Hi Everyone,

Many thanks to all involved for our small victory last night at the Joondalup Council Chambers. You all know who you are so I don't feel the need to mention names.

Something to think about: Although the councilors rules in favour of not banning kitesurfing at Mullaloo for the moment, the threat has not gone away at all, it is still very real and in fact I would suggest that this setback has reinforced and galvanised our opposition to be even more vigilant and better prepared than ever. [}:)]

We as kitesurfers did not win any victory last night despite the outcome being in our favour. The victor was the democratic process of good government, we were merely public bystanders and onlookers.

Our oppostion turned up with quite convincing arguments, two petitions signed by hundreds of local residents, half of whom were in favour of a total outright ban on kitesurfing on all of Mullaloo Beach, loads of reports and heaps of photographs showing our alledged indescretions. I put it to you that if they had followed the correct procedures required to legally mount a proposal to ban kitesurfing at Mullaloo, the sport of kitesurfing may have been walking away dragging it's heels and sporting a black eye.

We have been given the chance by the very sharp and diligent Councilor Young, to put together a case in our favour so that we may retain some access to the beaches of Mullaloo. I say some, because I feel certain we will lose some access to at least part of the beach.

At last nights meeting we had around 35 kiters turn out to support impending bans which are likely to set a precedent for all other councils which rule over ALL other favoured beaches we ride at. These councils who are unsure as to what to do about Kitesurfing issues may well be shown the light if things go badly for us.

It would be easy to say that we were unprepared and hard done by, that we didn't know about the case being formulated against us, but if you cast you minds back and click the link below, you will see that we indeed were notified on the 22 of November last year. However, everyone yelled agreement, did nothing, and then shoved their heads back in the sand where it's safe and everything is good. We were in a position of being caught napping and were fortunate that the "against case" dropped the ball in regards to due process. We were spared ..... this time!

What we won was not a battle, but a postponement.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=43784

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Firstly, know that the "against crowd" will be on the beach arming themselves with more photos, video, noting dates and putting in official complaints in writing on EVERY incident they witness to council and rangers. This will strongly build their case. They were told what they did wrong at the meeting so expect them not to make mistakes like this again in the future. Their case will be stronger next time.

Your version of a safe distance and speed is totally different to that of the unknowing public, they don't have a clue about upwind or downwind or how "in control" you are. Play it safe.

1/ Stay a good 50m away from swimmers and other beach users if at all possible.

2/ Do not rig amongst families on crowded days, if you have to go further North, DO IT!

3/ Do not kite anywhere near the MSLSC even if there are no flags out.

4/ Stay away from all clubbies carrying out training. Be very respectful and keep a very safe distance.

5/ Lend support to the people championing your case. Join WAKSA and lend support to MUGS. Public liability and membership was brought up by the opposition stating few kiters were members and therefore uninsured. Whether this be correct or not, we all need to join WAKSA for the goods of all!

6/ Be the beach police. If you see someone doing the wrong thing, let them know and offer a hand. Do not sit idly by and watch, this makes you more guilty than the perpetrator, because you know better and did nothing.

7/ Do not come in to a crowded beach at speed. Approach slowly and sensibly.

8/ Do not walk upwind flying your kite over the heads of families enjoying the beach. If you can't stay upwind and handle the conditions, you shouldn't be at a beach like Mullaloo or Scarborough.

9/ If you cannot relaunch your kite, don't just drag through the flags, flag your kite and roll your bar and lines in the water, then self rescue responsibly.

10/ Be pleasant and a good ambassador for the sport when talking to ALL members of the public, they may just be a councilor swimming at the beach enjoying the public space.


This battle is far from over and in fact the worst is yet to come so please, don't slip. DON"T give them ammo in the next fight, they have a good enough case already, we were saved by democracy and the democratic process and nothing else.

Good winds,

getfunky said...

Top work by all concerened.

I must say it is such a shame that a threat of having acces taken away, is what it takes for the points listed above to be taken seriously by a lot of kiters. These are simple common sense and co-operative behaviour that should be the default attitude. Sadly they are not - yet.

Movin in the right direction though, and with some luck a happy balance can be reached with those that have probably lived there for ages, and want to enjoy the beach/their activities that probably have zero impact on those around them (unlike the potential of kiting)

Best of luck with the ramapant councilors.

i don't think its rampant councillors that you have to worry about .it is members of the community with what they see as legitimate complaints and concerns .My advice is to re read kitehards email and get involved in the process .

well done guys ......but kitehards message brings up an old topic and one we need to take seriously. Self police-ing of our kite spots. 2 weeks ago i spoke to a guy who 4 times kited through swimmers on our local spot. He looked to be anything but in control of what he was doing, pooh-maning his way along the beach. I informed him that as a rule we don't kite through swimmers on our beach in fact swimmers have the unwritten right of way on any beach. We don't have a very big spot and the council actually like us being there, they even promote it in their tourist info. I was probibly less than friendly and suggested he take the sex and travel option back to his own local spot if he didn't like that. He acknowledged he was probibly in the wrong and agreed that you shouldn't really kite through swimmers.
A week or so earlier a learner out in light winds dropped his kite right on top of swimmers at our beach and the relaunch nearly collected a kid with the lines as it went trough the window. I spoke to him also. Gave him the same suggestion. I kind of felt like who am i to do so.. but up until now i have just stood back with the rest of our local crew and watched these incidents like its not really my place to do anything about it. I don't want to be a policeman but i don't want to loose our spot either. I like the idea of signs to which you can politely direct anyone that is not fimiliar to you. Maybe AKSA could produce something.
I really think that locals need to take responsibilty for their own spots ensuring the safety of all beach goers, after all we are fully aware of the hazards on our particular spots and the safety requirements. These blokes I spoke to probibly think i am a prick but at the end of the day while we are still welcome on our beach and people still come to watch and everyone enjoys the beach in safely ...i don't really care.( Number 6 and number 10 in kitehards list very important)

I just had a session at Mullaloo

Kitehard said...
1/ Stay a good 50m away from swimmers and other beach users if at all possible.

