Utah Windriders Association

One of the DNR ranghers pulled in yesterday with some questions about BWB and told us that the Park dept is planing on putting in a parking lot, a pit tolet, and helping to improve the launch for kiters. She was very kind and asked a bunch of questions about where we would like to launch from, if we needed pathways in and out of the water, what type of surface we prefered to pump up on, how much room we needed, if we wanted to be moved around, even if we needed power to pump up. The rough plan is to place a gravel road with a lot at the end over by the trees, remove the barb wire, and hopefully remove the shrubs aloung the shore line at our enterance and exit points,the new Park will be open to Fisherman, paddle boarders, kiters and sailors, it sounded as thought there would not be access for power boats. Of course the bad new is the area will become a fee spot, with a daily fee and or access with a annual state parks pass ($75 a year).

I told her we would prefer to remain were we were becuase that would proved some distance between us and others using the area, It also places us away from the turbulant wind created by the trees. I mentioned our kite line lengths and how much from we would prefer to have and how wonderful it would be to have a kite only area for the saftey of others and us. And that we preferd mowed grass to pump up and launch from, As well as signs that explain what we are doing and were we are launching and landing from. to educate others and "place a claim " on the kiter area so to aviod conflicts with other users of the park. The DNR was very interested in how they could "cater" to kiters since we have been the only users of this location. Dawn made it very clear that they see the lose of income when there are 30 cars at BWB and only 10 and Island beach some days. They would like to improve the area and make money from the kiters.

Dawn also told me that the property we are on Is PUBLIC property, the Farmer who has been collecting the hay has been doing so with out permission,even though he has placed rules about our usage he has no rights to do so and the DNR is contacting him to let him know what our rights there are, and that they are aware that he has been illigally collecting hay from public property, the neighbor Bart also has no say what goes on there even though he has mentioned he Leases the property, Dawn said this is not true. The land is part of the state parks property zoned as public land to provide public access to the water. Dawn was very Clear that we are welcome to continue to use the public property, with out any fee intill the park is finished then we will have to pay the fee for use. The DNR has been out there several time throughout the summer and is pleased with how neat and clean we have been this was a huge deal that proved what a responsible group we all are and why we should be involed in the planing process of a kite friendly park!!!. She also told me we are allowed to drink on the property, and if some one was interested in teaching on the property there is a process and fee that need to be followed as well as a percentage that will get paid to the state for making money on the lake. Currently the marina hold the rights to all recreation on the lake and would need to approve some on else teaching and may even want a cut and or to create lesson programs of their own.

The DNR is pleased we are there and Dawn assured me several times we will have no access issues, there is no chance of us losing the site as a kite launch, and the state is going to provide kite spacific improvents at this location to establish it as a Kite Beach, this may even become the name of the location. She understands that Kiting is a valid form of sailing and just as with boating says the responsibilty for any persons actions lie with the person and not the community. They see us as wind surfers and we are expected to follow the same rules just as we always have. There is no reason to "introduce" other radical ideas about how to maintain kiters becuase the state has no issues with kiters being any different then any other sailing vessal. We do not need to create any issues, but only establish this launch as a protected kiters area that will remain there forever!

This is huge news and I thank all of the kiters that have been instramental in maintaing and policing this spot. The improvemnts may be a couple of years out but the DNR has our website info and will invole the community to make these improvements. Dawn has my contact info and as always I welcome the oppurtunity to represent the community during this exciting process. I currently hope the regular kiters at this spot will brainstorm ideas and we will then share them with the community. This project is still a couple of years out and we will have plenty of time to discuss ideas. For now lets celebrate this amazing news. I would like to confer with the regular users of the beach and place a group together to represent the entire communitys ideas at a later point.

Billy

Wow, good news. pretty interesting on the farmer, too. I'm sure we'll have a lot of suggestions as to the actual setup, but one comes to mind right away: several dump trucks full of beach sand dumped at our access point so we don't have to play slip-n-slide thru the mud to get into the water.

We mentioned sand but right away got shot down... the wind will blow the sand into the field and across the road was the response. The rangers know we play slip and slide and want to help us solve the problem.

Good to hear this! Showers would be nice or at least a hose. A beer vending machine, Some ramps/sliders, lawn, lights for night kiting, spot to park a jet ski for rescue and lessons, BBQ area.
Oh, and could you put it all on wheels so when the water gets low like it was a few years back!

I think that the more improvements they make, the more they'll expect us to pay. The more stuff they put in there, the more other users are going to want to use them. If it was up to me, I would say a simple parking lot, outhouse, rigging area, and clean up the water access. If they are adamant about a multiple use area, then we should work for space that is designated for rigging and a launch area that is ours so we're not fighting with fisherman to get to the water.

I think it's important that we stay involved in the planning process and attend every public input meeting.

