Banned!!!

I have been officially banned from one of my favorite flying sites. This past April, I was told at this certain location not to board with the kites (8.5 Blade, 5m Sami, and 10m Air Evo at the time) but I could still fly them. I did ask for permission prior to flying there a year ago and was told, "sure", and "have fun". Not wanting to give us kiters a black eye, I heeded the warning. This past Friday I took the 13m Psycho 3 out for a static fly. A large field that I could really work the kite. The winds were up and down from 12 to 20 so it was a great opportunity for a quick session, and fly the kite hard.

Unpacked, set up, and quickly into the air, working the kite across the window, trying to get a feel for this beast. After about 5 mins, I took a deep breath and popped a pend jump, and man did I ever jump, woohoo! Of course had to have another, and another.................! Looked at my watch and it was time to go, so I landed and began packing up when the chief of security stopped by in his golf cart, introduced himself (we have the same first names) and told me that what I was doing is not allowed. He wet on to say that only "kites" are allowed to be flown on the grounds. I respectfully told him that is a "kite". He said kites dont make you fly. I explained to him that the flights were controlled by me, and that I initiated them. He wasnt having any of it and and told me he would be writing a policy for only small one line kites that cant lift you. He agreed that I did abide by his security officers earlier warning but kite "flying" (i.e jumping, airtime, etc) is no longer allowed due to liability issues. I did mention I have insurance and that I woud never place any liability other than on myself. Again, no joy! So I have two spots (land) remaining which are near the beach so thank goodness the FSer is a water foil. As the tourist season is coming to an end, the beaches will be more accessible and of course the ocean. Thinking back, I didnt take into account as we progress in this activity, liability does become more of an issue as we begin jumping, boarding, buggying, etc......... Again, this was on private property (university intramural fields) but city ordinances could impose the same by laws. Just a heads up you may want to give "officials" a heads up of what you are doing. No black eye to the "kite" community but lesson learned. He did depart by saying, "it really looked cool and you are one crazy SOB"! Fly hard and safe!

does it get cold enough for the lakes to freeze? i bet scudding on ice is great fun (if its thick enough obviously), just dont jump too high incase you land heavily and crash through the ice

I've always gone onto local parks, people seem oblivious to the fact they could get hurt if they walk directly infront of me while im flying the kite, sometimes making it impossible for the kite to land so have to keep it high in the air while they walk past which i hate doing incase a gust comes and lifts me off into them or the kite falls onto them.

I always try to respect those around me and ill stop if it gets too crowded or draw too much attention, just hope other peoples foolishness doesnt get me banned from anywhere i go. Theres not many places to fly in a built up city

It does make me miss england all the regulations they have here in america
still... the sea is our goldmine, i rarely ride on land thesedays anyway so i don't know what i'm complaining about :D

I never had any issues......yet most cops just pull up on the grass and drive around me to see what the heck i am doing. and a fire truck and an ambulance once this summer. hehe i told the ambulance to hang around just in case. i was practicing my goofy :frog:

Quote:

Originally posted by kitedog We've got a new reservoir filling up here in north GA. It is a non-motorized lake. I have been contemplating trying to launch there when its full. Do you think its better to live by the old addage that its better to ask forgiveness than permission? At least I might get one session in there rather than just getting shut down preemptively. Greg

Unless you got a motor on your kite you should be fine..............aj

Quote:

Originally posted by mgatc Don, Which Campus?

sorry this was over a year ago.....Charleston Southern. Great intramural fields with Trident Hospital right across the street. Ideal for any bumps, breaks or bruises..............I flew there for almost a year until I put up the 13m Flysurfer Psycho 3. Since then I have found another site near the Ashley River, off of I 26 at exit 216, Cosgrove Ave. Its in the "hood" but clean signature with a good amount of space................

I seemed to attract signs when I 1st started out

We had to deal with an expanding ban on English Bay years ago. When the city posted signs we moved up to the Government Parks land until they got signs of there own. We talked to the City. We tended to agree with them that the Bay is too crowded in summer. The shallows make it an attractive place to learn. Unfortunaley that meant learners constantly drifting downwind toward the people.

The Lifeguards had the job of chasing + saving us and we didn't want a beef with them. We chose to impose our OWN rules. Only those who can launch, get and stay away from the Lifeguards can ride in summer. In turn we get free run all winter. When the winds are good and Lifegaurds are away.

The ban is all year but they forgot to hire anyone to chase us in the off season ! :smug:

When I moved to tarmac a sign went up shortly after I arrived. They didn't have a no kiteblading sign so just banned blading all together. HA, once again they forgot to decide who would stop us. I poached that place at least a dozen more times before they started to develop it.

The way I saw it, a lift ticket was $55 . I was having WAY more fun than that. It was only costing me a set of wheels every now and then so I had no problem taking my chances on a fine. It actually added to the " outlaw experience " and made the stolen sweet, sweeter !!!!! :wee:

I say, poach it while the egg is fresh !

And now we see the dark side of Bladerunner.