Voluntary Kiting Ban at Ramsey Beach on Weekends

[Mike W]

Many of us WBL regulars thought it wise to use Rutherford Beach instead of Ramsey Beach this summer for S winds even though the swim area at Ramsey is closed. There are still lots of people at Ramsey Beach, and it only takes one incident to cause serious trouble for a lot of people. Come join us down at Rutherford, which we fondly think of as the urban version of Reddy Creek without the dead fish and Mayflies

[Tighe]

or steady wind, sand beach, clean rollers, sand bottom or boatless riding, otherwise I would agree it is very similar to Reddy Creek.

Well put request Mike. I think this is very important and hope that everyone abides. If you see someone rigging up as you cruise by Ramsey, take a few minutes and inform them of this ban. Most likely they just aren't aware. Not everyone reads this forum.

[Kevinousdigian]

Rutherford now has a huge sandy beach for rigging and launching. I used to think it was a poor spot because it was so far down in the corner but after several times there this spring I think it is actually better to launch out of there on a S or S-SW or SW than Ramsey because the wind has a longer fetch than at Ramsey. Also if the wind is up/down you can launch your kite and walk upwind along the beach or shallow water to get way upwind (toward Ramsey) and to get to that spot on WB that is 2' deep way out into the lake. Be careful in that shallow area - there are a few scattered rocks that go up to near the surface.

I wasn't there yesterday but I'm curious about the ban this year. Were people still swimming or was it just that the sandy beach was crowded?
I would have thought that with the boat launch and swimming place closed that going kiting at Ramsey on SE winds would be fine. I state that not to contradict Mike but that probably others thought the same and that's why kiters are still going there. I do worry that 1 kiting accident or near accident will trigger an outrage and get the lake folks to work on getting it banned which would be sad!

KO

[JRN]

I was there briefly on Sun. Even though there are "Beach Closed" signs, there are still lots of families with little kiddies wading along the shore. It is still very popular on weekends despite the lack of lifeguards. It may also be a cost cutting or liability issue during this economic downturn, I'm not sure. Anyway, I will try to abide by the weekend ruling, and enjoy Ramsey during the week & hope others do the same.

[Tighe]

I hadn't fully read the title. Just for clarification, is the ban only on weekends? Only on S winds? There is a post regarding this ban, (an announcement in the top of the list) and I'll modify it to reflect the current thinking.

[Dave Z]

My wife and kids were at Ramsey yesterday and she had a chance to talk to the Sheriff. The signs are up but they are not enforcing the swimming ban....their attitude was basically that of "Once we leave everyone gets back in the water so why enforce it."

Not cool, as my wife pulled three unsupervised children from the water yesterday that had no idea what a "drop off" is. So lets hope nothing real sh!!y happens there this summer. So I suspect it will continue to not be enforced until someone drowns or almost drowns.....

On the ban, I'm all for common sense. Weekends with a full lot of beach goers at Ramsey (like yesterday) go to Rutherford. Grey cloudy windy day and an empty parking lot - no problem. Use good judgment and launch at Reddy South, er Rutherford, when it's busy at Ramsey...which in the summer means almost all the time

[Kevinousdigian]

Sounds like they need the ropes up so that people understand how fast and how deep the drop off is. I'm guessing the lawyers have told them don't do that because that will encourage swimming....

[Kosk]

The boat launch at Ramsey was as busy as the beach was Sunday (5/30).

The beach at Rutherford is real nice with the low water:



And a couple more for good measure...

[cautionkid]

My guess is as time goes by the boat traffic will lighten unless we get some serious rain to top the lakes off. I worked at Sams Marine out of Stillwater last year and we had countless boats last year from White Bear that came in with damage to the lower units and skegs. If the lakes don't fill up the boaters will resort to a river which can be some what regulated to a safe level. I cant comment on the beach population just stating boat traffic may dwindle.

[seamonkey]

I'm in on the rule, but remember places like Miami and Hood River will always have tons of beach bums, kiters and the like. I'm not driving 2 hours and back just for the perfect ride. If everyone helps each other out with launches, landings, rescues, etc., it will work itself out. I've seen some of our "best" have kites land on kite watchers. Planes crash, abortion doctors get shot, trees fall. Try to cut my lines, you might get cut, yourself.

[Dave Z]

Kosk - great photos. You should post some more in the gallery.