| Hawaii to ban kitesurfing and windsurfing |
| Monday, 25 February 2008 00:00 |
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The Hawaiian Senate is to prohibit and ban kitesurfing and sailboarding athletes from approaching within 200 feet of a swimmer or surfer in the ocean. The proposed bill refers that "kiteboards and sailboards are much heavier and faster and could cause serious injury if they were to collide with a swimmer or surfer". North American authorities and other european countries are also discussing similar procedures in order to ensure maximum swimmer protection. Further news are to be developed in SurferToday.com. The Senate's bill is transcribed below: Report Title: Ocean Recreation; Sailboards Description: Prohibits operators of sailboards from approaching within 200 feet of a swimmer or surfer in the ocean. THE SENATE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SAILBOARDS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: SECTION 1. The legislature finds that surfers and swimmers using Hawaii's oceans for recreation face a danger from operators of sailboards and kiteboards. Sailboarders and kiteboarders often operate their craft at high speeds in areas crowded with surfers and swimmers. Kiteboards and sailboards are much heavier and faster and could cause serious injury if they were to collide with a swimmer or surfer. The purpose of this Act is to ensure water safety by prohibiting the operator of a sailboard or kiteboard from approaching within two hundred feet of a swimmer or surfer in the water. SECTION 2. Chapter 200, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§200- Operation of sailboards and kiteboards. No person shall operate a sailboard or kiteboard within two hundred feet of another person swimming or using a surfboard within the waters of the State. For the purposes of this section, "sailboard or kiteboard" means any type of board that is propelled by a detachable sail or kite apparatus. For the purposes of this section, "surfboard" means any type of board that is used for the sport of surf-riding and includes boards commonly known as "body boards"." SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. |
