Santa Pola: A kitesurfing paradise or a nightmare for residents? The search for a balance between fun and safety.

Kitesurfing vs. swimmers: the controversy that divides Santa Pola and puts the future of an Olympic sport at risk.

News on the Antena 3 website criticizes the sport. Without extensive knowledge to provide this information, this can raise questions. Worse still, kitesurfing in the wrong place is only dangerous if you don't do it safely.

I could go on about all the sports I've practiced; there are quite a few, and the vast majority are dangerous if not done safely. You can see them on my Instagram @alex365sport , but they all have safety regulations, areas to practice them in, and laws to follow.

We spoke to them: The bathers of Santa Pola (Alicante), at war with kitesurfing: "The beach is public and we want to be safe."

Residents of the beaches of this Alicante town complain that this sport poses risks for those who want to enjoy a day at the beach, citing several accidents that have occurred in the area.

Bathers in Santa Pola (Alicante) are at war with kitesurfing: "The beach is public and we want to be safe."

Residents of Santa Pola (Alicante) have declared their opposition to kitesurfing, a form of surfing that involves attaching a board to a kite, allowing surfers to fly over the sea.

This sport poses risks not only for those who practice it, but also for those around them. One example is what happened at a local home: a surfer crashed into a house.

One of Santa Pola's beaches, La Gola, is protected, and now beachgoers and families share the same stretch of beach. Due to the risks this entails, bathers have complained in an effort to prevent a disaster from occurring.

Hundreds of families are demanding a change, as they cannot enjoy the beach, and some even fear that this sport will affect their homes.

Isabel, one of the residents, told us that the authorities have defined kitesurfing as a dangerous sport and incompatible with any other beach activity. "Don't we exist?" she asked bluntly.

For this reason, they are asking for kitesurfing to be allowed again in La Gola, where the law has been repealed by a new one that is currently being processed, she explained. At the time of the live broadcast, no one was practicing it, according to the residents, because that order was issued.

"This place is packed every afternoon," he made clear, adding that they have nothing against the sport, but they do have something against kitesurfing on a public beach. "It's for everyone, and we want to be safe," he asserted.

These news stories, created out of ignorance about a sport, which I can understand as a minority sport, only harm those who practice it. Perhaps a similar idea comes to mind: residents of any beach asking for the bike lane that runs along all the seafront promenades to be moved because they are dangerous and there are accidents. Cycling is now normalized; that's what coexistence is all about: establishing limits, schedules, zones, or channels for mounting, launching, and exiting the water.

There aren't hundreds of residents; at least the images are of 10 residents, perhaps just the ones who put up their umbrellas in the legally designated area for kite flying, which is 100 meters away. Then, in the water, they can't enter the bathing area. If they do, the law allows them to report this kiter who has crossed the marking buoys.

Another inappropriate comment comes when the presenter sees an image of a kite flying into a house and says a surfer crashed into the house. This wasn't the case; only the kite was thrown off. To date, there are no reports of injuries or deaths among the public involved in this sport; however, there are reports of injuries from being hit by bikes or scooters, and even deaths. This doesn't mean, as these residents are absolutely right, that a kite launched at a family on the beach can cause serious injuries. Therefore, distances are established to prevent these potential risks.

I've seen the dunes and the area just a few meters from the main or urban beach on Google Maps. If there were legal ways to ride on the beach and sail in front of La Gola, everyone would be happier.

And to settle the legal issues, it is established by request and a lot of work behind it, that there is a decree authorizing kitesurfing in the area of ​​Lisa beach (Santa Pola). Also behind this agreement are hundreds of families who want to do an activity as legal as sunbathing or swimming, which is why they are not having the freedom to do so and some rules are agreed on schedules and areas for assembly and departure.

DECREE In view of the background reflected in this file and as Mayor of this entity, I RESOLVE:

FACTS AND LEGAL BASIS In accordance with the municipal jurisdiction for the conservation and maintenance of beaches regulated in Article 225 of Royal Decree 876/2014, of October 10, which regulates the general regulations of Coasts. It is considered appropriate that "Due to the danger of practicing kitesurfing, assembly and/or disassembly of floating devices may be carried out on the sand at the times and dates established below by Mayoral Decree." For all the above, by virtue of the powers conferred upon me: Having seen the proposed resolution PR/2023/4165 of June 13, 2023.

RESOLUTION To your virtue, I RESOLVE:

FIRST.- Authorize the assembly and/or disassembly of these floating devices on the sand for the practice of the sporting activity of Kitesurfing, which will be as follows:

1st.- During the months of June and September, the schedule will be free from Monday to Friday, while on Saturdays and Sundays this sport may only be practiced between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

2.- During Holy Week and the months of July and August, sports practice hours will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and are prohibited throughout the weekend.

3rd.- During the period between the months of October and May the schedule would be free.

4th.- In any case, the spatial limitation of the 120 ml width channel will be applied.

Aerial view showing the end of the building and the deserted area where kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking are permitted.

 

SECOND.- Given the dangerous nature of the activity (according to the Maritime Safety Inspection Coordinator of the Alicante Maritime Authority), it will be carried out in strict compliance with the conditions established by the Maritime Authority. The Local Police will monitor compliance with the terms of this Resolution and, in particular, ensure that kitesurfers do not invade the bathing area.

THIRD.- Notify this Resolution to the dealer in the person of his representative Mr. Daniel Parres.

FOURTH.- Forward this Resolution to the Alicante Maritime Captaincy and the Provincial Coastal Service.

FIFTH.- Forward this Resolution to the Local Police and the Tax Authority for the purposes of its application and sanction of the possible violations that are mentioned.

Fun fact: While searching for information, I recently found that an influencer has been learning kitesurfing in Santa Pola. With this post @sofia_surferss I'm loving kitesurfing🪁💙✨ improving day by day and very happy 🌺

My teacher is the best LOL @pepesoro77_ @parreswatersports

After writing this article, in which I managed to speak with Santa Pola Tourism, kitesurfers, and listen to the locals, I am convinced that the Santa Pola area has a good atmosphere, established rules, and generates confidence that it can be extended to other beaches with the capacity to implement it. Santa Pola has 2 km of urban beach with space in the south of this beach, to reserve 100 m and during limited hours, to practice a sport that, let's not forget, is Olympic.

I just hope Santa Pola doesn't invest in beach soccer or beach volleyball fields, because these residents are running out of space.

Thank you for reading, and I hope your constructive criticism will improve this article and the relationship between beach users.

 

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