safe to swim and even the conditions of a particular beach. When I arrive at a completely new location I look around to orientate myself. If there was a sign telling me what are the best places for rigging and riding I would feel a lot more comfortable in going out and I am sure anyone that first arrives at a new location would too.
This sport is still in its infancy and is forecasted to grow exponentially> we have no choice but to regulate eg.. as much as I hate conditioning just imagine if we didn't have road rules/traffic lights etc
. Now, a few decades ago they weren't necessary but slowly became so with the increase of cars on the road.
I guess we'll have to blame Australia for being a kitesurfers paradise. Everyone wants to participate and so do we, but not everyone is able to self-regulate.
There you go.. my 32 cents. I'm feeling rich
V
.
I think if you kook it too badly at Kurnell you'll end up with a board to the side of the head. Is that considered self regulation?
Copied directly from www.maritime.nsw.gov.au:
Giving way
The master must continuously assess the risk of collision with other vessels and power vessels must give way to:
Sailing vessels.
Vessels approaching head on (by altering course to starboard).
Vessels approaching from the right (starboard) hand side (ie, crossing).
Vessels displaying the special lights and signals shown in this chapter.
Large vessels restricted in their manoeuvrability.
Any vessel being overtaken.
Vessels engaged in fishing activities and showing appropriate signals.
So I take it that Botany Bay is the only place in NSW where sail gives way to power?
Constant winds,
Baz.
sailing vessels have right of way. this means you can head straight for large power vessels and make them avoid you. Just cut sick and have fun. serves the complainers right for complaining. also kite on sydney harbour. they can't really ban it there. who are they (the man) to say what you can do?
noice pisstake doctor
and now a word from our sponsor.....
I'M LOOKIN AT YOOOOOOU
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Could be a reasonable NE today bro.......you kiting......meet you at Dolls this arvo....I'll bring the cold ones for the after party....
the fox
THANKS FOR THE APOLOGY
Hmmmm.... crowded, choppy, dirty, city slop or empty clean beach with 3ft of swell...?
i think you should keep to the bay candy kane
p.s, its just starting to come on now
The problem with signs is that they can have a negative effect.
If we put up signs warning beach goers to watch out for kites as they may be dangerous there will always be someone who takes it out of context and reports kiting as dangerous, how can it be allowed? all because the sign uses the word danger.
If only everyone who rants on the forums spoke up in person and had words with bad kiters on the beach we can get the message across.
I don't think people realise the work and effort that the NSWKBA team put in on almost a daily basis to help address issues from authorities about kiting issues.
The Sec.
^^^ Like Dog owners that put a Dangerous Dog Sign on their fence. Admitting that their dog is dangerous. And the owners wondering why after the dog bites, they loose the court case.
LOL (Not my Dog) Because he is Bat Dog, ofcourse
(Maybe Kit33r's Dog, he doesnt look like he would bite)
ohhh yea CANDY KANE i'm bad
there's no need to apologise, we all feel sorry for you
