Kiting at Coyote Point

[reyrivera]

Scott Nix posted the following on ikitesurf. Just reposting it here so beginners know what's going on:

http://forums.ikitesurf.com/viewtopic.php?p=35374#35374

Scott's post:

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject: Kiting at Coyote point

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Today at Coyote 2 kiters were seen launching near the new Boardsports School concession. They both kited out through the swim area. They and a 3rd kite were seen landing from the beach over the promenade on a busy Summer Sunday between 3 & 5 pm.

Basic guidelines which until today have been followed by kiters at Coyote need to be restated.

Most importantly;

Be considerate of other recreational users of Coyote Point, especially on the promenade and swimming beach. DO NOT kite through the designated swimming area.

Do not fly kites over the bike path, windsurfing rig area, or in parking lots. This includes trainer and stunt kites.

Land only in designated landing areas, or perform water landing and self-rescue if necessary. DO NOT land your kite on or over the bike path as it endangers you and others.

Be sure there are no spectators, power lines, rocks, walls, or other objects within 200 feet when launching. Be sure that people near you know you are launching.

Kite at least 100 feet upwind from others and objects, and at least 200 feet upwind when jumping.

Do not jump over the rocks or in the windsurfing corridor. Stay out of the windsurfing corridor except while passing through on your way upwind or downwind.

Consequences of not following these guidelines:

1) Serious injury to other park goers
2) Serious injury to the kiter
3) The loss of kite privileges at Coyote Point

Respectfully, coyoteís resident kite surfer,

Scott Nix

_

[average_male]

Are they ever going to setup a launch area at CP? Or is it always going to be that launch area near the power lines by the Humane Society?

[steve]

reyrivera:
Thanks for the post. However, it is not just for beginners. the kiters that prompted the need for the post were not beginners. My observations have led me to believe that "experienced kiters" do unwise and foolish things as they figure that they can rely on their "experience" to get them out of trouble...fly/kite themselves out of trouble...WRONG!

My experience at Coyote leads me to believe that the safest time/place to launch is at the lower tides and between the power lines and upwind of the windsurf launch...facing the water. There is basically no room at the windsurf launch.

Here is a post I made on Ikitesurf regarding the same subject:
Nix is absolutely correct; he speaks from more experience than any another I know. He has logged more time kiting at Coyote than anyone over the past 7 years ..and 20 yrs b-4 that poleboarding.

The swimming area is just downwind of the the buildings and is basically marked off by the poles. No one should be windsurfing or kiting in the swimming area...the only reason to be in there is in an attempt to get back to shore because you had equipment failure, are injured, wind died, or you were overcome by the flood...and if you are in the swimming area you should not be under power....you should be doing a self rescue.

I believe the windsurf corridor is the area basically in front of the windsurf launch and out past the upwind pole by maybe 100 yards. This will allow the windsurfers the ability to launch and land.

The only safe place for a kiter to launch and land is upwind of the windsurf launch...and the tide needs to be out so you can do this somewhere between the power lines and upwind of the windsurf launch...and you must be able to go upwind immediately...so the wind needs to be side on not onshore.

Giving a kite land lesson is best given "way" downwind" on the very large grass area. Water lessons should not be given from the shore....need to have a water vehicle to take students out beyond the "point," probably by several hundred yards.

If the wind is blowing from the west, there is a very big hole on the inside and even launching from the recommended location at low tide is not suggested. The best direction is wnw to nw.
steve

[teamsketch]

:P

[teamcoyote]

Today at Coyote 2 kiters were seen launching near the new Boardsports School concession. They both kited out through the swim area. They and a 3rd kite were seen landing from the beach over the promenade on a busy Summer Sunday between 3 & 5 pm

Glad this topic floated to the top agian.

The only kiters and windsurfers who are ignoring the no fly and no sail zone (the swimming area) at Coyote are from Boardsports School and they continue to do so even after Scott contacted them. Last Sunday was no exception. There's no excuse for not walking upwind to the mudflat to launch like the regular kite crew has been doing for years.

It's my understanding that Alameda has guidelines for safe kiting. My question is why does Boardsports School ignore common kite safety practices and violate Coyote Pt.'s long standing park rules about keeping out of the swimming area?

[Boardsports]

Hi Mo et al,
we would be happy to chat with you about what the park has advised us regarding the designated swimming area. Please stop by anytime and we can discuss in person :)
Jane
Boardsports School

[teamcoyote]

Hi Mo et al,
we would be happy to chat with you about what the park has advised us regarding the designated swimming area.

Please post it here.

[igoing2fly]

So Mo how did the chat go? What did the rangers say about kiting and windsurfing in the swim area? Did you find out why these guys always launch and land in the wrong, unsafe area of our beach? :evil:
I like the Editorial on the web site and the gotcha photos
dbl u dbl u dbl u dot teamcoyote.net/2007Coyote/pages/kitesurf_2007.html

Looking for info

Chuckles

[teamcoyote]

So Mo how did the chat go? What did the rangers say about kiting and windsurfing in the swim area?

No chat. No one was at the shop yesterday. I stopped by before sailing and again after.

The head ranger personally told me that the posted rule stands. No windsurfing or kiteboarding is allowed in the swim area. If Boardsports School misunderstood the regulation it should be clear now.
Launching and landing kites over the beachfront promenade is absolutely unsafe and local kiters and windsurfers are encouraged to continue to self-police and if necessary report swimming area violations and unsafe kiting practices to the rangers. Hopefully our new neighbors at Boardsports School will join us in this effort.
:)

[average_male]

the who beach front should be rescaped to have the walking path a lot further back from the surf and more sand needs to be brought it, remove those all piers supports while you are at it.

propogate this information through the proper channels and keep me posted on the progress via this thread

Thanks.