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This is a good idea that was floated last year to address safety and congestion issues at the Alameda Launch.
It should be considered again to reduce tensions caused by limited space and to increase public safety (read - maintain kite access at Alameda).

This new plan would accomplish several things.

1) Increased distance from sidewalk about 200%.
2) Increased distance from roadway about 500%.
2) Addition of bushs to catch any tumbling kites or bad launches.
3) Increased launch zones now there would be four designated by skill level.
4) Remove kites from beach which will make the launch area easier to use.
5) Utilize an area for inflating kites and temporary storage. This area of the park that is not currently used for much of anything.
6) Increased parking about 150% by easy access to designated storage area by two differenent lots.
7) An organized flow of inflating, rigging launching, and landing.
8 ) Increased temporary storage area for kites about 500%.

Bob what an awesome idea, why wasthis turned down last year?
I think this might work.
Robert

we can start today :)

And how do you deal with the average beach goers who normally are there? Good for us but bad for the normal beach as we would take 5 times the space we have now. It basically just avoids the interferrence with the shack which shouldnt lead the discussion. We dont get around a real solution which coordinates everything and makes it also clear for everyone. The acceptance of rules is the mayor problem as everyone only accepts what is reasonable for themself. (For example no walking on the beach with kite in the air). Thats our problem everything else is fine.

My 2Cents, G

BTW, how about kite storage behind the shack to gain space?

Looks like a great idea to me. I think there is plenty of room to the south for pedestrian beach traffic. I also think that it needs to be addressed that instructing and teaching friends for free is not the same as instruction for profit. I am not associated with any shop and I feel that boardsports is the protaginist in much of this, even though people handle the threats by boardsports poorly.

Teaching friends for free is a bad idea, period.

We've all seen/re-rigged lines for/refused to launch/etc. kiters whose friends told them about 50% of what they needed to know and were ready to set them loose on the public.

If someone gets hurt in a Boardsports lesson, BSports is on the hook. If someone is teaching a friend and they coldcock an old lady on the beach during an accident, we are all screwed.

If you can't afford to take lessons, you cannot afford to do this sport. It's not fair, but it's true.

Pablito wrote:Teaching friends for free is a bad idea, period.

We've all seen/re-rigged lines for/refused to launch/etc. kiters whose friends told them about 50% of what they needed to know and were ready to set them loose on the public.

If someone gets hurt in a Boardsports lesson, BSports is on the hook. If someone is teaching a friend and they coldcock an old lady on the beach during an accident, we are all screwed.

If you can't afford to take lessons, you cannot afford to do this sport. It's not fair, but it's true.

Personally, I disagree with you. We are not talking about rocket science here and instruction is for those who can afford it. Everyone else can just google it.

Teaching friends for free is a bad idea, period.

I also disagree. I was taught by a friend (thanks Sonny) and I taught my wife to kitesurf.
I have seen plenty of school taught beginners do really stupid things, including getting dragged up the rocks.
Repetition is key to getting the setup and safety down (esp at 3rd) and a single 3 hour lesson is often not enough.
It really boils down to the teacher and how much time is devoted to the lessons.

Teaching your friends is one thing, teaching your friends in Alameda is another thing.

The main problem in Alameda IMO is the lack of skills of most of the kiters.

duh, it's the "safest" place to practice and most newbie friendly.