This week the Environmental Police Boston MA has band bugging and boarding in all Boston area Beaches including Nahant Lynn MA. Bugging and Boarding has been active at Nahant for over 10 years with never a problem. The IP has decided to enforce a rule "no vehicles on the beach" We are in the process of appeal with the powers to be to reverse this ban. Any information or help ideas or past experience would be greatly appreciated. We have set up a forum just for action and ideas to get this reversed. <a href="http://www.funwithwind.com/forum/MSGViewForum.asp?ID=5" target="new">Click Here</a>
Thanks in advance, we sure can use some help.

I heard a rumor that mayflower beach in Dennis Ma was also on the "hit list"

What is the issue? Is it Piper Plovers or just vehicles? I guess the 1st starting point is to find their definition of "vehicles". Sucks huh?

can you check your link I can not get to the forum

Awww that sucks cause i wanted to check out that spot this summer and see the pros and get some pointers. I fly all alone in my spot. I went to Horseneck Beach in Westport Ma Yesterday. Not to Board, there isn't any room. but to walk around and went to other side called GooseBerry Island and certain parts were all roped off so people couldn't walk the paths. it's the Pipers here, signs all posted. they need Quiet i guess.

While this ban is settled, are there any other areas where we can kite? Parks? Old air strips? Unused farm land?

Ogunquit beach in ME could work but only at low tide as the beach is gone at high tide and its a long walk to get to the unprotected section and parking is expensive.

Yes the Nahant ban is for buggies and boards from May 31 to Sept 1, and after 10 years the IP has desided to enforce "vehicles" on the beach. We will be meeting with the IP powers to be, on Monday in order to clear up several issues on the ban and get a clear understanding of the includes on kites and locations. The IP is responsible for all shore and beaches in MA.

Yes, this Wednesday we will be traveling to Ogunquit beach in ME for our bugging fix.

Here is another spot:

Waquoit Bay in Mashpee, MA @41.651367,-70.491028

It's in Cape, about 1 hour and change from my place. I found it on masskiteforum and they say that you need a truck/SUV to get there. Anyone been there?

Do I dare ask if Nantasket beach is also banned? I am planning on buggying at Mayflower today- i will ask around if anything is in the works.

It also should be noted I do not hit Mayflower during the summer till the following:

-After 5pm- this way i do not have to pay $15 to park!
-the beach is officially closes at 5pm- no lifeguards- therefore no enforcement of "kiterflying" rules.
-less people. Less chance of an accident.

This of course seriously limits me to the tide, weather and days off from work to be able to go buggying.

I checked up here in Canada with the RCMP and they said that my kite buggy was NOT a vehicle. Did you look into what a legal def of a vehicle is?

I think that it's important to show the powers that be that kites, boards and buggys can be safely used on the beach (as they have been for years) rather than focusing on the the definition of the law. Because if the park people or Environmental Police or whoever decide that kite related activities are a problem they'll just change the law or the rules and specifically ban kites, buggies, etc rather than using the vehicle ban that they are using now.

I've heard a rumor that this ban could be related to an inexperienced kiter flying on a crowded beach and hitting someone with their kite. A good example of how important it is to self police flying areas and help teach newbies or people flying at a new area the rules to follow.

I've only been to Nahant once (but will return soon hopefully) but maybe it would help to write up a list of "Nahant Kite Guidelines" to help make sure that their are no further incidents at Nahant. They'd probably be pretty obvious, but could be something to show to the beach police to show them the strict guidelines that we follow. Then they'd be able to kick out select kiters for violations such as flying too close to people or flying too far down towards the sunbather side of the beach.

I sent you an email and I think we can help.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim NE This week the Environmental Police Boston MA has band bugging and boarding in all Boston area Beaches including Nahant Lynn MA. Bugging and Boarding has been active at Nahant for over 10 years with never a problem. The IP has decided to enforce a rule "no vehicles on the beach" We are in the process of appeal with the powers to be to reverse this ban. Any information or help ideas or past experience would be greatly appreciated. We have set up a forum just for action and ideas to get this reversed. <a href="http://www.funwithwind.com/forum/MSGViewForum.asp?ID=5" target="new">Click Here</a> Thanks in advance, we sure can use some help.

I went to Mayflower tonight- no one around to ask for info- wind sucked too!

When I first approached the local authority about buggying on the beach, I made sure I used key phrases like "shared-use environment", "public safety", "ecologically sensitive environment" and that got their attention. They see kiters as helping to promote tourism.

Back in NY City's Central Park I was active in in-line skating when it exploded on the scene in the 90's and there was talk of bans and restrictions. We made ourselves allies of NYPD and parks Dept by promoting safety and helping out to volunteer at park events. Even the joggers and the bikers came to like us rather than hate us.

When we see the Georgia Highway Patrol or fire Dept on the beach, we try to make it obvious that we are self-policing and are promoting safety. We stop and chat with them and answer questions, stressing safety features of the kites, etc. When I buggy and they are watching, I make it obvious that I can actually stop in a hurry and change direction when pedestrians walk in my path.

I would make a list of proposed safety guidelines that you would try offer to promote on the beach. Offer to have them come out for demo so that you can show them that the sport is eco-friendly and can be safe (show them how kite killers work, for example). Offer to volunteer to help at park events, if that is applicable. If you don't have a formal club, maybe form one, even if small, so that they have a place to voice concerns and you can demonstrate that you can promote rules to "members". That way if a member of the public complains to them or raises a question about your activities, they can say that they have addressed the issue and/ or "have it under control". I think a lot of it is all about removing objections and providing accountability.

