After last weeks issue out at Hearns Lake, I thought we would have hassle free kiting for a while in this area.. Today a group of us were kiting at Park Beach.. I was approached by the lifeguards and they were less than thrilled with the kite boarders out on the water.. It was reported to me that both of the kiters have been going close to people in the creek and near the beach.. In the discussion with the lifeguards, I was told that the kiters need to stay 60 meters away from people just like the jet skis do. At the flagged area you have to stay 500 meters away. They said they don't worry so much about the flags though if no one is swimming in the designated area. It was mentioned by the lifeguards today that they are starting to put these problems in the logs.. That can't be too good..
We had similar problems in Hawaii.. Lots of tourists would show up and do some of the stupidest things and nearly got us band from kiting. In the end, we had to self police the beach and talk to all the new kiters and tourists that came through.. Letting them know the do's and don'ts of the area, etc.. Doing this did help keep us alive in Kailua..
Anyone visiting Coffs Harbour, please ask some of the local kiters if you have questions about kiting in the area.. Otherwise hopefully we'll get this under control so we don't lose our local kite spots..
Yip .Today a visiting kiter from QLd rode right through the flags and pissed the lifeguards right off .The said kiter also doesn't know much about rules on the water either .The sign that says "no kitesurfing "that has not appeared all season thus far was promptly erected further up the beach than ever before by the lifeguards .We all make mistakes i suppose, but Cheers mate,thanks (not)
Being one of the kiters there today, as well as one of the ones in trouble this is a problem. I went down wind to have a look at the waves and during this time a large group, maybe ten or so guys entered the water on some kind of training run. So I now have a problem, rock wall further down wind, people walking dogs all over the beach for the walk of shame or a few simple tacks upwind that did not seem too bad. I chose the tacks and got into trouble. Seems to me that the Surf Lifesaving, Love their work, dont get the difference between someone upwind and someone down wind, these guys were always up wind as I did many more tacks than I could have.
Hey Gary, Yeah Coffs has been a trouble spot the last few weeks. Have you noticed they have closed kiteing in the creek at Sawtell as well for the birds the same as at hearns?It will be the same as up here,from Oct to Feb which is 5 months of the year.It started out as 3?? We have been all staying well clear of the zone at Hearns but still having problems.One of us got a mouthfull from an angry local greenie even though they were well clear of the area. And the next day someone rang the police and told them kites where in the area.Police came down the beach,but everyone,all 2 of them, where well clear of the area. We are getting a bad name even when have have met with and working in with National Parks to help the nesting birds.
On a brighter note,winds look good all weekend.Im thinking of doing a downwinder from Sawtell to Valla if I can get anyone keen on Sunday.
Here's a kicker for you... One of our new local kiters here in Coffs rescued 3 people from the ocean as they were getting pulled out by a rip into the ocean.. Life guards no where to be seen... Now why can't we see "Local kiter saves lives" in the paper rather than the crap? Sorry to hear Hearns is having issues... Why don't people get it that we aren't causing issues with the birds... Oh well, it'll work out in time.. So we are close to losing our only good 3 beaches all at once.. Not good...
Hope the down winder is great... I should be at PB tomorrow with the way the winds have been.. Am dying to try my F-One 14m, but the winds have been too high.. I'm not complaining.. :)
