I think it would pay to take a closer look at this. Kiters have ridden in areas with pinnipeds all around the world where they occur since kiting started. This is the first time I have heard of a problem.
I have spent little time in the water with them myself. Just a few hours free diving off La Jolla a while back. Still, they struck me as pretty independent and able to look out for themselves. Case in point below. Apparently, this pinnped had ranged out of normal territories. It doesn't look too terrified to me, still it would be good to know more specifics about the UK situation.
More at
http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/K...arder-VS-Seal/
Any other sea lion stories or experiences out there?