I have been reading alot in the forums recently about rouge kiters getting into all soughts with authorities, regular beach goers and other kiters. Unfortunately I have my own story to add to the pile. I was kiting at Cottontree Maroochydoor on Sunday 11th Jan 2009. The wind was only very light (8-10kts) however, the beauty of the spot is in the outgoing tide in which you have plenty of apparent wind to kite. I noticed later in the day a kiter on a monkey griffin attempting to self launch/land repeatedly with little success. He was on the sand bar, however he was smack in the middle of an area where swimmers and sun tanners were doing their thing as well. The kite was falling back, stalling and doing everything but flying, which was completely understandable considering the limited puffs of wind. There were however plenty of pedestrians ducking lines and leading edges in the craziness. There was a solid number of cabrina riders in his immediate area as well which I thought was incredulous. Maybe the guy didnt want help but I think it was obvious he was having difficulty and needed assistance. I was kiting on my own and was self launching and landing as well
however I was 150 up the beach on the end of the sand spit. There was no beach goers around me, my downwind area was completely clear and I have experience doing so. I do not have a problem with the practice of self lauch/land.

My gripe is not only with the guy trying to do everything himself but with the other kiters just standing around watching the chaos ensue. I believe it is only a matter of time before a citizen puts in a complaint about us and sunny coast council will end it with one stroke of a pen. I love Cottontree. It is by far my favourite place to kite and im sure im not alone. There are many similar places around Australia on the brink of kiting bans and its with this in mind that I place this forum.....I hope you all listen because if it does occur we only have ourselves to blame.

happy waves.

Nice one paul. The guy had come and gone by the time I got back into the beach. I helped a few other learners instead. It was just an informed observation. I thought it important to share. Question.....i get the distinct feeling you were near him as well. Are you feeling bad about it.....why didn't you help? Keep it up Paul.
Peace