The Bluff, HayleSome of the links may take you to the old KKC Website.
The ban on kitesurfing at Hayle (aka “the Bluff”) has been lifted. There are restrictions with a permit system.
The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted that the purple Bluff passes for 2011/12 expired at the end of March.
We will have the new passes for sale hopefully in the next week or so – we are just awaiting a redrafting of the Code of Conduct, and delivery of some new signs for The Bluff lifeguard hut and Harvey Towans.
The new improved passes are ready to go, as are the free parking permits for Harvey Towans, and as soon as we get the new Code of Conducts the package will be available from Down the Line, Lodeys and WestCountry Watersports.
Dont worry, the Code of Conduct updates simply are incorporating last summers changes (the removal of tidal restrictions), and making them easier to understand for folk who are not familiar with the area.
Prices remain the same – KKC member $5, BKSA member, $10, other valid insurance $20.
Please rest assured we have agreed with the harbour master that the purple tags and old parking permits remain valid until the new ones go on sale in the near future. So please keep that grubby fiver stashed somewhere safe as you will be able to spend it in the next week or two.
Thanks for your patience and watch this space.
Thankyou to all who attended the 2012 AGM at the Pheonix in Watergate. A great evening of progressive discussions, with the highlight of a new chairman to carry on the fantastic work by Lee ‘Pasty’ Harvey. Welcome and congratulations to Dom Moore.
The previous year has seen good national and international results from KKC members, continued progress with regards to ongoing kitesurfing access at The Bluff (but yes, we all need to be insured and have our Bluff passes, that come with free parking). Club funds are slowly growing, so we can use this to give back to our membership.
We have a newly appointed Club Social Secretary, Ash Maccord, who I’m sure will have some social plans to tie in with Dom’s plans of 3 events a year. A racing, a surfing and a freestyle event. To combine with a “Groupon” plan to get us all hooked up with each other and other beach and water users in the area.
There is also talk of arranging club courses, such as a first aid course and trips to other areas or even the new cable park in Cornwall. Great cross training and great fun.
All positive stuff for the year ahead.
Rory Jenkins
Every member who attends the AGM will receive 1 free drink at 6pm present your BKSA card to Loz at the bar!
A snack will be provided at 8pm for the 20 members who have said they are coming. food can be ordered at the bar.
They Hayle Harbour Master has asked us to watch out for the pipe that is being exposed at low tide at Hayle:
Hazard to Navigation 1
There is another round of rip current research at Perranporth beach, Cornwall.
The research is being carried out by Plymouth University in partnership with the RNLI and has just started down on Perranporth.
Please spread the news to the general kitesurfing population in the Perranporth area. Essentially there is scientific equipment in the water, some of which is on scaffold rigs and contains sharp objects. The rigs are exposed at low tide and partly submerged at mid tide. The rigs lie in an area near flat rocks (mid beach) due to the excessive rip currents in this area and are marked by two yellow buoys on either side. Some rigs have flouro tape on the uprights, others have smaller buoys on them to identify them. This area therefore will be dangerous to kitesurfers in the area, particularly those performing airs then landing in the area, or for those people less experienced.
There will be lifeguard presence at the weekends and during school half term, and the survey team during other periods to inform any kiters in the area, but we would like a belt and braces approach so the more kiters who know, the better.
Succesfull 2011 AGM was held on Sunday the 20th March at 18:00, at the Seiners pub in Perranporth.
KKC AGM meeting minutes >>
The Kernow Kitesurf Club (KKC) AGM is going to be on Sunday the 20th March at 18:00, at the Seiners pubin Perranporth (TR6 0DP).
– The Seiners pub is to the left of the beach car park as you look out across the beach towards the sea.
Any Member of the KKC wishing to stand for office (the current committee and beach rep list is athttp://www.kernowkitesurfclub.co.uk/contact.htm), or who wishes to propose a resolution for consideration at the AGM, should give notice of the same to the Secretary (Rory Jenkins, rory@kernowkitesurfclub.co.uk), at least a week before the AGM (Sunday the 13th of March, 2011).
We hope that there will be wind on the day so that we can have a pre meeting kitesurf.
The meeting is scheduled to include a Bluff update as well competition and social update and plans.
