12th June 2009
Waz Up HBCrew,
Well its that time of year again WINDY. It has been all safe at HB with a few rotten eggs trying to spoil our great location. One of the offenders was a HBC member who has now been removed from the register, so keep your nose clean.. The HB crew are keeping on top of things using our self police methods. Meeting again with HB Chief K.Lindo on the 10th June and all is good he stated, no reports to date, we must be doing a good job he said.. The wind has been good with a few light days and lots of new students coming to learn with the AKA. A few of the HBC have recieved there new tags, come and get your today. We will have a HBC meeting in the forth coming months to have a beer and a chat about our local spot and policies.
We now have 67 HBC members all with orange tags... Yeahh.
peace out
Nudge ":-)
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17th March 2009
Hey crew well we have had some great wind over the past few months. At one stage it blew over 40mph, wow no one out that day. lol.
New Orange Tags are being handed out, so come get your new 09 tags when your at HB.
We are seeing a few more novices at HB so if your new come and grab a copy of the rules so your intouch with the latest updates.
Also note that they have added in a extra tower at the Pier. So we now kite at Tower 14, 14th Street. gotta love 14...
Take care and kite safe at Huntington Beach.
Captain Nudge
HB Crew member 007
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6th August 2008 update.
Here are the final rulz approved by the Cheif guard. This has been written by the AKA and scka to help unite our local kite community. The AKA and Capt Nudge do not condone the following as every kiter should be IKO L3N which covers more than the list words below. My personal fav is not looking at the kite while flying. lol...
( we will have a HB Crew members logo out soon to stand alone as a chapter to the scka. )
Peace
Captain Nudge.
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SCKA Kitesurfing Rules for Huntington City Beach
For continued enjoyment of kitesurfing in Huntington Beach, the Southern California Kitesurfing Association (SCKA) has drafted the following self imposed rules that all riders are asked to respect in the interest of keeping this area open to all of us. All kitesurfers are welcome to attend SCKA meetings and have a say in what we define as appropriate kitesurfing conduct – browse to www.scka.org for contact information.
1. Ability Level: SCKA welcomes independent kitesurfers as defined in the SCKA “HB Kitesurfing Ability Guidelines”. Among other things, this means a kiter can stay upwind, keep kite in the air consistently, fly by feel not just sight, jump with control, transition / jibe, water relaunch kite within 30 seconds, self-launch, self-land, and self-rescue. Refer to the mentioned “Kitesurfing Ability Guidelines” handout for details.
2. Areas (area map shown below - more detailed map can be viewed at www.scka.org):
a. Kitesurfing is recommended north of the HB pier. South of the pier is blackballed in summer months.
b. Launching / landing is generally permitted between tower 10 and the Huntington Cliffs (tower 18).
c. An additional launch / land area is north of the HB Cliffs (northernmost metered parking lot) up to Seapoint Ave. This area is highly recommended on crowded summer days.
d. Do not launch / land north of Seapoint Ave. Do not launch / land within the HB Cliff area.
e. Launching / landing between tower 10 and the pier is not recommended.
f. Launching / landing south of the pier is not recommended.
g. When in the water, maintain upwind position so as to generally return to shore north of tower 10.
h. On crowded summer weekends, if upwind position cannot be maintained north of tower 8, get out of the water and walk back upwind. On regular days, the northern wall of the apartments (just north of tower 6) is the get out and walk point.
3. Launching and Landing:
a. Launch in middle of the beach maintaining at least a 100 ft. safe zone downwind.
b. Launch with safety leash attached, with a working emergency release system.
c. Do not launch near road.
d. Do not launch near other beach users, towers, poles or large objects.
e. Do not launch if uncertain of the wind / weather conditions.
4. Beach Users: All beach users have the right of way. This includes swimmers, waders, sunbathers, shoreline spectators, skimboarders, etc.
5. Surfers (surfers in this sense includes conventional surfers, body boarders, windsurfers and stand up paddlers):
a. All surfers have the right of way in the water.
b. Surfers have the right of way on all waves.
c. Do not kite within 100 ft upwind of surfers (use good judgement).
d. Do not ride shore break if surfers are present down the line.
6. Other Kiters / Windsurfers:
a. The starboard tack rider generally has the right of way (the rider looking over his right shoulder). However:
b. This does not apply to a situation where a kiter / windsurfer is riding a wave. The outgoing kiter always yields to a kiter / windsurfer riding a wave.