Good luck and keep us posted.

at the gate they gut the bulletin board nicely painted ,i bet its going to say ,no buggying

Wait since when is a mountain board a vehicle......? I think maybe it's time for some people to cook up some doomwheels, surely they can't call rollerblades vehicles! :evil:

legal def. of "vehicle" is "any means of conveyance other than a bicycle"

-Paul, did you fly at all when you went up or did you just hang out?

Doom wheels may be a solution since they still allow bicycles and roller blades.

If you mean mayflower beach on the cape- yes I did fly, and used my buggy. I got there at 4:50pm to miss the 8-5 parking fees and even talked to the gate attendant about fees etc. It was her first day so I do not think buggying was a topic discussed as part of her training.

I am going again tonight so I will continue looking for info.

What kind of wind speeds are you expecting?

I flew static at a local spot and it was deserted after 4:30 pm. Day time is not so good.

I can drive today to Cape if winds are favorable.

Quote:

Originally posted by beachrights If you mean mayflower beach on the cape- yes I did fly, and used my buggy. I got there at 4:50pm to miss the 8-5 parking fees and even talked to the gate attendant about fees etc. It was her first day so I do not think buggying was a topic discussed as part of her training. I am going again tonight so I will continue looking for info.

Too iffy with the thunderstorms today to go to mayflower. Its 6pm now and I might fly static at my local beach if it clears a little.

Brian

I asked Steve for the DCR (I think the guy that asked you to not kite ground board) what the ban covered and he said the kites were fine, but any vechile ( powered and non-powered) were not allowed on the beach. He said that this Included buggys, Skate/Mountain board, and Bicycles. I then asked him if inline stakes were allowed, and he told me they were on the walkway and in the parking lot. I responded that I did not think that the parking lot was not a safe place for me to use them and ask if it was ok to use them on the beach. He replied that that he didn't think so, but was not sure.

I then contacted his boss Cristina D for some clarification and she thought that inline skates would be fine on the beach. I tried inline skated on the beach Friday after work. I had no problem with the DCR, but did not have much fun with the pair I had.

I think it still early days, and they are not certain what is allowed or not allowed under the ban. I am sure we will find out more about what we can and can't did in the next few days. If buggy and mount board are banned and inline skate are allowed I will be getting set of doom wheels.

Too bad bikes are out....this crossed my mind today!

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_p3v8oUBxgec/RU2setVsABI/AAAAAAAAAU4/Od...

Does anyone know what's going on with Nahant ban? Has anyone kited there since this supposed kiting ban started? I was thinking of heading down this weekend but don't want to cause any problems or drive 100 miles just to get thrown out.

If anyone knows of any other kite friendly beaches in the NH, northern MA, southern ME area please let me know.

I'm just not making any progress at all on the KGB with my inland flying attempts. Between the flaky winds and the soft bumpy field its a struggle to even get going on a downwind run. Gotta find clean wind and hard sand.

KiteNH

The Nahant ban is still in effect; we hope to meet with the DCR next week and come to a understanding. Since the ban had started no one has buggied, however many have kite ground boarded in full view of the DCR rangers without any problem. That having be said, the weather forecast for this weekend if for sun and temps in the 90's. Under these conditions, the local beaches will be packed with sunbathers and KGB will not be possible until late in the day when the go home for dinner. The tides are favorable for this to happen (low tide is a 7 pm) and the wind are predicted at west 12-16 (a good direction for nahant). All I can say is that it is a long drive for you and that you should use your judgment.

dan

I am one of the “regulars” who has been boarding all along with no problem and until this past Saturday I had never been approached by anyone (DCR, lifeguards, EP etc.) and told that it was not permitted. I’ve even had the DCR watch me from their pickup on the sidewalk and make no attempt to approach me or flag me down even though it had to be clear to them that I was looking their way. Obviously the lifeguards have seen me too although I never board or even fly static on the guarded sections of the beach.
This past Saturday I was boarding in a south wind at low tide, making runs back and forth between the water and soft sand. There was no one in my area that I needed to go around and no one downwind for at least 2 or 3 line lengths. One of the little green four wheelers that the lifeguards drive approached me and I immediately landed my kite to talk with them. They told me that they couldn’t permit riding on the beach from May to September. They said static flying was ok on the unguarded sections but riding was not permitted anywhere. Interestingly they referred to my land board as a buggy!! It was a very friendly conversation. I wasn’t the least bit confrontational and I immediately packed up my stuff. I didn’t bother to ask for their names since the situation is already being worked by Greg and Dan but I was told that one of the guys was Steve. At this point I now feel that I’ve used up my “one warning” and I won’t be riding any more until we get some kind of official OK.

~Dave

It'd be a good idea for our mediators to provide DCR with pictures of buggies and landboards so that there is not confusion.

"May to September"?? That's 5 months!

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave62 They told me that they couldn’t permit riding on the beach from May to September. They said static flying was ok on the unguarded sections but riding was not permitted anywhere. Interestingly they referred to my land board as a buggy!! ~Dave

Fellow kiters from Nahant,

Ban has been lifted for now! You may resume your buggying and boarding activities from tomorrow. FYI, there is a Coastsweep cleanup on Nahant Beach Saturday, 9/20 from 9:00am-noon.

DCR will continue to review the matter with the local group.

Have fun!