Chairman– Lee Harvey has put himself forward to stand for another year
Secretary– Rory Jenkins has put himself forward to stand for another year
Treasurer– Lee nominates Lawrence Smith and Rory seconds
Child Protection– Pete Stephens has put himself forward to stand for another year
Bluff – Steve Townsend has put himself forward to stand for another year
Mid (Newquay) – Simon Crab has put himself forward to stand for another year
South (Par) – Denzil Williams has put himself forward to stand for another year
West (Gwithian/Maza) – Loz Smith has put himself forward to stand for another year
East – Lee nominates Dave Sobey, Denzil seconds
North– Vacant position, please send your nominations
If you wish to stand for any of the above posts please send details, with names of proposer and seconder, to Lee at least 1 week before the AGM.
Every member who attends will receive 1 free drink
Pasty Adventures are organising a kitesurf racing event on the 18th & 19th of June at Penzance. Open to all members of the KKC for free, with loads of great product prizes. More info >>
Fantastic news for one of the best kiting spots in the country. Many hours of work by Kernow Kitesurfing Club members have resulted in an agreement with Hayle Harbour Authority of a six month trial to remove the time restrictions. The trial period begins on the 1 st February 2011, permitting those complying with the KKC code to kitesurf at all states of the tide . This has only been possible because the Harbour Master has been able to negotiate with the club, whose members have demonstrated, in a successful trial, that kitesurfing can take place responsibly by complying to an agreed code of conduct (the KKC Code).
It has been strongly agreed that the key element of the 2010 trial has been the 100m rule. This states allkite surfers MUST keep at least 100m away from AND turn away from all vessels using the channel, and this remains the key guideline for the 2011 trial. It’s common sense, but ensuring that all kiters adhere to it is vital.
The other vital part of the 2011 Hayle Kitesurfing Code of Conduct is that all kiters display a valid colour coded tag on their harness. Wearing a tag is important as it signifies the kiter has a valid third party liability insurance of 5 million pounds, that the kiter has agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct, and by purchasing it has made a small contribution to the annual Water Users Licence for which Kernow Kitesurfing Club has to pay the Hayle Harbour Authority. Tags for 2011 begin on 1st April and will be availabe from West Country Watersports(Truro), Down The Line (Hayle) and Lodeys (Marazion). Tags will cost £5 for KKC members, £10 for BKSA (British Kitesurfing Association) members – proof of membership must be produced for these rates. And we have striven to ensure access for everyone and now non-BKSA members may purchase a tag for £20 provided they have valid liability insurance of 5 million pounds. Remember -all 2010 tags expire at the end of March. Tags only remain valid whilst appropriate liability insurance cover is current. If you still require a tag for the remaining 2010 season these are available for the reduced rate of £3 from West Country Watersports.
The full Hayle Code of Conduct is available here. This includes an Incident Report Form and all tag holders are encouraged to report incidents whether it be a near miss or an abuse of the code of conduct.
The KKC believe we have now arrived at a strong working relationship with the harbourmaster who wants to see kitesurfing thrive alongside other harbour users. Now it is over to all kitesurfers using the Bluff to ensure that the next 6 months are a success by promoting the code of Conduct and wearing a tag, and then we can look forward to years of blissful kiting.
Get the years round up and latest news from the KKC Chairman. (PDF set to open in a new window).
As some of you may know the wave hub off Hayle means they are having “fun” bringing the cable to shore.
On Monday Peter Haddock (Assistant Harbour Master ) rang the KKC to inform us of persistent problems they had over the w/e with 3 or 4 “rogue kiters” who` despite the advice of safety boats and jet skis operating an exclusion zone around the cable, continued to treat the cable as a jumping obstacle. Peter will be doing his best to identify the individuals and photographing them at the next opportunity.
Please stop this, and make sure it doesn’t happen again. These individuals are putting in jeopardy everyones restraint and patience so far.
Members of the KKC have had an update meeting with the Hayle Harbour Master.
The feedback from them is good with no significant issues.
The fishermen say the 100m rule is working well.
Please, lets keep up the good effort by all.
We have a review scheduled for the end of the year.
The harbour master knows that we would like a bigger window either side of high tide and that it’s a great learner spot. He is currently open minded as to where usage will go after the first 6 months.
