You should really lodge a complaint. I have found that most of the time people get worked up because they don't know or understand what you're doing. I'll bet that whoever is telling you to f*** off has never seen a traction kite before, much less a buggy.

As for what CrazZ said, I used to paintball quite a bit. I have had the sheriff called on more than one occasion. Most people just don't understand the sport. The markers (definitely NOT guns) fire biodegradable paint at reasonably low velocity and rate of fire. For safety reasons (what?) a tournament legal marker fires at 280 ft/sec and for all but the most exceptional people under 13 balls/sec. If explained this, most people will realize that even in the most hectic of firefights there isn't enough energy involved to do any damage. Sure, maybe birds get temporarily scared away by the pop pop of tiny airguns but in the end no damage is done! And for most people this is justification enough to let people play on their land.

What DOES damage wildlife is irresponsible people. A paintball marker is by no means limited to what is considered safe. I know people who have been able to successfully fire paint at close to 400 feet/sec (granted then you get the paint inside the shell swirling and the ball becomes inaccurate, just like a bender in soccer) and way over 30 balls/sec, not to mention the jackasses who decide to do drive-by paintballings on buildings, cars, or worse.

Now as I see it this is a lot like kiting. No-one should have to worry about a responsible kiter on a beach unless the act of kiting itself endangers the ecosystem. If these beetles are indeed troubled by your buggy tires (and are as endangered as Chris Hickman makes them sound), sure, you should probably find some other way of traveling across the beach. But as far as I can see the burden of proof is on the state. Innocent until proven guilty right? If the "City of Hampton Parks and Recreation Natural Resources Manager" can't prove that your kite addiction harms the ecosystem then he shouldn't be able to ban it!

On top of that, cooperation goes a long ways to aiding your cause. Occasionally some of my paintball friends and myself would volunteer to play the "bad guy" in training operations by the local police force. They saw it as tactical training, we saw it as shooting cops with airsoft guns. A good time was had by all. My point is that if you introduce the authorities to the rush you get when kiting they are more likely to help you out. Or at least not tase you. Maybe you should invite Mr Hickman to go fly a trainer kite on a soccer field. This would allow him to get the feeling for kiting himself and if he isn't a total d-bag it will humanize you.

I suppose in the long run you have to ask how enforceable a ban on kiting in this location really is. If you have to walk over a mile to get to your site what kind of cop is really going to arrest you? If you do decide to take the "outlaw" approach you may need to head out to the shop and make a buggy you can hide in a duffel bag.

What kiting really needs is a lobbyist in Washington. If the tobacco industry can kill god knows how many people a day and still hold the position that cigarettes don't cause cancer then just imagine the amount of good kiters could do with a lobbyist!

Well my $.02 & probably worth almost 1/2 that. Based on my experience dealing with beaurocrats with my work.
1. When a beaurocrat - with even a minimum of authority - has a preconcieved notion about something it quickly becomes law in their authoritarian mind.

2. Until that beaurocrat is challenged by someone with credentials(lawyer, engineer, higher authority) they will not be swayed from their preconcieved notion & therefore be a pain in your ass until such challenge.

3. They have no incentive to get along with anyone because nothing in their world requires it....so.....they will not mold or be swayed by an argument they see as self serving which is also against that preconcieved notion they already have.

Therefore - I think your only real help may come from a legal beagle at this point. If you have a friend that are 1 & loves to challenge stupid beaurocrats - all it may take is a phone call - but so far I've found that is all that will move them from their lofty perch.

Hey it's worth at least a buck two nintyeight

Maybe I will sell my gear and buy me a Bushmaster.223 for $1500 and take up shootin'. I don't think I would ever have to hear "Mr. you can't shoot that machine gun here!" matter of fact if your holdin' a Bushmaster I don't think anybody would say shit.Except maybe " can I shoot it?" Ah hell I can't sell my gear, I still love it . But I'm getting a Bushmaster anyway.Fun as hell to shoot.

I think I would just start Kitesurfing!

Interesting thread guys! This is the kind of stuff that makes Uskiteforum my kiteforum.

I am thinking about hittin' the water, don't figure they have jurisdiction. Just have to launch quik, get off of beach in a hurry so they don't show up while I'm on the beach. I love this homegrown forum too.. You all are some good people,none of that brand representative crap.

If you want to hit the water check this out http://www.canadianwindrider.com/produc ... tecat.html I think you'll like it, scroll down to the PL catamaran stuff

Yeah bro' I thought about that. But I'm not done there yet. there are still no signs, so I'm still flyin. It will take a badge to stop me. nothing less.

And even then , it might depend on how much the fine is . Could be admittance fee , if it's not to much. And hell when it's blowin 30mph they don't go out there.I just can't go midweek on a beautiful day,it'll have to be a crappy day to keep the^&$$#*&*^&* away! breakin the law! breakin the law!