kiting through the flags

Seems to happen every year but it appears some people still dont get it. Stop f*&ken flying through the flags so close to the beach. I think if any memeber or local to the kiting community on the gold coast should feel obligated to let these boneheads know what the rules are. I am a home owner and local of miami beach and think that it would be criminal if beaches get closed to kite surfing or even restricted zones put in place. I am sure everytime a kitesurfer stuffs up in the vicinity of the flags it gets noted and bought up at the lifesavers meetings. As seen in other states restricted zones are already in place (RE: WA). I am sure we all enjoy the privillege of kiting so close to our homes so speak out when you you see people screwing up...i know i do

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Permalink Reply by Fitzy on October 30, 2009 at 10:18pm

Yep .... We agree.

Just a reminder for any forum members out there.

Kites are regarded as a marine vessel and are subject to the same speed restrictions as any other watercraft.

In this case it means staying 800 meters to the seaward and 200 meters either side of any flagged area.

Common sense really !!!

Fitzy

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Schneider on October 31, 2009 at 5:44pm

Just imagine certain sections of our surf beaches closed due to more breaches and or an accident within the flagged area - it may mean NO MORE downwinders in the future - imagine sections of our beaches allocated for kitesurfing and others not or closed to kitesurfing (ala WA) that could mean you may no longer kitesurf through these areas which would stop us from doing our beloved/precious downwinders! We would most likely have to stay 800m out to sea through the "no go" areas which often may be just not possible in certain wind and wave conditions!!

WARNING!!

The lifeguards are RED hot on this issue this season!! I have already heard them threatened to confiscate equipment over the loud haler to kitesurfers kiting across the flagged area even 150m out to sea with 3 people in the water! (must have been a slow day) so my guess is they have been given a strong directive this season to jump on kitesurfers who transgress the rules hopefully to nip this behavior in bud and to send a strong msg to the kiting fraternity!!

So be warned the gloves are off this season and we may hear of some confiscations which if publicized could drive the msg home that they are fair dinkum this season about protecting the flagged areas....

Please play your part as a responsible kiter and let others know that a bit of latitude will NOT be given this season and we all have to lift our game and think before we try something risky near the flags!

Attachments:

flagged area.jpg, 66 KB

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Permalink Reply by dan kron on November 1, 2009 at 9:16pm

i completely agree with that! The sport is growing and growing every year, there are more kiteboarders around, but the old guys should make sure the new comers know the rules, really it doesn't take much to approach anyone that is doing the wrong thing and with a friendly chat explain what are the rules and why they exist...

I did that the other day in miami with a couple a guy that wasn't being able to keep upwind so he was entering on the beach upwind from the flags and going all the way down...

I told him about the rules... he was really nice and understanding, asked his girlfriend to move their stuff downwind of the flags... and problem solved...

I toke me 2 minutes of my time and everyone was happy as Larry...

cheers...