Was demoing some kites yesterday down brighton scabs. Wow. How things have changed in the past 9 years. Was out with my bro, staying upwind in one spot and watched at least 10 swarms of about 15 kiters head past on a down winder. Look to the left and right the amount of kites in the air was....well....scary to be quite honest.

Used to uncrowded kiting at our local spot was freaked out dodging mostly new comers who looked anything but comfortable. (I realise we all have to learn somewhere, so this is just an observation).

Surely, surely we are reaching a point - if not in a couple of years where over saturation on the water may occur. With all the swimmers in the water as well, we had better start considering some of the god awful ideas of registration etc etc.

While this rots me to the core and goes against every principle in my body and mind only blind freddy couldn't see from saturday that the time is coming very soon where councils may ban kiting altogether unless it is ....OMG can't believe I'm saying this, regulated (I slowly choke as I spell it out).

Maybe I'm just not used to crowds and it is not as bad as it seems. But we were freaked out and will never again kite scabs if we can help it.

Anyone feel the same or am I just over reacting? Please tell me I am!

we did a downwinder from floreat to brighton yesterday arvo, and it was fine up to when we got to brighton, when we hit the circus of kites, swimmers, poles, surfers, kids, body boarders, not much room to land the kite on the beach either, in 25knots. i ended up landing the kite just upwind of it all.

along the way i just let the full powered strapped in guys pass and i would take the next wave. I still had a ball.

your right though brighton is really crowded on the weekends, even in 25 knots. previously that sort of wind cleared the beach and swimmers, with sand lifting to knee to waist high, it cant be enjoyable lying on the sand sunbaking?

sorry, i did mention a downwinder on facebook

Hey eppo,

A big part of the influx into the waves is the mags and vids promoting kite surfing. You can't pick up a mag anymore without some random pro riding out front of an awesome barrel or making a backhand snap. All this promotion of surf riding is now coming home to roost.

A good 60% of the people doing lessons now are frustrated surfers coming from crowded breaks and lame waves. These guys want to get into it straight away and many are just doing the basics in lessons and hitting the waves. You no longer need the skills to stay upwind, you can just grab a buddy and do a downwinder.

Wait until next year, the surf will be twice as crowded, you aint seen nothin yet! I have been saying it for many years, we will soon need regulation, at least in the cities. I don't particularly want it either, but the ability to be able to single someone out that rides through the flags, or jumps over a bunch of swimmers is going to become essential if we want to remain able to kite when and where we want.

The other part is you are from a place where there is no crowding and to get used to city beach madness takes some practice

The kitesurf story continues to unfold.........

DM

Hey Eppo,
When you consider 3 is a crowd @ our local and you just want someone else to come out so your not lonely, I think we will be right down here for a while
Got some nice waves @ Lano this weekend with a few mates from Mandurah
Busted a foot strap out @ the south passage which ended my session a bit early but other than that it was great

Thing is moons, mandurah is totally crapola compared to scabs/pinnas/ rocko/safety....

Can't see it getting crowded too soon as the waves are crap and teh wind comes from the wrong direction for the lefts. Estuary is okay but you can have that mosquito infested hole.

As a newbie from what ive seen since starting out has been quite a shock actually with the amount of inexperienced "dangerous" kiters out there and i think every kiter should be made to join WAKSA and i totally agree with a registration process, it is far too easy to get into the sport and too many dont even bother with lessons. I have spoken to many observers who look on and think it is a piece of cake even the cocky few(my cousin is one of them and after even trying the trainer he couldnt control it) Some have even said stuff the lessons, just get out there, man i would not have the guts to do that personally and i cant actually believe their are tools out there that do so I am all for putting some sort of regulation on the sport before someone gets seriously hurt

im keen to carpool up north to lano, wedge and further if others are keen to chip in for fuel? not as crowded up there, nice breathing space!

Maybe this sounds like a dumb question, but who does have right of way on the downwinder. The rider hugging the shoreline or the rider who goes out a little further before picking a swell to ride in ?

reverse777 said...

Maybe this sounds like a dumb question, but who does have right of way on the downwinder.....

Me if I'm out there, regardless.

Gstar said...

reverse777 said...

Maybe this sounds like a dumb question, but who does have right of way on the downwinder.....

Me if I'm out there, regardless.

So your the guy that comes running out from the meat beach sand dunes. Definitely will keep away from you.

moons said...

Hey Eppo,
What kites did you demo

Moons, you looking for a new kite and surf board for the missus??

just for the lols.





Hook knives will be the order of the day soon enough...

reverse777 said...

Gstar said...

reverse777 said...

Maybe this sounds like a dumb question, but who does have right of way on the downwinder.....

Me if I'm out there, regardless.

So your the guy that comes running out from the meat beach sand dunes. Definitely will keep away from you.

I'm onto you reverse.

Great to hear people hating / loving but talking regulations to ease the congestion / loonies on the water....

I work in transport and every year I see LESS and LESS CARS on our roads and the loonies are all locked up in their bedrooms after a good oral spanking from their folks.

Adam and Eve thought the garden was crowded when the grand kids came along...............I'm thinking suck it up

Gstar
You are the scary sand dune man, get back to your sand dunes and don't come out till the downwinder kiters start coming through !!!
At least you will doing your bit to stop overcrowding.

Poida I agree , sometimes not worth the hassle just to get tangled up.

Moons Core kites from Darren at AKS. Great kites. Spent the day with my brother, just trying out a few kites, flying our own, but more than not feasting our eyes on the unbelievable talent on the beach. I don't know how you guys concentrate and stay focussed.

Moons all we get is 60 year old grandmothers and the occasional stray dog - I wish the water was colder, kept getting in the way of my kite bar...he he he - great day.

We should head up one day, good fun. wouldn't mind trying the north gear actually.