South Devon Kitesurf Club

Looking for Help?

Sometimes, you can read all the information you want about a place, and still not be aware of the local customs and unwritten rules. This is where the Beach Helpers can play their part. If you're not sure about any aspect of kiting at any of our local beaches, but particularly Bantham and Bigbury, then please seek out the advice of one of our Beach Helpers. They can be recognised by the stylish SDKC rash vests they wear, and they are there to help in their spare time.

Please remember that these Helpers are unpaid volunteers, who are helping because of their love of our sport, and a desire to keep access to the beaches open for all.

Beach Helpers - The Rashie Holders Guide

Aim

As kitesurfing generally gets more and more popular the dangers associated with kites and kite lines gets more and more prevalent. This is more true at Bantham than most other beaches as we have such a small area to launch and land. It is crucial, more than ever, that we manage the interface between kitesurfers and other beach users, be it surfers, dog walkers or sunbathers.

The aim of the South Devon Kitesurf Club Beach Helpers is to reduce, insofar as it is possible, the likelihood of any incident occurring on the beach by use of common sense, local knowledge and their own experience of kiting and kitesurfing.

There should be no illusion that kitesurfing is in any way guaranteed at Bantham. In fact, we know that there is a very real risk that should an incident occur then it is game over.

Attitude

The SDKC Beach Helpers are not there to police the beach or enforce any perceived regulations. We do not want that responsibility or create any negative atmosphere between kiters. The Beach Helpers' attitude should be gentle, courteous and informative to both kitesurfers and other beach users. The overall perception should be to provide information about the kitesurfing to non-kiters, and local safety information and guidance to kitesurfers.

Expectations of the Beach Helper

• Beach Helpers will be given a SDKC labelled bright red/orange Rash Vest in order to stand out from the crowd and be easily identifiable to both kitesurfers and non-kitesurf beach users who may wish to approach them for information.
• Ideally Beach Helpers will be regular kitesurfers at Bantham through the week and especially at weekends. However, there is no rota or time expectation placed upon them.
• A full knowledge of the safety rules at Bantham.
• Experienced knowledge of Banthams' currents and tides and any other risks to kitesurfers within the bay on any given day.
• Approach and highlight the risks posed above to any kitesurfer who may be new to the area.
• Ensure that launches are made in safe areas depending on the numbers of other beach users in the area, the state of tide, wind strength and direction. This may mean asking kitesurfers to move over to Kite Beach (the spit) in order to launch.
• Kite beach (the spit) must be used as a launch zone when:-
• 2 hours either side of High Tide during peak periods (week ends and summer evenings).
• When winds south of South West, 2 hours either side of high tide at any time.
• During Peak holiday periods when the whole bay has become busy at any state of tide.
• Ensuring that kites are properly sanded down when not in use and lines are wrapped on the bar or at least collected beneath the kite canopy.
• That kitesurfers are informed that they should not jump or kite close to areas of the beach which are busy with other beach users.
• Ask kitesurfers to ensure that they head upwind and directly into the bay once launched. This is especially important in direct onshore winds such as Westerlies or West NorWesterlies.
• Help the lifeguards to inform kitesurfers of the need to stay away from the "lifeguarded corridor" when set up.

The Beach Helpers are not on any rota system, nor are they expected to hang around the beach all day. We are operating a totally casual presence at the beach. However, any help whilst beach side will be hugely appreciated by all beach users and will bring a healthy respect for kitesurfers and our sport in general. Most importantly we hope to safeguard the future of kitesurfing at Bantham.