This was an email sent to me this afternoon from a WAKSA member:

I was visiting my client (State Manager for leading medical company) today and he dragged me into his board room to discuss a “revolt of the Cambridge community against Kiters.” He lives in Floreat and frequents Floreat groyne to ride some waves with his family on wind swept choppy days.

John (not his real name), has mentioned on occasion to me that some kiters have come a little too close for comfort to him and his family on occasion, but as a whole finds the sport a great spectacle to watch and admire from the beach.

On Sunday afternoon (last weekend) John witnessed a kiter come to close to a young girl in the water and the subsequent reaction from a big bald man (who he assumed was her father) who felt the need to jump in front of his daughter to protect her from what looked like an inevitable collision with the kiter.

John went on to say that the kiter then did another lap of the Floreat groyne, and came back and 'had words' with the girl's father, only to further aggravate the situation. This aggressive behaviour was witnessed by a huge audience of local Floreat beach goers.

John indicated that this wasn't the first time he's witnessed instances like this (kiters too close to swimmers) and strongly believes that we will be banished from metro beaches soon. John indicated that he is aware that a growing number of residents are expressing concerns to council about kiter behaviour.

We discussed this point to some length and came to the agreement that without some form of regulation, kite surfing will be banned from local beaches.

I'm sure there are at least two sides to this story, so if the kiter concerned wants to put his version in reply, please do.

However, there are a number of unfortunate messages this (alleged) incident creates for Perth kiters to consider:

1) how this scenario presented itself to those non-kiting witnesses on the beach - hardly ideal behaviour from the kiter concerned;
2) we keep claiming "self regulation" is the key to keeping beaches open - how do we self regulate this type of behaviour???
3) This type of behaviour does nothing to help keep beaches open for kiting. Anyone keen to defend behaviour like this?

Thoughts and constructive comments welcome. If you're reading this & you are the kiter concerned, please put your side of the story also.

Juddy
President
WAKSA

Remember in 5 years the places you loved to kite, cause baby were going to lose quite a bit of kiting areas!!

I frequently surf where kiters are doing down winders, and they are very considerate to me, avoiding me unless my presence catches them off guard..except for one twat, a pro (who should obviously know better) I guess, with his black JEEP kite, who insisted on buzzing me as I paddled for waves. Pr!cks like him will definitely ruin it for the fraternity.
Pull your head in!

Much has been said before. See Guidelines (City to Trigg including Scarborough, and also including general Kiting guidelines): www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Guidelines-Scarb-City-Beach-NOV-2011-onwards/?page=1

Computer Forum - - - - - -YOU? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Real World

Please move slider to Right.

I've put forth some suggestions to WAKSA / Floreat SLSC. See below, please comment. And join the Scarbkiters group via PM or email to scarboroughkiters (at) yahoo (dot) com. (Spam-proof? Add @ and . as usual). Apart from strength of numbers, we follow and promote the guidelines. Thanks! Shan.


1. Waterproof 'red cards' which SLSC members can give out to kiters they flag down – these direct kiters to the appropriate website for more information and also lists the basic 'do's and don'ts' as endorsed by WAKSA.

2. Communication to SLSC / Rangers further up the coast at the landing sites (normally Brighton or Trigg) so they may approach errant kiters.

3. More active approach and education – when the signs are up and the Guidelines are printed and can be handed out to kiters setting up or coming in.

4. 'Photograph and shame' on our Kitesurfing forum – if SLSC members and other kiters are able to take pics and send / upload them with a brief description of what should have been done.

I realise that each of these suggestions have advantages and disadvantages.

We take these issues very seriously and would like to work with you and others to ensure safe and harmonious kiting along our beautiful coastline.

"But as a whole finds the sport a great spectacle to watch and admire from the beach."

Yes, this is the general view, just do not come to close...

I was for the registration and BIG numbers before. Not any more. How would yo register a 9yo? Can of worms that is.

