Kiting Meeting with The Park Service

Kiting Meeting with The Park Service
A meeting was held with the kiteboarding community at the Fessenden Center last week.
Most of the shop owners attended as did two of the Park Service’s rangers.
The rangers were asking for help and seeking input concerning kite boarding on Hatteras Island.
They want to make everyone’s experience as positive as possible and wished to review some complaints that they had received and were asking for guidance to be able to tell visitors.
Number one issue was what to do when someone is driving on the beach and comes upon kite lines strung out on the sand (or parking lot.)
Generally, if the vehicle pauses the owner of the lines is near by and will move them. If not the driver should cross the lines VERY SLOWLY so as to not tangle them. It was also remarked that a courteous kiter would not set up their lines in a parking lot or on the driveable part of the beach. In the case of the beach setup they may be do that when getting ready to launch and should be near the lines.
A discussion ensued about safe procedures. The main point was that people need to be understanding and courteous be they kiters, fishermen, or families out for an outing. The Parks do not limit activities in most areas; therefore people can do them where ever they like but a call for common sense is in order. As on person noted, “Flying a kite doesn’t make you an idiot.” Neither, does holding a fishing rod or spreading out a beach blanket; but many at the meeting had examples of people being discourteous, or just not thinking, in this regard.
Examples included:
- Setting up kites in the parking lot of Canadian Hole or the narrow neck of land between Canadian Hole and Kite Point.
o All in attendance agreed that they would encourage kite boarders to go all the way to Kite Point to fly.
- Fishing from Kite Point
o While it is true one could fish from their it is one of the few really good places to launch and land kites, while one could fish there and kiters would do all they could to avoid such a person it was suggested that the Park Service do what they can to discourage fishing in such a place and to encourage, via signs, for kiters to come to Kite Point.

Other flying spots and parking lots were discussed. It was generally agreed that popularity of spots was increasing and control and moderation, along with courtesy and good manners, would carry the day. It was also mentioned by the Park Service that nesting spots changed from year to year and month to month and that the park service sent out a group e-mail to inform people where these spots were. Anyone can get on the e-mail list by calling the Superintendent’s office.

Also mentioned was the fact that no one is to fly within 150 feet of the power lines at Canadian Hole. Posts are placed in the ground marked white with red tops to show where that demarcation is.