Sport Today

by **Dan Weis** » Fri, 10 Jun 2005 10:15:27

Still trying to find out their position. Will try to get back to you next
week.

-Dan

Quote:

> Dan was trying to find the official word. I am sailing on the outside
> of the bay now and it's not too bad, except it's choppy in places.
> Yesterday the wind was from the west and it was perfect - water almost
> flat. It's also something that wouldn't have been safe for me a few
> months ago, but now I am a lot more comfortable with waterstarts,
> staying upwind, etc, so if you are not a total beginner, you can sail
> there as well. Friday is looking like a good day, I may try to come as
> well after 6pm.

> As for the bay itself, kiters are still using it. Interestingly, I saw
> a ranger on the damb (I think it was THE ranger) with his SUV and he
> was just standing at the fence, watching the kiters. There was a
> policeman with his cruiser there as well. Later the kiters told me that
> none of the officials had anything to say to them and they just kept
> kiting. So I am not sure if he was having a bad day when he chased me
> off or what.

> Nikita.

by **Dan Weis** » Sun, 12 Jun 2005 12:56:36

Spoke with a representative from the parks department who said there is no
policy about windsurfers per se, but did note the "no launching of
watercraft" apparently in view of Pleasure Bay. After some further
comments, we agreed to further dialogue about launching in a way to include,
if not to avoid discrimination against, windsurfers. More next week.

-Dan

Quote:

> Still trying to find out their position. Will try to get back to you next
> week.

> -Dan

>> Dan was trying to find the official word. I am sailing on the outside
>> of the bay now and it's not too bad, except it's choppy in places.
>> Yesterday the wind was from the west and it was perfect - water almost
>> flat. It's also something that wouldn't have been safe for me a few
>> months ago, but now I am a lot more comfortable with waterstarts,
>> staying upwind, etc, so if you are not a total beginner, you can sail
>> there as well. Friday is looking like a good day, I may try to come as
>> well after 6pm.

>> As for the bay itself, kiters are still using it. Interestingly, I saw
>> a ranger on the damb (I think it was THE ranger) with his SUV and he
>> was just standing at the fence, watching the kiters. There was a
>> policeman with his cruiser there as well. Later the kiters told me that
>> none of the officials had anything to say to them and they just kept
>> kiting. So I am not sure if he was having a bad day when he chased me
>> off or what.

>> Nikita.

by **br..** » Sun, 19 Jun 2005 01:27:57

as far as i have heard, the ban on windsurfing/kitesurfing at pleasure bay was due to a windsurfer running over a swimmer many years ago...

Quote:

> Re: Pleasure Bay - no more?

> Reply to: "ScottG"
> Date: 24 May 2005 07:01:55 -0700
> Organization: http://groups.google.com
> Newsgroups:
> rec.windsurfing
> Followup to: newsgroup
> References:

>I blame the kiters.
>Windsurfers have been there for years with no problems.

by **radioren..** » Sun, 19 Jun 2005 01:55:10

So, here's the official line. Watersports such as windsurfing and
kitesurfing are banned inside Pbay when lifegaurds are on duty. Due to
an incident many years ago between a windsurfer and swimmer. Activity
on the outside of the bay is open year round.

I heard about this concerned ranger making noises a few weeks back and
thought it very strange that the next weekend saw 2 windsurfers and 15
kiters inside the bay being watched by crowds and state police.

The reason claimed by this ranger that water sports are unsafe because
the coast guard cannot access the bay is ludicrious. The coastgaurd can
get in anywhere and has infact been called to the bay at least once
last year when a member of the public fear for the safety of a
watersports enthusiast.

I would not be surprised to find out that this alleged ranger is non
other than the same person who repeatedly complains to the kiters about
them not being allowed in the bay, he is very confused about the facts
and is more of danger to water users than us.

pauric

by **radioren..** » Sun, 19 Jun 2005 02:00:52

Scott, I am a kiter and we're all in the same boat as it were but its
been confirmed that the reason both kitesurfing and windsurfing is
banned on all MDC beaches while lifegaurds are on duty was because of a
windsufer hitting a swimmer. There's no point in crying over split
milk but there's also little cause for pointing fingers based on false
statements. Kind regards, pauric

by **Dan Weis** » Sun, 19 Jun 2005 09:16:33

Pauric: Where did you get this official line? I am in conversation with
the Deputy Director of Urban Parks. Nothing like this story has come out.
Please e-mail me directly rather than reply on this board. Thanks!

