OPP Sgt. Andy Bishop believes that kiteboard enthusiasts and swimmers can get along if they both have respect for each other on the water.
That’s the OPP message after a few residents who live along the shores of Lake Nipissing near Sunset beach complained about the dangers of kiteboarding.
See that story: Kiteboarding Concern?
“They are not committing an offence, what they are doing,” said OPP Sgt. Andy Bishop, who is a member of the OPP marine unit about kiteboarding on the shores of Lake Nipissing.
It’s a tricky subject. Federal Marine rules state that boats are restricted to 10 km/h within 30 meters of the shoreline. There are certain exemptions to that, the OPP say, but the shoreline speed limits only apply to power driven vessels, not human powered or a sailing vessel like a kiteboard.
“However if a tragic occurrence were to happen then they definitely would be liable and charged with offences pertaining, like dangerous operation of a vessel or even criminal negligence,” stated Bishop.
Rob Gingras says he understands and respects safety on the water. He is one of a handful of local kiteboarders who enjoy their sport on Lake Nipissing near the unsupervised Sunset and Silver Beaches.
Gingras says he and his friends are very respectful of swimmers, but when he hears a siren or blow horn from the shore, he’s disappointed.
“It kind of ruins my day,” admitted Gingras.
“We really just want to keep to ourselves and have fun. We don’t want to butt heads and we do have safety in mind when we are out there.”
However, Gingras won’t deny the sport can be dangerous. In fact, back in July of 2013 a kiteboarder died in an incident on Lake Nipissing. But that incident did not involve a collision with another swimmer, but instead involved the kiteboarder hitting a rocky shore.
Gingras has met with those concerned citizens but neither side has come up with an amicable agreement.
Bishop hopes that can change.
“We need to find a happy medium where kiteboarder’s and swimmers agree so they can enjoy their sport,” he said.
