Hi

I was the ARC Harbourmasters Duty Officer for the weekend just gone. On Saturday 24/2/07 @ 1630 I received a complaint re Kite Surfers speeding close to the shore and close to people swimming at Cheltenham Beach.

Please keep your speed down when near the shore and people swimming.

As always self policing will work better for yourselves and us alike. If you have any questions or concerns I can be contacted on 09 362 0394.

cheers
Steve Tyson
ARC Harbourmasters Office

There were a few very good kiters who should know better and I'm surprised there was only one complaint. There were also a few intimidated learners by the looks.

Well, I was there. At 430 the beach was DEAD LOW tide. There was only one person kiting anywhere near the beach at that time and it was me cause I was on a skimboard in the shallows. I stayed well away from the shore and swimmers who were walking out through the shallows. In fact I stopped and let one family with a little girl walk on through. Way out at the deeper water were a couple of guys blasting around. Remember that at low tide Cheltenham is 2 inches deep for about 200metres so those guys were a long way from shore. It was not physically possible to swim within 200 metres of the shore. It looked to me like they were being responsible.
Your point is well taken but you know.. some people will complain if anyone is within visible distance of them.. what to do..
If the complaint was from activity earlier in the afternoon then it may be justified.
It did seem that most were acting responsibly when I was there..even the guy who knocked my kite out of the sky when he was launching didnt mean to.

Anyway, we'll all continue to respect the other beach users as best we can.
Thanks
Slyde