Guys, I was just chatting to a fellow kiter/foiler in the UK and it seems local councils there have started banning kite surfing or any water sport even when solo, because and I quote "... it's an extreme sport.... you could get injured and take a bed or resources at the local hospital, which we cannot afford". Fair point (sort of), but it got me thinking...

To avoid our local beaches banning us to kite surf during this pandemic, I suggest the following:

* Beginners to not go kite surfing (those with less than a season of practice), unless you're with a professional instructor as a student or an experienced kiter nearby. Sorry guys, but you're the biggest risk to the majority of us wanting to keep this sport going, as much as possible. A sudden mistake and your inexperience could close us all down. This is especially referring to those that are self learning. Just don't! Not to mention the risk to the public.

* Schools/shops to please contact your local council and educate them on what the sport is about. Kite surfing is essentially a solo sport, where safe distances are most certainly kept once on the water. Locally, we don't congregate or socialise more than two at a time. In fact everyone shouts across the park! Good. When assisted landing and launching is concerned - again there is at least 15 meters distance in most cases and again it's only two people involved. For example, our local council has recently announced they will ban a popular public exercise venue because of Covid19, yet allow walkers access to a particular road and deny access to cyclists and cars. It doesn't make sense. Walkers congregate a lot more than cyclists, and they walk two or three abreast at least and 1/2 meter behind them, another couple of walkers. Cyclists are no longer riding in bunches here and it's strictly 4 bike lengths apart, single file and only two riders - if that. Madness.

My point is, councils are making drastic decisions with little to no consultation, with the community. They can easily say - nah.. kite surfing is non essential and hence you don't need to do it. Businesses rely on this sport to continue.

Lets be vigilant kiters. Lets not take risks unnecessarily and show that our sport is safe 100% of the time. Look out for each other.

A mate in NZ says they have banned all forms of surfing, the reason given is that if you get in trouble on tne water they don't want to tie up emergency services saving you, note the NZ Health Minister caught out mountain biking which is also banned, 2 rules for polies and others.

They're going after easy target things and playing copycat to other countries - meanwhile down my local shopping centre its shopping as usual lots of people everywhere and they'd like to blame 'us' for using up resources ?
Apparently they are going to implement 1 in 1 out 30 minute shopping with goods restiction - watch the ** hit the fan from the Selfish Farqers in our society

Meanwhile - are we being blindsided by something bigger than the virus that de-licing medicine or a Herd dip will fix

SaveTheWhales said..
They're going after easy target things and playing copycat to other countries - meanwhile down my local shopping centre its shopping as usual lots of people everywhere and they'd like to blame 'us' for using up resources ?
Apparently they are going to implement 1 in 1 out 30 minute shopping with goods restiction - watch the ** hit the fan from the Selfish Farqers in our society

Meanwhile - are we being blindsided by something bigger than the virus that de-licing medicine or a Herd dip will fix

I love how they keep saying "shop as normal, don't stock up" too. Ri-iiight...

And just read that UK considering banning any form of exercise thanks to those that have persistently broken the rules..... so dont be tempted to ruin it for everyone

Plummet said..
Kite while you can. The message seems to be fairly similar world wide for stage 4 lockdown.

Stay at home, don't visit anyone.
Only use your car for essential services. IE Food, healthcare.
Stay 2m away from others.
Dont use your car to drive to exercise.
Exercise around your neighborhood.
Walk, cycling is ok.

Don't do any dangerous activities that could lead to emergency services/search and rescue being needed

All sea based sports/activities comes under the possibility of rescue being required therefore it is not ok.

Under the current stage 3 lock down...

So talking to a policeman friend, they have been advised that any sporting activity that is classed as a leisure activity is banned, they would consider kite boarding and windsurfing as just that and definitely not a fitness activity. He also advised that no council has the jurisdiction to decide and that police are too busy to know individual council rules anyway.

He warned they will fine you as a kite flying over the beach can be seen by lots of people and sends the wrong message to the community to self isolate except for essential purposes.

Smithy said..

Plummet said..
Kite while you can. The message seems to be fairly similar world wide for stage 4 lockdown.

Stay at home, don't visit anyone.
Only use your car for essential services. IE Food, healthcare.
Stay 2m away from others.
Dont use your car to drive to exercise.
Exercise around your neighborhood.
Walk, cycling is ok.

