(Pardon my spellings - English is my 2nd lang' )
I just wanted to share what happened today on Mon. beach : So wind was perfect, some kite surfers on the water, and as always, my friend and I took his land board & my buggy and hit the beach. As a common sense, we never go on the beach if it's full with ppl and there is no room to breath. Today was not one of those days, right on the shore line, there was some ppl, but the back area was almost completely clear to go. So we decided to roll in a part where ppl almost doesn't even walk, and it was good. Half an hour later, a lifeguard approached me and told me that his boss (Rob - the beach captain and a VERY nice person) told him to ask us to fold the kites. Without any issue, I agree, after all, they only doing their job, why make it harder right
After folding my gear, I decided to go and chat with Rob, see what was the problem/reason to ask us to leave, something that never happened before. I introduce myself and my friend and was told by Rob that earlier this season, he asked his bosses if we're allowed on the beach. He said they told him no, without any reason, without written rule or any exceptions. I explained to him that we're well aware about the beach rules, and still, there is not one word about buggy's nor land boarding. I also told him that whatever he'll decide, we will respect it and obey. Long story short, after show him the area we wanted to use, told him about our experience and background, Rob agree with us and after using some common sense, he let us kite, promising to keep safe of the public, our-self and the rest of the beach goers.
I know how sensitive the kiting issue is on Mon.B and I will never do ANYTHING to risk it and bend us from the beach.
I also wanted to send my Thank You to Rob, for using common sense, be 'on top of things' and still maintain the rules.
I also think that maybe we need to do something about regulate land boarding/Buggies with the rest of the rules. So I took Rob's boss phone number, and I planed to call and ask how can we do that. My guess is that this gear was never an issue before, cause there ware never any rider, trying to do it on this beach (at list to my knowledge).
Just a few weeks ago, I approached a kiter, which was obviously a beginner, and told him to fold, since he kept crushing his kite on the water/beach, using other ppl to grab his kite. He was a nice guy and after telling him the rules, he folded his gear. Self policing is a good thing to keep us on that beach - as long as you do it right + the person you'll approached will cooperate.
Thanks again Rob
Any thoughts ??
....I'm not sure I'm too happy with that at all. I agree that part of the beach is fairly secluded, but it's definitely not empty. People still do walk through it all the time as the parking is all along the beach side so why would people detour around just to go straight to the beach? Crashing a kite, people walking through, not a good combination. I really don't want to bring bad news, but I think Rob was kind of right. It is an unsafe situation. The Montrose grass hill behind the beach might be a much better option if you want to stay close to the city. A whole lot less people. I agree it's tough as hell to avoid people, but I keep a kite length away from anyone downwind of my lines, UNLESS it's a SUP or kayak, where I will pass them briefly and try to make my way away from them for the next pass.
well.....I won't start to make excuses, just say that I did crash (no matter what the reason is, I can only say that I did succeed to avoid the ppl on the beach. NOT GOOD at all in my book, but no harm done.
