I seen in the local papers that kitesurfing has been banned at surfers point, margaret river when other surfers or windsurfers are out due to saftey for all riders. But they will still be able to skim around boatramps, which is a break just south, and is a good wave. This sounds good to me as I have had some close calls with them last summer, It's been likened to playing golf on a footy feild when a game is on, dodgey. matter of time before someone gets hurt.
Anyone got any comments on this?

Kiting has not been banned there or anywhere else in WA .
WAKSA has been contacted by the boardriders club and has had discussions with a few of the local kiters .
The problem is congestion and no clear guidelines that are posted anywhere .
This leads to the tourists turning up with attitude and saying
" there is no sign that says I can't do it " and go on to make a mess of it .
Windsurfers and kiters alike .
We are working with the surfers and hope to get input from windsurfers as well to come up with a solution that suits everybody .
Regards
Mike Bergman

I think the problem here is learner/intermediate kiters going out beyond their ability and dropping their kites in the impact zone, with 30mtrs plus of high tension abrasive lines heading near other sailors or on some ocasions on them.
Boatramps is a wave just down the coast and should be utilised by the kiters so it keeps everyone happy and thus minimal injuries to everyone.

If windsurfers are attempting to get exclusive control of mainbreak when the wind kicks in, then they won't achieve their selfish aims by whining about downed kites and lines as being the sole safety issue out in the water.

It could be argued that a riderless sailboard getting tossed around in the break after a wipe-out also represents a dangerous hazard and therefore a risk to other water-users.

Riders have been hurt in the past at mainbreak for any number of reasons, well before kites were ever invented.
It's an intense surfbreak and it commands respect.

When looking to taste the delights of Margies, try some good karma with a generous helping of give and take.

Regards 'slave.

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...you need experience of the place to fully appreciate the problem!

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@decrepit: You are correct, I don't know the specific regional situation.

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originally posted by poor relative
There are a myriad of breaks along that coast.

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That's what I was thinking about supposing "plenty of space". If a place, may it be attractive, challenging or whatever, is crowded, I am going to avoid it at least after some time of negative experiences. Never mind. Have a good time!

sick

i h8 kiters
they should be banned everywhere

Yeah, you're right Mitch,
Kitesurfing is so rad it should be illegal.

Hi Matt

I disagree with you , I just wonder who has the right or is qualified to say that somebody is good enough or not to go out at a place because they don't do enough with the wave .

Personally I believe it is about the fun that you have out there , not the degree of skill that you can show off .

On any given day there are a lot of windsurfers out that aren't capable of the above moves but still come off the water with a smile from ear to ear .

I think to be fair to everybody we need to set up some guidlines so that everybody can enjoy the spot without being a saftey hazard to anybody else .

I totally agree that if a kiter is out there and isn't following the proto call or is unable to controle thier kite properly and safely , they should be advised to go somewhere else .

WAKSA is working on setting up some guidelines so that all kiters can be aware what is required and expected of people wanting to go out at the point . These can then be referred to if some one is being unsafe.

As has been said boatramps is a better wave for kiting and the bombie is there for those that are up for it .

Mike,

agree with some of your points - especially all about having fun being the most important thing. i guess i was just expressing and opinion on the functionality of kiting gear in general at mainbreak. i do enjoy watching guys get massive jumps off the shoulder from the carpark.

The problem is mainbreak is just so crowded that i believe some management is required. And being a less than ideal kiting spot it probably makes sense not to kite it most of the time. There is almost always a big lump on the face that will bounce you off your kite rail - its just not that smooth and doesnt really allow you to get a nice drivey bottom turn. I still reckon boaties is the place to hit.

i agree with what slave said about sailboarding gear being dangerous as it goes over the falls - but over the 20 years that margs has been windsurfed i dont think any one has been injured by someone elses gear. statitsically its not too bad. With kites - if margs is not off limits -It really is just a matter of time before an inexperienced excited kiter rocks up to the "arena" , wants to show the gallery something amazing and goes for a risky move ,plonks the kite in the water , makes it all part of some seriously powerful breaking 6ft wave which now contains 30m of line screaming towards a pack of surfers who are now trying to duck dive the whole mess.

It would be great to be able to drive our cars around at 250 kmh all over the place but we have to look out for each other- i guess this is the same kind of thing.

There are a few guys i feel safe kiting with - and lots that i dont -for the good of everyone else in the water how can you make sure its the good riders only that kite margs ?

I just love the way we all get sucked into the "US And Them" threads.

Just a note from my POV being a Poley

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Originally posted by mattressbuster

Mike,


There are a few guys i feel safe kiting with - and lots that i dont -for the good of everyone else in the water how can you make sure its the good riders only that kite margs ?

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Would that also include sorting out the Poley's which haven't the capabilities or the break. (like me)

The reality is that Marg's as well as many other breaks are so well recognised and known throughout the world that people flock there. It's a very easy drive from Perth (you don't have to go down one gravel road to get there now), go and have a look at the surfing line up one day and see how much hassle there is.

Windsurfing has not always been the socially accepted sport it is today, Kiting is just going through the same introduction and transition which Windsurfing did back in the dim dark histories of time.

My recommendation for all of this crap which regularly gets posted and gets every one so wound up.

1. Don't get sucked into these threads (whoops stuffed up there)
2. Get on with the Kiting Fraternity THEY ARE HERE TO STAY whether you like it or not.
3. Help em launch and catch kites, give em a wave as you go past each other in the water, it all builds good karma.
4. Rather than bollick them about some minor infringment compliment them about some good manuever makes it easier to chat with people if there are no hostilities or defensive screens put up.
5. DON'T GET SUCKED INTO THESE THREADS!

Enjoy

see ya on the water

Alby

hi
I'm a windsurfer through and through. but i dont see why kiters and windsurfers cant get along.
for example me and some freinds are both some kit6e and some windsurf and ae all help each other out.
e.g. when Rhys dropped his kite in da water i ditched my rig to help him get it up again and after we fournd out it didn't want to go up my other windsurfing buddy gave him a tow in. and when a guy launched his kite without the lines i went over to get the kite.
If everyone done somthing like that it would b one big happy family.
thanks Jesse

Exactly Jess- I completely agree with you-- We all just need 2 help each other out, and just agree to dis-agree for the rest of you...

What on earth 'big flatus'? You sure your feeling okay mate... Just get along, or don't talk 2 other windsurfers or kiters then! It's as easy as that...

Hope there wind 4 u all

Elizabeth - Wello Kiter

Hey Mark,
Who died and made you the boss on deciding where kiters ride?
I don't think you get it.
Wavesailing kiters will continue to kitesurf down-the-line spots whether you like it or not.
We aren't going away so learn to share the ocean.
Your post smacks of 'superiority complex' with no good reason.
Polesurfers are yesterdays wind-heros man.

'slave

Don't remember saying anyone was better than anyone else. I'd be annoyed if 6 or 7 windsurfers with no wave experience whatsoever went to main break at Margies and caused mayhem.
Guess you never read the bit where I say the voluntary segregation has worked in Esperance.

I windsurf AND kitesurf, so should i argue with myself? you suck, no you suck, no you suck,....

I also use it, so therefore, i am a kiter!