Kite School Closures

dewey · Post by **dewey** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:19 am

Here we go this is what all the bitching gets us. Now schools will have no income. Hope all those that love to complain are happy.
What else do you want to Fvck up for the rest of us.

Do us all a favor and SHUT THE FVCK UP next time!!!!!

Sorry but it had to be said

Proparoo · Post by **Proparoo** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:46 am

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:43 am

Already there was a guy "teaching" beginners at Sherman this weekend. His method consisted of helping them to the water while they stared up at their kites, and then yelling at them to "go that way" when they started bodydragging directly back towards the beach.

Can we call the sheriff on people like that now, or are we going to try to use "community policing techniques"?

feixaq · Post by **feixaq** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:59 pm

Wow, this is certainly sorry news... Nat, Julie, Donny and Sandy have all been instrumental in helping me progress in my kiteboarding abilities over the past 3 years -- whether it's offering lessons, downwinders, friendly tips, or rescues.

Is there some way we can all write in to the Coast Guard to express our opinions, or something else we can do to help rectify this situation?

-- Chris

Don · Post by **Don** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:50 am

That's sucky news. Donny and Sandy are always there teaching and helping - on the "clock" or off. Julie ran out and caught my kite upon my first "crash arrival" from one of Nat's downwinders. Nat delivered a thoroughly delightful lesson to my Son in that same first year. I am always referring newbies to those guys as well as Jeff's place.

Looks like the entrance barrier for professional kiteboarding instructors has just been raised, allowing only a temporary advantage for the less dedicated. The light at the end of the tunnel is obtaining a USCG OUPV (6-PAK) license is not impossible.

What are the USCG 6-Pak requirements?
* Age 18 or over
* 360 days underway experience
* 90 of those days in the last 3 years
* Physical, drug test and eye exam
* Valid CPR/First Aid card
* Completion of the USCG exam OR
* Completion of a USCG approved course

In the interim, I'm with Gabe - "Adapt your paper work and welcome back"

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:30 am

Several years ago I started to "try to" develope a program of oversite for ALL Bay Area schools. The idea was to develope a system to approve schools based on there merit, ie insurance, equipment, instructor qualities etc... THe idea was to put all the schools that were "approved" on a special list and to notify the buying public about the high quaility of instruction they provided and to steer these potential customers away from less formidable programs so WE ended up with well trained students entering the sport.
I still want to get a program like this going. Personally I think it would be a WIN-WIN situation for all involved.. THe only downside is higher costs for entering the sport and perhaps a little more work for the schools (but they would get payed for the extra effort).
Frankly I think these CG demands are fair and as soon as everyone (schools) is compliant then we will have slightly better programs in this area. Yes the cost of entering the business will be greater but at least those that do enter (business) will be up to par so those already in business will not be severally undercut by fly-by-night instructors with lower operating costs.
Sadly I dont think this new requirement will be met very soon so we all will suffer a setback. More and more land based lessons is a VERY BAD THING for a sport like this.
Greg

sflinux · Post by **sflinux** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 10:53 pm

I think I see why these kite schools don't think they'll be able to pass the course:

"Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV)
The USCG "Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels" License allows the holder to Captain uninspected vessels. Most vessels are in the uninspected vessel category due to the materials and method of construction. This license is commonly referred to as the "Six Pack" license. It is not however, a license to carry six people, but a license to operate an uninspected passenger vessel. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 46, restricts uninspected passenger vessels to six paying passengers. This license is good on vessels up to 100 gross tons.

This is the common type of license a Guide would need that never intends to carry more than 6 paying passengers.

Here are the basic requirements for an Inland OUPV License:

Age 18 or over

360 days underway experience

90 of the 360 days in the last 3 years

Physical and <b> Drug Test </b>

Valid First Aid/CPR card

Birth Certificate or Passport

Three letters of recommendation

Completion of a USCG approved course like the Captain Roy's Coast Guard Approved OUPV course OR Completion of the USCG exams

The requirements listed above are for an Inland OUPV License wich allows you to operate on Inland waters. For a Near Coastal OUPV you will need to have operated on Near Coastal waters for at least 90 of the required 360 days."

Sander · Post by **Sander** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 7:21 am

kitebored · Post by **kitebored** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:09 am

wait, so in order to be allowed to drive a boat, you must have already driven a boat for 90 days....

awesome.

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