Don't do any dangerous activities that could lead to emergency services/search and rescue being needed

All sea based sports/activities comes under the possibility of rescue being required therefore it is not ok.

Under the current stage 3 lock down...

So talking to a policeman friend, they have been advised that any sporting activity that is classed as a leisure activity is banned, they would consider kite boarding and windsurfing as just that and definitely not a fitness activity. He also advised that no council has the jurisdiction to decide and that police are too busy to know individual council rules anyway.

He warned they will fine you as a kite flying over the beach can be seen by lots of people and sends the wrong message to the community to self isolate except for essential purposes.

Not true Smithy, your info is wrong and a classic example of social media misinformation causing undue anxiety and negativity.

As at 6 April, there are four reasons Victorians have to leave their home:
1. shopping for what you need - food and essential supplies,
2. Medical care or compassionate needs,
3. Exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements,
4. Work and study if you can't work or learn remotely

DHHS is the COVID19 control agency in Victoria and has all information re restricted activities on their website, last update to additional restricted activities on link below, hunting, fishing, golf, camping, boating, absolutely no reference to surfing/kitesurfing/windsurfing in any way banned or a restricted activity.

www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19#stay-active

www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/media-release-coronavirus-update-cho-victoria-2-april-2020

You will not be fined for kiting in Victoria, Victoria Police have not been advised that any sporting activity that is classed as a leisure activity is banned, what sport isn't a leisure actvity ? absolute nonsense. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton makes the call on restricted activities including exercise/sports/leisure in Victoria during this period which are detailed in the website above.

Kamikuza said..

Kamikuza said..
Banned in NZ now for sure.

No, the health minister drove 2km to the mountain bike track -- the cycling is ok (LOL) but the driving is not.

Oh not once but twice. And this is the health minister

www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/04/coronavirus-dr-david-clark-demoted-resignation-offered-after-trip-to-beach.html

Not a good look. Cindy is not happy. Aside from not following his own rules he seems to be doing well as health minister. But his ass is out the door and down the road as soon as the pandemic settles down, he knows that.

Wondering if maybe he self-sabotaged? Mentioned a few times he wasn't in the right frame of mind to make the right choices.... I would bet my house he is pulling some massive hours and is probably completely over it.

Bad look though

According to local police, yesterday, kitesurfing is ok. But you can only travel to the closest location to your home. You must say, if asked, you are " kitesurfing for exercise ".
and you have to have all your equipment with you.

numbnuts said..
Out SUP between Chelsea & Edithvale yesterday water popo pulled up along side me & told me from today onwards no SUP or kayaking but swimming ok, WTF?

RAL INN said..
According to local police, yesterday, kitesurfing is ok. But you can only travel to the closest location to your home. You must say, if asked, you are " kitesurfing for exercise ".
and you have to have all your equipment with you.

It's all over the place Council look after beach/land then have Water Police for water Who have there own ruling And then Police who seem to have different opinions. / Ra Inn which area Re local police So far I am not aware of any kiter been fined but they have been warned

NorthernKitesAUS said..
Guys, I was just chatting to a fellow kiter/foiler in the UK and it seems local councils there have started banning kite surfing or any water sport even when solo, because and I quote "... it's an extreme sport.... you could get injured and take a bed or resources at the local hospital, which we cannot afford". Fair point (sort of), but it got me thinking...

To avoid our local beaches banning us to kite surf during this pandemic, I suggest the following:

* Beginners to not go kite surfing (those with less than a season of practice), unless you're with a professional instructor as a student or an experienced kiter nearby. Sorry guys, but you're the biggest risk to the majority of us wanting to keep this sport going, as much as possible. A sudden mistake and your inexperience could close us all down. This is especially referring to those that are self learning. Just don't! Not to mention the risk to the public.

* Schools/shops to please contact your local council and educate them on what the sport is about. Kite surfing is essentially a solo sport, where safe distances are most certainly kept once on the water. Locally, we don't congregate or socialise more than two at a time. In fact everyone shouts across the park! Good. When assisted landing and launching is concerned - again there is at least 15 meters distance in most cases and again it's only two people involved. For example, our local council has recently announced they will ban a popular public exercise venue because of Covid19, yet allow walkers access to a particular road and deny access to cyclists and cars. It doesn't make sense. Walkers congregate a lot more than cyclists, and they walk two or three abreast at least and 1/2 meter behind them, another couple of walkers. Cyclists are no longer riding in bunches here and it's strictly 4 bike lengths apart, single file and only two riders - if that. Madness.