All excellent points but can I still urge everyone to refer to the WAKSA local beach guidelines so that we are all sticking to the same distances.

* Do not launch or land your kite with other beach users downwind of you. Maintain a minimum safety distance of 100m. Where possible move downwind of other beach users.
* Do not kite amongst swimmers. Always remain downwind of the main swimming area near the MSLSC building. Maintain a minimum distance of 100m upwind from any other swimmers in the water.

http://www.waksa.com/files/MullalooFlyer.pdf

sir ROWDY said...

What is wrong with people? anytime someone is having fun or doing something that someone else cant do there seems to be a "dark force" of bitter people trying to shut it down. Usually for no good reason exceept they have nothing better to do.

This dude is right, I'd bet my nads on it, that the bulk of those who signed this petition really could'nt have given a **** either way before they were asked , and given some degree of persuasion , however mild , to do so. Mullaloo beach , north of Rob's trailer , to the next car park is almost deserted in a fresh to strong sea breeze.

Good point about the camera's boost75, just remember fellow kiters that if you see someone on the beach pointing a camera at you they are probably not marveling at your tremendous kiting skills and trying to catch a snap of you throwing up a big spray as you do a carving turn right on the shoreline.

Those opposed to kiting will have nothing better to do than spend countless hours just waiting for that moment when it all goes pear shaped before capturing their perfect shot.

They won’t have been too happy with the result of the council meeting so will be working overtime trying to get their revenge and will stop at nothing to get a shot that appears incriminating.

Well done. Tightlines is right, they have an agenda and won't give up. In SA we have the same thing with the proposed Marine Parks being driven by a handful of people who have an agenda, them and the World Bank that is. I would photograph the people taking the pictures as I'm sure that if the same people are targeted over an extended period of time they could persue it under the stalking legislation. The reality is we live in weinersville in Australia at the moment where a handful of people want to ban anything and everything except what they do which is self appoint themselves as environmental police and give everyone a hard time. Some people just never achieve puberty and stay trapped as petty children in adult bodies and don't like other people in their sandpits. Stupid people shouldn't breed.

I gave you a green thumbs up Groper.....as much as I dislike more rules etc., I think we need to have a plan in place for the eventuality of regulation. I vote for WA Metro as WAKSA reg. kiters only. No wind in sight

we don't let our learners drift through swimmers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hear hear guys, I posted my reply to the ABC thing, the opposers have got a fair bit of ammo. I'm all for kitehards points eh some heavy handed self-regulation before we're regulated from someone else.

I for one am joining WAKSA today

From my observations at mullaz the main issue is people that are the "give it a go mate" guys that have just purchased a cheap c-kite and proceed without lessons, they should not have a place at mullaloo in my opinion. People are welcome to learn that way, given they go to an area with no pending restrictions or by-standers that may get in the way. *Edit* Regardless of the perpetrators, as others have mentioned, we need to be more vigilant and educate those in the wrong.

Listening to the talkback radio segment(posted earlier this week on seabreeze), kiters had little to no presentation as any punter had a great time writing us off. As the official body of kitesurfers in WA should WAKSA not have a formal/well spoken reply to this uninformed garbage. I am also referring to the news articles that may eventually follow etc. Do we need petitions as well?

Regards
Matt

Hey Vischy
Posted this on the other thread.
I didnt hear the first callers - just the last 2. The segment was over by the time I rang. They said thay would ring back for a WAKSA interview sometime soon. No bias I dont think. Probably just didnt know we existed.
The last two callers were excellent backers of kiting.

quote ....
Thanks to a phone call I caught the end of it as well - two very good replies.
1) the mum from Safety Bay - thank you for that.
2) Pat from Hillarys ? excellent call Pat. Very informed, accurate and reasoned response - esp re self regulation & needing 'no go zones' rather than 'go zones'.
WAKSA will be interviewed as well some time soon.

For anyone that missed it there is a link to the talkback segment lurking in the kitesurfing news section over on the right(thanks Laurie or Pat), but I will post it here aswell.

www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2009/03/20/2521988.htm?site=perth&rotator=true


Everyone is probably getting sick of hearing about this but I am pretty passionate about it because it is my beach ...... but I'm happy to share as long as you do the righty.

Thanks TL, I have enjoyed the broadcast (both positive and negative comments).

We can't ignore the opposition's fears and concerns and I believe that coming with something like regulations on time, designated area etc. would help us and the beachers to co-exist at mullaloo without requiring a FULL ban.

tightlines said...

For anyone that missed it there is a link to the talkback segment lurking in the kitesurfing news section over on the right(thanks Laurie or Pat), but I will post it here aswell.

www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2009/03/20/2521988.htm?site=perth&rotator=true


Everyone is probably getting sick of hearing about this but I am pretty passionate about it because it is my beach ...... but I'm happy to share as long as you do the righty.