Awesome! I never really kite there but it looks like the waves aren't too bad (for the bay!). Might have to try it, when was this?
I might start windsurfing Sputnick, or just surfing again these guys are crazyyyy! And not crazy in a fun way, more like - dude go wear your bus pants over there..
Nice pics by the way :)
LMAO - windsurfing.... If you think windsurfing isn't political just do a search for insurance within VIC windsurfing.............
Anyways ....
I spoke to my old mate Huey last night on the whale-bone phone and he said he was so pleased to see so many kiters having fun in 13 knots at Mentone that he was going to give us another whole week of it!!, maybe mixed in with some rain to wash your kites.
But he said if there are enough red-thumbs on this post he was going to give the same for the whole of Feb!!
Learners have to learn. Provided they have had proper instruction to begin with I think it's safer to be around other kiters. I agree that the beaches along the SE of the bay don't have much area for landing and launching, are generally crowded with other beach goers and when onshore are difficult to get out. There are other safer places to learn in Melbourne like Apex Park at Altona and Brighton.
It is frustrating when people (not just learners) keep their kites at 12pm, especially when the wind is light or the kiting area limited and you can't get around them. I have had a quiet word with people who do this afterwards and many don't even realise it creates an issue and once mentioned are happy to try and do less of it.
As for liability etc. I'm no lawyer, but it is a grey area and let's put it this way; if you call yourselves a club and act like a club through selling merchandise, inviting people to events at specific locations and times to kite and then offer some advice on kiting, you are crossing a thin liability line and if something went wrong you could be exposed.
We looked into setting up a proper registered kiting group here in Melbourne last year but the cost of insurance, council permits, lifeguards, first aid qualified people, risk assessments and more would have meant we'd have to charge people $30 to come and kite at a location that they could otherwise kite at free on their own.
I like the community MKH is building - but you guys do unfortunately need to consider what legal entity you want to be and how much you want to 'care' / be responsible for your members.