At the last WAKSA committee meeting it was agreed that we need a common set of points to be used as a start point for local working groups to use. These points should be concise, universal and generic. The current AKSA and WAKSA safety guidelines are too verbose to be useful on signs and arguably need updating anyway.

The Irish sign has two columns, one points for the PUBLIC, the second for KITESURFERS - great idea.

Their points for the public are:
Please remain behind (upwind) of kite surfers
Don't cross the kite surf zone
Don't try to catch the lines or bar of a released kite
When walking or driving on the beach, please watch for kites, lines and other equipment
Kite lines can be up to 40m long - be aware of kite and rider
If you want to learn about Kite Surfing don't learn by yourself - contact a Kite Surf School

I agree with Jonathan that the points for the KITESURFERS need some more work. To get some discussion going I have suggested the following:

THINK about the conditions before you setup – consider changes in wind strength or direction.
NEVER exceed your limitations or that of your gear
ALWAYS keep your downwind area well clear
ALWAYS pre-flight check, use a kite leash and quick release on anything you hook into
PRACTISE using your safety systems regularly so that it becomes instinctive
LOOK before you launch, land, jump, jibe, etc
CONSIDER and be courteous to others on or in the water and on the beach
KNOW your right of way rules
SEEK local advice

Might also be useful if we could come up with an easy-to-remember acronym like “TAPNACKLS”? Would be better if the initial capitals were the key safety word - any ideas?

These points should be expanded in the local site flyers eg apply above guidelines to specific sites, spell out the right of way rules, maps of launch area etc, specific hazards, suitable wind directions for that site, any local rules (wave riding?), etc

WAKSA would like to finalise this at the next committee meeting on 21 Apr so we can get back to the local working groups - all ideas welcome.

Cheers,
Ian Young
Vice President WAKSA
__________________
Cheers,
Ian Young
www.flysurf.com.au
0414 716 812

Good point about WAKSA contact - we will include the URL - currently trying to get our own website up as we have had problems maintaining the content on the WA State part of the AKSA website. Website will have things like:

• contact details


• site guides


• right of way rules


• WAKSA constitution


• links to AKSA website, etc


• anything else that will make kiting safer and more enjoyable in WA

The right of way rules should be spelt out on the local site flyers IMO - too much info to put on a sign post. The plan is for the flyers to be given to local kiters to hand out to visitors, etc - maybe even kept in a weatherproof box like they do at many National Parks although I think that vanadalism in metro areas might be a problem?

The intention is that WAKSA will produce the common guidelines and the local working groups will develop the flyers and signs from there after consultation with other local stakeholders such as Councils, CALM, DPI (Marine Ops), general public, etc.



Cheers,
Ian Young
www.flysurf.com.au
0414 716 812

I was kiting at Cottesloe phone box this week, it was 20knots WSW semi onshore, 20 kiters out, no hassles, and after a wave ride down to dutch inn I got stuck and couldnt get back upwind, was walking back up to phone box I came across 3 hapless Euros who were rigging up a 12m kite, I asked if they were experienced kiters, They said "just brought out of paper, only 1 could just speak english, and they had never flown a kite before, this was there first GO at kiting, they had seen all the kites at phone box and were keen to have a RED HOT GO." I said to my self "Oh FARK". I told them this spot was not a learner spot and they were likely to get loafted onto the road in the next 5 minutes. They had no idea and happily packed up and left to unknown parts. I reckon the signs are starting to be needed.
Jonathan Keys Cottesloe Safety Commitee