My point is, councils are making drastic decisions with little to no consultation, with the community. They can easily say - nah.. kite surfing is non essential and hence you don't need to do it. Businesses rely on this sport to continue.

Lets be vigilant kiters. Lets not take risks unnecessarily and show that our sport is safe 100% of the time. Look out for each other.

This is sheer hybris!

A kitesurfing or windsurfing beginner doesn't pose more of a risk than those so called" experts" who, too, divert precious medical resources for their rescue, when engaged and injured ( I dare say stupidly ) in extreme sports like windsurfing or kitesurfing in 30 knts winds, bunjee jumping, snowboarding on vertical cliffs, sky-diving from 30,000 ft, mountain climbing without ropes or racing cars at 300 kmh, etc etc .

In the mean time we don't put any restraint to rapacious businesses that reap obscene profits on elderly people by running nursing homes that are irresponsibly and tragically understaffed, with underqualified and underpaid staff, who, for little more than the minimum wage, put their life on the line every minute.

Here in Quebec ( Canada) thirty elderly residents of a plush private nursing home have recently died of the coronavirus due to severe shortage of staff and lack of adequate safety measures, even though the owners charge their residents hefty monthly fees going up to, in some cases, to $ 10,000/mo. And then we have the guts to ban windsurfing or kitesurfing beginners from practising their sport?

Francone

Francone said..

NorthernKitesAUS said..
Guys, I was just chatting to a fellow kiter/foiler in the UK and it seems local councils there have started banning kite surfing or any water sport even when solo, because and I quote "... it's an extreme sport.... you could get injured and take a bed or resources at the local hospital, which we cannot afford". Fair point (sort of), but it got me thinking...

To avoid our local beaches banning us to kite surf during this pandemic, I suggest the following:

* Beginners to not go kite surfing (those with less than a season of practice), unless you're with a professional instructor as a student or an experienced kiter nearby. Sorry guys, but you're the biggest risk to the majority of us wanting to keep this sport going, as much as possible. A sudden mistake and your inexperience could close us all down. This is especially referring to those that are self learning. Just don't! Not to mention the risk to the public.

* Schools/shops to please contact your local council and educate them on what the sport is about. Kite surfing is essentially a solo sport, where safe distances are most certainly kept once on the water. Locally, we don't congregate or socialise more than two at a time. In fact everyone shouts across the park! Good. When assisted landing and launching is concerned - again there is at least 15 meters distance in most cases and again it's only two people involved. For example, our local council has recently announced they will ban a popular public exercise venue because of Covid19, yet allow walkers access to a particular road and deny access to cyclists and cars. It doesn't make sense. Walkers congregate a lot more than cyclists, and they walk two or three abreast at least and 1/2 meter behind them, another couple of walkers. Cyclists are no longer riding in bunches here and it's strictly 4 bike lengths apart, single file and only two riders - if that. Madness.

My point is, councils are making drastic decisions with little to no consultation, with the community. They can easily say - nah.. kite surfing is non essential and hence you don't need to do it. Businesses rely on this sport to continue.

Lets be vigilant kiters. Lets not take risks unnecessarily and show that our sport is safe 100% of the time. Look out for each other.

This is sheer hybris!

A kitesurfing or windsurfing beginner doesn't pose more of a risk than those so called" experts" who, too, divert precious medical resources for their rescue, when engaged and injured ( I dare say stupidly ) in extreme sports like windsurfing or kitesurfing in 30 knts winds, bunjee jumping, snowboarding on vertical cliffs, sky-diving from 30,000 ft, mountain climbing without ropes or racing cars at 300 kmh, etc etc .

In the mean time we don't put any restraint to rapacious businesses that reap obscene profits on elderly people by running nursing homes that are irresponsibly and tragically understaffed, with underqualified and underpaid staff, who, for little more than the minimum wage, put their life on the line every minute.

Here in Quebec ( Canada) thirty elderly residents of a plush private nursing home have recently died of the coronavirus due to severe shortage of staff and lack of adequate safety measures, even though the owners charge their residents hefty monthly fees going up to, in some cases, to $ 10,000/mo. And then we have the guts to ban windsurfing or kitesurfing beginners from practising their sport?