7. Crowded Days:
a. It is up to us to use best judgement as to when it is too crowded to kitesurf. Otherwise, we will not be the ones to make that decision in the future.
b. Do not kite before 3pm on crowded summer days between the pier and tower 18. Wait until later in the afternoon when the crowds clear out. North of the Cliffs to Seapoint Ave. is the preferred area before 3pm.
c. On crowded holiday weekends, avoid the area between the pier and HB Cliffs. Between the North end of the Cliffs and Seapoint Ave. is the preferred area for these times.
d. Do not kite crowded areas especially on marginally light wind days. 14-15 mph is the suggested minimum wind speed in which to kite.
8. Equipment:
a. Replace lines well before they show signs of pending failure. Do not wait for lines to break before replacing them.
b. In higher winds, always secure kite with sand when not in use.
c. Always roll bar and lines up when not in use.
d. Board leashes, retractable leashes are not recommended for use in waves at HB.
Kitesurfing at HB was recently blackballed due to people not keeping to the above guide to kiting safely. We need you to help to keep HB open for all to enjoy. Above all, please respect the lifeguards and other enforcing authorities by complying with any request, instruction, or order issued. Receive an orange tag by signing your agreement to these guidelines and by demonstrating your abilities as suggested in item #1. Orange tags demonstrate your safety awareness as well as your community-minded intentions.
SCKA, since it’s establishment in 1999 has had kitesurfing safety as it’s primary focus. It is the most recognized local kiting safety organization. Please work with us to keep this area open!
image does not load. it is the same as the old one below.
sorry nudge.
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This is the HB Crews handout cards. if the guard gives you one of these you must have stuffed up really bad.
SCKA Kitesurfing Ability Guidelines for Huntington City Beach
Huntington City Beach is not a beginning kitesurfing spot. The Southern California Kiteboarding Association (SCKA) recommends that only VERY EXPERIENCED kiters should attempt to kite at Huntington Beach due to challenging conditions in the area. Please respect this area by developing your kitesurfing skills outside of Huntington Beach until reaching an advanced skill level. This effort is intended to promote respect for beachgoers, surfers, swimmers and lifeguards, and to preserve restriction-free kitesurfing in Huntington Beach.
All are welcome to kitesurf Huntington City Beach when ready. In terms of judging rider readiness, SCKA proposes the following measures of skill that should be mastered prior to kitesurfing at Huntington City Beach:
1. Ability to stay upwind: A rider must be able to return to the same spot on the beach from which he launched.
2. Keeping kite in the air: A rider should not be dropping his kite in the water more than one time in about every 3-5 days of kitesurfing.
3. Kite flying by feel: Kiter must not have to look at the kite to know how to control it. He should be able to fly the kite with eyes closed, solely by the feel of tension in the lines.
4. Jumping: Because of waves, a kiter will be required to jump at Huntington whether wanting to or not. Rider must be able to fully control orientation, and to accurately predict landing spot in a jump.
5. Transitions/Jibes: should be second nature and effortless as Huntington conditions inevitably will present circumstances where a kiter cannot jump a wave and/or whitewash.
6. Kite-Launch: Rider must be capable of quickly re-launching kite in less than 30 – 45 seconds.
7. Self-Rescue: In the event of a downed kite that cannot be re-launched, the kiter must be able, while in the water, to wind up his lines onto the bar, and use the kite to drag into shore.
8. Self landing of kite: A kiter must know how to land his kite on the ground while respecting other people on the beach. Rider must be able to safely land kite with or without assistance.
SCKA recommends nearby flat water areas as preferred spots to learn, where the rider will progress much faster in an environment that is much safer for the rider and others on the beach. Appropriate sites are listed at www.scka.org.
Huntington is not beginner friendly for the following reasons:
1. Waves: Waves can overcome a kiter causing: - loss of line tension – loss of kite control – line entanglement - equipment loss or destruction. A kiter tumbling underneath waves can easily lose orientation and must be able to control the kite in the air eyes closed, purely by feel.
2. Current: Strong currents are often present in the same direction as the wind. This tends to drag kitesurfers quickly towards the pier. It also means that a kitesurfers ability to stay upwind in the water is greatly reduced.
3. People: Huntington City Beach becomes extremely packed with beach users in the spring, summer, and fall. Other nearby areas are much less densely filled with beach users. Kiters must have experience and good judgment in determining when it is safe to launch / land kite in the proximity of others.
4. Surfers: It is imperative that a kitesurfer can devote enough attention to know where surfers are and keep a safe distance away from them when riding and jumping. A kitesurfer needs to have complete control over where the wind, current, and waves are taking him in order to avoid surfers.
SCKA, since it’s establishment in 1999 has had kitesurfing safety as it’s primary focus. It is the most recognized local kiting safety organization. Local riders may approach any beginner not using good judgment and appearing to pose a safety risk. Please do not take any resulting comments as a threat – this is simply an attempt to keep this area safe and available to all kiters when properly prepared.
Thank you for your consideration for others. Happy Kiting!
