Le Galion in St Martin Banned!

[thierrydehove]

totally agree
because we have already a lot accidents from kite from "outside", most of are beginners and they have no ideas how to launch a kite... even Manu spent all his time to explain, they don't care

thanks for your support

[Vacaloca]

Hi all, first post in the forum
I have (very) recently finished the IKO lvl2-I training and I was lucky enough to have a trip already planned to SXM (pure chance). As of 10 minutes ago, I was planning on practicing my rough beginner skills in Le Galion, but seems I can't anymore.

Is there any tranquil place on the island recommended for beginners? I definitely don't want to start in Orient Bay, too dangerous and I don't want to bother anybody. I just got out of "school" so I still need to get better at getting up and riding.. no upwind.

What about some of the lakes in the island? Maybe the small one near Grand Case, Etang Chevnse, or other beaches nearby like Baie Lucas, Guana Bay etc. Don't want to get into dangerous places either (both in terms of Kitesurfing and car break-ins hehehe).

Any and all help greatly appreciated. I'm even considering going with a school, but I'd rather also have somewhere to practice, practice, practice.

Thanks for the advice!
AB

[RichardM]

Guys
It's sadely true and I don't want to waste my time to explain but the new politic in SXM don't give a shit about kite and they want to create an aquarium... It's not a joke

Any way we are fighting with the official rules and law to get back this unique spot

So please it will be helpful if you can post some comments and click on like to help us and you also

http://touch.facebook.com/#/profile.php ... 116&v=feed

Keep
Thierry

Thierry:

If you want to keep (or regain) access, your odds of doing so are going DOWN every day pressure does not INCREASE to restore kiting. This is because, as you can see from the posts, potential supporters will go elsewhere and lose interest and the more entrenched the status quo of NO KITING becomes, the harder it will be to effect change.

If you don’t have the time to try some of the following suggestions, I suggest that you make a major effort to convince the local kiting establishments to do so. They should have a strong financial incentive to succeed and you might point out that IF IT LOOKS EASY to displace kiters, it WON’T STOP with just one location.

I don’t know anything about your location and am just guessing at some possible approaches but it’s obviously a TOURIST trap highly dependent on tourism for economic viability. ANYTHING that makes them THINK tourism MIGHT suffer will make them more conciliatory – probably in direct proportion to how worried they get.

1. Put together a petition succinctly stating as many reasons as possible as to why the ban is unfair, illegal, excessive, discriminatory, biased in favor of a specific group(s), and potentially DAMAGING to the locations ECONOMY. You might hint at how spreading discontent and BAD publicity will discourage many NON-KITERS from visiting besides eliminating ALL kiters and their families.

This post is the EXACT type of quote you want to ask signers to put in a comment:
“

I have traveled to St. Martin 3 times to go kiteboarding. Each time my wife and I stayed for 8 - 10 days. We also spent several thousand dollars on lodging, food, etc. This year we did not go to St. Martin because of the ban. Until the ban is lifted, I will be spending my money elsewhere.

”


2. Besides posting the petition on every kiting forum and kiting company web site, try to find a way to link it to OTHER users WORLDWIDE. For example, someone mentioned that there was allegedly concern about BIRDS. This is VERY REAL THREAT to MANY types of recreation and some of these OTHER user groups are not only GIGANTIC compared to kiters, but are getting MILITANT about being screwed over supposedly for some bird. Some groups include Recreational Vehicle owners (LOTS of money and organization), Dog owners (can tend toward violence when their pet’s welfare is threatened), Fishermen (another MASSIVE group backed by a powerful industry), etc. Any of these people who have been, or are BEING jerked around allegedly because of some bird or turtle may well be willing to help you even if they don’t even know where you are because they want to stop this trend.

Maybe you have locals that are upset with tour boats and crass commercialized tourism who would rather see you in the bay than polluting Personal Watercraft or sewage dumping cruise ships. Any local business who you convince will have their income adversely affected (even if its in the future) will have a disproportionate amount of influence on the regulators if you get them to say ANYTHING.

3. If there is a reasonable basis for some alleged concerns, such as interference with non-kiters, state that there are reasonable ways to alleviate their concerns. And although you will need to EVENTUALLY actually to come up with something reasonable, you needn’t do it until they’re at least willing to discuss it.

4. Try to get someone with legal knowledge to research the laws regarding the ban. VERY OFTEN authorities enact regulations beyond the scope of their mandate or don’t do so in the EXACT manner REQUIRED by law. If you can find these types of flaws, you might actually WIN immediately. At the very least it will rot their minds and create endless unanticipated problems which will motivate them toward conciliation.

5. REMEMBER, NOBODY wants to avoid work more than typical bureaucrats. If you make it MORE WORK to screw with you than to do what you want, you’ll have THEM looking for a way to MAKE YOU HAPPY.

ALL KITERS SHOULD WANT TO STOP BANS WHEREVER THEY OCCUR because every ban that succeeds makes the next one easier and any effort made in resistance will be MORE PRODUCTIVE BEFORE BANS BECOME THE ACCEPTED METHODOF DEALING WITH KITERS.

Richard M.
Malibu Kitesurfing - since 2002
(310) - 430 - KITE (5483)
http://www.MalibuKitesurfing.NET
kfRichard@MalibuKitesurfing.NET

[yzbob]

Just wondered what the latest situation is here?

haven't been on st Martin in a few yrs. Last time i was there people were kiting Le Galion without any issues. I will b there next month and wondering whether to just head to Orient or chance Le Galion??

[RickI]

I was worried about losing this spot the last time I visited, in 2003! The mechanics of preserving access are often EASY. Wildlife issues can complicate things but there are many cases in which this was resolved allowing kiting to continue. It is the implementation and getting kiters on board with what it will take to keep kiting going which can be difficult. If we love to kite, it is worth preserving the privilege to do so. Kiting isn't a right, it continues in some areas in exchange for riding responsibly, is up to us.

[RichardM]

I was worried about losing this spot the last time I visited, in 2003! The mechanics of preserving access are often EASY. Wildlife issues can complicate things but there are many cases in which this was resolved allowing kiting to continue. It is the implementation and getting kiters on board with what it will take to keep kiting going which can be difficult. If we love to kite, it is worth preserving the privilege to do so. Kiting isn't a right, it continues in some areas in exchange for riding responsibly, is up to us.

It is every bit as much of a "right" as ANY OTHER use.

The problem is that ANY use usually must be weighed in comparison with OTHER concurrent uses with the end result theoretically being the MOST use by the MOST USERS.

Richard M.
Malibu Kitesurfing - since 2002
(310) - 430 - KITE (5483)
http://www.MalibuKitesurfing.NET
kfRichard@MalibuKitesurfing.NET

[windgoi]

update: April 2016, If you launch and or land on the shore of Le Galion Bay, you will get nailed for a 150 euro fine. However, I was told by a local, if you launch on the South point by the Rotary Lookout point, you are fine. I kited two days with a couple of others, no issue. My guess is, technicaly the launch point is outside the bay. A local was kind enough to tell me. Otherwise I would not have not known as the local kiters keep tearing out signs in the Bay entrance that tell you the fines etc.