i know a lot of people enjoy Attadale foreshore on the easterlies.
Bit less crowded than the spit and not such a long walk if it goes pear shape.
Our local paper printed this this weekSelect to expand quote
Community News melville wrote.........
Beach 'lost to tide and kites'
By JESSICA NICO
A RESIDENT who uses Attadale dog beach is asking for a stretch of it above the high water mark to be for the sole use of dog walkers, so they are not affected by high tides or over-run by kite surfers and school canoeing classes.
Graham Boswell and his wife have been using the dog beach for the past five years but are now finding it difficult.
"When the tide is high we have just 200m of beach to use and half the area is covered by water right up to the reeds, making it unusable by dog walkers," he said.
"When the tide is a bit lower we get maybe 300m."
Mr Boswell has also noticed a rise in the number of kite surfers using the dog beach. "The kite surfers use the beach when the wind's strength and direction is good for them, which could be any day of the week," he said.
"When the beach is used by people doing water-based sports, they can occupy anywhere between 25 to 100 per cent of the dog beach, making us unable to sit, relax and use the beach. The kite surfers can present a danger to the dogs and owners because of their speed."
Mr Boswell said he had talked with several residents whose dogs had been hit by kites.
He said the dog owners were afraid to return to the dog beach.
Friends of Attadale Foreshore chairman Mike Nichol said the sudden influx of kite surfers could harm the natural environment.
"We are most concerned about the rapid development of kite surfing in our area, and the numbers are growing exponentially, and the environmental impact on this sensitive area could be severe," he said.
The City of Melville was unable to comment before deadline.
Full story here on page 7http://www.communitydigital.com.au/olive/ode/MelvilleTimes/
I guess a ban will be inevitable unless kiters step up a bit. Would be a shame to loose one of the metro easterly spots.
Impact on the environment?? Like the dogs crapping on the beach and mauling the wildlife is causing no environmental impact. Give me a break.
Hey PR,
Unfortunately, I think that the river foreshores are as good as lost, it's just a matter of time, which I believe is a rapidly evaporating resource.
I believe that the schools whom operate are talking about finally approaching the council for legitimate permits to operate there. As much as this would ordinarily be a good idea, I believe that forcing the local council to officially acknowledge the schools presence, and then offer them a legitimate permit to trade on the foreshore will probably backfire and likely be the catalyst which brings about the end of kiting in this area or at least the end of operation of schools along the Melville stretch.
Council and kiting co-exist in a precarious position by [council] burying their heads in the sand and pretending it isn't happening and Instructors have been keeping a low-ish profile . By forcing the council to make a decision and endorse permits, therfor taking a general official position, will be a slap in the face to all the rate payers along the foreshores many of whom are opposed to kitesurfing along the fragile strip by the road.
Perhaps the schools should get together with WAKSA and "feel out" the council position "off the record" before formally lodging their applications to council and forcing a position on the council.
To prevent closures, shools are going to, whether willingly or not, have to become the "beach police" and take a much more proactive role in preventing mishaps, ensuring local rules are strictly adhered to, and making sure students are fully versed in self rescue reading the wind, undertsanding local issues, local weather anomolies, and the do's and don't's of kitesurfing along the waters edge, this includes education and more often than not intervening where they see people walking up the beach with their kites at 12 or worse still, at 1o'clock towards the trees. Local riders should back up the schools if they see a stand off occuring, this also works Vice versa.
Talking about education campaigns, handing out flyers and other non interventional approaches are simply not enough with the sheer numbers of kiters in the area, a more proactive "interventional" approach should be instigated by ALL riders. You all OWN this problem, don't leave it to others to sort out.
Being super cautious at Point Walter in the Easterlies is also a good idea as our weather has been baically crapola for the last few months. Frustration and desperation of kiters is now seeing record numbers at Point Walter in the Easterlies, especially on weekends. Remember, other members of the public are entitled to walk and play along the stretch of beach that we also use without the fear of having kites flown over their heads or dropping out of the sky in the gusty winds, show respect and learn to keep a low profile.
This issue is of concern to ALL kiters because if it does get shut down on the river, and there is a better than average chance of this IMO, then those numbers will then be forced to adopt a new local beach, most of which are already crowded. Woodies, Leighton, Pelican Point and Safety Bay will be the worst hit as they are the closest non surf beaches. Most of these areas are also almost at safe capacity without the influx of another 50-60 kiters at each beach.
