All - Coldshot has very valid points, regardless how he may have come across and delivered his message – you will never please everyone.
Leave out personal feelings/emotions and the message is clear...if kiting behaviour/etiquette is not changed at Pelican Point then we will see the great sport banned there and unfortunately that may snowball and lead to further council bans at other locations due to increased traffic at other areas and thus an increased number of incidents! It will hurt everyone who kites in WA, even the unsuspecting tourist.
Pelican Point as some people have pointed out is not an ideal spot to kite, not suitable for beginners due to is location and bird sanctuary – it has a very limited launch/landing area and thus needs to be met with the utmost of care for your safety and that of the general public. If common sense is employed although high risk it is possible to safely launch and land there, however kite to conditions...yesterday the wind was extremely erratic and in hindsight Peli Point wasn't the safest spot to kite. Not many venues were to be honest!
It is up to all those who kite in WA to educate fellow kiters be it newb's or tourists. Generally a friendly approach to someone doing the wrong thing will be met with a friendly response.
If you have any foresight & decency you will take a proactive approach to doing the right thing by the sport you all seem to love.
Hi All
I was one of the people negotiating with CALM to prevent us being banned a few years ago. We succeeded and CALM even paid for the kitesurf signs and the rubber strip on the limestone edge so we wouldn't frey our lines. The compromise was that we had to self regulate and make sure people wouldn't launch on the foot path (we are meant to only launch from the beach), wouldn't put pedestrians in danger and wouldn't kite south of the yellow markers. All common sense.
We had a very supportive camaraderie between the locals at Pelican Point. The signs were put there by CALM but we wrote the guidelines. When visitors were being dangerous then we would point to the signs - the voice of authority being CALM. Most people are pretty reasonable and want to do the right thing.
I'm happy to offer some background assistance if you guys want to get yourselves organised. I recommend you do. I love Pelican Point too and glad to see Coldshot is doing something active to protect this spot.
Graeme
gls (at) gopc.net
Unfortunately evidence is surfacing that even the presence of kites outside the yellow markers is disturbing the rare migratory birds that visit this area. A complete ban of all kites during the migratory season would be advisable to help protect the critically endangered birds.
Personally I think the yellow boys should be spaced out every meter. Becomes very obvious you are not supposed to be there. It also becomes a hazard in itself so you keep away. Just like the kiting around moored boats, you don't.
I was just waiting for you to turn up BIRDDEFENDER...............hahaha.
You tell me about kites, and I'll tell you about development in our lovely Perth........our wildlife is not threatened by kites at all, it is morons like you that give greens and twitchers a bad name.....I certainly hope you are a troll.
I killed a seagull with my kite once,
On this empirical evidence, I forward that birds are not afraid of flying near kites.
This has just come in VICTORIA METRO, check out ALL the 5 KNOTS either side of the wind sports area and the rest of the metro coast line!http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/478186/Werribee-to-Williamstown-Boating-and-Swimming-Zones.pdf
This is in effect as of January 2012.
I give it 5 years here in perth and we will have one or 2 spots on the beaches in the METRO area.
2 years tops, NO kiting spots on the river on a SW wind direction! Writings on the wall!!
Can't wait to kite with 100+ kiters in one little spot!!
I just think it's great that you've followed Leroy's "guide to writing a successful rant" post almost to a T - good job, entertaining, A+.
I was foolishly there about 11.30am that morning - after a great 90mins at Woodys from 8am - and the place was madhouse. Came in after 10 minutes too watch the Italians try and launch their mate who had a proper little Latin-infused tantrum when they couldn't get it together and twsted his kite. Always going to do Peli early in SE'ly now. And yes, this year the rangers/birdwatchers have been out in force this - but they too haven't put up any signs/soft barriers down the beach and just stand off in the distance. Couldn't be bothered trying to talk to the Italians as i've got too much attititude from others when I've said 'don't launch over the path' - so s*d 'em all. Thanks for telling us it got worse later in the day - don't feel so bad about headin' to a cafe now.
I agree with you doggie........I have visions of rangers hiding behind bushes in their green camo gear, and twitchers with binocs and cameras, and a group of crazy Italians, and kiters crashing and woopping.........what's the world coming to..........funny as, really can't be too serious, or can it?
Forgot the pack of 20 loose running dogs
I have spoken at length with Coldshot this morning about the recent situation @ Pelican Point & explained that WAKSA has a series of guidelines that also covers advice for Pelican Pt. Self regulation (and obviously, lots more of it) is the key to keeping Peli Pt open. Whilst it's a pain in the _ _ _ _, patience and even more considered explanation to our Teuro friends may be necessary unfortunately.
If one or two Peli Pt regulars could PM me please to arrange pick up & distribution of the guidelines @ Peli Pt, it would be appreciated.
Oh one more thing about PELICAN POINT!
All the guys who love to bring down their mates, girl friends etc.
Especially the 14 year old with one years experience teaching another younger kid, who sliced another kiters KITE in HALF!!
I only hope you so called "INSTRUCTORS" ALL have INSURANCE cause if you stuff up and injure someone or even injure the student and say break their neck example land head first into a tree or dunes I bet your student or innocent bystander will be going after someone to help pay their medical costs!!
