kiting at lake powell

[hedquista]

As some know kiteing in the glen canyon national park is banned. Well kind of...

i went down over the weekend and took the kite stuff just in case it got windy. I radioed North lake central (Bullfrog central) and asked what the restrictions were and they refered me to the national park service. After being put on standby for 15 min. or so, the dispatch lady told me explicitly to me that "kite tubing was banned no matter what no exceptions". i kindly explained to her that i was simply wake boarding being pulled by a kite and not a boat. it is not para sailing it was kite surfing. After a few more min of her talking with her superior she came back over the radio and said that since i was not being towed behind a boat and that is was much like sailing and using wind it was OK.

So i Rode for a hour saturday and did a huge down winder landed 3 miles or so down wind on a nice sandy beach where my support crew took me back to camp.

Sunday morning the wind picked up and i went out again on my 12m and my 5'8 surf board. rippin' for an hour or so until the National park service boat comes roaring up lights a flashing. (thinking, i am getting a ticket i just know it) after a ten min talk with the guy explaining we cleared it the day earlier he jumped on the radio to confirm. after the brief conversation he said you are good to go and to have a nice day and took off.

Bottom line as long as you are not towed by some motorized vessel of which you have no control over then you should be good. but dont be surprised if you get stopped to explain what you are doing. (so no tow kiteing)

Hope we all can enjoy the warm water and wind down south in our very own lake powell.

Alex

[jason morton]

Well done Alex !!!!!

[RickHeninger]

Yeah, that's awesome Alex... Great to know... When Lake Powell is good, it's the best!

[Kenny]

Alex,

My hats off to you for your patience and persistance. Some people would not even bother to try. Others would go out anyway and then argue with the ranger.

You took the proper steps and hopefully, other kiteboarders will not be hassled.

Thank you for being a great ambassador for our sport!

Kenny