On Sunday arvo a "newby" was trying to launch at Peli Point (in a southerly) standing on the grass area with his kite to the east toward the water and his lines accross the path.

A number of people were watching on and were assisting the launch. A few of the experienced regulars had pissed off for beers. (You missed out guys, it got better after 3.30pm!)

When eventually told not to launch, he commented it was unsafe to launch the other (and proper) way. (Somehow it was less safe to launch from the water and more safe to launch from up on the grassed area???!!!!)

I am posting this because it is the start of the silly season and it could effect us all if someone (which could have been possible if the guy had have launched in the way he was trying):
- ends up in the adjacent gum tree
- gets dragged down Hackett Dve
- decapitates a walker.

From someone who was learning last season, to the beginners may I suggest:
- if you have lessons and are trying out your new kite, it is a lot different from the small kite you have learnt on
- don't feel like a dickhead asking for help and saying its your first go with your new kite
- head away from the launching area (where you get in the way) and away from the shore
- if you can, take someone with you, go to the end of the Point (before the fence), walk out about 100m and then launch (or ask someone)

To the rest of us, think twice before launching someone who doesn't look like they know what they are doing.

(Hope I don't sound like too much of a knob with this posting, but there is an accident just waiting to happen down there)

Classic accident at Peli;

Newby launches kite (standing in water as per "proper" procedure above) in light seabreeze - 10 - 15 kts.

Hooks into chicken loop.

Kite above head and glancing around for board.

"Pro" comes speeding into launch area to show off new mobe to the gallery.

Newby is distracted by pro and kite starts to fall ever so gently back into the window.

Gust comes in and gentle kite suddenly juices up and newby is now 10 ft in the air heading for the trees on the right.

Newby lands on feet on the concrete wall but kite is pulling hard by now.

Newby land sideways in the bush with lines and kite in the tree over the path (luckliy draped lines are hung up higher than pedestrian/cyclist height).

Newby hobbles away from bush with blood running down thigh wondering what the hell happened.

I saw this one evening at the end of last season.

Part of the local area info is probably going to be some marker buoys that display a launch/land area that shouldn't be used for kiting, only for launching and landing...

We just need to get something happening with the buoys and the local area info flyer so that we can make ppl aware of some safety guidelines.

Everyone who has kited at Pelican Point knows the dangers... It's pretty obvious what can and does happen... we just have to try and minimise the occurances of what Andris has put pretty well. I've seen it happen a couple of times too.

Deano

hung,

most of the stuff you have mentioned has things in the works for... unfortunately most of it is being done by volunteers so the wheels turn a little slowly :(

i noticed a buoy out the other day, whoever put it there well done !!!! (ian young?? or ian lane?? or did it just float there?!)

at first i thought it was a bit too far out, once i was on the water it became pretty CLEAR (heh) that the tide was out a hell of a lot and the buoy itself was only in a few feet of water. (having been a victim of low tides @ peli, it was definately in a good spot for it on the day)

i had no problem staying upwind of it but i did notice quite a few ppl were willing to stay downwind literally in a few inches of water... guys, dont crash, its going to hurt :/

being the first time ive seen a buoy out there i think the idea that has been pushed around a fair bit about having some marker buoys defining a "no-go-zone" will definately make peli a safer place to kite

Hey Jan - i went out on Friday arvo, and saw the same buoy you are talking about.

Whoever put it there - "good job!"

Next time i will look out for it again, instead of having multiple scratches down both rails of my board 8(.

Better the board than me tho.

I think a clearly marked area for peli point is an excellent idea.

hey bolgo,

you will recall I almost ended up in the first story of pricey riverfront home in Applecross after getting lines twisted during self-launch whilst kiting with your brother and the chief.

I managed to hit my release though!

VI

Bonster is right that the shallows are one of the joys of Peli in 20-25 kts S/SW - fast flat and good fun - I ride there all the time myself.

I saw Peli Classic Accident Number 2 there last year when someone on a lit up 12 lost the edge in a gust about 25 m out and had no room to run downwind and recover. He should have bailed and pulled QR but tried to save it and wham - board into the beach at full power and a painful landing in the brush. No injuries.

It's amazing how the wind always gusts just as you run out of room.

I also think the Peli shallows is where one of our local Pro's broke his ankle landing from a jump last year.

As far as regulation goes - it looks like it going to become a fact of city life.

Personally I'd rather have a few light self regs early than get banned from Peli altogether.

which takes us back to the point of my original posting which was not about rules, but commonsense to prevent accidents so that there is no need for anyone to make rules

having learnt there myself Enticle, I reckon it is safe provided you go down the end, head at least 100m out, and preferably, in the very early stages get someone willing to invest some time and willing to get wet (a girlfriend?), to help you launch away from the shore.

My two cents anyway!

enticle

this has been discussed with the instructors and waksa are working on getting the local area flyers out which will state the beginners should really seek assistance when using the area.

there are a few things that compound this issue, so all these comments are really good and it's exactly what we need. taking it all and making something out of it is what we're working on.

if anyone wants to be part of the peli point user group, ie putting some effort into organisation of the local flyers, signage, communication with calm etc, please email me [email protected].

waksa is working hard to make all this happen but we need a few people to do some combined legwork to get this stuff over the line.

there's some good comments on this thread, so ANY help would be welcome, no matter how much you're able to contribute.

Cheers
Deano

could combine with the proposed swap meet for maximum interest

Quote - We didnt know there was anywhere else to go and sure werent told

I find this quote more scary than anything particularly due to the huge range of beaches/spots with all sorts of different set ups safe/unsafe(flat - waves etc) in perth - the city of beaches

You really should be capable of assessing a site for its potential dangers - these are basics and you should know them way before you can even hold a kite in the air - this is a essential do some homework

I am not an instructor I just find it seriously disturbing that people are out there with such limited knowledge in respect to site / weather assesment and want to shift blame


The Pig of Steel