Any user of the beach Kite-Zone at Ainsdale-on-Sea must agree to follow all the regulations that are set out below. This agreement has been reached after consultation between Sefton Council and Kite-Zone users.

Sefton Council has identified a zone on the foreshore at Ainsdale for the use of kite buggies, landboards and blokarts. No other part of the Sefton foreshore owned by Sefton Council or other agencies in the Sefton Coast Partnership can be used for this activity. During the winter months the summer zone will be extended to a point immediately adjacent to the Ainsdale Discovery Centre. Winter kiting use of the beach will be set by the Council each year, but will generally be recognised from 1^st October to 1^st April.

A risk assessment has been carried out in conjunction with users and Sefton Councils’ Health and Safety Section. Based on an agreed operational plan, the activity will be allowed to continue, but will be reviewed on an annual basis.

To use the designated area, a permit is required from Sefton Council. There is no requirement to be a member of a club before a permit is issued by Sefton Council. To acquire a permit, proof of relevant insurance to £5 million will be required, as will completion of an indemnity form, and a signature to confirm receipt of these rules and regulations and the summer and winter map of zones. The permit is only valid when held in conjunction with a current relevant insurance policy.

The permit holder is issued a KZ number from The Council. This number is to be used as a beach registration number. The KZ number must be displayed at all times.

The permit does not allow cars to be driven on any part of the foreshore not designated for public parking.

Users will not enter a safe zone of forty metres from the base of the sand dunes; which is identified by a marker post at each barrier.

Flyers will be aware that this area is not set aside for their exclusive use and will take note of public, fishermen’s access, horse riding and other activities. This area may not be available all year and at times will be closed to use due to other events that may take place.

Users will at all times be aware of public use of this area of the beach and will operate at reasonable speed giving way to other users at all times.

Dangerous flying will not be tolerated. Any dangerous flying will result in the offender being prohibited from the using the beach for any related activity and in loss of permit.

Buggy, landboard, blokart only where you have been given permission to do so. Buggy, landboard, blowcart activity outside of the designated area may result in loss of permit and in the event of an accident could render your insurance invalid.

Follow all environmental codes and place litter in the bins provided.

Observe CAA height restrictions.

Protective headgear must be worn at all times for all wheeled activities. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended for all power kite activities.

Do not use Kevlar lines.

Never use any captive harness systems unless supported by a quick release system. E.g. Wichard Shackle

Do not overfly any pedestrians or animals with your kite.

Buggy to kite tethering is not permitted.

Always look before you gybe/tack. The upwind/downwind rule is always in operation. The upwind pilot keeps their kite high, the downwind pilot keeps their kite low, this will help in avoiding a tangle.

If a head to head collision is imminent, both pilots must turn right. The more skilled/experienced pilot should be the one to take evasive action if necessary.

Never leave or launch kites in the car park (or in front of the winter car park) in such a way as to cause an obstruction to other users. All parked/unused kites should be packed or disabled.

Whilst launching allow appropriate distance between yourself and any obstacles, allow three lines length from any obstruction. During winter do not set up in front of the car parking zone.

No permits will be issued to persons under the age of 16 years without a responsible adult in attendance. Users under the age of sixteen will adhere to the same rules as all other users.

No persons under the age of 16 years to parakart without a responsible adult in attendance.

Buggy Jumping/freestyle is expressly prohibited and will be seen as a "dangerous activity". No jumping of landboards within the vicinity of other beach users.

No tethered or suspended jumping is to be tolerated at anytime.

No static flying within the buggy, landboard, blokart area unless preparing to use a buggy. No prolonged static flying within the kite zone (with Buggy or Landboard).

No entering the training zone if training is taking place.

The use of ‘kite-killers’ is to be encouraged for new users.

Sand stakes pose a hazard to all beach users, therefore they should be made visible by any means possible, e.g. a brightly coloured strip of material, and must be taken out of the ground when not is use.

All flyers must assess the risks and hazards prior to each launch. Consider wind speed and direction, weather conditions and therefore appropriateness of kite size. Kites, lines and buggies/atb’s etc. should be inspected for damage regularly; the user must have a continuous awareness of the tides; obstacles; other beach users and their own level of skill. All flyers must assess the risk on very busy days during the summer and not fly if the beach has high level of other beach users in the kite-zone. Inexperienced users should always exercise extreme caution.

Any users of Kite-Zone, who intentionally cause nuisance, bring the use of the beach into disrepute, cause problems outside of kite zone through the static flying of kites, or through driving at excessive speed on the beach may have their permits rescinded.

Any users of Kite-Zone who trade or tout for trade on the beach, other that the Council’s authorised Licensee’s, will have their permits rescinded and will be reported to the Council’s Legal Department and other relevant bodies and may result in legal action. The Councils’ Seashore Byelaws are in force on this area.

Have an emergency action plan for yourself and others e.g contact Coastguard 999.

Permit Holder Signature: Permit No: KZ