For those concerned with the possibility of kitesurfing bans in Byron Shire or possibly coming to Your Shire soon? - you could email this or your version with your contact details .... to Nigel Greenup before this Monday 5th January 4:00pm .....
[email protected]I strongly oppose the proposed ban of kite surfing in Byron Shire.
Grounds for objection:The following are some factors that the Council need to consider in relation to the proposed ban:
1. Kite surfing is a “small, slowing growing” sport, that isn’t going to disappear with a ban.
2. This issue is about managing the sport – and the best people to do that are the local kiters.
3. Kite surfers can share the ocean with swimmers and other surf craft. We are very safety conscious and considerate of others. Kite surfing is a relatively new sport and the equipment is becoming easier to manage and much safer to use.
4. People learning to kite surf are most of the problem – learning and practicing flying kites on the beach has potential dangers, can be intimidating to people on the beach, and is not considered appropriate behaviour by those of us who only want to be out on the water. The restriction of learners, lessons, and those being reckless and inconsiderate on the water, could be enforced by local and experienced kite surfers, and if that fails we would welcome either the surf club or rangers to remove people and equipment causing problems.
5. Kite surfers need weather conditions to ride that most people would consider to be unpleasant on the beach or in the water. Around 12 knots of wind for most kites and preferably 15 – 20+ knots of wind. This is when the regular beach goers pack up and go.
6. Kite surfers can help and rescue swimmers and other water users. As it is usually choppy when the wind is up – it is hard for clubbies to see a swimmer in danger. It seems that members of the surf club are ‘anti kite surfing’ when probably they don’t understand the sport at all – because it is something new.
7. Is banning such a recreational sport part of what council stands for? Byron Bay was known as a relaxed place where pretty much anything goes. Far more dangerous activities at ‘The Pass’ such as dive boats powering through swimmers and surfing – up to a hundred board riders sometimes on top of each other in the wave impact zone. Why should rate-payers fund a ban when it isn’t necessary, and expensive and difficult to enforce. Surfing, surf skis and kayaks cause far many more injuries in the same area.
8. If council tried to ban kite surfing from ‘The Pass’ to the Main Beach car park, kite surfers would then launch from Wategos or Belongil where it would be far more dangerous to the kite surfer, beachgoer, or private property. In the worse case scenario if people were required to launch from Belongil northwards there is the potential for a rider to end up caught up in ‘The Wreck’ which could potentially cause a fatality.
9. The local newspapers have allowed a ‘’beat-up’ of the negative side of kite boarding with ridiculous claims of “our lines being stainless steel wires that could decapitate….” When in reality they are lightweight nylon material. This has given some locals the impression that we are “going to cut their heads off” which of course creates a false impression. When they have sat down to watch us – often I have complete strangers come up and say “that looks fantastic …you’ve made my day, I wish I could try; I wish I was younger…etc”
10. Tourist kite surfers from Australia are usually experienced and choose to spend their holiday money in Byron Bay because the kitesurfing can be so good – by banning kitesurfing you will drive away valuable tourist dollars.
Conclusions: The more practical approach is for council to allow self regulation. As a group of local kitesurfers we will be available to educate visiting kiters, as it is in our interest to keep the beach safe and accessible., we agree that;
• No learners should be allowed in this area on land, or in the temporary lagoon, and must be able to stay upwind on the water.
• No commercial lessons with kiting on land or water.
• We use a small designated kite launch / set up area on either side of the rocky outcrop between Captain Cook Lookout and ‘The Pass’, where there are no beach access paths.
• No kites permitted on the beach between the Main Beach Car park at the swimming pool, to the track at Captain Cook Lookout.
• Kitesurfers give way to all other water users.
• Kitesurfers follow NSW Maritime rules (500m out from flags. 60m either side of flags. 60m from designated swimming area. 30m from other water users.)
• Safety leash to be worn at all times
• AKSA (Australian Kite Surf Association) or IKO membership which gives public liability insurance
