Montrose 2012

[skysurfr]

The rules for 2012 remain unchanged.

If you are new or need a refresher, please visit the "where to ride" section of the main website here. It's back in the website not here in the message boards.

streamers- Windward has a few left and we will replenish he supply as needed.

signs- The signs verbiage is in the hands of the Park District legal department. If they approve, then expect a few signs to reinforce the rules.

The Supt. has requested that our good relationship with the dog people and bird people continue. Thanks for your cooperation. Avoid the dog beach and bird area.

Paul, Adrien, and Maurice have offered their assistance. Please contact any of us if you have questions or comments.

Have fun...stay safe!


Mike

[adseguy]

Don't forget the Kayak and SUP people. I had a little talk with a worker at Chicago Kayak. We need to do our best to stay away from them when they are out.

[skysurfr]

...and we are back in the "Open Season".

The beaches open this weekend and the guards will be out. They are expecting to see streamers. Stay out of the swim areas if you're allowed to ride while they are open. If you're new, please re-read all the rules on this site and then ask for a briefing from a veteran rider.

We did have a Spring meeting with the PArk District and they are very aware of our responsibilities and agreement.

Let's have another safe season.

Mike

[skysurfr]

Our website:

1. Only PASA Level II (or similar IKO) kitesurfers may ride Montrose Beach.
2. You must have a city-issued kite streamer attached to your kite.
3. Safety Equipment must be used including an attached Kite Safety Leash.
4. 100 foot minimum Safety Zone from kite. Remain clear of people, piers etc.
5. Kiteboarding allowed upwind the swimming area only.
6. Teaching is not allowed at any time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Park District Website:

Kiteboarding/Windsurfing Rules and Protocol
1. Only PASA Level II (Intermediate) or IKO Level 3‐L Certified Kiteboarders will be
allowed to kite at Montrose Beach. This prohibits teaching kiteboarding or flying
“traction” kites with students on Montrose Beach. All local Kiteboarders must
obtain a Kite Streamer which identifies them as certified. Visitors will be able to
exchange their certification cards for a day use streamer (subject to CPD
approval).
2. All Kiteboarders will follow generally accepted Kiteboarding Safety Practices
and use attached Kite Safety Leashes. (No grab handles) 100 Foot Safety Zone
from Occupied Beaches, Piers, and other Facilities while riding.
3. Kiteboarding allowed when bathing/swimming areas are closed due to high
wind and wave conditions.
4. Kiteboarding may be allowed by the Captain of the Guards at other times.
(Cool Weather, low beach attendance, etc)
STREAMER SYSTEM
Kiteboarders wishing to use Montrose Beach will obtain a kite streamer from
www.chicagokitesurfing.com or, if available, at the lifeguard house at Montrose.
The streamer will be flown from the kite or pigtail. The Streamer will identify the
Kiteboarder as a Certified Rider who meets the minimum certification standard
for Montrose Beach.
GOLD‐ Friends of the Beach. 5 Gold streamers were issued to Kiteboarders
willing to assist others in the use of Montrose Beach. They will also be available
to assist the Guards and answer their questions or concerns about Kiteboarding.
RED‐ IKO Certified and Insured Kiteboarder. Certified to IKO Level 3‐L or better.
BLUE‐ PASA or IKO Certified as has always been required. PASA Level II or IKO
Level 3‐L.
IMPORTANT NOTE: WINDSURFERS WISHING TO ACCESS THE LAKE MICHIGAN WATER
TRAIL MAY DO SO AT ANY TIME. PLEASE SEE “LAKE MICHIGAN WATER TRAIL (PADDLE
SPORTS)” ON THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING INFORMATION
AND SAFETY FOR THE LAKE MICHIGAN WATER TRAIL.
It is important that you follow these general guidelines while kiteboarding/windsurfing:
Kiteboarding and windsurfing require strong swimming abilities, training, and common
sense. Don’t forget that you could be seriously injured or killed after hitting any surface
(including water and sand) while participating on this sport. So before you launch, look
into the distance for potential problems before it’s too late. Never go airborne near
shallow water or near fixed or floating objects because it is dangerous. Once you get
into the air it will be difficult to control exactly where you go, and strong winds can
always force you into a direction that you did not anticipate.
First, to help maximize safety you should always check the weather forecast, color
radar, real‐time wind reports on‐line for storms and excessively gusty winds, wind
direction changes and lightning hazards because all of these can mean big trouble if they
happen while you’re airborne. Do not kiteboard or windsurf when storms are
approaching. Remember that storm fronts are very dangerous because they are often
preceded by strong, variable wind gusts and lightening. If you feel a static shock from
the kite bar, you must land the kite immediately and seek shelter (don’t forget that you
can get electrocuted).
Second, kite surfing must be done in wide‐open areas. Never kite surf in crowded areas,
near rocks, trees, or power lines. In general there should be a minimum of 100 yards of
safe distance from all hazards.
Finally, using the right gear is essential for safe kite surfing. Helmets and impact vests
save lives. You should also wear appropriate exposure clothing for conditions because
you could become disabled and be stuck there for a while. Never remove or disable
factory‐installed safety equipment or releases – it’s there for a reason. Read all
instructions and warnings that accompanies your gear. Using too large a kite for the
wind conditions or your experience level is extremely dangerous, so underpowered
riding is preferable to overpowered riding. When in doubt, go to a smaller kite and see
how it goes. Always stay within the wind range specified by the manufacturer for the
kite. Carry a safety knife attached to the harness for cutting tangled lines. This could
save your life if you become disabled in Lake Michigan.
And remember that most accidents happen when landing or launching, so keep your
eyes open and stay alert!
SEE MORE INFORMATION AT
http://www.chicagokitesurfing.com

[skysurfr]

I was informed today that signs for Montrose are locked up in the legal department.

