TractionKiting.co.uk

Well said Alan... Being interested in ecology etc, yes we can see the irony!!!!

Didn't know there was a landfill site there -- hopefully there's nothing nasty buried there -- anyone know?

Like others on here, Margaret and I were also ignorant of the rules regarding the grass. Its where 'we've always kited' at St. Andrews. We just followed the 'flock' (human not sheep...) including the likes of Dan Fowden, Duncan Garrett, Keith and Owain and Judith...

We haven't been to St. Andrews for a while so haven't seen the new developments. If we have to walk, then so be it... Does the fence stop the 'a***holes' with their sporty cars zooming along the tarmac and kicking up sand when they reach the end? If so, then that can only be good. Apologies if you have a sporty car (and are a kiter) -- I think you all know who I'm referring to

Anyone have any thoughts on the renovations in the last few years at the town end of the beach? Do you think this has contributed in any way to the problems at the other end?

Brian

Buried my 1st wife up there. Don't tell anyone please

F West.



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Just seen this thread. We were up there a week ago and wondered what the barrier was for. Thought the newly tarmaced surface looked poorly finished and would probably break up over winter.
We have always used the grass area and left the beach to people with buggys and power kites.
I'll keep an eye on this thread to see what is decided.

Hugh

For those interested, I've posted some (long) thoughts over on SPKA forum (I'm not going to retype them here, as their rather long winded) based on my experience/knowledge as a Chartered Engineer. Although my speciality is as a Structural Engineer and it really need an Environmentalist or Transportation specialist, I'd still call myself a Civil Engineer.

SPKA Thread

Hugh O Donnell wrote:

We have always used the grass area and left the beach to people with buggys and power kites.
I'll keep an eye on this thread to see what is decided.

Hugh
Only my opinion and does not reflect the agreement reached for the kite zone, but don't see why there should be an issue with flying normal two line kites/stunt kites etc from the grass. After all you can do this anywhere, incl. the grass further south and your local park.

Also setting up/packing away power kites shouldn't be much different, but it would be reasonable to expect buggier's/landboarder to not use the grass, as there is a danger of conflict with vehicles (either parked of on the road). Also flying kites may distract golfers !!

Anyhow that maybe a bit off topic and maybe should be discussed elsewhere.

Owain - are the guidelines for the kite zone written down anywhere and available for publication?

Keiths put some more info up from the meeting last night for anyone not over on the spka forum:

spka.org/forum/index.php?topic=525.msg6347#new

Hi all,
just put more about my meeting onsite with Robbie on SPKA today, please go over and look, I dont want to spoil this forum with my ramblings as well as another!!lol

Thanks,

Keith.

Roors wrote:


Owain - are the guidelines for the kite zone written down anywhere and available for publication?[/quote]

As far as I am aware there are no official guidelines written anywhere, its just passed along from kiter to kiter and when we teach we tell our students the following (but in a bit more detail):

Do not fly outwith the kite zone flags.

If there is beach, use it.

Do not kite/buggy/land board on the road

Pedestrians and other beach users always have right of way

If you are on a head on collision with another kiter, always turn to your right

When possible do not fly your kite over the golf course.

Im sure I have probably missed something but this is just off the top of my head and instructions which have been shared with me ever since I started kiting at West Sands.

O.