Mark Johnson wrote:Good to hear this! Showers would be nice or at least a hose. A beer vending machine, Some ramps/sliders, lawn, lights for night kiting, spot to park a jet ski for rescue and lessons, BBQ area.
Oh, and could you put it all on wheels so when the water gets low like it was a few years back!

SLIDERS AND KICKERS!!! Hell yeah. That would inject some fun into DC. I would ride my twin tip more, after I figured out how to hit 'em with my skim of course. We could get a winch too and have something to do while waiting for the wind!

But really this is awesome but I like the simplicity of what Ralf is saying too, plus the kickers someday, and I will gladly pay the annual fee. Especially if there is a chance to help get rid of the thistle in my feet and the mud under my toenails.

I think Ralph has the right idea. Keep it simple and less inviting so we don't get overrun by the general public. Keep the path to the water the way it is. Removing bushes would be great. We can rinse off with a hose. A cement path to the water wouldn't be very green, sightly, and could be dangerous. If they insist on making major improvements, however, I would be in favor of a picnic bench and a barbque! Oh ya!

Not a huge patron of DCBB as lincoln is so close to me, but that is awesome news. I can't wait. I wonder if the beach would end up being inaccessible during construction and for how long? Its a big area so i doubt it! I also agree with keeping it simple, but cleaning up the shallow waters a bit if its possible without damaging the ecosystem of the lake. I have tig and mig welders and shop space for construction of sliders if we want to put them together!! i'd love one more thing to crash on!

Billy,

Thank you for the update!

I agree with Ralph, the less construction the better. I would like them to leave the bushes right where they are, sure they are a pain for us, but they are a much bigger pain for a fisherman. Let's take a "green" approach and ask for only minor improvements, like removing the barbwire. I would love a couple loads of sand, but I understand where they are coming from on that issue. The last thing we want is a picnic area like the one that was built at Lindon that endangers kiters and ends up bringing in other users. I also vote no on the bbq for the same reason. Right now, the area is perfect for kiters, but stinks for other users. I would like to keep it that way.

I am glad that they see us as a potential revenue source. As much as I dislike paying fees, I would rather pay fees and keep access than pay no fees and have no access.

Kenny

I'm with Kenny on leaving it alone. However, I would be more than happy to pay a fee like the other areas at Deer Creek, without any improvements to the area. This way we are generating the income for the DNR, while not costing them anything. They get their needed revenue while the windriding community keeps a natural setting to enjoy our sports. The mud is ok, the bushes could be trimmed for access and egress. Otherwise, let's leave well enough alone.

I wish we could pay the fee and leave it as is, the parks dept. plans to improve it becuase there is issues with were we currently park,and they would like to make money off of thoose who do not have a parks pass... the current plan is to place a lot and a gravel road to the lot down by the trees. It is great they came to the beach and asked us what we would like to keep it a safe spot to launch and land kites from. But they are going to make other improvement that we have no control over. I asked that we have our own area for everyones saftey, She seemed to see tha value of that, but also feels others have the right to use the access(hopefully over by the trees as well). I mentioned chareston was right down the street. We still have plenty of time to offer ideas, allthough we are not "designing the park I think if we play our cards right we can have a very nice Launch that is for kiter/sailor use only with rules that do not allow other users to impeed our access.

Please keep the ideas coming.

Gravel might be a good alternative to sand. Bathrooms would be nice as would a web accessible solar powered wind meter and camera on top (similar to the south side point of the mountain). If they're going to make improvements then we should certainly get a word in on how it would be ideal for us as once they're done and we're paying you won't see much changing. I'm all for buying an annual pass however to have a well maintained and hassle-free area!

For what it’s worth, I agree with Ralph, Jason, Kenny, Mike and Billy that less would likely be more as far as “improvements” at BWB. While not a kiter or a frequent user of BWB (I’ve launched there twice when the parking lot at Charleston was full) I am a longtime DC windsurfer, so I’m painfully aware of the results of the “improvements” that were made to Island Beach a number of years ago. The little cafe/store (Becks’) was replaced with the current restaurant/powerboat rental operation, and what had formerly been a beach with safe, easy access to the water for windsurfers was transformed into the current rock lined bathtub. We should probably watch what we wish for!

One question I would have is if the guy has been harvesting hay illegally and is now required to stop how would we control the growth of the field so that we might still set up? Even if the "improvements" include grass in the future, how the field be maintained in the short term?

Kickers.....sliders.....

bradsaxe wrote:One question I would have is if the guy has been harvesting hay illegally and is now required to stop how would we control the growth of the field so that we might still set up? Even if the "improvements" include grass in the future, how the field be maintained in the short term?

Kickers.....sliders.....

Maybe we could raise beef? They would be great for the BBQ.