Francone

This was my initial thought too.

But then where do you stop with what you allow as acceptible?

Is surfing acceptible? at first site it is... but closer looking reveals a line up of dudes can be closer than 2m away from each other.
What about swimming in the ocean? what about hunting at in the wild? ....

The reality is that they need simple rules or the majority would just be heading out as per normal. Also the rules are for the lowest common denominator. For the newbie that might get injured. How can you police against who is or isnt experienced enough to be allowed to kitesurf? the police cant they dont know.

Go for walk or ride a bike around the your neighborhood. Thats easy for police to police.


Luckily for my I also mountain bike and have trails in my neigborhood. So,,,, i can continue one of my sport. Albeit at a reduced risk level.

tomasb said..

Francone said..

NorthernKitesAUS said..
Guys, I was just chatting to a fellow kiter/foiler in the UK and it seems local councils there have started banning kite surfing or any water sport even when solo, because and I quote "... it's an extreme sport.... you could get injured and take a bed or resources at the local hospital, which we cannot afford". Fair point (sort of), but it got me thinking...

To avoid our local beaches banning us to kite surf during this pandemic, I suggest the following:

* Beginners to not go kite surfing (those with less than a season of practice), unless you're with a professional instructor as a student or an experienced kiter nearby. Sorry guys, but you're the biggest risk to the majority of us wanting to keep this sport going, as much as possible. A sudden mistake and your inexperience could close us all down. This is especially referring to those that are self learning. Just don't! Not to mention the risk to the public.

* Schools/shops to please contact your local council and educate them on what the sport is about. Kite surfing is essentially a solo sport, where safe distances are most certainly kept once on the water. Locally, we don't congregate or socialise more than two at a time. In fact everyone shouts across the park! Good. When assisted landing and launching is concerned - again there is at least 15 meters distance in most cases and again it's only two people involved. For example, our local council has recently announced they will ban a popular public exercise venue because of Covid19, yet allow walkers access to a particular road and deny access to cyclists and cars. It doesn't make sense. Walkers congregate a lot more than cyclists, and they walk two or three abreast at least and 1/2 meter behind them, another couple of walkers. Cyclists are no longer riding in bunches here and it's strictly 4 bike lengths apart, single file and only two riders - if that. Madness.

My point is, councils are making drastic decisions with little to no consultation, with the community. They can easily say - nah.. kite surfing is non essential and hence you don't need to do it. Businesses rely on this sport to continue.

Lets be vigilant kiters. Lets not take risks unnecessarily and show that our sport is safe 100% of the time. Look out for each other.

This is sheer hybris!

A kitesurfing or windsurfing beginner doesn't pose more of a risk than those so called" experts" who, too, divert precious medical resources for their rescue, when engaged and injured ( I dare say stupidly ) in extreme sports like windsurfing or kitesurfing in 30 knts winds, bunjee jumping, snowboarding on vertical cliffs, sky-diving from 30,000 ft, mountain climbing without ropes or racing cars at 300 kmh, etc etc .

In the mean time we don't put any restraint to rapacious businesses that reap obscene profits on elderly people by running nursing homes that are irresponsibly and tragically understaffed, with underqualified and underpaid staff, who, for little more than the minimum wage, put their life on the line every minute.

Here in Quebec ( Canada) thirty elderly residents of a plush private nursing home have recently died of the coronavirus due to severe shortage of staff and lack of adequate safety measures, even though the owners charge their residents hefty monthly fees going up to, in some cases, to $ 10,000/mo. And then we have the guts to ban windsurfing or kitesurfing beginners from practising their sport?

Francone

If you're going to use pretentious words, it would look more 'impressive' (I take it that's your goal), if you spell them correctly. Hubris.

P.S. Thanks so much for letting us dumb f*ks know Quebec is in Canada. I always wondered.....

I had humis on a kebab once. Didn't like it

Glad I'm not the only one who had a negative reaction to Francone's post. It didn't get off to a good start then quickly descended into a typical conspiracy theorist's rant bringing in loads of irrelevant information.

And I like the idea of hybris being a form of battery powered hubris. Only of use when accelerating, though.

Fck Tards like this will get us all banned from the water.