...and give away more of my money,time and rights to somebody who thinks they, more than anybody else has the authority to say what i do and what i dont do...? yor kidding right.
sorry had to be said.. silly question really.

I have also posted this in "we are our own worst enemy"

"I agree, something must be done, unfortunately I am not in a position of power...

My humble request to those in power, directing the future of our amazing sport/recreation/hobby/pass time;
Please don't penalize those of us that take responsibility for our own actions by making sure we know the rules,
making sure we assess the conditions and location and equipment,
making sure we keep ourselves and OTHERS safe,
And essentially keeping our commonsense and logic intact whilst ripping it up and having the time of our lives...
(all the stuff you are taught in your lesson..NO.1 being safety)

Instead;
Find a way of penalizing those of us that are the opposite to the above, whom plead ignorance despite being human and from planet earth like the rest of us that make the effort."

Registration and or Imposing fees and hurdles to jump over for all kiters is doing exactly that. Penalizing those of us that already act responsibly

I think it would be cool if we had kiteboarding clubs at popular locations eg. Safetybay, Melville, pinaroo,Geraldton. Like what they have with surfing, (board riders clubs). Then let the clubs control and enforce local rules and guidelines. Let the club teach lessons on local safety and knowledge that perhaps isn't getting past on by kite shops after you complete your lessons. Then through out summer could have in house competitions and maybe verse other clubs from different locations and get a bit of history and pride of your kiting location where ever it may be.

Go hit the beach and kite, stop over thinking it and have fun...

If you want rules and regulations go join your local council. Better yet, go down to your local coast guard/ bowls club/ or SLSC and get into they're politics.

Elroy Jetson said...

I think most kiters would agree that any type of restriction would suck.

However losing access to the local beaches would suck a hundred times more.

Elroy, you're going in the right direction....

heyjoe said...

Registration and or Imposing fees and hurdles to jump over for all kiters is doing exactly that. Penalizing those of us that already act responsibly

I agree wholeheartedly.
I reckon all drivers on our roads who act responsibly should be exempt from having to get drivers licences; third party insurance or registration of their vehicles.

Sorry heyjoe - the sentiment is sound - the practicality just doesnt cut it.

PAULIE2011 said...

I think it would be cool if we had kiteboarding clubs at popular locations eg. Safetybay, Melville, pinaroo,Geraldton. Like what they have with surfing, (board riders clubs). Then let the clubs control and enforce local rules and guidelines. Let the club teach lessons on local safety and knowledge that perhaps isn't getting past on by kite shops after you complete your lessons. Then through out summer could have in house competitions and maybe verse other clubs from different locations and get a bit of history and pride of your kiting location where ever it may be.

WAKSA/AKSA and all the other state KSA's that now control AKSA have been pushing for local beach user groups for years.
All state KSA's would be stoked to have local kiters band together and register as a 'local club'. There is even provision for these local groups to be funded from AKSA annual fees.
All it takes is for locals to rally other locals to form these groups and apply to their state KSA (or AKSA) for registration.
Its been obvious for years that this is the way-to-go for self regulation and control. There just hasnt been enough action or enthusiasm from kiters to get it happening. Perhaps now is the time. A few leaflets distributed at your local for a few weeks advertising the formation of a local group at a social evening gathering is all it takes. Great for kiting - great for socialising - great for giving locals some measure of authority to spread the gospel to newcomers.

Melville Kiters did it way back in 2005 and have saved that beach from certain closure despite the fact that locals havent supported the group for at least 3 years. Luckily for the current day Melville kiers WAKSA has managed to bridge the gap - so far.

Kite Clubs are the future. Its the logical next step from state KSA's forming a board to run AKSA. A 3 tier federation ie AKSA - State KSA's - Local Clubs is THE way to keep kiting free and accessable. Only locals can take the third step. The rest has been done for you.

Juddys idea of the local police is a great one - perhaps the only one. BUT it wont work unless they are backed by; and accepted as representatives of the majority of locals through the cooperative action of a "local beach user group' or club. Call it whatever you like. Its up to you. Act or loose it. The writing has been on the wall for years.

puppetonastring said...

PAULIE2011 said...

I think it would be cool if we had kiteboarding clubs at popular locations eg. Safetybay, Melville, pinaroo,Geraldton. Like what they have with surfing, (board riders clubs). Then let the clubs control and enforce local rules and guidelines. Let the club teach lessons on local safety and knowledge that perhaps isn't getting past on by kite shops after you complete your lessons. Then through out summer could have in house competitions and maybe verse other clubs from different locations and get a bit of history and pride of your kiting location where ever it may be.

WAKSA/AKSA and all the other state KSA's that now control AKSA have been pushing for local beach user groups for years.
All state KSA's would be stoked to have local kiters band together and register as a 'local club'. There is even provision for these local groups to be funded from AKSA annual fees.
All it takes is for locals to rally other locals to form these groups and apply to their state KSA (or AKSA) for registration.
Its been obvious for years that this is the way-to-go for self regulation and control. There just hasnt been enough action or enthusiasm from kiters to get it happening. Perhaps now is the time. A few leaflets distributed at your local for a few weeks advertising the formation of a local group at a social evening gathering is all it takes. Great for kiting - great for socialising - great for giving locals some measure of authority to spread the gospel to newcomers.

