Is Ban on kites at Crissy coming?

[downwind]

Was out at Crissy last weekend and I couldn't believe the number of kiters, good ones, ones who were much better than me, who were landing kites on the beach. I'm a newbie to Crissy and probaby the worst kiter there when I'm on the water, but it seemed totally obvious to me that you don't put your kite down in up and down winds on a crowded beach even if there is someone to catch you. Most of the kites that came in landed somewhat unsafely in the crowd of kiters endangering only the few tourist that didn't understand why people were shouting at them to get out of the way. A few landed safely in the water a foot or two off shore. Two that I saw actually hit non-kiters, one of which landed above the steps with nobody to catch it and non-kiters diving to get out of the way.

Again, I'm the newbie so I'm not going to preach or try to suggest a solution, but I'm thinking it can't be long before a beach user or thier dog gets hurt and then it's over. I'm not trying to preach to anybody or point fingers. I've been guilty of doing stupid stuff more than once. I'm just thinking that if there were some rules or something the kiting might last a little longer.

[Greg]

downwind,
I'm with ya brother... Your last sentance speaks volumes!
Thanks for sharing,
L.M.G.

[al-kite-a]

The world is falling shit is getting old.

ìDownwindî, did you post this after reading the ikitesurf forum? Where you really at Crissy that day? Can you describe the kites that crashed on top of non-kiters? Do you know the non-kiters? Is this the only time you have ever been to Crissy?
I there on Saturday with my kid not KITING and was there on Sunday kiting. So if you can give these details lets all take it up with the people that did it not make up some BS that Crissy is going to be banned. Just curious as to why you did not saying anything to the kiter that crash on top of people? Donít play the newbie card. Why did you not assist the kiter above the steps?

Anyone that know the history of this beach. Know that this BAN is not going to happen.

Crissy is only crowded 2 - 3 days a year. The only issues here is if you donít know what you are doing do not land or launch you kite around people. This is the case at every beach in the world.

[panzerfaust]

Hmm, yeah, I was there that day too kiting and there was a ton of people doing stupid shit - including dropping kites on the beach (I didn't see anybody hit by any of those kites though). What downwind is saying is very reasonable and you're off getting aggrevated. Chill out dude. It's in everyone's best interest, even those of us who don't frequent Crissy regularly.

[face_plant]

Funny that I've not heard this concern once from somebody who IS local to Crissy. Why is everybody such a busy body? There is no shack at Crissy, the locals try to tell people what they should or shouldn't do, but what can you do if people don't listen? People are gonna do what they want. Period. Are you going to stop somebody from going out? Under what authority? What are posted rules going to do? It's just something else that people won't read. Bottom line is that there are a lot of ignorant people, kiting no different, and if they choose to do things their own way, well then they have to deal with the consequences.
Also, just because somebody is a better kiter than you doesn't mean they know the intracacies of that spot.
I seriously don't know how this argument is unique to Crissy. Of all the places in the bay, there are way less incidents than I hear of at other places.

[al-kite-a]

Panzerfaust it is in everyone's best interest to not create false issues.
There seems to only be issues days later in these forums. NOT on the day in question. If you (anyone that feels there is an issue) are so concerned why donít off your ass and say something at the beach, not here a few weeks later.

That Sunday when I came in. There where people trying to launch. Most of them I had never seen before any where in the Bay Area. When I told people how to launch on the beach because it was clear they where having issues getting off the beach I got the "I know what we are doing" attitude. One kiter trying to launch even ran downwind when his kite was losing power trying to get it to fly. He could not understand why his kite would not fly.

Bottom line:
Crissy is not a good place to show up on a hot day if you donít have good kite skills.
On those hot days the beach has very little wind. But it will be blowing 22 -30 MPH in the bay and at the Gate.
If you can not get off the beach with your 12 pumping up a 16 is not the answer.

To get off the beach you have to launch your kite and keep it moving in the middle of the window.
You can never put your kite over you head at Crissy to ìcheck you linesî or clip in to a board leash.
Get in the water and slog out. It can be 400 yards before you ass even gets out of the water.

[panzerfaust]

I'm just telling you what I've seen in an attempt to defend what downwind was saying. Is it an issue? I don't know, maybe it's normal. Like I said I don't go to Crissy often enough to even open my mouth about the rules, I just try to be as little noticed as possible. If you come to Berkeley and start doing things unbecoming of a proficcient kiter you can be sure I'd try to help you and maybe even tell you not to go out. However, what you do with my advice is completely up to you.

To the point, stop being so agro, try to have a polite conversation and realize that at the end of the day you can only suggest which goes back to the idea of polite conversation. That's all.

[Bulldog]

Anyone who kited at Sherman this weekend knows that all those kooks who were at Crissy last weekend came right on over to the Delta this weekend. I havent' seen so many board leashes since last 4th of July. Lots of sitting on the beach with kites in the air staring at the lines. Bow kites dropping everywhere, hitting people (kiters, but still), three-way kite collisions, etc.

I'm guessing by the amount of French and German I heard (no offense to any BAKiters with accents) that our region has become a "destination spot" for kiter tourists from all over the state, country and world.

[Scotty]

QUOTE-----"I there on Saturday with my kid not KITING and was there on Sunday kiting. So if you can give these details lets all take it up with the people that did it not make up some BS that Crissy is going to be banned. Just curious as to why you did not saying anything to the kiter that crash on top of people? Donít play the newbie card. Why did you not assist the kiter above the steps"--Posted by Al KiteA on BAK 7/31

QUOTE-----"If you (anyone that feels there is an issue) are so concerned why donít off your ass and say something at the beach, not here a few weeks later. "--posted by Al-KiteA on the same thread 7/31

QUOTE-----"Crissy is not the place for you. Go else where.
The people you are referring to, like yourself, only show up when Crissy is the only wind place. "--posted by Al-KiteA on ikitesurf 7/25/06

Dude, I appreciate your passion and share some of your frustrations but is this really how you want to convey your message?

[Dr. Crash]

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A bunch of us rode crissy last night in great 10 meter conditions, the beach was completely empty of tourists and beach goers, didn't hurt that it was blowing 20 knots but whatever. I think that people are missing the point here, and getting wrapped up in attitudes and agro opinions.
There are a few days a year when the beach is absolutely packed and its the only place around with breeze. When these two conditions combine it doesnt really set itself up for a great launch/land zone. And yes maybe the locals should have a plan for these days, but getting on the posts and blasting the Locals is not a great way to achieve it.
I realize Crown Beach has taken some preventative steps, but I'm not sure those translate well to Crissy. For one thing the launch/landing zone geography chages with the tides.
That being said the locals at Crissy are very helpful and pretty skilled riders, I learned there last year and was given a ton of help and pointers. Come on down and ride for the afternoon, have a few beers (Bring some Beers) and you can offer an opinion on how to make the beach safer. But I'm not sure bitching on these posts is a very productive use of time.