Nudges note - the above is all part of the IKO training level 3M & 3N. come and get certified and show your card to the guards.
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14th July 2008 update.
The HB crew & SCKA members meet to join forces with other local kiters to save our spot. HB was closed last Sunday for safety reasons. It was not the local guys doing all the harm. So we all agree on some new guidelines. The final draft will be issued in a few weeks so sit tight and come get your orange tag to show your support for the HB kite community. 53 others rideers can not be wrong.
Peace
Nudge
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21st Feb 2008 update on HB crew rulz.
The AKA has been meeting with HB Lifeguard Chief Mr Kyle Lindo to discuss Kitesurfing at his beach and kite safety. Presenting The Chief with the HB crew guidelines for safe practices and the HB Crew register with the 37 HB crew members names and basic details. He was please to see that the self policing is working well. Mr Lindo and the other full time guards noted our HB crew orange tag and thought this was a great help to identify our local kite club community.
The AKA has the approval from The Chief to continue teaching at Huntington Beach in the same safe manner as per previous years, and has approved the guidelines below.
The AKA would like to thank Mr Lindo for his support for this exciting sport.
ORIGINAL HB RULZ BY THE BOYS 2007
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT
THIS IS AN APPROVED DOCUMENTHuntington Beach Kiteboarding Guidelines
(Written & owned by Nudge @ Australian Kitesurf Academy .com for the HB crew Sept 2007.)1. Kiteboarding & Kitesurfing = A person flying a large kite on the water.
2. Huntington Beach welcomes
Independent kitesurfers of all levels.
3. ie:- Upwind and jumping ability is strongly advised..
4. Local conditions.
a. Clean sandy beach and sea floor.
b. Beach width decreases towards the HB cliffs.
c. Water is clean and clear with no pollution.
d. Do not kitesurf for 2 days after rain due to PCH drains to ocean.
e. Marine life, only dolphins and the odd seal or fish.
f. Water condition. Surf. Anywhere from 2 to 10 foot waves.
g. Wind conditions.
i. Best wind February till October.
ii. Average wind range 12 to 20 mph
iii. Average wind direction West / South West. (Cross on shore)
h. Marine Safety Officers (MSO) / Life guards
i. Peak season. All towers are open throughout summer
ii. Off season. Selected towers are open during winter
iii. Tower zero is operated daily.
iv. MSO vehicles patrol all year round
v. Rescue craft available for deep water rescue
vi. MSO have the final say on all beach regulations.
vii. Failure to comply with MSO, police to be contacted.
i. Police
i. Peak season. Police patrol the beach daily
ii. Off season. Police station in Main Street, 2 mins.
iii. Police will enforce all beach municipal codes.
iv. Police will enforce the requirements of the MSO.
5. Kitesurfing is recommended north side of the HB pier.
6. Kitesurfing south side is blackballed during summer months.
7. Kitesurfing south side has whirlwind effect from the pier, not recommended.
8. Launch and land area between Tower 12 to Huntington Cliffs. (Tower 18.)
a. Launch and land Dog beach north to river mouth recommended.
b. Launch and land HB Cliffs is not recommended.
c. Launch and land past Tower 10 to Pier is not recommended.
d. Launch and land south side of pier not recommended.
e. Launch in the middle of the beach with 300ft safe zone downwind
f. Launch with safety leash attached, working emergency release system
g. Do not launch near road
h. Do not launch near other beach users, towers, poles or large objects.
i. Do not launch if you are uncertain of the wind/weather condition.
9. Beach users
a. All beach users have the right of way.
b. All sunbathers have the right of way.
c. Shoreline spectators have the right of way
d. Swimming, Wading, frolicking has the right of way.
e. Animals on the beach have the right of way.
10. Surfers / body boards / stand up paddle
a. All surfers have the right of way in the water.
b. Surfers have the right of way on all waves.
c. Do not kite within 100 ft of surfers.
d. Do not ride the shore break if surfers are present down the line.
11. Downwind runs allowed from Dog beach.
12. Never kitesurf alone.
13. Never leave your equipment unattended on the beach.
14. Never leave valuables on the beach, keys, wallet etc.
15. Never use a board leash or retractable leash in the waves.
16. Always secure your kite with sand when not in use.
17. Always roll your bar and lines up when not in use
18. Always respect other kitesurfers on and off the water.
19. Always obey the rules and regulations of kitesurfing safely.
20. Always starboard tack has the right of way. (Going to the right.)
21. Always receive proper instruction from a qualified kitesurfing instructor.
22. Personal kiteboarding insurance is recommended. Eg IKO $89 per year.
The above has been written in good faith by the HB Kite community for the HB community
(Written & owned by Nudge @ Australian Kitesurf Academy .com for the HB crew Sept 2007.)