Melville Kiters did it way back in 2005 and have saved that beach from certain closure despite the fact that locals havent supported the group for at least 3 years. Luckily for the current day Melville kiers WAKSA has managed to bridge the gap - so far.

Kite Clubs are the future. Its the logical next step from state KSA's forming a board to run AKSA. A 3 tier federation ie AKSA - State KSA's - Local Clubs is THE way to keep kiting free and accessable. Only locals can take the third step. The rest has been done for you.

Juddys idea of the local police is a great one - perhaps the only one. BUT it wont work unless they are backed by; and accepted as representatives of the majority of locals through the cooperative action of a "local beach user group' or club. Call it whatever you like. Its up to you. Act or loose it. The writing has been on the wall for years.

How do I add myself to this Melville kite club?

I live on a corner,,,,,see about 30 cars a day put their foot down and slide sideways around the corner,,,they have licenses,pay rego and insurance but it still dosent stop them from being d!cks.

I think once you start licencing/registration it may give who ever enforces them to make even more rules. Like, cant kite unless wearing a helmet,impact vest,lifejacket, ect.

in political theory, it's called the social contract. google it.

or as zelman cowen put it, your right to swing your fist ends just short of the other bloke's nose.

i'm entitled to kite/climb/jump/ski/fly as close to the edge as i care to. F/O, it's my life. but the fishos/swimmers/dog-walkers/poleys/other kiters are entitled to do what they want without my risk-taking compromising their freedom.

where i kite over east, it's a big day with 5 kites, and we get along just fine. darwin, same thing. perth - crazy.

if kiters don't take the initiative, it'll get done to us.

local enforcement needs teeth to work.

otherwise, find an empty beach and do your thing.

"5) required to have a registration number on a kite - for when someone fk's up...."

Yeah sure. Another $100 for printing the rego number on the kite
and all the hassle to transfer registration to a new owner if you sell on the
kite after a year. (which I assume would not be for free either)

Kites are not boats and some people choose to replace every year.
So that's a significant cost factor.

The quoted suggestion is completly unsensible and one have to wonder if the person making such a suggestion even kites or will be one of the beneficiaries of the cost.

Regulate yourselves or be regulated.
Take control or be controlled.

If it comes with some decent personal injury accident insurance (not the pathetic third party rubbish dressed up that is currently on 'offer')- i am in.

Mind you - this has all been talked about a number of times before.

Sorry guys but as I predicted, the majority of replies are all coming from an idealistic dream world... 'No regulation, free beaches for all etc etc'... News Flash - 'ALL' includes the non kiting public too and they have rights and a voice (with more numbers than ours) too....

Comments from the eastern states on a WA posed question and issue ranged as follows..

"...and give away more of my money,time and rights to somebody who thinks they, more than anybody else has the authority to say what i do and what i dont do...? yor kidding right.
sorry had to be said.. silly question really."

"Go hit the beach and kite, stop over thinking it and have fun..."

"If you want rules and regulations go join your local council. Better yet, go down to your local coast guard/ bowls club/ or SLSC and get into they're politics."

" NO No an NO !
I thought Qld was the Nanny state, its a disease this nannyism an its widespread.....this is a prime example !
Just stay out of the flags.....its not that hard !"

Nice one guys, I guess it'll not affect you - access or no access

Does it really need to be said that we are NOT living in an ideal world?? Open your eyes! FFS....

It is obvious that the current 'live and let live' attitude is not going to work in the longer term. Just look around you every time you go out. It will only take one big accident involving an innocent bystander...

At least Juddy and WAKSA are looking to preserve what has been fought hard for over the years. Credit to them for looking at solutions.

Like it or not, the numbers of couldn't give a fu##! idiots are on the rise. What is currently being done is NOT working or we would not be having this discussion! If I see something stupid happening, I talk to whoever is involved on the beach, I don't ignore it, wait till I come home and start crying and sniping on a forum. Certain other kiters talk to others on the beach also, but we are in obviously in the minority because the message is NOT getting through.. Ever heard the expression 'farting against thunder'?

Is there an easy solution? NO. Is credit due to the people who are trying to find that workable solution??.... Without a doubt.

As junglist just said: “Regulate yourselves or be regulated. Take control or be controlled”.

Again, what would you prefer? - To kite, or reminisce about the 'old days'?

Registration for kiters, got be be a windup.
OK i'll bite, Im sure there are very few kiters that are going out there deliberately breaking rules and kiting between the flags just to piss people off. I recon most of them would be blow ins from Europe, where they don't have the same SLS as we do in OZ. They find out about local rules and regs from the internet. WAKSA can help this situation by updating there web site so that when you click on locations you get something more useful than a msg saying its coming soon.
Education is the answer not registration. Make it easier for overseas visitors to get the correct information.
Think I ll be cancelling my membership with WAKSA if they start supporting registration.

Subculture said...
As junglist just said: “Regulate yourselves or be regulated. Take control or be controlled”.

Too true.

James said...


They were disciplined in the most effective way possible , in the hip pocket, confiscate gear too, from those who display little or no regard for public safety. That's what we need here,the council to take action and dish up stiff fines.

I agree. Perhaps WAKSA can liaise with rangers and clubbies on this...?