Melville gets really crowded, I think we all know this. Today was in absolute shambles. I saw people launching a kite from the grass by getting it thrown up by two other guys like a 'kids kite', right in the power zone. The lines got tangled in the tree and so on. Ran up there and had a word which ended up alright. After that I heard he got his lines (a C kite btw while it was his very first time) crossed with someone else and so on.. very dangerous. Told him it would be good if he would take a lesson but he said he wanted to teach himself because of lack of money
I saw a guy brake his finger in a very unfortunate way, if you read this, I hope you're ok! He didnt know exactly what happened but he got his finger snagged somewhere on his bar while he pulled his release.
I saw various people still kiting passed the buoys going back in... and then just turn around and go back out. These buoys are here to designate a launching and landing zone. Don't kite there if you don't need to. You really don't have to do you're tricks so close to shore. I know there are a lot of beginners screwing up there but that is something advanced people tends to do.. the "look at me, I go right to the edge of the water and turn around, I don;t care that there are heaps of people around me trying to launch and land and that there are markings in the water that tell me not to'.
these were only a couple of things of what I saw. Now I am just a beginner as well but I decided after one run that it was way too busy and it was just too dangerous.
Any other beaches in the southern metro area that would be better for beginners.. more space? cause Melville is starting to get on my nerves..
****s me people that say I can't afford lessons. Sorry if you can't afford lessons you definitely can't afford to kite!!!!
hahahaha
Why kite melville on weekends its not worth it..
Apparantly 12 beaches closed today from shark sightings. Ive been kiting melville for 5 years and it gets worse and worse.
So many dickheads there have no idea. People still teach in the wrong spot, kite too close to shore. Not many people really know the rules.
The WAKSA volunteer brigade was out flyering cars today with the local rules handouts. Good to see. But yeah, it was a ****show today. Just packing up around 4:30, chat to some dude for a while about kites, then he rigs up. Before leaving I offer a launch and he's looking really confused at his bar. I go over and explain (because I had to) how is safety works, then connected his leash for him (as it wasn't connected to his kite at all). Then asking if he understood how his safety worked, and if he was ok to go, I look at his kite and the bridle on the steering line is half over, and half under the kite.
After explaining how this would have ended in disaster if he had launched, and explaining how to rig properly, I left. He was a middle aged bloke and said it was his first time out this season. I know life and kids get in the way but if you aren't familiar with your safety system and how to rig, go have a refresher lesson.
Did chat to some good people at Melville today. Even caught up with a fellow Canadian. As long as people keep informing the uninformed, stop landing kites on houses, and keeping an eye out for each other, we should be able to maintain access to the best inner city spot, and the only one I can get to for an after work session.
I used to kite at Melville all the time, now i live down south so don't much anymore. But i was out there today and had a blast (from about 3 to 5pm). Sure there was a bit of beginner craziness in close to the beach, but nothing that you wouldn't have seen in the last 2 or three years on a windy summer weekend. actually i thought the numbers were a bit down.
agree its a bit nerve racking, as a beginner, to be kiting with lots of people around, especially lots of other learners, but theres lots of people in perth, and they've gotta go somewhere - and i think melvilles probably the best place for newbies, with no waves, no reef, shallow, etc. (be nice if it had a wider beach though). One thing melville doesn't have that other spots in the perth area do is lots of people swimming/sunbathing etc. I think its good to have one spot where all the learners go and don't put non-kiting random people at risk.
Nice to see the waksa guy handing out 'safe kiting at melville' brochures today too, hats off to you. Hope everyone starts to take note.
it is dissapointing to see so many relatively good kiters kiting right up to the beach. I don't mind if they end up with their kite in a tree but its really freaks out the learners. Showponies just love to be seen i guess
"Sorry if you can't afford lessons you definitely can't afford to kite" I would be stoked to help someone out like this, just like people helped me through my boardriding. Good vibes. I got no time for snobby, classist bull**** - please rethink, and don't mind taking some time out to help people like this, you will get the stoke back 10 fold from someone enthusiastic, they may even end up a good mate, and help create a better attitude and safety at a spot.
I know someone with only (for financial reasons) a really beaten up old 2005 north vegas and a re-glued old previously snapped in half twintip, couldn't afford lessons. And another kiter who was helped out cos they couldn't afford all kit, lessons, a good mate now and also a good kiter. Awesome dudes, awesome kiters. Friends gave away old harness, old boards and helped with advice and they were sooo stoked.
^^+1!
While I think it is VERY important to have lessons, sometimes people live in out of the way places that this is not available. I have talked two people in the last month out of trying to get their kites in the air when they clearly had no clue, not just to the dangers they pose on themselves, but to others as well. After a good chat they see the sense in what I have to say. I like to give them the image of what can go wrong, and what has gone wrong in the past for some jokers who deemed lessons were not necessary. Paint an ugly picture they can understand...
I will always help anybody that asks for help, and will be happy to show selected friends how to learn how to kite safely. I don't like to see people get hurt. I never let them hit the water until they can fly the kite comfortably with one hand, launch and land easily, and activate their safety system on command without looking down at it. Thankfully, (except during the silly season) our beaches offer enough space to do this without having to worry too much about innocent beach goers.
there are regular posts about this type of problem .The same call gos out get lessons get lessons get lessons . i never hear the call after you ave had lessons 'There is no replacement for experience in light winds at a spot with plenty of room and no people " These places can be found even in busy areas .I can't believe how many opportunities go by for noobs to consolidate their skills on days around 10-12 kts with none of them out there.we get heaps of these days where none of them are there then they turn up on the really windy days with dodgy kite skills and then add more problems by adding a board in a crowded spot .
digging up an old thread but when i had my lessons at melville years ago nothing was mentioned by the british here for the summer instructor from the reputable shop in freo any of the rules at melville .
I was pointed out by a mate who had been kiting for a few more years . The problem with melville is there is no signage to indicate what and what not to do .
Its a nightmare trying to find somewhere to teach the missus how to kite, she is justifiable nervous at places like Melville as she is conscious of not interfering with other kiters but also not getting taken out by others.
Really running out of options...oh well maybe a holiday to the Cocos Islands!!
We should do what the hang-gliders do!
Back in the days of learning we had to attach a streamer on our glider to let the other pilots know who was a noob and who wasn't!!
Maybe a high vis safety vest is to be worn when getting lessons, so we can stay clear of them!
SMALL STREAMERS on the wing tips would be good too, so once we see them we can keep well clear of them!
I think your messages would be falling on deaf ears
Perth crew are that arrogant and selfish that they don't even care if they are pissing people off
It's all about themselves
Get used to it
