Please can it be listed on EVERY site that recommends kite spots that Manly Beach is for very experienced Kiters only. No beginners, no practicing, and no one that's not kited here before!
Today (NNE20+ knots and 1.5 meter swell) I watched an intermediate tourist get dragged to Manly, and have his kite land on the Corso (boardwalk) and 3 others drop their kites in the pack of surfers.
Manly (North Styene) is a very finicky beach, many people around including surf schools, fast waves with short wave period, rips, flags up till 6pm, and a few degrees wind shift creates major holes on the beach.
If we dont self regulate, it it will be banned, (Like the eastern beaches) and/or the local surfers (of which I am one) will be so pissed off they will protest in their own way.
The problem is many tourists (short termers) turn up and go out. When I spoke and tried to warn several kiters today about the conditions, most of them said this was there first time at Manly (and first time in the surf!!!) but still insisted on going out. The idiot that landed his kite on the Corso walked back up the beach and despite several people asking him to pack up and go home - went out again, and again ended up down the beach!
I live, surf and have been kiting at Manly for over 10 years and every year it gets more crowded. Please people- take it of the "places to kite" - it must become a locals only - not out of arrogance, but safety.
Lately I find I have to speak to someone every time its windy at manly. There is always some person who ignores common sense, and thinks its a good place to learn.
These idiots just ignore everyone - and its only a matter of time before manly - and probably a few other NBeach spots are permanently banned.
These guys don't realize that then they wont be able to ever learn to kitesurf, because it would take hours to drive anywhere to do it.
Go surfing somewhere crowded and localism rules the roost. Mess around and expect biffo.
When will local kiters start being hard-arses, cutting lines and stabbing bladders? It may be not far off.
Not advocating localism but I expect it will eventually come.
Meh, to many kiters around allready anyways. Few less wouldnt be too bad.
maybe the surfers should try get casa involved again thatd cull a good 80% of us
I understand what all you guys are talking about.But locals only??? Just remember all you guys kite different spots and areas.We are getting the same thing up here at Newie. Guys see experience kiters and think they can kite there in the same spot. Next thing they drop their kite and can not get them back up and end up in the flags making beach guards pissed.I think if you kite at popular beaches with no idea in the surf you are a **** wit.
If you are learning in the surf go to a back beach and stay clear of everyone. I do believe if we are not careful, kiting will be banned at any patrolled beaches.
Guys totally understand what your saying and clearly those people out recently should not have been. Just interested to hear your thoughts on expereince riders using Manly if they haven't done before? I have been riding for 5 years + mostly in swell, chop and waves in the 2ft - 3ft range in the UK. Haven't got my kit here yet but when I do in a few weeks would like to hit Manly one evening if the wind permits. What are your thoughts on me joining you?!
I know Kitesurf for NSW members have tags to attach to their harnesses, would it not be a good idea for the life guards to check kiters have these before going out (i'm aware they are only out until 6:30pm). I know it's no guarantee of their ability to kite but it does show they have insurance and are an active member of the community. Or as this is only likely to be an incident that occurs in the summer as it's only light late this time of year has anyone approached the lifeguard association to see if the beach can be patrolled later? They would then be able to stop kiters clearly not skilled for the conditions going out + assist any accomplashied riders if they were to get into trouble...as you know it is less likely you'll have an incident but, if your kite comes down in the waves and the lines get tangled doesn't matter how good you are when it's in the air you could be the one in need of some help...
It all sounds like Big Brother to me and a bit of Localism. We Don't Need Registration to Kite or Surf, or Whatever. People get better through experience and help, not through people getting Narckie and aggressive.
Why don't we all get Mellow and go up and offer some help and advice to people who are in need of it. We don't need the Police state to get into Kiteboarding or any other sport. This talk of violence and destruction of private property only ends up with you getting in trouble with Law and the get even mind set, creating to much Bad Vibs. I mean do we want KiteSurfing to go down this path.
This not why I got into KiteSurfing.
Bondi - just don't kite there. Ever.
Manly - just don't kite there. Ever.
Sydney Harbour - just don't kite there. Ever.
