Don't have that problem with the poley's up here.........




we're on a different level...........

I thought, I'm out to kite, not to fight

Good on you mate, not sure I would have had so much self control! If you witness abuse again try to get it on video or something and maybe we can report it to authorities or at least get them to calm down.

As far as I know there is no regulation against kiting down there, apart from the the wildlife sanctuary indeed, been there a few times myself with friends, but I'll double check and update the map on NSWKBA website if needed.

Cheers,
Ant
NSWKBA President 2014/2015

AntoineS said..

I thought, I'm out to kite, not to fight

Good on you mate, not sure I would have had so much self control! If you witness abuse again try to get it on video or something and maybe we can report it to authorities or at least get them to calm down.

As far as I know there is no regulation against kiting down there, apart from the the wildlife sanctuary indeed, been there a few times myself with friends, but I'll double check and update the map on NSWKBA website if needed.

Cheers,
Ant
NSWKBA President 2014/2015

Thanks for weighing in, Ant - was hoping for a NSWKBA ruling on this. If the concern is the wildlife sanctuary, its representation on the map could be clearer; it appears somewhat haphazard and arbitrary. Are the minimum approach distances, in fact, different for kites vs. other sailcraft?

Keep up the good work!

no... windsurfing on the Bay is not restricted. You have to think of when a kite does get out of control it could end up over the bridge, runway etc. with catastrophic consequences.
The pic is mainly to show the areas in red that are no kite zones... Sailing club areas are restricted as well.
Also I understand that the kites were on Port and Windsurfers on Starboard......... Basic sailing rules apply for any sailing craft recreational or racing etc. Hence a reaction from the windsurfers.
I think we might all agree that common sense should apply

skatesailing said...
Ant,

Since your the president of NSWKBA, shouldn't you know this has been a No Kite Zone since 2012, It's not very smart that
the president been kiting in a No kite Zone!!

And the instructor should know better not to be teaching in that area, And when instructing new kiter's to the sport, Explain to
them the basic sailing rules Port and Starboard.

There is plenty of area to sail in botany bay, Let's enjoy the waterways and keep to the rules!!

People will be making video's or photo's of any kites in the No kite Zone and be reported to the National parks and wildlife services.

Can you explain where it says Kites are banned?? the NSWKBA only says "please don't kite here for the nature reserve"... The Towra Point reserve Sanctuary Zone doesn't include the area here.... The Refuge zone doesn't really mean much and covers a large area that a lot of boats/windsurfers/kites use.. It mainly relates to fishing in the area..

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/503502/Towra-Point_web.PDF

Fez said...
To clarify this the "no Kite Zone" is the area South of Pelican point channel marker.
That means no kites allowed.

From the nswkba map it looks like there's a slither of water on the very southern edge that's not in the red zone.. Once I figure out how to launch from the mangroves and I'll have a sweet flat water spot in a SE..

skatesailing said..

And the instructor should know better not to be teaching in that area

FYI: It was 2010

Mark50 said...
Despite all of the discussion above, can anyone actually point to the DPI or NSW Maritime regs that "ban kiting" in any area of the Bay and lower Georges River other than the height restriction around the airport that applies to all vessels?

I've searched the DPI, NSW Maritime and some other websites and none restrict kiting in the area where this incident took place.

Other than following normal navigation rules and basic courtesy (that apply to all boaters - including windsurfers), I'd tell them to pull thier head in!

Beyond a note on NSWKBA saying "please don't kite here" absolutely nothing..

Mark50 said..
Perhaps someone from the NSWKBA can explain their note? If it is to do with the Aquatic Reserve then it should apply just as much to windsurfers and other boaters surely? But the DPI gazette notice does not exclude any boating...

At the end of the day everyone's just wasted all this time huffing and puffing when you should of been out on the water.
Unless RMS instruct you kite away. DPI cant restrict you as unless you directly affect the wildlife or vegetation. So everyone pull your heads in and calm down its a long summer, and life's too short.

unless your running 60cm + fins on your kiteboard there is no reason to be anywhere near sailboarders.