Unbelievable.

We may have another meeting in short order. There's a new head of Beach and Pool.

Mike

[skysurfr]

Chicago beach-goers will be setting their own bacteria thresholds this summer as the city's Park District does away with its frequent swim bans based onE. colicounts. Would-be swimmers will still get advisories up and down the lakefront letting them know if bacteria levels exceed federal water quality standards set by theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But lifeguards will not stop people from wading in if tests show the level of E. coli bacteria has hit a higher mark. "We found those standards to be too restrictive and prone to errors," said Cathy Breitenbach, director of lakefront operations for the Park District.

[skysurfr]

New for the 2012 beach season, the Chicago Park District will provide beach goers with real-time water quality results at 16 out of 24 designated swim beaches, beginning with the start of swim season on Friday, May 25 and running through Monday, Sept. 3.

Real-time water quality results will be obtained using predictive modeling, which uses weather data to predict bacteria levels in real-time. This method improves the accuracy of water quality information provided to the public and reflects the most current conditions instead of conditions at the time of the most recent test, often the previous day. Predictive modeling has been used successfully at several other Great lakes beaches and is supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

The Park District installed high-tech monitoring equipment at several beaches in 2011 that collected data on weather and water conditions such as wave height, water temperature, rainfall, and wind speed. Over the winter, the Park District worked with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to build statistical models that use weather data to predict bacteria levels in real-time.

“The Chicago Park District strives to integrate the latest technology in our efforts to manage and maintain the health of our beaches,” said Michael P. Kelly, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO. “With more than 20 million patrons visiting our beaches each summer, we work to provide the most accurate information in a timely fashion, while also searching for ways to keep our beaches healthy for all to enjoy.”

Additionally, the Park District will no longer follow a three-tiered system for issuing swim advisories and bans based on water quality test results. Instead, like all other beaches in Illinois, the Park District will continue to follow USEPA guidance and issue swim advisories when E. coli results are above the federal water quality criteria. The Park District will no longer issue swim bans based on test results at a higher threshold. Several years of intensive data collection and analysis has shown that this policy was too restrictive and prone to inaccurate results. Swim bans will continue to be issued for any hazard at a beach, including sewer overflows, lightning, dangerous waves or weather related risks. The Park District will continue to test the beaches for bacteria every day to ensure that the models are working properly and will continue to refine the models. Swim advisories will continue to be posted based on testing results at the beaches without working models.

White board signs will be posted near lifeguard posts in efforts to provide more information to the public that will detail real-time test results based on predictive models, test results based on laboratory testing, water temperature and the reason for any swim action posted for that day.

The following flag notification system tells patrons the current status of beaches:

Green Flag – Swimming is permitted. Water is calm and quality is safe based on current monitoring for E. Coli bacteria.

Yellow Flag – Advisory is in effect. Caution is advised. Water and weather conditions are unpredictable. Restrictions may be implemented. Increased risk of illness may be present based on current monitoring for E. Coli bacteria.

Red Flag – Swim ban in effect due to severe weather and/or water conditions, which may be hazardous.

There are several known causes of high E. Coli bacteria counts in the lake water, which include high temperatures, heavy rainfall, waste from gulls or other wildlife, and swimmers themselves. The public can help reduce bacteria levels by not feeding birds, not littering, and putting small children in waterproof swim diapers.

The following additional beach mitigation initiatives are currently in place to reduce probable bacteria sources:
• Daily beach maintenance includes recycling and trash pick-up and beach combing with cutting-edge technology, introduced in 2009. A set of two surf rakes that act similar to agricultural cultivators used to plow fields, dig four inches into the beach sand, whereas the former comb only skimmed the surface at a quarter of an inch. Studies suggest that near shore sand helps cultivate and trap E. Coli that eventually may get leached into recreational waters. Referred to as the Chicago Rakes, these beach combers dig deeper into the sand exposing the bacteria to UV light and oxygen which will help decrease bacteria that may potentially affect swimming waters.

• New beach grooming equipment that can remove small items from the sand and algae from the waterline will be used to help clean the beaches daily.

• Border collies will continue to be used at 63rd Street and 57th Street beaches eliminating draw of a “safe harbor” at the beach for seagulls. This program effectively reduced swim advisories at these locations in the past.

• Beach ambassadors return and will be working at Chicago’s most popular beaches to educate beach goers about what they can do to help keep Chicago beaches cleans.