For God sake, go skiing one season and see how many bystanders got injured coz someone crashed into them. It's called an accident.

Total ban is not an option. Lobbying is. Since the guy knows "John", why not inviting John's client and explain how it works?

State Managers should know well lobbying. I bet this is what they do for living. And nothing wrong with it.

Sebol,

There is no "long term plan"...there is no conspiracy from on high, it's not about WAKSA "saving everyone", it's not a campaign of fear. We all have different opinions about what the future holds for kiting - the message here is about the perception this one incident is likely to create - and the potential impact(s) it might have.

The email & conversation, as reported, came from a regular Floreat to Scarb kiter who knows the location & many of the regular DW crew. It came from a credible source.

You & I haven't met but you've been around long enough to know what's appropriate, what's acceptable kiting behaviour. It's not you the comment was directed at...it's the kiter(s) who don't want to, or won't see 'the bigger picture' - which may or may not include WAKSA involvement - and I'm not necessarily saying "licence" or regulate - it's about how others (that might not care about our sport) perceive us & what we do & the impacts of those perceptions, whether real or not.

Member or not, this type of incident works against all of us. Is it that hard to honestly expect participants in this sport to behave in a manner that doesn't increase the chance of ****** it up for everyone else?

kite surfing in Perth is sort of like the guy who has fallen off the cliff. 3/4 down he thinks hey......... Im still OK

SugarQube said...

kite surfing in Perth is sort of like the guy who has fallen off the cliff. 3/4 down he thinks hey......... Im still OK

ha ha

loose said...

This happens every day
Guys are wrecking a good thing slowly, BUT SURELY
Every time I go past Brighton I see a kite in the water WITHOUT FAIL being washed into swimmers
I believe that most of the culprits do not read these forums and do not care much for WAKSA guidelines - cause if they do they are unbelievably frustratingingly stupid.
I think there should be a 'kiting police' crack down on these 'hazards'. Perhaps its worth forming a vigilante type water police crew to monitor the public zones and when something silly happens actually sort it out right there and then. Speak to the culprit on the beach, explain the issues, reprimand and move on.
I would be happy to monitor a 'station' once a month say, or something along those lines.
Maybe it wouldnt work, but something needs to be done. Dont abuse me for this idea if you think its ridiculous, Im just thinking out loud.
As I said, I would be happy to help on a rotation basis if there was some plan put in place.
Who knows, after a season perhaps the message will get through??

I think it could work, but it would need a serious commitment from a few guys. The problem is, the guys causing the issues were born morons and will die morons. There's nothing you can really say that will change them or their behaviour. But a more 'heavy-handed' approach could work. Look at surfing, imagine if some of these idiots acted like they do in a crowded surf break?

Say, in the best interests of Kiting in Perth, you have words with some knob jockey being a dick close to shore/people/rocks/offshore/fishos/kids and he doesn't give a ***k what you think.

Please explain to me what you can do next?

This is where the self-regulation has its critical flaw. If someone doesn't give a ***k. What can you do?

. No laws= No consequence to the individual. That's the critical flaw.

Ban kiting everywhere, people will still kite- as we have seen the current banning on locations hasn't stopped all kiters.

Zed said...

Sebol If you think people are putting out "fake or missleading stories" pop down to Pelican Point on a windy day. And if you think popular beaches like Floreat are in no danger of having kite bans then you are desperately naive.

How to compare Peli Pt with anything? There are no beach goers? No families with kids in the water? No swimmers? Etc.

There are forum readers who would not know this and it's a bit misleading information you are presenting here. Let's be fair to them.

The "State Manager" is a heavy weight. That explains a lot. A few calls, maybe a dinner or two, and we are banned

It's is naive to think that doesn't work like that...

How can we have a strong association when no one is the waksa member at my spot? Well, just a few anyway.

