Melville gets really crowded, I think we all know this. Today was in absolute shambles. I saw people launching a kite from the grass by getting it thrown up by two other guys like a 'kids kite', right in the power zone. The lines got tangled in the tree and so on. Ran up there and had a word which ended up alright. After that I heard he got his lines (a C kite btw while it was his very first time) crossed with someone else and so on.. very dangerous. Told him it would be good if he would take a lesson but he said he wanted to teach himself because of lack of money

I saw a guy brake his finger in a very unfortunate way, if you read this, I hope you're ok! He didnt know exactly what happened but he got his finger snagged somewhere on his bar while he pulled his release.

I saw various people still kiting passed the buoys going back in... and then just turn around and go back out. These buoys are here to designate a launching and landing zone. Don't kite there if you don't need to. You really don't have to do you're tricks so close to shore. I know there are a lot of beginners screwing up there but that is something advanced people tends to do.. the "look at me, I go right to the edge of the water and turn around, I don;t care that there are heaps of people around me trying to launch and land and that there are markings in the water that tell me not to'.

these were only a couple of things of what I saw. Now I am just a beginner as well but I decided after one run that it was way too busy and it was just too dangerous.

Any other beaches in the southern metro area that would be better for beginners.. more space? cause Melville is starting to get on my nerves..

hahahaha

Why kite melville on weekends its not worth it..
Apparantly 12 beaches closed today from shark sightings. Ive been kiting melville for 5 years and it gets worse and worse.

So many dickheads there have no idea. People still teach in the wrong spot, kite too close to shore. Not many people really know the rules.

I used to kite at Melville all the time, now i live down south so don't much anymore. But i was out there today and had a blast (from about 3 to 5pm). Sure there was a bit of beginner craziness in close to the beach, but nothing that you wouldn't have seen in the last 2 or three years on a windy summer weekend. actually i thought the numbers were a bit down.

agree its a bit nerve racking, as a beginner, to be kiting with lots of people around, especially lots of other learners, but theres lots of people in perth, and they've gotta go somewhere - and i think melvilles probably the best place for newbies, with no waves, no reef, shallow, etc. (be nice if it had a wider beach though). One thing melville doesn't have that other spots in the perth area do is lots of people swimming/sunbathing etc. I think its good to have one spot where all the learners go and don't put non-kiting random people at risk.

Nice to see the waksa guy handing out 'safe kiting at melville' brochures today too, hats off to you. Hope everyone starts to take note.

it is dissapointing to see so many relatively good kiters kiting right up to the beach. I don't mind if they end up with their kite in a tree but its really freaks out the learners. Showponies just love to be seen i guess

"Sorry if you can't afford lessons you definitely can't afford to kite" I would be stoked to help someone out like this, just like people helped me through my boardriding. Good vibes. I got no time for snobby, classist bull**** - please rethink, and don't mind taking some time out to help people like this, you will get the stoke back 10 fold from someone enthusiastic, they may even end up a good mate, and help create a better attitude and safety at a spot.

I know someone with only (for financial reasons) a really beaten up old 2005 north vegas and a re-glued old previously snapped in half twintip, couldn't afford lessons. And another kiter who was helped out cos they couldn't afford all kit, lessons, a good mate now and also a good kiter. Awesome dudes, awesome kiters. Friends gave away old harness, old boards and helped with advice and they were sooo stoked.

there are regular posts about this type of problem .The same call gos out get lessons get lessons get lessons . i never hear the call after you ave had lessons 'There is no replacement for experience in light winds at a spot with plenty of room and no people " These places can be found even in busy areas .I can't believe how many opportunities go by for noobs to consolidate their skills on days around 10-12 kts with none of them out there.we get heaps of these days where none of them are there then they turn up on the really windy days with dodgy kite skills and then add more problems by adding a board in a crowded spot .

Its a nightmare trying to find somewhere to teach the missus how to kite, she is justifiable nervous at places like Melville as she is conscious of not interfering with other kiters but also not getting taken out by others.

Really running out of options...oh well maybe a holiday to the Cocos Islands!!

dusta said...
The problem with melville is there is no signage to indicate what and what not to do.

There a few more problems with Melville than the lack of signs.
You dont need signs to tell you there is a footpath 5M from the shoreline.
You dont need signs to tell u there is a road 7M from the shoreline.
You dont need signs to tell you the wind is gusty and unpredictable.
You shouldnt need signs to tell you not to fly your kite onshore when walking upwind.
I could go on but u get the drift.

TimKay said...

"I think your messages would be falling on deaf ears" - Walk up to someone being an arse when you see it, tell them what they are doing is not in line with local rules - set out to keep access open. No ears are deaf if you TALK to them!

"Perth crew are that arrogant and selfish that they don't even care if they are pissing people off" - true in a lot of cases, does that mean you let it go?

"It's all about themselves" - Ditto

"Get used to it" - Sorry, but what a piss weak comment.. CONFRONT THE F CKERS!! Or don't YOU care if they ruin YOUR kiting future?

Would you just let someone walk into your lounge and piss on your floor?... Think about it.