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Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

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thierrydehove
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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby thierrydehove » Mon Apr 04, 2011 12:29 pm

Thanks Toby for your words
I will you keep you posted

take care, T

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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby yaniv » Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:33 pm

what's the point behind banning kitesurfing and allowing windsurfing?

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thierrydehove
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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby thierrydehove » Mon Apr 04, 2011 1:49 pm

The Reserve say that we scare the birds... I had the same problem in France 10 years ago.
It's going to be long but don't worry we will get back this spot

next year, new election in St Martin so will see ;)

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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby DrLightWind » Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:08 am

I've been there also couple of times and never saw any birds around Le Galion,
but saw a lot of topless rich ladies on the ocean side around the crouded rental place.
I'm not going there anymore after this BS and 50% getting skunked :nono:

There is also direct flight to St. Lucia with more predictable winds,
not much farther with less expenses what I suggest for everyone :thumb:

DrLW

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thierrydehove
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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby thierrydehove » Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:55 am

and Guys, what about my paradise ? ;(
Anguilla http://www.tropical-paradise.net/anguil ... aches.html, the best spot in Carribean

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RickI
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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby RickI » Tue Apr 05, 2011 3:17 am

I was worried about losing access at this beach EIGHT years ago in response to complaints then. Guys riding too close to shore was the main part of the problem. Still is here and in lots of other places. The windsurfers had established licensed concessions way back then here. Kiters would try to slide in without any of it. Have any licensed kiting concessions ever registered to run businesses and try to look after things here? Properly approached as with the long standing concession at Orient Bay would likely sort this mess out.

We need to get the hell away from the beach, we're causing way too many problems for ourselves, worldwide.

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thierrydehove
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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby thierrydehove » Tue Apr 05, 2011 3:24 am

all local have their Kite License with FFVL, the IKO french and the problem is bigger and we are fighting politics, caribbean politics, so it's going to take a long time but the members of this association is stronger and we are passionated by this sport, so we won't give up

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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby Linhster » Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:16 pm

I tried to get more info by talking to the local riders but most only speak French, and very little English. Glad that thierrydehove comfirmed it. While there, I was quite shocked that the approved location ( Orient Bay ) is burdened with danger for kiters and by standers. Some of these are:

- The beach are so dense with tourist (on certain days as manny as 7-8 cruise ships are docked in Phillipburg. Including the newest mega ship the Oasis, which itself hold 5000 people). Where as Le Gallion is usually empty becuase it is not as clean and filled chairs and vendors for the tourist.

- Obstacles for kiting from other water sports that are there to cater toward tourists. Including: multiple parasail operators (lines from parasail and the power boat), Jetski rental (very popular among cruise people and usually out in small groups), Docking boats (some are maga yatchs).

- Kite school that is very busy and mostly dedicate their resource to the students. Many new students are body dragging throughout the bay.

- Wind shadow from a small island in east wind. Where as Le Gallion is un-obstructed.

Anyway, hope that the community and do something as a whole and reverse this ruling. As this is truly one of the best place I have kited. Hope that sometime ahead, others will have the same opportunity.

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thierrydehove
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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby thierrydehove » Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:33 pm

Thanks for your post

Be careful , THERE ARE NO CRUISE on Orient Bay only on dutch side
the only "danger" in Orient are the sail boat, sometimes Yacht and the most dangerous are the jetski

except that, it's a nice spot to kite for a long ride to visit Green Cay, Pinel and Tintamarre
see my last video



but nothing like my own spot, Anguilla ;)



only one kite school, it's Wind Adventures, my buddy Manu did an amazing there and most of the beginner start behind Green cay so far from the beach, no body drag inside the bay

be safe, Thierry

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Re: Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

Postby Linhster » Wed Apr 06, 2011 12:30 am

Theirry,

Just wanted to clear up my statement.

The cruise ship was mentioned because they bring in a large amount of tourist to Orient Bay. They bring lots of traffics across the launch area. And also this beach attract many swimmers. So stay away from the swim zone.

As for Wind Adventure, I have meet Manu. His shop is a very busy shop. Plus they also host a lot of visiting riders.. Sorry that I lump them into the "danger" did not mean to do that. Just that they are very busy!

The whole reason for the last post was to illustrate that it make more sense to keep Le Gallion open to kitesurfing.

Thanks for posting the video. Maybe I will get a chance to meet you there someday.. And hopefully we will ride in Le Gallion.


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