-Dan

Dan Weiss
Director, US Windsurfing, Northeast Region

Quote:

> So, here's the official line. Watersports such as windsurfing and
> kitesurfing are banned inside Pbay when lifegaurds are on duty. Due to
> an incident many years ago between a windsurfer and swimmer. Activity
> on the outside of the bay is open year round.

> I heard about this concerned ranger making noises a few weeks back and
> thought it very strange that the next weekend saw 2 windsurfers and 15
> kiters inside the bay being watched by crowds and state police.

> The reason claimed by this ranger that water sports are unsafe because
> the coast guard cannot access the bay is ludicrious. The coastgaurd can
> get in anywhere and has infact been called to the bay at least once
> last year when a member of the public fear for the safety of a
> watersports enthusiast.

> I would not be surprised to find out that this alleged ranger is non
> other than the same person who repeatedly complains to the kiters about
> them not being allowed in the bay, he is very confused about the facts
> and is more of danger to water users than us.

> pauric

by **Sata** » Sun, 19 Jun 2005 22:33:34

I was a P-Bay windsurfer, now I'm a P-Bay kitesurfer. The official
reason from the MDC for no windsurfing in P-Bay is because one or
multiple windsurfers hit swimmers many years ago. The reported
injuries were anywhere from minor to near death depending on who you
talk to. I'm not even sure any of this happened, but that's the story
out there. The guy that runs the sailing center is a serious ***
and for some reason it kills him to have other people using the bay.
Maybe he has visions of having 100 sailing craft in the water at some
point. He also says he can't be responsible for other people in the
water. But he is a very unpleasent guy. The rules are only enforced
while lifeguards are present or the sailing center is open. This has
been the situation for the last 6 years. Before that, I don't know
becuase I didn't live here. Calling and writing the MDC will do you no
good and is a wast of your time. I've done this every summer for the
last six years. Higher levels of organization are needed. The first
step, in my opinion is the get a formal petition going. I would think
we would need to get a few thousand signatures. If you guys want to
team up with the kitesurfers our chatboard is at:
http://SportToday.org/

"ScottG" I don't know who you are. Maybe I might recognize you, I hope
not. Your attitude is never going to get anyone access to P-Bay. If
you want to make some imaginary divide between windsurfers and
kitesurfers please take it somewhere else. P-Bay is a great place for
kitesurfing and a great place to teach windsurfing. Many times I have
gone kitesurfing and put a friend out on a windsurfer.

by **Scott** » Tue, 21 Jun 2005 00:17:31

Satan, I think you and Timmy have a little too much sand in your
***.
You might wanna re-calibrate your sarcasm meter and gather up all your
loose change to buy yourself a sense of humor.

Oh, and by the way, wicked hot forum you started. There's 2 whole
pages of kiting posts there at the Maillard family web site. you are
so totally cool and rad there. thanks for the cross-post. Will this
post make it there also? gee, I really hope so.

Oh, and God told me you are going to hell. What a cool "handle" you
got for your rad self. I hope I don't know you, and I hope I never do,
because you have no sense of humor and you idolize the devil.

Peace and luv
ScottG (who has never gotten wet in P Bay, and probably never will)

Quote:

> I was a P-Bay windsurfer, now I'm a P-Bay kitesurfer. The official
> reason from the MDC for no windsurfing in P-Bay is because one or
> multiple windsurfers hit swimmers many years ago. The reported
> injuries were anywhere from minor to near death depending on who you
> talk to. I'm not even sure any of this happened, but that's the story
> out there. The guy that runs the sailing center is a serious ***
> and for some reason it kills him to have other people using the bay.
> Maybe he has visions of having 100 sailing craft in the water at some
> point. He also says he can't be responsible for other people in the
> water. But he is a very unpleasent guy. The rules are only enforced
> while lifeguards are present or the sailing center is open. This has
> been the situation for the last 6 years. Before that, I don't know
> becuase I didn't live here. Calling and writing the MDC will do you no
> good and is a wast of your time. I've done this every summer for the
> last six years. Higher levels of organization are needed. The first
> step, in my opinion is the get a formal petition going. I would think
> we would need to get a few thousand signatures. If you guys want to
> team up with the kitesurfers our chatboard is at:
> http://SportToday.org/

> "ScottG" I don't know who you are. Maybe I might recognize you, I hope
> not. Your attitude is never going to get anyone access to P-Bay. If
> you want to make some imaginary divide between windsurfers and
> kitesurfers please take it somewhere else. P-Bay is a great place for
> kitesurfing and a great place to teach windsurfing. Many times I have
> gone kitesurfing and put a friend out on a windsurfer.

by **Dan Weis** » Tue, 21 Jun 2005 04:22:14

Thanks for your dark rain cloud on US Windsurfing's efforts regarding
benefits to you. Much appreciated!!

