Postby madmax7 » Thu Nov 21, 2013 7:14 am
Just to share the windsurf perspective from someone on site,
I live on Maui and I agree the maps are a bit hard to decipher. However, here's what I see:
1) zone A: eliminates access to the eastern most beach, known locally as "kook beach." This is an important spot for beginners, with light wind and shelter. Restricting access there has 2 problems: a) the beginners have to learn in more difficult areas; b) the beginners will clog up the rest of the area more, since they tend to drift to the west (downwind) and then walk in shallow water with their gear back upwind
2) zone B: we'll lose the area most people launch from, and will have to carry our gear to areas to launch. We'll also lose areas we come in at if the wind dies or we have an equipment issue.
3) zone C: won't be much of a problem for windsurfers. May affect kiters, but I'm not the best to comment on that.
Does all of this destroy windsurfing at Kahaha? NO
Does it create problems for windsurfing at Kanaha? YES
Could swim zones be designed better to allow good access for both swimmers and windsurfer/kiters? YES
Just FYI, I use both sides of park since I do both sports, the problem for Wsurfers is trying to exit on light winds, a small window!
If you think this will blow over, Hookipa is going thru limited access for Wsurfers, did that blow over?
I fail to understand how an industry that grew out of the island cannot get organized!
In So. cal we ve had near closures and organizations have done fund raisers, created signs, educated people, and we ve managed to keep beaches open!
In Maui, where these industries ( not to mention names. N, C, W, and others that have made $ selling boards, sails, kites, etc) have made a shit load of $ , cannot even contribute to create signs and collaborate with somekind of a kiting organization? One of these names even has a kite beach named after him, N beach, maybe if he would have spend a few $ to put up a sign ... And told his people to educate people on the beach instead of abusing priviledges by throwing tricks close to shore to show off!
Instead the authorities put up signs restricting our access?
Shame on all those that make money from these sports and done little to organize, this crap has been brewing for months, and not much has been done.
How ironic, the birthplace (perhaps not actual but perceived) of these sports is being sqeezed out of the island!
Just my outsider perspective! But, I've been going to Maui on a regular basis for over 30 years, and cannot believe that it's come to this!
Max