Not A rumour .For those not on the Club mailing list
Here is the letter and the council letter.Also not a bad idea to check the NSW maratime safe kitesurfing guidelines and Safe kitesurfing guidelines at the AKSA website.We have all worked hard to keep kitesurf sites open over the last 8 years .Please pass the word on
"Hi Everyone
Please read the attached email from Newcastle Council. A few irresponsible kite surfers are jeopardising the future use of Stockton Beach for kite surfing. One particular individual has been contacted in an official capacity by Council over incidents and requested to comply with the safe kite surfing guidlines. This is serious.
We must actively self-regulate to ensure that we can maintain the use of the beaches in this area. Ultimately we are responsible for minimizing the risk to ourselves and others.
All that the Council requires is for a common sense approach to be taken and that kite surfers comply with the Australian Kite Surfing Association safe kiting guidelines: see attached or www.aksa.com.au
Please use common sense and follow the safe kite surfing guidelines, maintain safe distances and if its too crowded go elsewhere. Spread the word and if you see someone doing the wrong thing TELL THEM TO STOP DOING IT OR TO GO ELSEWHERE!
Not everyone is as informed as you are and they may not even realise they are doing the wrong thing. A Sydney Beach is off limits to kite surfers due to the repeated irresponsibility of one person. We do not want that to happen in this area.
As stated in the attached email, the Council has requested that kite surfers on Stockton Beach stay north of the surf club when the wind is North East over the Christmas holiday season. Spread the word, and make sure others do the right thing to ensure we can continue to kite surf at Stockton.
Forward this email on to anyone who you know who kite surfs. As I said it is serious. The Council have told me they want us to use the beaches for safe kitesurfing along with all other beach users, however, if we don't self-regulate, they will take action.
Regards
Morgan
Note: forwarded message attached.
Send instant messages to your online friends
help.yahoo.com/kb/messenger/SLN28776.html "
Letter from council below
"
Hi Morgan,
Yes I did receive a phone call from the Newcastle Beach lifeguards and as stated to them before - a common sense approach is to be taken.
As a general rule, NCC lifeguards are instructed that should a beach be crowded and an activity deemed to present a "real" danger to other beach users on the day in question, then they are to instruct those persons to reframe from that activity. At Newcastle Beach this has in the past included the landing of hang gliders, para gliders and ball games in the vicinity of high beach use and the patrolled swimming area (which at times has included South Newcastle).
On discussion with lifeguards and check of conditions yesterday, this was not a problem at South Newcastle. However having said that, as you would appreciate, given the geographical restrictions of Newcastle Beach and the number of new less experienced riders taking up the sport, general use of Newcastle Beach for kitesurfing is not encouraged.
On another more serious matter, at Stockton there has been increasing reports of incidents and friction between the local kitesurfers, fisherman and surf club members involving people fishing, surf club nippers and the patrolled flagged area. I have spoken directly in an official capacity with one rider identified as being at fault previously and again two days in a row last week. Further to last weeks incidents, increasing concerns are being raised about the potential interaction of kitesurfers and beach users in the southern portion (breakwall end) of the beach during the Christmas holiday period. Could you please advise the local Stockton riders to stay north of the surf club during the Christmas peak due to the increased holiday use of the beach in the vicinity of the caravan park . At this stage local riders are being encouraged to self regulate and inform new and non-local riders. Could you please forward the Newcastle Beach and Stockton Beach concerns via the Newcastle kiteboarders email address book.
Should you or any of the local kiteboard riders wish to discuss this or other beach matters I may be contacted via the telephone number 49745010.
Regards,
Ian Gordon
Beaches & Baths Services Co-ordinator
Newcastle City Council
( : 4974 5010 or 0402 792 757
? : 4974 5005
E-mail:
[email protected] "
