Saffer said...Burls said...Humans will be humans and we do need some level of law to keep it all under control, but this type of rule is total nanny-state where the plot has been completely lost.
I say keep the baseline laws in place, and let natural selection make our species stronger!
This is one of the problems with the self regulation model proposed by most kiters - if it doesn't work &x28;it normally doesn't&x29; you get government imposed rule and you lose 70% of your rights instead of 10% if the kitesurfing industry just got off its ass and put together a proper structure like PADI has in scuba diving.
The problem with trying to get together as a group for a PADI like licensing system is:
1. Kitestore's won't support it because it means people can't just walk in and buy a kite if they are forced to get a license first &x28;bottom line before safety&x29;
2. Kiters won't support it because they are more worried about their personal freedoms than the long term impact if these bans happen.
Its just a matter of time before it happens more broadly.
I reckon a more militant self-regulation model could include asking infringing noobs &x28;what to do with the experienced show-ponies is still a question&x29; where the feck they got their lessons and then asking if the school included full safety, right-of-way and self-rescue instruction. If they look blank and/or say no, you then - as an authoritative experienced kiter - tell them that they've been ripped off, that the school has wilfully put bucks before safety and that they should seek a refund. This may put some pressure back on schools to do the right thing rather than just rush folk through to secure the sale of the &x22s;bargain&x22s; beginner's package.
A lot of the noob stupidity in Melbourne this season seems to come from basic ignorance, and these folk have had lessons but not learned some essential basics. 4 schools at StKilda is ridiculous, and creates a race to the bottom in terms of pricing in order to snare the naive customer. If a more rigorous teaching model puts some punters off kiting and puts some schools out of viability from a business perspective then so be it.
If you're in the kiting industry because you love kiting, then think twice, because that means you'll also be under economic pressure to pump beginners through the system at a quality level that may jeopardise your beloved sport in the long run. Sure we need some schools, but an excess of competing schools is bad for everyone.
