Includes:
Parakarting, Land Sailing, Kite Buggying, Power Kiting, Kite Jumping, Kite Boarding and Kite Surfing

All these activities require a large flat expanse such as a sandy beach, short grass, tarmac, or open water. As they are relatively new activities, their use has so far been fairly unregulated. The Trust has only a few sites that meet the requirements for these activities and therefore the use of National Trust properties is not great or widespread.

Guiding principles

1. The National Trust recognises the pleasure that these activities bring. However, these activities on Trust land can compromise conservation objectives and the enjoyment of properties by others.

2. When these activities are likely to have an adverse impact on wildlife, especially birds and livestock then they should be relocated and/or rescheduled to minimise such impacts.

3. Consider the risks that these activities pose to other visitors. This will affect decisions on whether to allow, restrict or prohibit participants. If these activities are permitted, information may need to be provided to participants on any risks on the property, or arising from the nature of the Trust's own activities or those of other visitors.

4. Any activity involving kites or parachutes should not be permitted anywhere near overhead power cables or other obstructions.

5. Introducing these activities to other National Trust properties will rarely be justified, given the availability of more suitable land elsewhere. Introduction should not take place without environmental appraisal, and should not take place on sites of wildlife value, or on livestock farms, etc.

6. Where these activities do take place, they should usually be regulated through a recreational licence similar to those used for Hang-gliding and Paragliding.

7. These activities should be discouraged on areas that are important for quiet enjoyment, valued for their remoteness or where levels of visiting only occasionally visited.

Good practice
Liaise closely with local clubs and organisations and ensure the activity is licensed. Studland - permit system introduced.

Different types of seasonal restrictions should be introduced such as during the nesting season and when over wintering wildfowl are feeding

Restrictions are likely to be necessary at bank holidays, busy weekends and during summer holidays to ensure the safety of other visitors. Studland - designated areas and a ban on inexperienced users.

Introduce a zoning system in time and/or spatially to reduce conflicts with other users, minimise intrusion and reduce or prevent disturbance to wildlife in particular areas.

Encourage everyone participating in these activities to have adequate insurance cover, often offered by becoming a member of recognised clubs or representative organisations.

Trends

These are relatively new activities that have grown in popularity over the last few years.

Possible impacts

• Danger to participants.
• Impact on, and another potential call on the property's emergency procedures.
• Danger to other visitors.
• Danger to bathers and conflict with other craft.
• Disturbance of livestock and wildlife (particularly birds).
• Parking congestion and access problems.
• Erosion and/or compacting of surface used.
• Onlookers/spectators could cause congestion on and around the beach.
• Visual intrusion.

Contacts and liaison

The Parakart Association
Website: www.pka.org.uk includes information about Parakarting.
Email: info@pka-online.org.uk

The British Buggy Club
Website: www.britishbuggyclub.co.uk includes information about Parakarting.

Email: bbc@britishbuggyclub.co.uk

British Landsailing - The British Federation of Sand and Yacht Clubs
British Landsailing,
9 Derwent Park,
Wheldrake Park,
York
YO4 6AT

Tel: 01904 448618
Website: www.landyachting.org includes information about Land yachting/sailing.
Contact: British Landsailing Secretary

British Kitesurfing Association
Website: www.kitesurfing.org includes information about Kite surfing.
Email: info@kitesurfing.org

Has a useful safety page for participants. Useful for staff since it helps them to recognise unsafe practice.

www.cobrakite.com/kbuggy.html includes information about Kite buggying and Kite boarding.
Email: info@cobrakites.com

September 2003