Patrons are asked to observe the following beach rules: Obey lifeguards and swim only when lifeguards are present. No glass, alcohol or smoking on the beach. Properly dispose of food, diapers and other refuse. Do not feed birds. Dogs are only allowed in designated dog areas. Please put swim diapers on small children. Grilling is only allowed in designated areas and coals should be disposed in the red hot metal containers. Please do not dump hot coals at the base of trees or near playgrounds. Swimming is permitted and lifeguards are on duty at all beaches from 11:00am to 7:00pm, unless otherwise posted.

A texting service is available that will communicate to beach goers the swim status of a beach by texting the name of your beach to (312) 715-SWIM. To get a list of swim status at all beaches, text the word ‘beaches’. In addition, beach goers can also access information on swim status by calling the Chicago Park District Beach Hotline at 312-74-BEACH, checking http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or following us on Facebook and Twitter for the swim status at each beach.
The Chicago Park District has more than 100 public pools, 51 of which are outdoor pools that open for the season Friday, June 15 - Monday, Sept. 3. Outdoor pool hours are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Admission is free to Park District pools, but fees vary for lap swim and instructional classes.

Admission to Chicago’s beaches is free. For a list of locations or for more information, visit the Park District website at http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call the Beaches and Pools Unit at 312-742-5121.

[skysurfr]

We have a new management team at Beach and Pool. They have shown a strong interest in aggressively enforcing the certification policy at Montrose. Please display your streamer and have your card available for inspection. If you have neither, you will be asked to leave. If it appears we are ignoring the regulation, we will all be asked to leave.

[MikeBreck]

If the beach isn't crowded and wind is light enough to not overpower, can a beginner go to West Montrose beach to practice flying in light wind conditions, practice rigging etc... or is Montrose strictly for those who are certified to quickly get off the beach and onto the water? After reading the rules it seems like the latter may be the case. Last thing I want to do is cause any trouble, just looking for a close place to get comfortable with my new 11M near downtown.

Paul, Adrien, Maurice or Mike, please feel free to PM me.

Thanks for any responses.

Regards,

Mike

[adseguy]

Hey Mike,

For now, Montrose isn't the place to be learning and flying a big kite on the beach. Especially this time of year. If the wind is light there is also a bigger chance on dropping it or having a Hindenburg (kite just falls out of the sky). Feel free to go at it with a small trainer kite and just watch the crowds that walk downwind of you.

[skysurfr]

There should be 10 more Streamers at Windward.

With the help of my friend Rob and his sewing machine, Adrien and I produced 10 more streamers today.

Leave a photo copy of your ID and Certification Card and then register a streamer.

Mike

[skysurfr]

I spoke with the head of the Lifeguards this morning. We discussed the need for kiteboarders to go farther out and remain well clear of the swimmers, dog beach etc. He has called the Beach Capt's at Montrose and advised them to enforce the summer riding rules. He has also advised the guards no to offer "where to kite" advice etc.

Thanks for keeping it safe out there.

Mike

[ens137]

Do these rules/protocols hold for post Labor Day kiting at Montrose? I know the beach becomes pretty empty by mid-Sept and the lifeguards are no longer patrolling.

[adseguy]

Yes, the rules are the same. Its actually harder to kite on a warm day in the late summer after labor day because the swimmers go everywhere without the lifeguards reigning them in

[jamesjoyce]

What are the rules for using the beach (esp in winter)?

i've been looking for nice places to practice landboarding... montrose seems ideal near the city (although the dog owners are pretty ubiquitous)

any other sites around the city for landboarding that people know of?

thanks!!
jj

[adseguy]

Other places can include the hill behind Montrose beach and Northerly island (while we still can before renovations). Not much open area, as you can imagine, in the city. Montrose beach itself is not the place to fly a kite any bigger then a small trainer when you are just learning. We don't want a big kite, even a foil, to hit anyone and cause us to possibly loose our beach rights.

I know it's tough, but there are some larger parks further West and other beach North and south like Waukegan and Indiana beaches. Hope this helps. Let us know if you need anything, even just to meet up :)

[jamesjoyce]

thanks!
i'm only rocking a 3.5m^2 hydra, so not a big kite at all... but after my first trip to montrose and i saw the relative oblivion that the dog owners live in, i felt like i should ask here before going back there to fly. never was at risk of getting close to anyone, but it was a great place to get on the landboard w/ moderate winds and cruise around
kind of a bummer to have such a sweet spot that we're afraid to use.

i've been going to northerly island - kind of a fun spot and usually no one around, but with such a small kite, i dont have enough power to keep the board rolling through any thick grass

how about 63rd st beach?
or are any of the beaches in indiana large, flat and/or packed sand?

[zer0]

Previous posts say you can get a streamer from 'Beach will obtain a kite streamer from
www.chicagokitesurfing.com'

I don't see instructions on how to get the streamer online. It appears you pick them up somewhere at Montrose beach?

[adseguy]

Windward board shop or myself at the beach. Both require to see the PASA or IKO credentials. Thanks