The slalom guys around Georges river, know how much water they need and where it is.
If you stay east near the mangroves, even on a southerly, its happy days.

JBFletch said..
unless your running 60cm + fins on your kiteboard there is no reason to be anywhere near sailboarders.

The slalom guys around Georges river, know how much water they need and where it is.
If you stay east near the mangroves, even on a southerly, its happy days.

Hi JB
Could you please explain why having 60 cm + fins give you any more or less rights on the water
Having long fins definitely does not give you the right to be rude and aggressive
I suggest that you and every one else sailing in this area have a read of this document

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/maritime/licence/boating-handbook.pdf

All the best
Ian

Hi JB
It is very admirable that you are trying to keep the peace but I really think you focus is way off the mark.
The kiteboarder in this inccedent had done nothing wrong and if the WSers had approached him in a polite and respectful manner I am positive he would have been happy to move closer to the mangroves.
Unfortunately the windsurfers behaved in what I would consider a completely unexceptable way by swearing and behaving aggressively. They where the ones trying to create a fight.
I am of the opinion that the purpose of the boating handbook is to keep all water users safe.
I think the point that you tried to make about the PFD is similar to the point I made about high speeds close to the shore but you are trying to say that this makes the boating Handbook irrelevant. No that is not the case I can get to that are and never be more than 400m from the shore. All of us who sail in that area are bending the rules to a degree and should therefore shut up and have fun

I really do feel that your energys and influence as North/windginuity representative would be far better served by explaining to your windsurfer mates and customer that aggressive behavior is unexceptable.

JBFletch said..

I doubt it very much if anyone in the georges river area, blew up for nothing.

Exactly what I was thinking; from the sailboarders' behaviour I thought we had broken some cardinal rule of waterway usage, or done something heinous. Having never kited that spot before, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and left. I started this thread looking for clarification.

Both the NSWKBA president and myself have looked into the legality of kiting in that area, by contacting relevant authorities. In short, NSW Fisheries don't care, Roads & Maritime are cool, and so are National Parks, as long as we stay out of the Sanctuary Zone. The area in question is in the Refuge Zone, so it is legal to kite there. If there are any other authorities capable of regulating/enforcing usage of waterways, let me know and I'll call them up too.

Fez said..
To clarify this the "no Kite Zone" is the area South of Pelican point channel marker.
That means no kites allowed.

If you could provide a source for this claim, that would be great.

skatesailing said..

People will be making video's or photo's of any kites in the No kite Zone and be reported to the National parks and wildlife services.

According to my research, this will be a waste of your time and theirs.


http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/503502/Towra-Point_web.PDF

The NSWKBA kite locations map only roughly delineates the Sanctuary Zone in red, and there is overlap into the Refuge Zone. Claims that it is 'illegal' to kite in the Refuge Zone, or that it is a No-Kite Zone, based on the NSWKBA map are without merit, given that none of the authorities mentioned above have a problem with it. A Google Map is certainly no basis for engaging in abusive and threatening behaviour.

Seems a bit rough on the sailboarders to conclude that they were that hostile simply because they didn't want to share their spot with kiters, but that's about all I'm left with at this stage. I'm all for keeping the peace, and I'd like to see some co-operation when we share the water. I'm prepared to keep a respectful distance, and to pass on whatever side you want. Just give us a go; if we stuff it up, inform us politely, if we still can't get it right then maybe start screaming abuse. Just don't do it from the word go; that's not cool.

I appreciate all the input. Merry Christmas to all water sports enthusiasts! (except jet-skiers; they can go to buggery)

patto1987 said...
Nice work @the general.. forecast could be good to kite there after lunch today?? Keen??

Yeah no it could be worth a look, although tide will be high. I'll head down around 12:00 - 12:30, so if you're up for it I'll see you there!