All Users of Pat Bay please take note:

General discussions. Please keep the topics weather, windsurf and kiteboard related. See the Off-Topic forum for other topics.
Post Reply
monkeymanmike
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Sidney

All Users of Pat Bay please take note:

Post by monkeymanmike »

During a much needed rest at the beach at Pat Bay today, I was visited by an RCMP officer AND an Airport Commissionaire. They were concerned that the sailors, (3 or 4 kiters, plus myself, the lone windsurfer :shock: ) were venturing to far south into the float planes flight path. Truly, I don't believe anyone came that close, but the cop mentioned that a complaint had come in from a pilot. As it turned out, a float plane did in fact take off while we were having this conversation. :!: It was agreed upon that as long as we stayed north of the staircase ( at the pottery shop) that should be sufficient clearance for all aircraft.
Pat Bay is my new favorite spot as it suits my big gear really well and I would hate to lose access to this bay. I thought everyone should know.
User avatar
JL
Posts: 2610
Joined: Thu May 22, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Saanichton / Shirley (French Beach)
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact:

Post by JL »

I've windsurfed for decades @ I.V. BUT never kited there out of respect for Pilots. 8) We never had any problems.
Thermals are good.
User avatar
more force 4
Sponsor
Sponsor
Posts: 1458
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Victoria, BC
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 8 times
Contact:

Post by more force 4 »

A kiter should update the wiki with this info.
User avatar
JL
Posts: 2610
Joined: Thu May 22, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Saanichton / Shirley (French Beach)
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact:

Post by JL »

Good idea ... Done. (of course) 8)
Thermals are good.
Digital427
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jun 09, 2010 11:29 am

Post by Digital427 »

You would need to be boosting around 200' to interfere with the glide-path. There are some good kiters around but in the 20kt wind yesterday i dont think Ruben Lenten would pull that off...Mind you in a fight with the Victoria Airport Authority i'm pretty sure the kite community would lose.
The bigger problem i'd think would be the float base. Right of way rules apply and float-planes have it over kites and wind-surfers.
Best for all if we stay to the north end of the bay. It is after all a very large bay with room for all on those sweet rare westerly/low tide days. :lol:
rocdoc
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Gordon's Beach, Sooke, BC

Post by rocdoc »

I used to windsurf Pat Bay alot in the late 80's. Especially liked summer SE at 15-20 knots near the end of the IOS docks. Great flat water speed sailing. No problem with the jets approaching from NW.
But then in the early 90's more commuter float planes started using the Pat Bay airport docks. Once on a SE day one approached right over me, with engine very quiet for landing into 20 knot wind and
dropped down on the water between me and the dock less than 100m upwind. Too close for me. From then on I kept a look out for approaching floatplanes and stayed the hell out of their way.
monkeymanmike
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Sidney

pat bay webcam

Post by monkeymanmike »

Here is a useful link for pat bay users :
http://www.islandnet.com/~jor/patbay/
User avatar
JL
Posts: 2610
Joined: Thu May 22, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Saanichton / Shirley (French Beach)
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact:

Post by JL »

Thanks. When I was learning to water start (windsurfing 25+ years ago) The pottery store would have panicking people come in demanding they call 911 for the drowning windsurfer. It was just JL learning 8)
Thermals are good.
Post Reply