Hey everyone just a quick reminder that kiting at any beach in the Waverley council, including Bondi, is prohibited.
We understand it can be tempting but it is the case even when the flags are down and there are few swimmers or surfers. This has been acted many years ago and fully supported by Kiteboarding NSW, as any incident could have bad consequences for the larger kiting community across Sydney beaches. This also means any third-party liability cover would be void there.
We are a minority practicing a fairly risky sport so we need to show we are a responsible bunch to avoid blanket bans. Thanks for your understanding, and please pass the word around if you see anyone not aware of this.
More details: www.kiteboardingnsw.org.au/locations/
Cheers,
Ant
I am surprised these reminders need to be made. I think every kite surfer on the planet knows NOT to kite in Bondi Beach.
Have you got 2 hours to read through this thread? Well worth it, as it's really a touchy topic, because for some the temptation is too great!
All those babes sunning on the beach! Wow... too much attention.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/bondi-rescue
Threads like this should be highlighted on every kiteboarding website in Australia.
Every international kiter that comes here is sure to do a little research before they venture out kiting but it is clear that they don't hit the right pages.
There is also Postman Pat (a local kiter) who also knows damn well that he shouldn't be kiting there but actually goes about talking about his amazing 6:30 sessions at Bondi with newbs at the 1st Car park.
Just curious, and not for a second recommending that people should kite at Bondi. But ... says who?
The council can ban activities on the beach so the no kites of any kind rule on the sign can be invoked there by council officers.
The council has no jurisdiction in the water. You can do whatever you like in the water provided you obey the boating regulations. You could launch somewhere else and cruise on over if you really wanted to.
Good point Gorgo, technically the council has only authority on the land above the mean high water park, and further out at sea is under Roads and Maritime management, which has set the following rules: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/other-boating/sailboarding-kitesurfing.html
Sydney Harbour is specifically declared as a no-go zone but Bondi is not mentioned indeed. So yeah it is more about common-sense/self-regulation to avoid risking to attract any negative attention on the sport, it's just not worth it.
Thanks for your support guys, lofty yes that topic is a good one, also check out this one for a bit of history: www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2300015
Manly beach warning. This post also needs to apply to Manly Beach. Advanced locals do and can kite here as we know when to go out and more importantly when not. But recently backpackers are turning up with no idea of the hazards. They must be told on all forums to go elsewhere. Manly is only for locals who know the place. This is not being a rude 'locals only" post but a real plea. One idiot in the flags, rides thorugh the surf schools, lands on the corso or road, drops their kite on the volley ball games, snags a kid on the beach, a fisherman, upsets the real local surfers, and it's all over. Manly is gusty, can swing off shore fast, rocks will greet you if you drop / lose your kite, and strong rips with the beach launching full of holes.
