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Kitesurfers' welcome return to Cornish beach (UK) after three-year campaign

The decision means that kitesurfers are back on the Bluff at the mouth of the River Hayle for a six-month trial period, which will involve buying a special pass and signing up to a code of conduct.

Lee Harvey, chairman of Kernow Kitesurf Club
http://www.kernowkitesurfclub.co.uk/kiting-at-the-bluff-is-back.htm , was the first in line to receive his pass and welcomed the removal of the signs which signalled the ban.

"Pulling the signs down was a great moment and a breakthrough for kitesurfing, not just in the UK but the whole world," he said.

"With this achievement it shows that it is possible to reverse decisions that have been poorly thought out.

"Kernow Kitesurf Club was formed two years ago, as individuals were getting nowhere at fighting the ban.

"By uniting all the kitesurfers throughout Cornwall, we have formed a stronger voice and policy-makers are far more likely to take notice of us as an officially recognised club.

"We aim to protect access to all the kite spots throughout Cornwall and hope that our members will encourage everyone to abide by the code and form a good working relationship with Hayle Harbour, the fishermen and everyone who uses the estuary in the future."

The ban was imposed three years ago amid claims kitesurfing was making the fast-flowing river mouth impossible to navigate.

For the six-month trial period, kitesurfers will be asked to pay for a pass, which must be worn on their harness while on the water, and sign a code of conduct.

To be able to ride within the jurisdiction of Hayle Harbour Authority, kitesurfers have been warned to stick to the code, hold valid insurance and be a member of the British Kite Surfing Association.

Mr Harvey said failing to comply could mean rogue kitesurfers being handed a ?1,000 fine and causing an outright ban to be re-imposed.

He urged kitesurfers not to squander three years worth of meetings, discussions and campaigning to have the prime site reopened to the sport, and to ensure they bought a pass and signed the code of conduct.

He added: "We are hopeful in the future we will be able to accommodate learners and have a longer activity window. For now, we just need to prove that this licensing agreement can work.

"We would like to hear from local kiters who can help represent the club on the beach, and in doing so will be helping to secure our long-term future at this great venue."

Will involve buying a special pass and signing up to a code of conduct.

and some riders think that is good thing? wtf is going on folks. Get with the plan

Kiters in WA are facing increasingly hostile responses from the community – look @ Joondalup/Mullaloo as one example.

In my opinion, the kiting community needs to start thinking about how we as a group can minimise those hostile responses, which in some cases may also result in bans or restrictions.

If a kiter could show the non-kiting public that he or she is of a certain standard (and can ‘prove’ that standard) it might go some way towards easing the public’s growing concern/opposition to kiting at places like Mullaloo.

One way that those standards might be proven, might be through some form of licensing. Indeed, it’s an ugly prospect and one I don’t want to see happen but it is something that we need to consider as a possibility.

The question for kiters to really think about is this: do we start working towards setting those standards ourselves, and if so, what’s the best way to do that; or do we have someone (i.e. government) impose them on us?

Let’s have the debate crew – we can’t afford not to.

the problem is though how will these passes be policed . We have too many long stretches of coastline . I think it's good in principle but i would also be opposed to paying for a pass everytime i wanted to go kiting . According to google maps that opening is only a 100m wide or so . I can understand why the boaties want the kiters out of there

The local kiters at that cornish beach must be stoked to get their local back.

IMO it is inevitable that in popular city kiting locations access will be severely restricted across the board in the not to distant future. A consequence of the sports rapidly growing popularity.The only places that we will be able to enjoy the freedom that exists now will be outside populated areas. This may seem pesimistic, but unfortunatly this process is already beginning in many areas around the world right now.

One of the big problems is that kiting is such an individual pursiut, that by it's very nature people are unlikely to join groups/clubs to protect their local spots in the needed proactive manner. More likley in a reactive manner when it's already to late!.

bennie said...

One of the big problems is that kiting is such an individual pursiut, that by it's very nature people are unlikely to join groups/clubs to protect their local spots in the needed proactive manner.

Why not join a club

Did somebody say euros & local idots ?????????

Once upon a time Jet skiers had dicheads charging all the beaches and now they are all under control.... Just like kiters WILL be because sticks and stones will break their bones but WORDS will never hurt them

If someone gave it enough thought, give up the coastline
for the exclusive use of the best possible kite spots like trigg does with surfing. That way we have not lost anything except crappy choppy water which is all funked up anyway.

Make people carry there license (mobiles arnt a problem ) Fine people outside these zones or if no licence, automatically conviscate kitegear and give them 14 days to produce it or loose gear !

Lancelin seems to have kiteing under policing control by the local sheriff

Bring it on and force kiters to smarten up with an exclusive compromise for what will be the best possible outcome - The End is Near

SaveTheWhales said...

Did somebody say euros & local idots ?????????

Once upon a time Jet skiers had dicheads charging all the beaches and now they are all under control.... Just like kiters WILL be because sticks and stones will break their bones but WORDS will never hurt them

If someone gave it enough thought, give up the coastline
for the exclusive use of the best possible kite spots like trigg does with surfing. That way we have not lost anything except crappy choppy water which is all funked up anyway.

Make people carry there license (mobiles arnt a problem ) Fine people outside these zones or if no licence, automatically conviscate kitegear and give them 14 days to produce it or loose gear !

Lancelin seems to have kiteing under policing control by the local sheriff

Bring it on and force kiters to smarten up with an exclusive compromise for what will be the best possible outcome - The End is Near

F%CK the license, how many other people have to pay to use the beach (except you idiot at scarbs or wherever it is in Perth).
If one beach user has to pay then so should all others.
That doesn't remove the need to be a responsible beach user though, and all idiots who can't act responsibly should be banned as a matter of course.

All sounds pretty gay to me.

I guess they know ultimately that windsurfing will die out as more see the light and start teabagging.

it takes real skill to kill someone windsurfing, but any idiot can die at the lines of a kite.

sir ROWDY said...

colinwill78 said...

it takes real skill to kill someone windsurfing, but any idiot can die at the lines of a kite.

Yeah those big fins, huge boards and limited visibility because you have a huge sheet in front of you while traveling at pretty fast speeds aren't dangerous at all...

rowdy i'm usually a fan of your work but seriously, making a comparison is a joke. when was the last time u seen a poley looping outta control into a carpark/road/public beach? if a poley's equpiment was even considered dangerous what area would u give it? 2m square? and a kite??????