In reply to Jan's post:
1. Good Idea... it seems to make sense that with a few less kites hanging around on the grass, and the lines etc that go with them, it should make for easier landing, not to mention making it easier for others to set up and launch without having too much of an impact on the pedestrian path running through that area.

2. All for it mate! Another good call... having had my own feet sliced up a few times now, i'd be keen to participate in anything that makes the area cleaner and safer for all of us. Obviously this sort of action will create a better impression of us in political circles as well which can't be a bad thing at any given time.

I would also suggest getting some fill for the side of the retaining wall which seems to have washed away. This could be a bit of a problem if someone had a stack and landed on the wall from the top of that small hill leading down to the beach, and it's something that could easily be repaired.

3. Again, good idea. Anything that clears the area of hazards can't be bad. If the tree is dead, there should be no problem having the council contribute to having it removed.

4. Kill the fence!! Obviously needs to be there, but it's nasty no matter which way you look at it. There may not need to be a fence so extreme if there was a little more of issue #5. If the signs clearly request kiters not to venture down past the fence on the beach at certain times, then it wouldn't necessarily need to be fort knox (just an opinion, there may be some other use for the fence).

5. Advertising safety and perhaps some 'rules of thumb' for the kiters at peli would be pretty good. If someone unfamiliar comes along and can clearly see a few guidelines for the area it would be great.

6. Another good idea. Perhaps there could be another 'rule of thumb' on this issue... obviously we would like to promote professional tuition in our sport rather than hacks coming down with 2nd hand gear and 'giving it a whirl' (good segment on Just Add Water the other day Ian btw), it would make sense to provide the schools with space to teach properly. On the other hand, as pointed out by Jan, it would need to be a committment made by all involved for it to work.

Basically with all the above ideas there will need to be a contribution from all of us, and clear guidelines for the area will make it much more workable. Otherwise everyone will be running around in circles. If we all know the 'rules' so to speak, then the regulars of peli will be able to identify non-regulars and perhaps point a few things out about how we like to keep things safe and enjoyable down there, and hopefully they are considerate enough to respect those guidelines. My point is building on Jan's point, set some very clear rules, and as locals set the example on how we want things to go at peli.

Lets get this show on the road, cause it would be a tragedy to lose access to such a good spot. Action will certainly speak louder than words with all this.

Happy Kiting everyone!
Deano

All the Ideas are good guys, keeping our beach clean and cluttered free is benificial for us and public users. As I recall in the meeting 4 local members agreed to join a sub commity on:

* Maintaining Safety for all
* Talking to the public and educating them at the same time about our unique sport
* Keeping an eye on new members and out of towners so that they can enjoy using the area respectfully.
* Giving something back to the comunitty, for our reputation sake.

This I feel will create good vibes within ourselves and observers but most importantly as mentioned in the meeting will reduce the work load of the local rangers. which will then benifit us by keeping them of our backs and having them and the public on ourside.
My only other suggestion for WAKSA is to organise with the council, to fix and redirect that foot path to the rear of the rigging area so that no cyclist, rollerbladers and walkers get clotheslined by our strings. The amount of times that I have seen people of all ages getting tripped up by the large pertruding cracks on the foot path is countless, more times than actual accident caused by kiters. It's in need of a major repair so maybe we can utilise this to our request on redirecting the path an kill two birds with one stone.
But in the mean time give way to cyclist and the public by not crossing the path when you see them coming remember to look left and right. Launchers and kite catchers cross the path with caution. Be curtious and inform the pubic of your intensions believe it or not you have someones life in your hands. Definately do not launch a kiters kite or land their kite crossing the footpath. Look after each other don't yell or abuse each other, positive feedback often work better and assist your fellow kiter before an accident occur.
Im gonna be there today and tomorrow while it's not windy and perhaps rake those stinking weeds, If anyone else is keen bring a pair of gloves and a rake and join with.

bonny

thanx Radmac, spread the word.

3. dead tree... much more living than I thought, don't think thats going anywhere. doubt council would really want to start cutting down healthy trees

5/6. seems there are some plans for some buoys marking out no surf craft areas at peli. (tony?) ie between the markers and the shore is a no kite area (launch/land and safety zone only?). this would help make the busy launch area safer and hopefully help out the school guys to find some room too?

theres been some talk about a proposal to move the footpath closer to the road. does anyone know what the deal is or if its just hopefull?

No problems with kites at Pelican Point last Friday and Saturday - plenty of room - what a way to end the summer sailing season!

Radmac

Firstly let me say that I'm not the bloke whose kite the fella in Crawley decided to play with (despite the moniker).
Secondly thanks dean/Jan for introducing me to this sport.
THirdly, whilst I have only been around 5 minutes and couldn't body drag myself out of a wet paper bag I have some thoughts on how we can keep the momentum going on self regulation/image improvement (these ideas slosh across a few threads so sorry for that)
1) Jan's Peli point users group is sensational. Fill it up with kiters/w'surfers/birdwatchers/yachtsmen/dogwalkers and crank up a clean up/busy bee. Get the local paper down there to report on it. "WAKSA/Windsurfers/birdwatchers unite". At least it would be a good news story.
2) Rather than Kite-marshalls, why can't all members of WAKSA be supplied/buy a bib/kite tag or something that clearly shows them as a WAKSA member who consciously practices a members code of ethics(really pump up the "safe kiting guidelines" and call it our ethics... this should also publishable to the media/council/government/boaties etc).
Having a symbol like that clearly showing for all to see would a) keep the kiter mindful of the code (he/she is on display as a member) b)highlight potential bikie kiters(steer clear of) (a well recognised and publicised symbol might help JOE Public feel more secure knowing a responsible member is behind THAT kite)c)further encourage members to lend a hand to fellow members on launch/landing etc through a sense of community.
Hopefully this sense of community would encourage other non members to get involved and understand further the issues our sport faces, thereby lifting behaviours out on the water...and eventually public perception
CAVEAT...OK I've only been around 5 minutes so I'm sure that I have probably said something idiotic here. If I have please forgive me.

what happened to the sand bags at peli point?

there were about 3-4 of them kicking around and now they seem to have vanished?

LOGO - great idea - been thinking on that 4 a while and have a bit of a design im working on to pass on to WAKSA
Thinking - car stickers, T's &/or rashies, but kite sticker would be the go 4 sure i reckon
Wot about a logo design comp like AKSA have just had ???

- FINN X

The ideas about having something that shows you are signed up, read the rules and abide by them is a great one. There does need to be control as more and more people are seeing the sport and thinking......"Give me some of that" kind of thing!
The logo or something on the kite would be great as long as it can be removed if selling etc otherwise we will have guys buying second hand kites with it already on there.
The rest of the points are really well thought about and great for the sport in general.
What about putting a flyer on the notice board at Pelican Point showing this site and forum or other usefull ones? Get everyone in the know and all that..........

yeah i reckon it's a good idea having it in 2 weeks that monday.

ie monday 29th at 7pm at steves.

perhaps we should create a new post to get some idea of numbers?

infact, i'll do it right now :)

Deano