QLD
31 posts
Just wanted to float the idea of a self regulated, kiter promoted, safety zone at Wello to reduce the risk of any civilians or kiters being hurt when it is busy at wello. I still see risks taken near the shore I find to great even from the very good kiters
eg current school holidays.
particularly when the wind is onshore into the beach area / playground.
How practical would it be to use a floating or soft marker of some sort to have kiters starting their turns or tricks before they get to a marker maybe a hundred meters from the beach. Room to make an error, skill or wind inflicted, before the kite is amongst the crowd?
So the initial suggestion is to launch and land as per safest method as we do now and then kite away into the bay beyond our marker. Maybe we dont even use a marker, just an accepted distance that becomes local rules?
It just resembles a roundabout at times in the lagoon even before people start showing off their jumping skills near the beach or wall.
Safety and a happy RCC and police is my motivation. No outside imposed bans or rules!
What do you think?
QLD
312 posts
When ever I go to Wello I personally always turn well before my kite goes near the beach or rock wall... I do this mainly so that I don't annoy people on the beach and also so that if there is a lull or wind turbulence my kite won't fall on the rocks. I don't kite Wello that much but I think if you put a buoy out there it would just be one more thing that gets in the way...
QLD
145 posts
yeah i don't like the bouy idea i've snapped a line from one of them mongreals. but i'd be more than happy to stay at a distance away from the beach if the majority decided. common sense tends to keep most of us away anyway.
QLD
2081 posts
Hi PM, I agree that especially during school holidays (mainly on the weekends) on high-tide, it is insanely busy with families and children everywhere.
I think you’ve put forward a great idea, but I could see kids using a buoy as something to swim around, swim out to and similar such things. Therefore, the whole reason it being there in the first place, becomes irrelevant and brings swimmers even further out towards us. Just a thought.
I know that those who do jump closer in towards the rocks (NOT the beach) are highly experienced, and are doing basic jumps; anything such as a backroll kiteloop is done further out.
I have seen more accidents happen when people launch and land at wello, than accidents occurring whilst kiting!
There are good grounds behind there being a ban at Wello; its only the hard work we've all put into monitor it, that's made a difference. Its frustrating when on LOW TIDE there are kites pumped up and just sitting on the grass for hours as I saw on Friday!
I give up on letting people know that there is a ban, fine given and WE will be penalized for what they do! (not regulars, but not directed at anyone).
Once again, this is just another opinion from experience.
QLD
211 posts
no namers
cough clint cough cough
hahah
