Time to get organized.. stop the b.s. and get some stuff done.

[bryanleighty]

again, I think these are all valid points.. cool that everyone is throwing ideas and scenarios into the pot. Its a complicated matter, no doubt, with tons of possible answers.. but the fact is that if we dont self regulate now, someone will do it for us.

take a look at this and tell me you'd like to have to abide by this crap:
http://www.miamikiteboarding.com/NewRulesforCrandon.htm

Its about developing safe habits from the very beginning and *hoping* those stick.

Sign should be as simple and thorough:

I think there are 3 major points..

1. launch area clear
2. landing and launching kites safely
3. riding safely

something like....(Please edit/add/delete as you feel necessary..)

Keep Launch Areas Clear -
--Park away from beach
--Keep Bar and Lines wrapped on all beached kites

Launch and Land Kites Safely -
--Assist incoming riders land their kites
--Give right-of-way to incoming riders
--Only allow experienced riders launch kites
--Launch and clear the beach as quickly as possible
--Keep a safe distance from the beach on incoming tacks

Ride Safely -
--Helmet and flotation devices recommended for all riders
--Always give right of way to other riders
--Do not perform stunts near the beach line

Some minor suggestions (in italics):



Kite at your own risk and only with proper training.

Keep Launch Areas Clear -
--Park away from beach
--Secure your kite and lines when not riding.

Launch and Land Kites Safely -
--Assist incoming riders land their kites
--Give right-of-way to launching or landing riders
--Only allow experienced riders launch kites
--Launch and clear the beach as quickly as possible
--Stay 200' from shore while riding.

Ride Safely -
--Helmet and flotation devices recommended for all riders
--Always obey right of way rules for kiting
--Do not perform or land tricks within 200' of shore.



200' is only about 2 kite line lengths ... the standard safety distance for kiting if I recall correctly.

[C. Moore]

Don't forget the obvious.

Kite leashes are required!

Oh yeah DUH!

Kite at your own risk and only with proper training.

Keep Launch Areas Clear -
--Park away from beach
--Secure your kite and lines when not riding.
--Always use a kite leash

Launch and Land Kites Safely -
--Stay clear of others on the beach.
--Assist incoming riders land their kites
--Give right-of-way to launching or landing riders
--Only allow experienced riders launch kites
--Launch and clear the beach as quickly as possible
--Stay 200' from shore while riding.

Ride Safely -
--Helmet and flotation devices recommended for all riders
--Always obey right of way rules for kiting
--Do not perform or land tricks within 200' of shore.

Seem reasonable? Seems to me we should just adopt the sign I posted as picture of earlier in the thread.

[amber]

familiarize yourself with the launch area and potential hazards BEFORE launching

[bryanleighty]

Tom.. didnt see that sign earlier .. or maybe this thread is too long and I've just forgotten..

but ... that about nails every topic I think it should. Maybe that should be our basis for a starting point and edit accordingly..

Customize for Skyway and Backside Skyway (could list some known hazzards and maybe a small map of the launch)

And.. the only reason I didnt put an exact # for how far to keep distance to the beach is that sometimes when the beach is clear, its probably OK for a rider to come up for a shoreline tack.. We have to assume that everyone will use their best judgment. Putting an actual number and it seems to me to become a "rule" as opposed to a safety "guideline".. maybe I am just over thinking it ..

This probably falls right into the counter-point to all of this and that is "who the hell has the right to tell me what I can and cant do?".. reasonable question to ask considering this is considered and hyped to be a sport that is all about the individual and limitless boundaries and freeriding and soul searching and all that other crap.

Easy to find valid arguments on both sides.

I just see that fine line between what is a positive way to having people follow the guidelines and what is a negative way in having to tell riders what to they have to do. My vote is for trying to do this in a positive way and if that does not work out.. we might need to get nasty.
:P

when is that next meeting????

Well, basically however it gets worded is fine with me as long as it ends up on a sign

I really don't think enforcing will be much of a problem. Just like asking someone to roll up their lines or secure their kite while their kite is on the beach... if asked nicely most people will do it out of respect for everyone else and more importantly, not to look like a fool when something goes wrong.