If you are a Kiter at Lagoon City ON please contact me as to how to best approach the Town Council to discuss the proposed Kiteboarding ban for Lagoon City Beach.
One of my patients is on Town Council and he knows I am an avid Kiteboarder.
If you are not proactive we will loose this popular site.
I was successful creating a Kite beach with another Town Council about 15 km away which has had zero kiteboarding complaints in the last 5 years.
What is the reasoning for the proposed ban? Injures, wildlife, conflict with other user groups ?
If I was to speculate....
I am not sure what the problem is as I do not kite there but I know there are two beaches one on either side of the channel that have "Private Beach Access" this means that residence of the area are allowed to use the beach... this will likely be a similar arrangement to the beach where I live, such that the beach was purchased by an association and in return for no property taxes the association allows all residence of the local municipality to use the beach... my guess is that there is a stream of kiters coming from the Greater Toronto Area and using the beach as if it was public, likely using up all the parking spots or just parking illegally, there will likely be no public washrooms so there will be some public urination, and generally the locals don't like non locals taking up the space.
As a volunteer OKA rep of many years in Lagoon area I attended Monday's meeting with Ramara council regarding Parks use bylaw 8.2 proposed changes
Presentation was well received and bylaw 8.2 proposed changes have been held off for further review in the spring...specifily Steps launch issues and swim only proposal that would effect kiting
Will work with council this spring to establish continued access for all
I would like to thank all the local kiters for there ongoing support of signage @ Main Lagoon Beach ....self management goes a long way with council and beach goers alike.....LETS ALL WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR BEACHES OPEN
Sooooo.......Van is almost packed and ready for another winter in Los Barriles Baja......SEE ALL IN THE SPRING
There's a lengthy thread on the Central Ontario Kiteboarding page on FB.
Summary:
Most access points in Ontario were closed a couple weeks ago ("reason" being COVID but in my mind more about locals trying to keep public spaces exclusive use by local population and using Covid as an excuse)
On a rare windy NW weekend estimated 90+ kiters descend on Lagoon City
Reported incident of a kite school double booked having a heated argument, witness reported to town officials (of course lessons aren't allowed on public spaces)
Kiteboarders reported to be riding in the boat launch area, jumping piers, etc
And reports of similar incidents reaching the town officials over the past few weeks.
Kiteboarding can't be banned as local authorities can't control what we do on the water. So the town is doing what a lot of municipalities are doing throughout Ontario which is to prohibit parking for non residents. And in this case they will add to that by bringing in a by law to prohibit setting up gear on the park property.
Ontario needs some active kiteboarders organizing. I ran the OKA for many years and will help, but we need a leader(s) to head this up.