I'd like to express my concern about people being down right DANGEROUS launching and landing at the melville spot...

In the past 1 WEEK, I've seen a 10 meter smack into 2 parked cars, another kite was quick released while the person was standing near the landing area, that flew onto someones roof, another kite landed on and i mean ON THE ROAD in the same area, another dude who when launching had his ram air kite, which was still filling up fly over the road towards the houses, while he's pulling full left and its flying right for some reason , and then as i go to leave today, the same kite came, i don't know how close to hitting my car while i was driving at 60 km/hr down the road to go home , as i saw it smash down onto the road behind me and between me and a white commodore that was following that slammed on his brakes to miss it, and that would have seriously FU*#ED him up... possibly killing him , and if not damaging him , and other peoples cars

For those that aren't kiteing that safe think for a sec.... what would you do when your kite lands on the road, and a car hits and tows you at 24 kts up the beach and onto the road in about 2 seconds flat, or into one of the trees.... you quick release??? then you leash drags you up there... the reality of it is that your fu%#ed if you get your kite hooked on a car... or get yourself towed onto the road, and mite take someone else with you. I only say this cause i couldn't see the kite that almost hit my car and would have drived for a couple of seconds with it atttatched before stopping....

IT is so simple to avoid hurting yourself or getting one of the best perth kiting spots banned cause in a week, 4 or 5 kites have nearly taken out car, and the second 1 person tells the councils... that will be the end of it.

for the beginners, if no-one has told you, here are some tips that have always worked for me for the melville spot , and will at least get you thinking safety

1. Launching the kite - stand in the water with you leash attatched before you launch, get some1 to launch you ( you can launch all kites from side on to 45 degrees infront), and fly the kite over the water straight away when your first feeling how gusty the crappy melville wind is so as to not get pulled onto the road... If you launch your kite from direct downwind of you.. ie you and the kite standing on the beach, and thus be launching straight into the power zone...
your playing with fire, there is no- way i would do it fullstop.. at this paticular spot.

2. Landing the kite - you lines are about 30 metres... so stop 40-50 metres off shore, and signal some1 to catch it ( tap your head).. when they look like they are ready.. slowly fly your kite towards the beach, you may get towed inshore a bit.. but this is fine as you stopped 40-50 metres off the beach so when your kite is sitting a few metres off the water , it should still be about 10 metres from the beach.. all you have to do is walk towards them, and they wil catch it, and you will miss the trees, cars, and all other obstacles you hit by misjudging your distance off the beach... you can never be too far, but you can be to close.... DON'T LAND WITH ANYONE STANDING DOWNWIND....as if it goes pearshaped ,and you have to quick release, you will take out every kiter downwind within 30 metres, and have to buy them new gear if you break any of theirs', and if you happen to quick release over the beach, you will hit people standing on the beach , kites on the ground and maybe take them with you, and cars if your further in, then houses and power lines if your further in... moral is lower you kite over the water, and walk it in. you wont hit anything.

3. Walking up the beach / water.... if you need to stand on the beach, or walk upwind, keep your kite at like 60 degrees up , and OVER THE WATER .. if you get a gust LEAVE IT THERE...and get pulled into the river, this will stop you getting gusted into suburbia, or quick releasing with your kite overhead and haveing it land on a moving car.

4. If all else fails.. if your close to the beach, going fast out of control , you can crash the kite in the water if you need to, or quick release before you get pulled up the beach.... i don't think ive seen anyone quick release in the water, everone seems to be doing it with their kites over the road....dangerous...

for most kiters there this stuff is just common sense, and experience combined with a bit of aorrogance makes people take more risks, which is fine as long as there calculated risks. But the fact the ive seen 5 kites in a week over a road... downwind launches, and almost towed some1 down the street.. suggests, theres more inexperience around at the moment... and using those "principles" if you like ive done a lot of kiteing there, and never ever had any problem at all... even in that crappy wind. so for the beginners, im tellen you it is possible to avoid all disaster, as long as your thinking...

safe kiting, and i hope i see no more kite cars

it is a dangerous spot there. every one has been spanked and done something stupid when learning and not realising the power of a kite. but if u see someone learnig and they have never had a lesson encourage them too get one. also waksa insurance is a good idea. for the safety of the public and other kiters get insurance. dont be a tight arse it is only $60 a year. and help out if people are having probs. keep it safe.

