Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner ... I would certianly be interested in reading these guidlines for dealing with the public . Like , what should I have said the other weeked when some kid treated my arc as an an inflatable amusement park ride ?

My response to that one is not fit to print.

Philip

After reading these posts, I'm wondering if, as a long enough away retread, now practically a newbie; will there be an area where I can get my "buggy sea legs" back without endangering the sensitive political climate?
I'm going to be trying the big Rev kites as engines, and those things can get a step ahead of me some times.
I've already booked a place in the campground and scheduled time off work, but if my inexperienced presence is likely to endanger the site access for all of you who are already heavily invested in the sport, I'll find something else to do at another location.
It's far enough in the future so I can still get my deposit back on the RV site.
Please let me know.
Thanks!
Bob

Bob, as a "newbie" you will be fine. There are always areas to practice on the beach.

If you really want some depopulated beach, arrive by noon on Wednesday or Thursday, or Friday. That will give you plenty of room for some spectular flubs.

FYI, 90 minutes north of you Anastasia State Park presents nearly three mile of beach with no walk overs. The pedestrian and bicycle traffic north of the last walk over is very light. It is a great place to learn. The rangers are friendly to us as well. I highly recommend it.

Philip

Sounds great, Philip!
I'm sure to have "flubs", though you guys will have seen them all, so I'll need to work on my repertoire of "spectacular" ones!
Does a 20 foot vertical OBE count?

20' VERTICAL???? Holy smokes! That's nuts!

Yeah, but remember, you're talking to a guy who jumped out of (mostly) perfectly good airplanes over 400 times, so "nuts" becomes a relative term! :-)
After the way my old 4.9 Blade foil popped me out of my PL folder back then, the idea of strapping myself to something 16-18 meters big sound "nuts" to me!

The complaint that I started this thread with never amounted to anything the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) at the end of the day. We have a good reputation with them in part I think because we appear to be more concerned about the matter than they are, and that is a healthy stance in my opinion. I explain to the JIA that kiters are really appreciative of kite-friendly local government on Jekyll and that no one wants to be the one to "blow it", and as such we are all careful and mindful of the public. And I really appreciate it.

I appreciate the concern Bob but there will be plenty of room for disasters as long as you keep an eye out for the occasional bicycle or dog walkers that always seem to wander in your direction. But Phil is correct in that the weekdays are not crowded at all and at low tide (in the afternoons for this event) the beach is over a football field wide. There are also stretches to the south where there is just nobody for a half mile or so.

Thanks, Angus!
I have a feeling that some of you guys must have covertly observed my old time attempts to teach myself to buggy, judging by how you refer to my upcoming exploits with terms like "flub" and "disaster"! :ticking:

BMWBob,

we've got your back amigo.............fly em like you stole em......................I learned to buggy on JI and quite honestly hard to find a better spot in the southeast............look forward to meeting you there....................

Thanks, Tridude!
I just found out that my nearest beach (Playalinda) is (according to the chief ranger) NOT suitable for buggying. He says it is too lumpy, and not wide enough.
I'm going to press ahead with working on my big Rev chops to be able to operate them as an engine at JIBE.
Just looking at the most convenient local places, however, I have access to more sparsely populated paved parking lots than I do good beach areas. This is pushing me in the direction of considering a Blokart (PRICEY bugger!) as an alternative to the kite buggy.
I've found a halfway decent kite flying place out here at KSC where I work. Just wish it were closer to the coast to get more consistent wind!
I wonder if a buggy is practical on more rugged terrain. This would expand my list of possible places to use it. Maybe with the Bigfoot (or Nanco) tires it wouldn't blow my kidneys out! :-)
Bob

Smoother is better. Grass is good, but shorter is better. Parking lots can be blazing fast and filled with hazards. Those curbs and light poles come up mighty fast when you have so little rolling resistance.

Hard pack beach below the high water mark is generally the best we find in Florida, but it seems like everyone can find one half-decent inland spot. Keep your ears and eyes open and you too might be blessed with access to a cool spot.

Philip

I've read all the rants on PKF about the JIBE complaint and I never read anything that amounted to a solution. So.... I offer a solution.

The problem is that the general public did not understand what was going on.

Signs with stands printed both sides with a "Caution" of some sort posted at all the beach access trails starting at the park with several at beach locations as well as posting up and down the beach about 400 feet apart.

Add some flagging tape to the stands to attract attention as well as high impact colors
for the message. Signs can be used over and over for many years.

As for the message, and Angus knows the right way to say things that the J.I.A. will accept, say something like,

By permission of the Jekyll Island Authority
Kite Buggy and Power Kite Expo is using the beach for their activities.
Caution
Buggies travel in excess of 20mph
Kites have wing spans of 20 foot or more
3 to 5 heavy duty lines per kite
Spectators are welcome to view from dune line
Please do not sunbath in kite flying areas.
Event ends Saturday afternoon
For Info contact Angus Campbell @ 555-1212

I'm sure you can come up with better copy.

The problem is that the general public did not know what was going on.
The event needs to be better advertised in the local media, as fair warning.
Does Brunswick have a T.V. station? How about the local news rag sports reporter?
The public will better accept the rules of an organized and sanctioned event with posted signs.
We must educate the public as to what our activity is all about and then they can accept the risk better than thinking that a bunch of "outlaw kiter's" are trying to kill beach goers with kites and strange 3 wheel "go carts".
And last but not least, invite the public to come and fly a trainer kite, let them sit in a buggy and ask questions. All of us have trainers and most of us can answer any question they have.
Just my thoughts.

Thanks Davis but we have no local TV station and the local paper can't spell or get a story straight. I do not see that we have a remaining problem to solve besides continued vigilance.

Fortunately, and I think because of our overall good behavior and the unique spectacle we present, the Jekyll Island Authority likes the event and supports us.

We just need to continue our habit of being careful, friendly and playing nice.

You cannot rely on TV, newspapers...media to 'warn' public. Only a public official can 'warn' the public.

To the Media it's just a story that they can put out any way they want...if at all. It can 'go' any way...

The media may draw in more people..(and problems?)...or it could deter...or simply be helpful?.... ,"..... will be a closed off area if your heading down today..." Blah, blah..."You can watch the kiters..."...blah blah...However it's covered.

You must ultimately and immediately reach all users of beach.

The only way is at point of use. That means posting caution signs around area...well marked

Also, signs at entrance points at beach, at parking gate entrance-just for a heads up on an activity is happening.

These warnings and statements seem crucial on posting/sign for any event on public way(some here):

* By permission of ------------
Kite Buggy and Power Kite Expo is using the beach/land for their activities. Buggies will be traveling in excess of 20mph



***Caution:
Stay Off of, outside of, away from....(marked or riding area..etc.).

*Do not walk in riding area or specific riding paths being used
by kiters
*Do not walk across kite lines or stay over 100 feet away from actual kites if not the riders also
*Stay over 100 ft away from any kite on ground without owners permission.

***Please do not sunbath in kite flying areas.

*Spectators are welcome to view from -----(safe distance)

* Event starts and ends on------(dates)



Something like that...:smug:

Thank you for the concern, but no. Such signage is completely inappropriate in this setting (public state park).

I have modest signage that reads "mind the kite lines".

Let us please stop this thread now.