Anyone kiting WB today?(8/7/11)
Sun, 08/07/2011 - 08:29
By the forcasts and data, it looks like the wind is coming up nicely...but then there's the rain.
Any boots on the ground down on the cape who can tell me whether it is worth driving down to the cape?
Sun, 08/07/2011 - 08:36
#1
i am on the cape and looking
i am on the cape and looking out at a solid 20+, the rain has stopped, and it's looking like a great kite day.
even if it rains, you are wet anyways 
Sun, 08/07/2011 - 17:44
#2
A sad state of affairs.
Well folks, I drove down to WB at 3 p.m. and the gate was locked. Those cock-suckers!!! It actually was pouring rain both when I arrived and while I drove home to pick up my bolt-cutters. However, once I discovered that my cutters were both too small and not strong enough to remove the lock, I decided to search for Dr. Robert and see if he might have an answer to this rather serious dilemma. He was not to be found so I have come here to make the matter known. This week I am going to find the culprits and give them a piece of my mind. If I can obtain a copy of the key to their lock that would be better, but we do not need this!!!!
Sun, 08/07/2011 - 23:18
#4
Truly alarming
Truly alarming
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 10:53
#5
That IS sad psychokiter. It
That IS sad psychokiter. It does seem we are plagued by threats to beach access right now and that beach authorities are stepping up. In response, I think it's best we don't create MORE damage to our image. My guess is that you were joking about cutting the lock on the gate. An action like that doesn't take into account everyone else who uses that beach + the years of stewardship and relationship building that folks like Rob, Rob, Ed, Andy, myself, et al have done to promote safe access of our sport at WB. Most of this has gone on in an understated way behind the scenes of the chatboards but has been quite effective.
I just want to urge positive actions like those that we've heard on the forum so far. Walking from South Cape is a good option. Paddling or boating from a boat ramp is another.
Adam
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 11:35
#6
There needs to be a more reasoned approach from both sides
I completely agree that we all need to put our best foot forward and act as positive, mature and responsible ambassadors for our sport. I agree that we need to show respect to the authorities and other beachgoers, and while it is a shame that not all of those who embrace our sport can abide by these basic guidelines and/or rules of society, I believe the rest of us are still due the same respect from the authorities who control access to these spots. Not being there and not knowing the situation, as I play out scenarios in my mind, I find myself wondering why the harbormaster would not have tracked down the individual who was acting unreasonably and issued a citation, or at the very least a warning, instead of holding an entire group hostage because of the bad decisions of one individual who is most likely not even a part of this "community". This guilt by association business is starting to go a little too far. For instance, if a mountain biker flipped off a park ranger, it would not be a natural consequence for the rangers to close down the trails. If a pedestrian flipped off a police officer, I doubt the sidewalks would be shut down. If a boater flipped off the harbormaster, I wonder what the natural consequence would be? I completely appreciate the work of all civil servants and recognize that it is not an easy job, but hope that when individuals break rules and act irresponsibly that those INDIVIDUALS are punished for their misdeeds and not everyone who happens to have some commonality with them.
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 15:25
#7
It's about safety and courtesy;not just hand gestures
I spoke with the Harbor Master on Saturday. He took time out of a very hectic day to reach out to us. He seems to be a very reasonable person.
To be clear, boats in a marked channel and that have to stay in a marked channel have the right of way over kiters, kayaks etc.
Here are his concerns:
On Thursday or Friday a boat in the channel between the ocean and the bay entrance was forced to stop and go into reverse to avoid a kiter who failed to yeild right way. I think this is rude behavior. The boat operator rightly reported the safety issue to the Harbor Master.
On Saturday kiters (note plural) were passing through another channel to the right of the first parking lot. This area is also a no wake zone. Kiters and other watercraft must not approach within 150 feet of this channel. I think this is rude behavior.
An assistant harbor master attempted inform a kiter about the restrictions after watching the kiter pass through the restricted area. He got a hand gesture instead. I think this is rude behavior.
All of the above put kiters on Harbor Master's radar screen and led to his coming to us.
He is very nicely asking us to pass this information along to all who kite at the Bay. He is asking us to help him make the Bay a safe place for all.
His people have lot more important things to do than to try chasing one kiter into shallow water where their boat may be damaged and become unavilable to respond to real emergencies.
He is not holding us hostage in my opinion. He is asking us to educate and self police more effectivly. The ball is in our court.
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 15:40
#8
Lets DO this!!!!!
Lets DO this!!!!!
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 16:53
#9
Not that this changes how
Not that this changes how anyone feels about the events of Saturday, but has anyone verified whether the locked gate was indeed related?
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 17:03
#10
Thanks!
Thank you for the clarification on this. While I still feel that the responsible majority should not have to pay the price for an irresponsible, discourteous, and unsafe minority, this additional information definitely gives more perspective. I did not mean to -- nor did I -- imply in any way that the opposite is true, but I am glad to hear that the Harbormaster is friendly, reasonable, and approachable on this matter. I almost hate to bring the subject up again given the flurry of posts it created before, but, in the interest of preserving what could be perceived as already somewhat fragile access at several spots, I think, as Robert requests in his post, that any rules, new or revised, that this community is aware of should be shared in a beaches section of the site. Whether that area is password-protected or membership only, etc. is a different matter, but if the HM is asking us to educate others, we ought to use the best tools at our disposal to do so. And whether folks like it or not, in the year 2011, the internet happens to be one of the best, most affordable ways to share information.
That said, I still have some energy for creating some kind of physical document that could be shared at the kite beaches that not only lays out the rules and etiquette for that site, but also stresses the need to act responsibly as a representative of the sport in order to help maintain access. Any copywriters, graphic artists, veteran BOS/CC kiters interested in helping to create?
I walked in from the town beach area. Its not really that bad (kinda a nice walk). I was all alone until a bunch of boater-kiters came by. While we were hanging out, they brought up that a "hardings-esque" (my words) altercation had happened with the harbormaster/ boaters on Saturday. I believe it was two bird flips from a kiter this time.
We were speculating that the locked gate could be some form of payback. This is all totally through the grapevine, so please take it with a grain of salt (no more mobs with pitchforks and flaming torches...please)
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