steven83 said...
What is the situation like on the East Coast - I have never kited there? I'm assuming that is gets quite busy there, is there appropriate signage? Are the local councils amenable to kiting? Having seen some of these accidents in WA, I’m worried that the authoritas will start blanket banning without proper consultation. IMO, like a lot of you, developing a standardised signage system with simple diagrams is the key, like traffic signs. I understand that Leighton Kiters are in the process of doing this in consultation with local councils. While everything helps, including explaining to individuals what to do, this is, with respect, a low return-to-effort solution to a problem that needs to be addressed soon. Further, while having location guides on the WAKSA website is helpful, it is not a true solution to the problem, it is similar to not having the "give way" sign on the back of a bus and instead referring people to the Road Traffic Act/Transport Act with their infringement notice when they break the rule (well sorta).
You have all expressed concerns, and the answer must be in uniform action lobbying council.
I am not involved in WAKSA (although I am a financial member for insurance purposes) so if WAKSA is already involved in doing this at an association level (rather than just Leighton Kiters - an offshoot committee), I apologise, and maybe I should have done my research before posting.
Before I get off my soap box, I have read ideas raised about confining kiting on public beaches to WAKSA/AKSA members only, this may be difficult given rights of access to public beaches and Australia's resilience in keeping most beaches public (which is most prevalent in WA, and is great). Another solution, which may or may not work - all comments welcome, is to have a system of accreditation like PADI for diving etc where a person to get licensed has to pass an easy theory test and a small practical assessment. (it's already an expensive sport another 100 or so dollars isn't going to kill anyone). It puts the onus on the person selling/lending/repairing gear to make sure that the person to whom is getting that equipment knows that they are doing. I know that this may have an effect on "liquidity" of kite gear and enforcement will be difficult, but it seems to work with diving. If anything, it would lead sensible, but ignorant (not meant in a derogatory sense) people to question whether they should get lessons (hence a licence) before going kiting.
There's my 2 bobs worth.
In Port Phillip bay the beaches and near shore waters are all controlled by Parks Victoria. Parks Victoria have designated watersports beaches ie. St Kilda, Brighton Kitebeach, Hampton. Its the same regs from council to council because Parks Vic overrides them all.
The main purpose of the watersports beaches is to give you an access corridor to the bay - so I tend to use the beach as a launch/land point and keep myself a ways out - I prefer to be out of the crowds anyway. But, you can stay in the watersports zone.
The beaches are there for our use so I don't feel bad suggesting to people swimming at St Kilda kitebeach that it would be a lot safer for them to move past the pier, for their own safety. (I have even had my Mum asked to move for her safety when she was trying to take some photos of me.) Vice versa when a kiter is somewhere they shouldn't be, I would expect that people should be able to inform them of this info.
If you go down to St Kilda there is a sign at the foot of the steps from Beaconsfield Parade to the beach - it is a Parks Vic sign. If you go to Brighton a similar sign exists.
That said, I do understand there has been a bit of grief between Port Melbourne SLSC and some kiters that have been riding up that way, so its not all perfect!
Ultimately implementation of a good system is a good start but it isn't the silver bullet - guys who know the rules have to communicate them to those who don't. There are a lots of kiters who have extensive backgrounds in watersports through sailing, windsurfing and power boating, and those who kitesurfing is only their first exposure to watersports. The guys with experience should be sharing it in a friendly fashion, but the inexperienced guys need to accept their advice without taking it personally either!
