Build a bridge and get over it


Build a bridge over the creek at the western end of Apex park and a car park area for around 50 cars.

Here the wind is side shore in a sea breeze and a long way upwind of any hard obstacles.

This area should be the mandatory launch/land area, yet you can still kite back toward the pier.

ice said..

Build a bridge and get over it


Build a bridge over the creek at the western end of Apex park and a car park area for around 50 cars.

Here the wind is side shore in a sea breeze and a long way upwind of any hard obstacles.

This area should be the mandatory launch/land area, yet you can still kite back toward the pier.

I have a dream:



A consortium could get together and build a eco friendly club, store, cafe over the bridge. Something like the new Seaford surf living clubhouse. See here - www.seafordlsc.com.au/

The building would house a kite shop (with lessons at their door), a cafe with deck looking back toward the city, upstairs KBV clubhouse with deck overlooking the kiting area (members only, alcohol in clubhouse only), downstairs toilet, change rooms, storage and showers for KBV members, air compressor.

Council provides land (long term lease to property developer), road access, power and water

Property developer provides funds for building

Kite shop enters lease with Property developer

Cafe enters lease with Property developer

KBV enters lease with Property develper


Council is happy - moves launching/landing area to an area the general public don't currently use - much safer for the kiters - keeps kiters coming to
Altona - provides better public access to wetlands

KBV is happy - safer for kiters -has a great clubhouse - much lower number of incidents at Altona invoking insurance claims - could hold course racing a couple of times per week

General public happy - kiters not launching and landing in the area close to the pier - access to wetlands

Kiters happy - retain Altona access and gain safer conditions as well as a clubhouse, showers etc

Kite shop happy - closer to riders and lesson area

Access over the bridge would cease at dusk.

NoBS said..

Peterc150 said...

Following several serious accidents at Altona, it appears some action is required to prevent more occurring. Accidents to date include two or more serious loftings resulting in near fatal injuries and kites in power lines resulting in power outages.

Some adverse publicity has resulted, such as www.heraldsun.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes

Some possible actions include:

* better and more prominent signage indicating where to kitesurf and where not to
* rostering on a beach marshall to keep an eye on proceedings and provide direction to people as required.
* updating KBV and other information sources about designated kiting zones and dangers at Altona

People just need to be responsible for their actions and stop kooking out in vic

Maybe you can get down there Peter and hand sign and distribute your handbook that you are always recommending!

KNOB!

Peterc150 said..

Following several serious accidents at Altona, it appears some action is required to prevent more occurring. Accidents to date include two or more serious loftings resulting in near fatal injuries and kites in power lines resulting in power outages.

Some adverse publicity has resulted, such as www.heraldsun.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes

Some possible actions include:

* better and more prominent signage indicating where to kitesurf and where not to
* rostering on a beach marshall to keep an eye on proceedings and provide direction to people as required.
* updating KBV and other information sources about designated kiting zones and dangers at Altona

Great idea Peter,
I was thinking about the same thing, signs and marshalling would definitely help. Get KBW and local kiters involved.

I like that everyone is trying to come up with solutions to keep people safe.

However... I still believe accidents will always happen, and when you are attached to a kite like we are, you are always at risk of something going wrong. Just like other action sports i.e. dirt bikes, skydiving, rock climbing, wake boarding, skateboarding, etc. All sports are different and risk is different, but all sports have a risk of certain types of damage. I' not taking about wear and tear injuries, I'm talking about things going wrong and getting hurt and busted up.

The truth is there is always a level of risk with kite boarding.

I don't know what the solution is, other than the obvious like looking out for each other, and knowing how to release your gear.

Altona is truly a great spot (maybe the best spot in Vic) and I hope it never gets banned!

The issue as I see it' is there is a lot of people who really should not be kiting full stop, or maybe just not mowing the lawns in conditions and locations that do not match their experience .

Kiting is awesome, I think we can all agree on that, I can totally understand why people are interested in learning.

But it's not something you learn in 3 lessons, or even 3 seasons, try and learn something different every time you kite.

When I started (2003ish) the kites where gnarly, smaller community and the instructors were usually the best kiters and would share knowledge for free.

I don't really understand why there seems to be more accidents now, but I would suggest that it might have to do with people not showing due respect and/or just being Dumb.

I've made mistakes, and try and pass on my lessons and experience to others where possible.

Altona is awesome place to kite when enough tide/wind. But due respect is needed for each other and the locations many hazards....

FYI, for the benefit of learners who may not know the area well, the best place for you to be kiting is up at the apex park end, on the sand spit...

This location has less downwind hazards and will not be crowded by general public or other more experienced kiters.

Ps, unlike some on seabreeze I am not hiding behind a profile, my name is Karl,, I try not to talk too much crap, lately I'll write something, usually to put somebody in their place but just delete rather than post...

ALL ALTONA NEEDS IS FOR PEOPLE TO STOP BEING RETARDS.

Should I have just deleted this rant, yeah prob.

Welcome to crazy season 2013/14......

Mate, if you have been hanging out somewhere for 25 years prob makes you a local.... But usually it's your attitude that makes you a "local" not your address or years.

I've kited a bit at Altona, used to own a red crewman ute if any "locals" can remember it parked up top end.

Now days I kite St kilda side a lot more mainly because I live over this side, but I've got mates that live in Altona and when I come kiting over there we always finish with a few beers..

Looking forward to a long hot summer of kiting.....

RELAX....

ice said..

ice said..

Build a bridge and get over it


Build a bridge over the creek at the western end of Apex park and a car park area for around 50 cars.

Here the wind is side shore in a sea breeze and a long way upwind of any hard obstacles.

This area should be the mandatory launch/land area, yet you can still kite back toward the pier.

I have a dream:

I had that dream once too, but have you actually gone across the creek mouth at Apex park into that sandy area? If you look over the water's edge, especially after a lot of Southerly winds and rain? It is full on full of crap, seaweedy squishy **** and blue ring octopuses munching on urchins! That corner of Altona is a bomb mate, not to mention the stench?

Your plan is great but that entire corner and the river creek would have to be diverted from further South, tonnes of sand pumped to remove the weedy crap, and of course $$$$ which no one has.