Mod - title is misleading. I suggest "Hi I am from WA the W stands for winge and the A"

What about the old fashion baseball bat and gang
mentality.

The locals do it in Hawaii and it works a treat.

Buster fin said...

I frequently surf where kiters are doing down winders, and they are very considerate to me, avoiding me unless my presence catches them off guard..except for one twat, a pro (who should obviously know better) I guess, with his black JEEP kite, who insisted on buzzing me as I paddled for waves. Pr!cks like him will definitely ruin it for the fraternity.
Pull your head in!

funnily enough your the demographic they are chasing. Maybe he though you would figure if I can't beat them I might as well join em.
It probably just goes to show what we as kiters see as doing our own thing and not effecting anyone can be viewed by the general public as dangerous or annoying

I guess I owe to make a few clarifications.
Firstly thank you for the constructive reply to my post from WAKSA.

I am not anti WAKSA and in fact I used to be a member when it started.
The simple fact that it is run by volunteers who obviously have an interest in our sport makes WAKSA a worthwhile association that deserves credit for uniting the kiting community (your sticker is still on my car).

I do however have major concern with the attitude of WAKSA as an "elite club" that appears to become absolutely belligerent towards anyone who doesn't belong to your little club.

The invite to kite stock is a statement in itself with bold red letters proudly claiming that if you are not WAKSA you can't come, you can't participate and you certainly can't kite (shouldn't it be simply an opportunity to meet as many kiters as possible from our great country and a great forum to push forward safety and an opportunity to expand membership to the association).

The same applies to the Rottnest race or the state wave title, all events run by WAKSA as I am fully aware.

As an association of kiters, you should have enough arguments to attract membership by the awesome service provided (cheap public liability insurance, opportunity to mingle with your peers, social events, strength in representation to local authorities....).

However, I definitely feel (I could be wrong here) that instead, WAKSA is pushing for the supreme power of dictating who kites where by mean of approaching all local councils and setting in place agreements for their members only so long as they clearly display their tags (method unfortunately already implemented in Europe from what I read here?).

There has been a steady flow of alarmist post on this forum and a very aggressive tone (vigilante police, you are kidding right???).

I personally have met many friends who visit regularly to enjoy our summer wind from overseas and I don't want them to be banned or pay to play.

There are many valid arguments against segregation (will I be able to register my 9 years old daughter who kites already???).

I just want to see positive measures instead of accepting liabilities for non-existing issues.

"
There has not been a thorough comparative analysis of beach accidents, which would prove kite surfing to be outright dangerous to the public. Obviously, it is not. So there are no bases for bans. ."

I will personally renew my WAKSA membership and voluntary contribute $200 if WAKSA decides to funds the above mentioned research and use it as a valid tool to fight any ban proposal.

There will always be idiots out there and Nazi regime will not make any difference.

loose said...

I think there should be a 'kiting police' crack down on these 'hazards'. Perhaps its worth forming a vigilante type water police crew to monitor the public zones and when something silly happens actually sort it out right there and then. Speak to the culprit on the beach, explain the issues, reprimand and move on.
I would be happy to monitor a 'station' once a month say, or something along those lines.
Maybe it wouldnt work, but something needs to be done. Dont abuse me for this idea if you think its ridiculous, Im just thinking out loud.
As I said, I would be happy to help on a rotation basis if there was some plan put in place.
Who knows, after a season perhaps the message will get through??

Hi Loose,

the principal behind your idea is good, however I don't think its necessary to have a "station". All it takes is for anyone out kiting who sees someone doing the wrong thing to go and have a word to them.

I have been doing this throughout this summer, as I don't want to see any more bans at our metro beaches.

On the whole I have found most people are receptive, occasionally you get a d!ck who wants to take it personally but I have found even with them when you explain
that all you want to do is prevent wholesale bans they come around.

If we all take responsibility and take a few minutes out of our session to stop and speak with the errant kiter this will be a form of self regulation that could help prevent the inevitable.