The Department of Environment and Conservation is now patrolling Pelican Point and warning kiters to stay south of the yellow markers. The issue is about disturbing the migratory birds who nest here during summer. DEC are not there every day but the bird lovers are and do report us. It's in our best interest to self monitor and ensure other kiters are aware of this.
WAKSA negotiated hard with CALM 5 years ago to retain this spot. The yellow markers were the compromise line - stay south of these or be banned. As goodwill CALM also errected a sign for us and put a long rubber strip over the sandstone wall to protect our kite lines. So please respect this site and don't kite the area between the markers and the beach east of the fence. There is a map and guildelines for this on the WAKSA site:
www.waksa.org.au/locations/?view=location&id=12A few other reminders for this season:
* This isn't a safe beach for beginners or intermediate kiters. WAKSA categorises it for Expert level kiters because of the beach line (Rocky launch zone with flukey winds from surrounding trees, direct onshore breeze, shallow water and numerous beach hazards).
* Pedestrians and bikes have right-of-way. Please don't leave kites or lines across the footpath. Best to rig and un-rig on the north side of the foot path, then walk gear to the beach for launching.
* The guidelines posted by WAKSA and DEC recommend "Do not launch kites from the wall" but instead stand on the beach. When launching make sure you're well out from the beach as people have been dragged into the retaining wall.
* Please suspend your launch when spectators or children are downwind.
* If you see somebody who looks like a beginner or is new to this spot please help them out. Accidents have happened and local knowledge is very important for safety.
Pelican Point has had a great camaraderie over the last 10 years. Lets look out and help each other to make sure we all have a safe season.
Regards
Graeme
WAKSA Location Guide - Pelican Point
Skill Level: Expert
Kite Style: Flat water
Wind Direction: Suitable in South Westerly, Southerly, South Easterly.
Pelican Point is not recommended for beginner kiters. Prevailing winds are onshore and care must be taken at all times. Use the grass area to rig kites.
Adhere to the information on the Swan River Trust/WAKSA sign.
Do not leave kites or lines on the grassed area or beach any longer than necessary.
Pay specific attention to non-kiting public - large numbers of pedestrians and cyclists use this area.
Do not leave lines or kites across the bike path.
Do not kite in the launching and landing area.
Do not launch or land from the wall under any circumstances.
The fenced area is a DEC nature reserve and a restricted area due to the presence of rare nesting birds. The reserve should never be used to launch, land or rig up. Due to the nesting birds, kiters are excluded from the area on the water marked with yellow bouys - do not kite between the marker buoys and the beach.
Please refer to the location guide - due to the presence of rare, migratory nesting birds, Dept of Environment and Conservation has requested kiters do not enter or kite in the highlighted exlcusion zone. We encourage kiters to follow directions from DEC Rangers at all times.
