Sport Today

Numerous beaches are being considered for kiteboard bans all over the
U.S.
While, it makes sense in some areas because of space limitation or
kiters who lack common sense,
a ban on Mission Bay seems extreme, especially when PWC's and out of
control Hobie Cats are running rampant. The following is note that I am
forwarding (with permission from the author) for further info.
I believe Ryan's approach is a responsible and correct method of trying
to solve some of the issues that have cropped up lately, with the
introduction of kiting to the watersports community.
WARDOG
http://www.surfingsports.com/

Most of the kiteboarders I've seen at Mission Bay, kite in Enchanted Cove (aka stinky cove, East side of Fiesta Island).  This is also a primary windsurfing site.

The kiteboarders at Enchanted Cove always stay upwind of the windsurfers.  I've sailed downwind, adjacent to them many times with no problems whatsoever.  They are skilled and kite in a safe area with no obstructions and plenty of launch area.  This is the first I've heard of "talk" of banning kitesurfers from Mission Bay in San Diego. San Diego Lifeguards realize that PWC riders present a much greater threat to human health & the environment than kiteboarders, as proven by the frequent deaths and injuries on MB due to out of control PWC riders!    

It's probably a good idea for kitesurfers to band together, though.  They could help to develop the sport with good instruction at the right sites.  Alhtough I can't speak for other members of the San Diego Windsurifng Association (SDWA), based on my experience, I'll support our local kitesurfers.

MikeM

  Numerous beaches are being considered for kiteboard bans all over the U.S.
  While, it makes sense in some areas because of space limitation or kiters who lack common sense,
  a ban on Mission Bay seems extreme, especially when PWC's and out of control Hobie Cats are running rampant. The following is note that I am forwarding (with permission from the author) for further info.
  I believe Ryan's approach is a responsible and correct method of trying to solve some of the issues that have cropped up lately, with the introduction of kiting to the watersports community.
  WARDOG
  http://www.surfingsports.com/

My name is Ryan Levinson.  I am a
head instructor at the Mission Bay
Aquatic Center in San Diego, CA.  We
are a large non-profit watersports
instructional and safety facility
located on Mission Bay in San Diego.  
Our website is www.mbac.nu for info
on us.

I am writing b/c we work closely with
the San Diego lifeguards and many
other watersports interest groups in
San Diego.  Kiteboarding is growing
rapidly here, especially in Mission
Bay, and recently there has been some
very real talk of banning the sport
from the area.

That is unacceptable.

I propose that we (the local San Diego
kiteboarders) get together and form an
association to discuss this problem and
to determine the best course of action
we can take to address peoples'
concerns while protecting our
freedom to kite locally.  I am offering
the Aquatic Center as a meeting place
(we have meeting rooms, etc).  I
suggest that the meeting be open to all
local kiteboarders.

If you agree, please call me at 858-488-
1036 (work), 619-969-2624(voice mail),
or 858-581-9452 (home).  Please let me
know when are three days of the week
and times that are good for you to meet.  
Also, please remember to leave a
return number.  I will make
arrangements, call everyone back, and
post the info back on this group as
well.

Here is our chance to pull together,
share and focus our positive energy,
and demonstrate to San Diego that we
are responsible members of the local
watersports community.  This is our
chance to lead by example.  Let's act
NOW before it is too late.

I look forward to hearing from all of
you.

Respectfully,
Ryan Levinson

They do lose control and  get body dragged often(came across this the last two
times I was out). That is worse. The lines are then tensioned just feet off the
water. That endangers everyone as well as taking up the space of oh..... about
three trawlers in a very limited area to begin with.

They do endanger others. Intentional or not, doesn't matter to me.
They don't belong around any other watercraft. They don't get more 'space' than
everyone else. Not going to happen.

But I don't want them banned. Just put out in the ocean or somewhere else, away
from others.

PWC are also kept separate from others for many of  the same reasons.
Lifeguards and Police are quite aggressive about that in San Diego, and it is
smart policy.

But again, I don't want any watercraft
banned! I do not want kitesurfers banned! Just kept in separate areas.

Dave

If you are a Gorge windsurfer who wants to preserve the quality or your
sailing experience, let your feelings be known to Gorge shops, politicians,
the Port Authority, the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association, the US
Windsurfing Association, Washington State Parks and Oregon State Parks.

Although I am not certain, odds are that kiting will become more popular in
the coming years.  Unfortunately, windsurfing and kiting don't mix.  They
need to be separated.  Kite free water zones are needed in the Gorge (not
just designated kite launching areas).  The sooner everybody tackles this
difficult issue, the better.

If we don't settle it off the water, there are going to be a lot of angry
people on the water.  I will be one of them.  I have sailed around kites in
Maui (before the ban at Kanaha) and at the Event Site.  I didn't like it one
bit.

Would a ski resort operator permit a new sport on his slopes which required
one person to take up the same amount of room as six skiers, and,
furthermore, exposed others to moving lines as sharp as razor blades?  Of
course not.  Why should we allow that to happen at the established
windsurfing areas in the Gorge ... or anywhere for that matter?

The sports need to be separated.  And if the kiters are not content with
separation, then they may be looking at an outright ban in some locations.

I won't provide any normative comment on the issue because I'm only a beginning
windsurfer, have never kite boarded (don't really desire to, looks really boring
except for the big airs, whoop-de-doo), and have so far never had or observed
any conflict with them.