Have a think people, a cautious and pro-active approach is best for all involved. Every kiter is an ambassador for our sport, please represent it in the best possible light, with courtesy, maturity and respect to all other users. 
Rant over!
DM
I guess what is of concern is the arrogance of a few who show no respect for Attadale foreshore.
We walk our dog there regulary and have seen
Kiters launching in the dog exercise area on the foreshore climbing over the fence through the nature reserve and kiting in the nature reserve
School operating in the dog exercise area
The beach at Attadale full of kites and lines everywhere no room to walk sit or relax
People luffing and dropping out of control kites on the beach
.....the list goes on.
Personally i don't kite at the river anymore so the loss of Attadale wouldn't really cause me too much angst. However i think it would be a bugger as so many people use it when the Easterlies are blowing.
If kiters were just a bit more respectful, wrapped up lines out of the way, kept kites on the beach to a minimum, and stayed out of the nature reserve all would be well.
I do kite this spot often and have for a few years. Always in the water by 6.30 to 7 and done by 8.30. Beat the crowds. This lady has a point as some kiters show little respect for anyone, most who dont read these forums. Self launching on the tiniest beach packed with kites....Why???
On a good breeze there is so much room upwind to kite and the water gets flatter. Most guys kite right back to the dog beach frustrating everone trying to come in or out. Use some common sense.
The sport is has tripled in popularity in the past couple of seasons and yes this spot may be lost.
Bring on winter winds and uncrowded beaches...
Select to expand quoteThat would be Kitesurf Warehouse, i did my lessons through them at melville, im sure if you just let them know its a problem they could possibly be more aware of others. The owner is Greg. Just a thought anyway
i am one of the people who use attadale but what ****s me is whoever the school is that insists on teaching on an easterly and takes up basically the river right in front of where you want to launch and land . One weekend not long ago it was a joke trying to get back into the beach as he had two kites out that were almost overlapping each other
green and black griffins
Thats the thing with Attadale - its pretty unclear about where you can and cannot kite.
My understanding is you can launch from the dog beach area and are free to kite anywhere downwind.
Upwind from Dog Beach as i understood it was off limits altogether.
I'll get in touch with Juddy today and see whether we cant get a 'location guide' up on the website for Attadale and Pt Walter and get some clear info from either 'Friends of Attadale' or CALM
I remember this coming up before so i trolled through some old emails and found this from around oct 2007
I had a great sunrise session at Point Walter this morning. I got there at 5:40am and I still wasnt' the first one on the water. Everybody was stoked to be out and keeping it safe and easy.
Lot's of cameras and video being shot.
I spoke to Juddy yesterday. WAKSA are going to get in touch with Friends of Attadale and get some guidelines from them. Once WAKSA have the guidelines they will put them up on the website i guess.
Juddy also suggested some leaflets that Friends of Attadale or residents could hand out to offenders.
But the basic rules are (as i see it and in no way official)
- No launching/landing upwind of the little beach - where the black fence ends
- OK to kite in the reserve (upwind of the dog beach) but to remain at least 50m offshore at all times
- When on the beach keep kites out of the way
- Roll up bar and lines when out of the water.
Seems pretty decent to me.
)
I often kite here in Easterlies and the school with the Griffins continues to teach directly in front of the take off area. We all make allowances for people learning but when they have two or three 20m apart it is almost impossible to take off from the beach. As far as dog owners, one quietly waited for his dog to p...s all over my board last week without any sign of an apology.
well im a dog owner and i would be just a pissed if another owners dog did any of the above to me, i see it all the time around where i live especially with the little dogs, they dont pick up there crap, let them run off their leads despite seeing me and my two big dogs coming. i keep my animals on a leash in awkward circumstances and they should too or they will flip their own bloody vet bill when my dog attacks theirs because its come near mine...speak up peoples, let these people know it is unacceptable, it is not fair that they complain about kiters and get away with their dogs doing whatever. Its bulls..t! In regards to the griffin school, speak to Greg at Kitesurf Warehouse, and maybe WAKSA can get onto them about being fair. When i did my lessons with them i actually didnt noticed any issues but that was just me:0)
