It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has agreed to extend their permit by an extra 300m south of the Torrens Mouth at Henley Beach South.

Under the new permit, effective immediately, SAKSA members can now fly their kites as far south as the Henley Sailing Club at the end of Burbridge Road. It’s a sizable extension given that the south side of the Torrens mouth is often less populated and opens up the total beach access at Henley South to almost 1km.

The northern border of the access still remains at Gilmore Rd and we’re still encouraging members to use the less populated beach next to the Torrens Mouth.

The new permit is more protective however. CASA has revoked the previous permit and put the new condition of a permit expiry in place for the WHOLE area; which means we are all required to follow the rules and reapply upon expiry in 2010, or risk losing access all together.

Other conditions include a maximum distance out to sea of 500m and a 30m kite flying height limit. Whilst they are more restrictive, they are generally easy to abide by. CASA has had cases of kites showing up in Air Traffic Control and have strongly urged us to ensure that all members are compliant.

We also ask that members are mindful of the Sailing Club and keep well clear of any sailing activity at the southern end of the new permit area. Any non members should be made aware of the rules to protect beach access there.

An avid Hood River athlete, passionate artist and mother of two died from injuries from a kiteboarding accident while on vacation near La Ventana, Mexico.

Christina Bockius, 43, was treated in a La Paz hospital Tuesday after breaking her neck and was flown to OHSU where she died early Thursday morning, said Peter Hixson, her brother-in-law.

"It was just a freak accident," he said. "We're just devastated."

She was not in the water when it happened, Hixson said, but was found on the sand with her kiteboard dragging her down the beach.

She is survived by her husband, David Kelly Bockius, and two daughters, Sascha, 10, and Nina, 7.

An avid skier and windsurfer, Bockius spent 60-plus days a year kiteboarding since she picked up the sport a few years ago, Hixson said, adding sports were "her path."

Hixson said her talents also transferred into the art world as a jewelry maker and advocate for keeping the arts in schools.

"She would teach classes herself," he said. "She would spearhead gathering supplies and get guests to teach painting and pottery."

Friends and family held a candlelight vigil for Bockius in Hood River on Wednesday night.

"There wasn't anyone more positive in life," he said. "She made people feel special."