Beach Invasion By Kite Surfers

[scotian]

This is in no way intended by me to be a sort of witch hunt against kite surfers, I think its in the best interests for everyone, so on that basis I've setup the online petition which I will email to admin here. Wording is:

To: Hua Hin Municipality
Over the years, the number of kite surfers on Hua Hin beach has increased at a fast pace. It is a great benefit for residents and visitors to Hua Hin to be able to participate in a wide variety of beach & sea activities, however, safety must be paramount. The number of kite surfers presents a hazard for both swimmers and people on the beach who are at risk of being hit by the kite boards or kite wings.

By signing this petition, we request the Hua Hin Municipality to establish a separate designated section, away from the popular tourist section of the beach, allocated to surfing only.

[Hobiecat]

Now..........if I'm understanding this correctly your first post on this forum is to send the Tesaban a petition regarding the allocation of a portion of beach for kite surfing? One of the reasons Hua Hin beach is so popular is that it provides a quartering wind to the beach which is most desired for the sport. Not to mention the area required to launch a kite. It's also one of the reasons we had the World Cup 2009 Kite Surf Championship here last year. Sadly for those that oppose the sport your going to be even more disappointed as Hua Hin becomes a world class kite surf destination with the local government in complete support of the sport in addition to their promotion of HH as a Kite Surf destination.

If I remember correctly in my travels in most resort locations (in interest of swimmer safety) there is often an area cordoned off so that no wind surfers, banana boats, small sailing vessels, jet skis, water skiers of kite surfers may enter, say like Pattaya. Careful what you ask for as there may be a petition presented to the Tesaban requesting in the interest of swimmers and kite surfers safety requesting they provide a swimming pen so that there are no swimmers in open water obstructing kite surfers. Remember the local government is in full agreement with the local clubs as promoting HH as a world class kite surf destination.

Good Luck.

[scotian]

You are right regarding it being my first post, stating again what I already said.

A petition is a petition, you sign it or you don't. I'm not giving moral authority, I'm presenting a choice

[Spitfire]

They are deaf, even though a noble thought, it is pointless.

[Hobiecat]

They are deaf, even though a noble thought, it is pointless.

Sorry Spitfire ???? Would you like to elaborate.

[pharvey]

They are deaf, even though a noble thought, it is pointless.

Sorry Spitfire ???? Would you like to elaborate.

I would hazard a guess that SF is inferring that those of the powers that be of the Hua Hin Municipality have thoughts somewhat above their station, belittling of others and ''deaf'' to suggestions from the general public (or those that they would gain little or nothing from).

Fairly obvious on the ''noble thought'' front........

''Pointless''...... well, speaks for itself with the tw@ts in public office - much like the UK.

Not difficult to follow really

[STEVE G]

Careful what you ask for as there may be a petition presented to the Tesaban requesting in the interest of swimmers and kite surfers safety requesting they provide a swimming pen so that there are no swimmers in open water obstructing kite surfers.

Providing a swimming area for swimmers, for children or those unsure of themselves is a good idea but surely kite surfers have to accommodate those who choose to use open waters for other sports.

[Hobiecat]

Thanks Pharvey. Was not sure exactly what Spitfire was refering to. Have to agree.

[Hobiecat]

.......and yes your are correct Steve G the beach is for everyones use. Maybe there should be a designated area for open water swimmers as the sport is just going to increase. That's a given.

[scotian]

Hobiecat - your post doesn't make any sense to me. "open water swimmers as the sport is just going to increase"?

Are you trying to link open water swimmers in the same category as the kite surfers?

The majority of swimmers in Hua Hin are tourists, locals and kids playing around in the shallow end of the sea. This is where the risk of being hit by a surf board exists, as well as highlighted here by others, on the beach itself.

I've sent the petition link to the Admin to post here. For anyone who wants to access now, you can do so via the website "petitions online" (just google it)

[STEVE G]

I had a quick look at a couple of international kite-surfing websites and on the subject of other water users they say things that suggest a level of responsibility in the sport, if they're adhered to:



Always keep the entrance and the exit of the beaches clear. Avoid situations where bystanders trip over your lines. Give way to bystanders and never fly your kite over non-participating persons on the beach and maintain at all times a safe distance between yourself and the bystanders.


Swimmers, surfers, Rowers:
Kitesurfers must at all times give way to these water participants.


Windsurfers and other sailing vessels:
Technically kitesurfers fall under sailing vessels and normal marine rules would apply (ie the vessel on a starboard tack (going right) has right of way).

However, due to the fact that kitesurfing is the youngest sport, that kitesurfing can be unpredictable and the long lines used, kitesurfers should keep a safe distance between themselves and other water users and always give right of way.





The last part about kite-surfing being the youngest sport will apply for a long while as people have been bathing off Hua Hin beach since the 1920's!

[Hobiecat]

Scotian I was refering to this.

Providing a swimming area for swimmers, for children or those unsure of themselves is a good idea but surely kite surfers have to accommodate those who choose to use open waters for other sports.

Steve G also mentioned some other very valid points which I hope all surfers adhere to.

As far as your petition goes with no disrespect. Even if you get a few signatures on it with the support the local government has for promoting the sport and it's history of dealing with farang issues. Your noble idea is pretty much dead in the water before it even gets started.

Once you've stayed here long enough as most that have understand, farang issues rank pretty close to the bottom of local governments concerns. In their minds you are just like what you would think of an immigrant back home. If there's nothing in it for them as there is in promoting the sport. your chances of getting anywhere are minimal....... Now a swimmers pen has a much better chance.


As I mention before. Good Luck.

[redzonerocker]

just out of interest, does anyone believe that these petitions actually work?

slightly different circumstances, but . . . .what was the result of the petition concerning english language films at the cinema, was it successful??

concerning the kiteboarding, i suppose it depends on how many sign the petition as to how much it's actually a real issue (i'm non resident & neutral btw).
like all resorts, there is an ever increasing variety of watersports, generally aimed at the tourist market, hard to petition against imo.
if you propose a certain zone for the kiters then i'm sure they will argue that there should then be zones for jetskis etc etc

who then will be policing these zones . . . could be a money spinner in the making

[fft100]

hobiecat seems quite aggressive on this subject. He seems to be implying that 'the world is ours' - at least as far as HH is concerned. However, support in LOS for anything is a temporal thing, or should i say based on Mammon.

I think the kitesurfers should think about the possible reaction if an accident occured where someone was injured by a kitesurfer. Prevention is better than cure.

[scotian]

Hobiecat - i've had a house in HH for 4 years now.

I do hope the petition gets a few signatures because the alternative is we wait for an accident to happen before people take notice