Great call chopper & kitesurf
I esp like the walking in with lowered kite rather than dropping onto the beach one - so simple but no-one does it.
Unfortunately your advice is not going to the ones who need it most. Until there are some official moves made to ensure melville is kept as safe as possible there are many regulars who are willing to approach and give advice to newbies & non locals but are hesitant to do so without some form of back-up which justifies their approach/advice etc.
It could be as simple as offering a small booklet which outlines the dangers; defines areas - eg body dragging zone; and most importantly provides simple tips like 'dachoppers'; which may well be practices that are not widely known or even necessary elsewhere but should be practiced at this site. Almost all of the kite/road dramas could be easily avoided with sensible practices.
With an average lately of at least 1 kite a day out of control beyond the beach a major disaster &/or a kiting ban is a VERY VERY short time away. It will be an almost criminal tragedy if an innocent passerby ends up dead or severely injured when there are so many who are aware of the certainty of this occuring (probably sooner rather than later) if nothing is done.
WAKSA is supposed to be heading up "Adam" ??? to get something going but its just not happening ?????? Something must!

"us poor folks havent got a chance unless we organise" D.K.M.
Neither does the future of kiting at this great site

"He who enjoys most - WINS"

Ok,

well all us melville kiters can bleat about it or be a bit pro active and actually do something.

I too have been a bit careless of late, my own stupid fault and landed a kite in the road, thank god the only damage was a dent in Steves car (sorry Steve ) I suppose as your confidence grows so does the complacency

I personally think we need to get together and do something before we get an outright ban. It only takes one of those applecross richies to speak to their "council mate" and we are done for regardless of the potential for someone getting hurt.

So this is what i propose. All the locals at melville and a rep from WAKSA meet at the Legends pub, (opposite Melville Motors Alfred Cove Canning Highway) perhaps thursday 13th Jan 7pm and have a few beers to discuss what is the way forward. I hate to admit it but what WAKSA did at Cott we may have to do at Melville.

I dont mind giving of my time to do anything, letters, meetings, signs, etc etc.

Perhaps we have to make it a WAKSA members only type place or maybe others have other better ideas, until we all sit down and talk about a way forward then we might as well take bets on when the ban is going to come.

So can we be agreed 13th Jan, Legends Pub????
Will WAKSA send a rep....(with membership forms)
What does people think?

PS i'm offline for a few days...will try and check in again at the end of the week.
Mike

Melville is not the only spot where us kiters have become a menace to the public. The regulars at Scarborough are pretty responsible, but lately theres been some shockers.

Melville's main problem is people learning. Scarborough's main problem is people trying to show off in front of the public.

Last week I saw guys weave their lines through groups of sunbathers to launch directly in front of the path, rather than walk 20 metres further south which was clear of people. Saw a girl learning to surf get sprayed by a kiter slashing off waves in front of her in an attempt to impress for about half an hour until she gave up and left.

For the normal beach goer, kitesuring is not an extreme sport anymore, its just a bunch of wannkers trying to show off and being a pain in the arse. For Scarborough I think its more the tourist or 'travelling pro's" who are trying to impress rather than the regulars. Its really bad on hot days when lots of people go to swim at Scarborough.

How do you actually say to a kiter who is reasonably competent "sail clear of the sunbathers and the swimmers "? Ive thought about doing it, but I know id just get told to jam it. People go to the beach to relax on a hot day, not be have to look out while we try and bottom turn or jump in front of them. I think signs are the only way or restrictions of some sort. Is it possible to have signs telling kiters to stay clear of people on the beach as a minimum?

quote:

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So by all means to those more experienced, PLEASE approach because generally we all strive to learn and hey, life should be about making friends, especially those that have something in common.

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I totally agree. Being approached by someone who shares a common interest is the most effective way of education...
But then...there are some people that think they know best. There was some bloke down at woodies who thought just because he had 3 lessons he was seasoned enough to attempt to go on the offshore side of woodies....with his lines back to front which was noticed before launching. Upon approaching this veteran of kitesurfing about his choice of location, his bar and line setup and number of lessons, he told me that he knew what he was doing. He changed the lines and his kite was launched. It was pretty bloody obvious that he didnt really know what he was doing...so I suggested that he might like to go to the onshore side if hes still learning to which he replied that he didnt need my advice and he knew what he was doing. He eventually packed up when he crashed his kite in the water and couldnt relaunch.
Its not just public liability and the increased chances of hitting some family but its your own safety too, both of which will more than likely contribute to a ban...hit a family = proposed ban...injure yourself = unwanted media attention = proposed ban.
I hope people arent as paranoid as me but I for one dont want ANOTHER kiting spot banned because it means one less spot for kiters and more kiters at another spot.

