04/04/2016
RESPONSE TO AUTHORITIES TO CLOSE THE SITE DOWN KLEINKRANTZ DUNE .
Hi there all as the Chairman of Skywings Paragliding Club we reject the closing of this launch site and access point .
We would like to inform you that your are effecting the following paragliding schools and business .
Dolphin Paragliding , Cloudbase Paragliding , Wild X , Skyhigh Paragliding , Flytime Paragliding ,Altitude Paragliding , Major Dad paragliding , Flyers Lodge , Wallendair , Skywalk paragliding ,Fly for Fun , Johan Anderson Hangliding school and many other schools that bring groups from other parts of the country to train on this dune area . Furthermore there are about 40 International Tours that use these dunes as well . The area has lost two critical sites already that lie within in your management areas already and we are not prepared to lose another critical site . The sites that we lost are Paradise Ridge a major paragliding tourist attraction and Gerrickes point the most scenic site in the region . We cannot get access to these sites due to private landowners preventing access via roads to these sites which we have been flying for over 25 years . We would to formally request help in doing so now as these were historical view points and paragliding sites and we are entitled to access according right of access laws ?
There are many local Skywings members who use this site on a weekly basis and they will be voicing there opinion shortly there are quite a few residents within the Kleinkrantz area who will be seeing the local councilor .
We are considering legal action as well and we will have a meeting to discuss this course of action as this has been done successfully against San Parks already with some success . Jaques Launch site ? Cape Town ?
I offer our proposal and hope we can have a proper discussion to reach a real solution to this dilemma .Please look at a photo above which would address your concerns stated at the meeting we had on site as it was not only the dune erosion which you are misleading the recipient’s of this email Vernon; when in fact it’s the complaints from one resident in particular who does not like the activity taking place in front of his house . We are going to be building momentum and will during the course of the week approach all local newspapers as I am sure fisherman , dog walkers amongst other will be displeased with your proposal as well . We are and Vernon believe me when I say its not just me, you are suffering an illusion (if you think it’s a small group of local paragliders) which is about to be dispelled in the weeks to come as we begin informing all the schools and tour groups about your proposal .
There are many local schools who employ directly and indirectly local people and you are hurting us here and what upsets me even more is that lack of proper consultation over all our sites and other potential sites . You should be asking how can you help us to establish new sites for example the hill at Bergplaas which is a potential International Paragliding site of International importance but it lies in DAFF land and its like talking to a brick wall to let them give us access . Other sites that lie within Mossel Bay are like Hartenbos has also been closed and we are now busy for the last two years trying to get permissions in place to use the site legally . You sit in your lofty offices and make all the right noises but its time to get to work and develop tourism on a real basis and become part of a vision for the Western cape development . Paragliding Tourism has grown a 1000 % over the last 10 years and bringing a estimated 10 million rand to this area . We also a draw card to this region much the same way as the Bungi , Mountain bike routes , Hiking , San Parks adventure activities and other adventure sports .We have at 7000-10000 people utilizing paragliding services in the form of Tandem and Training services .
We as the paragliding community don’t enjoy conflict but we will now be standing up for our rights as citizens to access areas where we live and enjoy the beauty and splendor of public beaches .
Thank you all for your time please note I have released the version of letter to Facebook and other forums and the response is overwhelming against this action .
We look forward to your formal response so we can consider the legal action to be taken if you continue with this proposal .
Thanks Deon