Anyway, despite what our buddy from the Dark Side says, US Windsurfing has
found a good ear. Access problems are to be taken seriously and solved by
consensus whenever possible. One park ranger with the wrong understanding
won't stop us from trying to cement access for windsurfers. If kitesurfers
benefit as well, so much the better, perhaps. Pleasure Bay is an example of
a great spot for developing skills in a controlled but urban environment.
US Windsurfing won't back down on this point, nor on access wherever it
needs to exist.

Please consider joining or renewing your membership. It's only $30 per year
for an individual, only $10 more for a family. US Windsurfing needs your
financial support and support through membership in order to back up its
negotiating position with municipal authorities. Please join.
www.uswindsurfing.org. Credit cards and Papal make it easy. Join. Support
your sport!

-Dan

Quote:

>I was a P-Bay windsurfer, now I'm a P-Bay kitesurfer. The official
> reason from the MDC for no windsurfing in P-Bay is because one or
> multiple windsurfers hit swimmers many years ago. The reported
> injuries were anywhere from minor to near death depending on who you
> talk to. I'm not even sure any of this happened, but that's the story
> out there. The guy that runs the sailing center is a serious ***
> and for some reason it kills him to have other people using the bay.
> Maybe he has visions of having 100 sailing craft in the water at some
> point. He also says he can't be responsible for other people in the
> water. But he is a very unpleasent guy. The rules are only enforced
> while lifeguards are present or the sailing center is open. This has
> been the situation for the last 6 years. Before that, I don't know
> becuase I didn't live here. Calling and writing the MDC will do you no
> good and is a wast of your time. I've done this every summer for the
> last six years. Higher levels of organization are needed. The first
> step, in my opinion is the get a formal petition going. I would think
> we would need to get a few thousand signatures. If you guys want to
> team up with the kitesurfers our chatboard is at:
> http://SportToday.org/

> "ScottG" I don't know who you are. Maybe I might recognize you, I hope
> not. Your attitude is never going to get anyone access to P-Bay. If
> you want to make some imaginary divide between windsurfers and
> kitesurfers please take it somewhere else. P-Bay is a great place for
> kitesurfing and a great place to teach windsurfing. Many times I have
> gone kitesurfing and put a friend out on a windsurfer.

by **radioren..** » Tue, 21 Jun 2005 08:57:02

Thanks Dan, I beleive I speak for the majority of kiters in saying that
we appreciate your efforts in keeping access open at pbay.

I would say that a single voice presenting the arguments for this cause
is better than two camps hassling the MDC for their own benifit.
Divided we fall and all that. I'm not asking that you go out of your
way to ensure kiters get the same treatment as windsurfers but hope
that we're not specifically excluded either.

We're all on the water to have fun in the wind.

please excuse Ethan (satan) his social etiquette filter is not what it
should be.

kind regards
pauric

by **Sata** » Wed, 22 Jun 2005 22:42:06

For those interested, I'm working on getting a petition started. I was
hoping as a combined effort of all wind junkies, we could collect a few
thousand signatures. I will post the petition in a few days when I get
the wording together. If anybody has any ideas, let me know. It's
good to hear that Dan has found better ears this year.

ScottG, sarcasim often doesn't go over too well on-line. But joke
taken:) No one pisses off more people with poor sarcasim on-line then
me. I originally crossed over to the Dark Side when I betrayed my
surfing roots and picked up a sailboard. Going deeper into the
darkness with kites was much easier. Call me a sell out, but so is
Laird Hamilton and that guy kills it no matter what he rides.

by **Dan Weis** » Wed, 22 Jun 2005 23:46:35

Ethan: Maybe we could wait on the petition until my efforts come dry? I'd
hate to suggest to the powers that be that we do not speak with the same
voice. On the other hand, e-mail me your thoughts on the wording and we can
probably work something out.

-Dan

Quote:

> For those interested, I'm working on getting a petition started. I was
> hoping as a combined effort of all wind junkies, we could collect a few
> thousand signatures. I will post the petition in a few days when I get
> the wording together. If anybody has any ideas, let me know. It's
> good to hear that Dan has found better ears this year.

> ScottG, sarcasim often doesn't go over too well on-line. But joke
> taken:) No one pisses off more people with poor sarcasim on-line then
> me. I originally crossed over to the Dark Side when I betrayed my
> surfing roots and picked up a sailboard. Going deeper into the
> darkness with kites was much easier. Call me a sell out, but so is
> Laird Hamilton and that guy kills it no matter what he rides.