I'll pop into legends on my way down to Melville this arvo and let them know our intentions....they might agree to play kite vids on their big screen!!

Legends are cool for as many as we like
NO NEED TO INDICATE ATTENDANCE (as per earlier post) - just rock up on the night.
Ideas list still open if you want to contribute in that way.
See you ALL there.


"He who enjoys most - WINS"

quote:

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Originally posted by poor relative
Thursday is good, no loud music.....

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Oh Well - No problem ... we can soon fix that

How about Space Monkeys 2 starting at about 7 - runs for 38 mins.
If you havent seen it yet you'll be blown away - awesome waves
Afters - White Stripes in Concert - "Under Blackpool Lights"
for those who want to stay and party.

"He who enjoys most - WINS"

The last time I brought up safety issues at Lucky Bay I was shot down by a number of people who think its their god given right to do what they want and where they want. Well to bad. That has to change.

I have discussed this with a number of locals and there appears to be enough support to put some rules in place. I will be there and will stongly support both WAKSA membership requirements and an issue of say a 10 point guide to kiting Lucky bay and local kite rules.

This can include, launching, landing, hand signals and right of way rules etc. Would love to see a sign posted with these rules similar to the ones at water ski areas (not quite as big though)

Some points for discussion at the meeting are:

1. Logistics of introducing some local rules and support for this

(should all agree before moving forward)

2. WAKSA membership (Compulsory or preferred)

3. Viability of a sign posting rules or handouts

4. Responsibility of locals and communication

5. Launching / Landing - Inflatoes

6. Launching / Landing - Foils

7. Right of way rules on the water

8. Right of way rules on the footpath

9. Body dragging

10. Walking back up the beach

11. Water relaunching close to shore

12. Leaving the area clean before you leave

Paul

perhaps what we do in Australind could be usefull here. for those who don't know Australind can be a very gusty place to kite and with one extremely bad accident and many close calls, we encourage everyone now to launch and land with the kite facing the water and to never put the kite directly over head. this way if you get hit by a gust you will be blasted through the water and not through the traffic. i have seen several experienced kiters crash their kite on the other side of the road UNDERNEATH HIGH VOLTAGE power lines just from having the kite overhead and being hit by an awkward gust. just becuase you launch from the water with the kite being launched from land people think it is safe, its nowhere near as safe as the other way. this method has been accepted down here as alot safer and although it may not work at melville, as i have have never kited there i do not know but it was just a thought
punchy

all,

Probably an idea to drop a few letters into the residents homes along that foreshore, just to let them know we are meeting and if they have any solutions, agenda points etc etc or even come along.....

I would do it but am away...Phil could you drop a few leaflets in

Mike

all,

On my return (week end) will do up a proper agenda for thursday, and include a lot of the points made in these points, i'll post it on here and people can add or make comment thn have it ready for thursday 13th.....

is that cool

[email protected] hehehe

can any one come to Legends for the kitesurfing meeting? meaning does age matter...

I dont know why anyone would bother risking their very expensive gear at Lucky Bay (unless they were very rich or very experienced) when there are wide open uncrowed beaches only 15min away. It always confuses me when I see newbies getting towed down Melville beach trying to dodge the other 20 kiters there. As for the experienced kiters who fly dangerously at Lucky Bay, it is unforgivable considering they are risking the existance of that sport in that area.

If I was a responsible melville councilor even as a kitesurfer I would have banned kiting at Lucky Bay a long time ago UNTIL safe reasonable measures were put in place to stop someone killing themselves or someone else. Someone could easily die tomorrow on Melville beach, the conditions could not be more perfect for a serious injury or death. Gusty winds, shallow waters, lots of kites over a small area, lots of newbies, large trees meters from the water line, a constant flow of pedestrians and cars meters from the launching landing area, houses and fences on the water front, small boats moored just off the shore... The only thing missing from Lucky Bay is the power lines.

Can we really police ourselves effectively enough to stop a death occuring at Lucky Bay in the future?
Do we need a ranger handing out fines to people flying their kites dangerously?
We have to ask ourselves wether it is worth risking the life of an innocent bystander so we can practise our chosen sport unpoliced.
What policing measures need to put in place?
How do we implement these measures?
Will they restrict the sport too much?

Lucky Bay is the closest kitesurfing spot to me by about a quarter of an hour, I dont want to see kiting banned but by the trends of the last three years I dread to think about the odds of a really serious accident occuring there over the next half a decade.

Ask the hard questions folks.

White men can jump! (With the help of my 15.5m Titan.)