Lets make sure we keep a strong case for a shorter window either side of high tide and perhaps learners being allowed back. We all agree that the 100m rule should stay.
Kernow Kitesurf Club members Will Bennet (St Mawgan) and Lee Harvey (St Ives) recently drove to the other end of Britain to compete in the 2009 British Kitesurf Association Wave Masters Championship in Fraserburgh, Scotland from 30th September – 4th October. Three separate days of competition were held at different spots and in conditions ranging from light cross on shore wind with small waves, to a howling cross shore gale and big clean double overhead surf, with the results being added from each day to give the overall winner and 2009 UK Wave Champion.
With the best kite surfers in the country and entrants from France, Ireland and South Africa all making the long journey, competition was fierce and the North Sea produced some epic conditions, with even too much wind on Saturday when gusts hit 75mph! Will won the title for the 3rd year in a row, Richie Sills who is the 2009 UKPT Surf champ was 2nd and Lee was 3rd. Will thanked all the organisers and sponsors and especially the Scottish people for being so friendly and welcoming. With a visit to John o Groats and good surf at Thurso on the way, it was a long trip definitely worthy of the 2000 mile drive.
Results–
Over the summer holidays, Penwith School Sport Partnership have been running Kitesurf Taster sessions in conjunction with; Kernow Kitesurf Club and Ocean High Kite School.
With some strange weather for August causing some days to be cancelled, BKSA instructors Lee Harvey and Lawerance Smith managed to fit four days into their busy summer schedules, enabling 32 children from; Mounts Bay, Cape Cornwall, Hayle and St Ives schools to have a taste of what it feels like to be pulled through the water at Marazion by a massive, powerful kite!
Starting off on land with Trainer kites, allowing them to get the feel for the wind and learn about safety, the youngsters soon moved into the water fully kitted out in wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets and harness’s. By the end of the 3 hour sessions all were left with big smiles after flying through the water and sometimes in the air! Maybe one of them will turn into a future world champion like 5x Champ Aaron Hadlow, who originates from Penwith and learnt at the now banned spot of Hayle Rivermouth.
Big thanks to Penzance Sailing club for the loan of the small BA’s, Loz from Ocean High and Kernow Kitesurf Club. For more info check out- www.kernowkitesurfclub.co.uk www.oceanhigh.co.ukwww.leepasty.co.uk
The Kernow Kitesurf Club dominate the BKSA Course Racing in Blackpool.
Over the Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend Lee Harvey (St Ives) and KKC St Austell rep Denzil Williams traveled to Blackpool for the British Kitesurfing Association Course Racing Championships, Round 2. The newest form of competitive kitesurfing sees riders competing on a triangular course with a start line much in the same way as sailing races only at much higher speeds.
With winds of around 30knts and a big swell Saturdays racing was full on with high speeds and some huge crashes meaning only 2 of the 3 planned races were run, while Sunday saw much nicer winds of around 15knts and a flatter sea allowing the riders to reach speeds up to 35mph on the downwind legs. In his first UK race event Lee was never far from the front and claimed 2 race wins and a 2nd to win the event on 3.4 points with 2008 UK Champion Denzil in 2nd on 6.7pts. With racing becoming more and more popular and looking hopeful to be in the Olympics in 2016, the club are looking to attract more interest to run an autumn race series in conjunction with local sailing clubs.
Lee is also looking for sponsors to enable him to compete on the remainder of the 2009 Kiteboard Pro World Tour in; Western Sahara, Brazil and Morocco. You can contact Lee through his websitewww.leepasty.co.uk
The end of July saw round 2 of the 2009 KPWT Wave Masters world tour in Santa Rita, Portugal at the Ocean Spirit Festival. Lee Harvey and Will Bennet drove down to catch some waves and hopefully fly the flag on the Podium. This year the event was host to the – Kayak Surf World champs, which had 160 participants, Skimboard world tour, Surf and Longboard nationals and was also a huge Reggae festival with some top bands such as Soldier of Jah Army and Pepper flying in to play to the crowds of up to 8000 people.
