WA
53 posts
Hey all,
after running into more and more problems, discussions and dangerous situations with kite surfers, in the interest of safety for both sides (windsurfers and kitesurfers) I reckon there is a need for reglementation at Scarborough's Brighton Beach.
Since the beginning of windsurfing at Brighton Beach, windsurfers have launched and sailed at the north end of the carpark, under the life saving tower. This area is highly frequented with windsurfers when the wind conditions are good. It worked well with the kiters because they used to launch their kites and sail at the south side and there were no problems at all. Now it happens more and more that kiters drop into the windsurfing area and it is getting more and more dangerous for all. So it happened this weekend, that a kiter crossed my way, pulled down his kite and touched my mast with his lines – only just missing my head – and of course resulting in me crashing. Little later, another windsurfer was only missed by a meter from a kite falling into the water.
It is important to protect the health and life of both wind and kitesurfers, as well as other people in the water, before something serious happens. In picking up established zones, I ask if it is possible for kitesurfers to move out of the windsurfing zone at the north end of Brighton Beach, whenever windsurfing is on? There is no particular reason for kitesurfing in the small windsurfing area, and the south end is already established and accepted as a kitezone anyway. It should not be a problem for kiters to use the northern area when there is only a light seabreeze. But as soon as the windsurfers go out, kiters should make way and move to the southern kitezone. This might be a step towards our own safety which could avoid future reglementations.
So please consider the danger of the sport and the resulting problems at the spot. We need to stick together in order to keep Brighton Beach safe for all watersports and find a way to preserve a great sailing spot for all to enjoy. Has anyone had similar encounters, any other ideas of how to deal with the situation? And please keep in mind, this thread was not meant as an anti kitesurfing discussion, so please take the issue of safety at Brighton Beach seriously and share your thoughts.
Cheers J
NSW
9029 posts
Attach a sharp blade to the leading edge of your mast and make it your mission to enforce the rules.