NSW
84 posts
Does anyone know the current official position regarding kitesurfing at Manly (NSW)? I have seen in some old posts that it was banned, but judging by the amount of people that kite there this seems not to be the case.
I would be interested to know as a couple of times this week I have driven up to Fisherman's, Narra and Long Reef on a promising forecast to be sorely disappointed; while the gauge at North Head has been showing a steady 16 kts the beaches to the North have barely 10kts. I have returned to Queenscliff and seen two or three kiters out in 15kts+ apparently not being bothered by anyone. Admitedly it was later afternoon so maybe the lifeguards had gone off duty.
Interested to hear your thoughts...
WA
8 posts
Was there a couple days ago. The lifeguards shut down a stunt kite flyer, but after they went home one guy went out on a kite. Bad idea to kite there I figure, I've never seen such a huge crowd of people in the water.
WA
258 posts
The wind has been pretty crap on the Northern Beaches so far this year, really gusty and at least 10kts less than Botany, a real pain. As far as I no there is not a legal bar on kiting at Manly Beach.
The NSW Kite Boarding Association does not recommend kiting at Manly for the following reasons:
The Beach is very crowded with sunbathers
The water is very crowded with swimmers, surfer
There are concrete walls, rocks and trees on the beachfront
The Surflife saving Clubs have been very helpful to kitesurfers and we should respect their wishes if they consider it to be too crowded for kiteflying. The council employed lifeguards are required to stop any activites that they consider unsafe in the water and on the beach.
If you want to kite at Manly consider this; there are LOTS of tourists who will see you kiting there and try to kite there as well, this will lead to people kiting on marginal days amongst crowds of public, which could result in injuries....and where that leads for the sport (think about the jetski restrictions)
NSWKBA is about to publish a map of the Northern Beaches (and Botany) that shows popular kiting locations, we want to get these out to members/retailers/distributors and hostels in the area, I'll post them on seabreeze when they are finished.
If anyone wants to be involved with the design/contents of the maps please get in touch with me via info @ nswkba.com.au
Cheers
Gav
NSWKBA Vice Pres