With pumping double overhead barrel ling waves, the guys were charged up to do well. Lee was cursed with light winds, as low as 8knts in one of his heats and crashed out an unlucky 13th while Will ‘jammy’ Bennet powered through to finish 3rd in the singles only to be knocked down to 4th in the double elimination on the last day of competition. Still, a big congrats on a wicked result in what was an event for the light weight riders! And be sure they flew the flag at the parties and showed them all how to ride strapless.
Lee Harvey and Marazion Beach Rep, Lawrence (Loz) Smith have been piloting a school Powerkite programme with a view to the club running out sessions in secondary schools throughout Cornwall.
For these initial trials, they went into Mounts Bay School during their Applied Learning Week on 2 separate days, introducing the joys of powerkiting to 2 sets of 12, Year 8 & 9 pupils. With the aim being to eventually set up an after school kite club, the school fields were used and turned out to be perfect. Plenty of space and the perfect amount of wind allowed them to safely run the session with 6 kites in the air at one time.
Fitting in around the schools timings, the first session ran up until break, covering; setting up the kite, safety, wind direction, the wind window, launching & landing and each pupil got a quick go at flying the kite, releasing onto the leash and launching the kite for another person, all under the eyes of the instructors.
After break and fully briefed on the safety aspect the pupils were paired off, each with their own kite Ozone Trainer Kite (between 1.5 & 3.5m2 depending on their size) and coned out area keeping them safely away from any dangers and the next pairing. They were then given 5 minutes each on the kite before swapping pilot until all the pairs were competent enough to move onto the next level and be taught about the power zone and then onto figure of 8s and kite loops which gave them all a feel for the power and left them smiling away to lunch.
Post lunch was a competition with them being split into 2 teams and 2 opposite courses being set out. The aim of this session was to give them an idea on how you can control the kite whilst moving and also show that team work plays a major role in achieving great things and that you have to be friendly and work together to kite fly.
The sessions were a great success with all the pupils enjoying themselves, learning lots and being surprised at how much fun and power kites can have, as well as them all realising that you have to work together to win and be successful.
Lee and Loz are running Kitesurf Taster sessions during the school holidays for pupils from the Penwith Secondary Schools and are hoping to initiate a kite program within Cornwall’s schools from September with the help of the School Sport Partnerships. For more info and to find out how you can help out or get this program in your area, check out these websites – www.kernowkitesurfclub.co.ukwww.activepenwith.co.uk www.oceanhigh.co.uk www.leepasty.co.uk
On the Thursday before half term, as part of Mounts Bay Schools, learning week, Lee ’Pasty’ Harvey gave a talk on kites and Kitesurfing to 170 year 7 pupils. With gasps of excitement as the kite inflated, all the youngsters were really keen on trying the sport and were interested in both Kitesurfing and Powerkites. Lee gave a brief history of kites and the sport of Kitesurfing before showing the different types of kites, boards and harnesses you can use.
With a lot of questions being asked as well as most of them wanting to have a go (teachers as well), Lee in his new job role for Penwith Schools Sports Partnership as school/club links coordinator, is now formulating a plan to deliver power kiting within all Cornish schools as part of an after school club, with a view to the youngsters moving onto Kitesurfing through their local kite school.
Cornish kitesurfers, Will Bennet and Lee Harvey pictured in Morocco where they were placed equal 5th after both reaching the quarters, in the final round of the 2008 Kiteboard Pro World Tour, Wave Masters.
With the final round attracting the best riders in the world and the gods delivering 2 days of near perfect double overhead conditions with side shore winds and even a few barrels, the boys did us proud by sticking to there guns and riding with no straps on standard surfboards, even with the cries of you guys are crazy, from the some of the top guys. With an awesome display Will went out to event winner and new world champ Mitu Monteiro (Cabo Verde) and Lee narrowly lost to 2007 World champ Abel Lago (Spain).
In the Women’s, Kirsty Jones from Wales continued her dominance in the waves this year taking the event win and becoming the 2008 KPWT Wave Masters World Champion.
After four rounds throughout the year in; France, Portugal, Brasil and Morocco, Lee finished his first year on tour in 7th position, with Will ending up after his second year on tour equal 5th.
Lee says: ‘I am very pleased after my first year on the world tour especially after the epic conditions we had in Morocco at a spot called Moulay. We are both looking forward to riding some big waves both at home and abroad this winter and aim to fly the flag high on the podium in next years tour!’
