Summer 2008-2009 .Observation in the pond area, we reached saturation point of kite traffic above 8 kiter's.You could clearly see that the kiter's were impacting on themselves and other water uses.
I recommend that there should only be a max number of kiter's within the Pond area.Reason to increase the safety margin for all water uses.
It is only a matter of time and we will have a loss time injury on the water.
It should also be prohibited that kiter's do not jump or boost over a person in the water.
Are we ready for the chaos this year?.
Interested on any constructive feed back.
Safety bay requires a high level of skill from all water uses.

how about no being in the pond unless under way. e.g. no sitting in the middle of the pond having a circle jerk for half an hour

carbine said...

how about no being in the pond unless under way. e.g. no sitting in the middle of the pond having a circle jerk for half an hour

In addition to that how about people don't tack out 1/3 of the way and then back, screwing everyone else up so they can show all thier mates how 'totally sick' they are.

D

D_Meredith79 said...

carbine said...

how about no being in the pond unless under way. e.g. no sitting in the middle of the pond having a circle jerk for half an hour

In addition to that how about people don't tack out 1/3 of the way and then back, screwing everyone else up so they can show all thier mates how 'totally sick' they are.

D

Yeah. Sometimes I have been surprised when a kiter goes all the way over to the other sand bar and turns around. It really helps the flow of things when both groups are doing the same circuit.

In the same way that kiters think that windsurfers are sitting 'in the middle of the pond', kiters tacking back and forth on the really shallow bit is annoying as you don't know if they are going to keep going or turn around suddenly.

Mobydisc said...

Why does everyone go to Safety Bay? We were over there last year and there are plenty of places that look good for windsurfing and kitesurfing up and down the coast. Is there something special about Safety Bay? Is it possible to sail on the other side of the point?

Moby, if you mean the point to the immediate north where the ferry and cafe are, yes, I tend to go there to kite myself as it's a lot less busy. There is also some pretty good swell, both breaking an not around Penguin and Seal islands if you're cautious enough and experienced enough not to get yourself into trouble. It's almost as sheltered as the pond section too, being that it has a huge sandbar stretching out to Penguin island if you stay to the inside.

D

Mobydisc said...

Why does everyone go to Safety Bay? We were over there last year and there are plenty of places that look good for windsurfing and kitesurfing up and down the coast. Is there something special about Safety Bay? Is it possible to sail on the other side of the point?

MD, Safety Bay is a good place to learn as there are two sandbars to run between. The one to the south varies from ankle deep to waist deep and makes a great place to learn carve gybes in a reliable spot. If you stuff your gybe up you can just stand up and get back on.

I have to admit, it could make you lazy if you just wanted to run from bar to bar, but I guess that means its a great place for learners too.

Next time, try and go there when it's windy and have a sail there. It makes sailing too easy sometimes.

D_Meredith79 said...

FormulaNova said...

MD, Safety Bay is a good place to learn as there are two sandbars to run between. The one to the south varies from ankle deep to waist deep and makes a great place to learn carve gybes in a reliable spot. If you stuff your gybe up you can just stand up and get back on.

I have to admit, it could make you lazy if you just wanted to run from bar to bar, but I guess that means its a great place for learners too.

Next time, try and go there when it's windy and have a sail there. It makes sailing too easy sometimes.

Is this possible on a windsurfer? I might be a kiter, but I wouldn't think that a windsurfer could go straight upwind, seeing as one sand bar is DIRECTLY upwind of another???? You also can't stand if you're more than 3 metres from the shore unless you're ON one of the bars.

D

Yes. Windsurfing boards are perfect and can go anywhere we point them including directly upwind, even if there's no wind at all...

I was referring to the submerged sandbar just south of the jetty and the sandbar to the north that the kiters tend to congregate on.

Which ones are you thinking of?

D_Meredith79 said...

FormulaNova said...

D_Meredith79 said...

FormulaNova said...

MD, Safety Bay is a good place to learn as there are two sandbars to run between. The one to the south varies from ankle deep to waist deep and makes a great place to learn carve gybes in a reliable spot. If you stuff your gybe up you can just stand up and get back on.

I have to admit, it could make you lazy if you just wanted to run from bar to bar, but I guess that means its a great place for learners too.

Next time, try and go there when it's windy and have a sail there. It makes sailing too easy sometimes.

Is this possible on a windsurfer? I might be a kiter, but I wouldn't think that a windsurfer could go straight upwind, seeing as one sand bar is DIRECTLY upwind of another???? You also can't stand if you're more than 3 metres from the shore unless you're ON one of the bars.

D

Yes. Windsurfing boards are perfect and can go anywhere we point them including directly upwind, even if there's no wind at all...

I was referring to the submerged sandbar just south of the jetty and the sandbar to the north that the kiters tend to congregate on.

Which ones are you thinking of?

My apologies Nova, I was still thinking of around the corner at the islands. lol

D

No worries! From now on the area you described shall be described as The Pond for Kiters...

I meant to have a run up that way last year, but 'forgot'. I think it could be good sailing along in front of the people walking to Penguin Island...

Just re-name the bay to dangerous bay[}:)]