Free kitesurfing is no longer “free” to Greece - banned!

[Toby]

Free kitesurfing is no longer “free” to Greece

Hellenic Coast Guard recently made a decision establishing some rules in Greece for the recreation activity of kitesurf in Greek waters along with procedures and restrictions that have to be followed by the clubs renting kitesurf equipment for safety purposes.

According to the above decision, kitesurf as a recreation activity is only allowed in beaches that have been rented by private persons or companies (clubs) for kitesurf purposes only.
As a result, kitesurf has been declared as an illegal recreation activity to all other beaches in Greece.

In addition, many of the restrictions included in the related decision, made kitesurf activity looks like an impossible mission!

KiteMag.gr Editorial Team, after consulted legal advisors, we started a protest by developing a petition and announced it to the Greek Kiteboarding Community, requesting their support by signing it. The petition has been send to the proper superior authority of Hellenic Coast Guard which is the Secretary General of Security - Maritime Navigation of the Minister of Citizen Protection.

Secretary General of Security - Maritime Navigation suggested a meeting with KiteMag.gr Editorial Team in week 23. The aim of the meeting is to claim our arguments and suggest our proposals in the frame of keeping kitesurf recreation activity free. We do understand that logical, functional, and safety rules have to be established in respect of swimmers and all other sea activities.

please EVERYONE sign this petition:

http://www.petitions24.com/allowing_aga ... eek_waters

Below this post is a facebook icon..please use it to share this post to get as many signatures as possible. It is just a click to share! thx!

[Toby]

shocking news...I hope the Greece Kitemag has an online petition up soon, so we ALL can sign it.

We have to help our kiting brothers in Greece!

And don't make this a political discussion about Greece...thanks!

[jkrug]

And don't make this a political discussion about Greece...thanks!

then there is nothing to say, because that's all this is.

[Mr_Weetabix]

That simplifies my choice of holiday destination, somewhat.

[zoozoo]

what are they thinking? are they so rich these days ? if it will be confirmed me and other 20 kiters cancel our trip to Rhodes, we will spend several K euros in Tarifa or Egypt

[Toby]

not a smart move for sure. Would be interesting to know the reasons for that.

But do check with the local kite schools/centers, if they are allowed to ride on their location...sounds like private land owners and clubs (maybe centers) are allowed to have access.

Local feedback would be great.

[tolios]

well it may take some time to clear this up .

until an online petition is made.. you can always report your concerns and disappointment at your local Greek tourism Offices Abroad.

http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/e ... choosen=en

point out that you cancel reservations and that Greece will no longer be at your destination lists.


your HELP and support will be crucial to bring things back in order.

[Toby]

I heard there was already a petition, and as a result they have a meeting with the government now.

I think it would be helpful starting another one for international tourists...that will also help a lot, since tourists bring money. And I am sure we can bring several thousand signatures onto it if we spread it all over.

[nikalaitzian]

Thank you all in advance for your help...

It is very wise to start a petition for that..
But everything is gonna be ok i and the problem will be solved very soon.
For sure its not wise to cancel you reservations cause there is no problem..

Thanks kiteforum

[apos0]

Greek Authorities took the easy option by banning kitesurfing completely instead of finding out about the sport and how much kitesurfing generates in income to Greece through tourism, this law is very discriminative to all beach users.

It brought out a law that practically banns kiting from 99,9% of Greek beaches, unless the certain beach complies with a huge list of requirements, unrealistic requirements to kiters! whoever wrote the list has in my view no experience of any water sports ,let alone kiting.

Greece has hundreds if not thousands of beaches that kiters can go and kite without bothering the swimmers or holiday makers, but now kiting on them is banned as well.
I dont think there are more than 10 organized beaches that comply with the new law, in the entire Greece!

And even if you, for arguments sake, go there to kite you have to have: a sea corridor 100m X 100m to go in the water, thats ok you might say, but listen to the following: each kiter has to have 50m distance from another kiter and from the corridor (entry point into the water). As a result only on kiter can go in and out though the corridor!!! How ridiculous is that!

Please fellow kiters if you booked or planning to book your kiting holidays in Greece, put pressure on your Travel/Tour Operators and ask them if they can guarantee you that you will be able to kite when your reach your Greek destination.

We, as a Greek kiting community we are trying our best to change the legislation, but getting pressure from YOU fellow kiters planning to visit Greece for their kiting holidays, could make or break the deal!

Thank you

A fellow Greek kiter that wants to kite freely following safety rules that are fair to everyone. (I wonder if kiting becomes an Olympic sport ,where all the athletes will train??) and wont the Greek Goverment be embarrassed not to have a kite team to enter.