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HELP NEEDED - > Park Rangers in California Try To Ban Speedflying

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April 20, 2012 - 9:55pm
#1
kitesurfa
HELP NEEDED - > Park Rangers in California Try To Ban Speedflying

Submitted by loltron

 

Hey there! I'm a skydiving instructor based out of Hollister. Myself, along with many from the Bay Area skydiving community, speedfly out on Marina State Beach.

A park ranger recently approached one of us and said that what we're doing is illegal and that we'll go to jail if we keep doing it. Paragliding and Hanggliding is perfectly legal on Marina State Beach. We cited paragliders and hang gliders that are legally allowed to fly there, but the Ranger said that what we're doing is more like B.A.S.E. jumping and that the other pilots all are part of clubs.

We all know that that is, well, ****.
What do we do? Any ideas? Please contact me at loltron@gmail.com.

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April 20, 2012 - 10:00pm
#2
kitesurfa

Submitted by Swoopn

 

Actually, the law in US national parks prohibits arial deliveries (36 CFR 2.17). However, this being a state park I am not sure if this applies. But to play devils advocate, federal law always trumps state law so the rangers might be trying to go from this angle.

If I was the speed flier in this situation, I would approach the rangers at their station and invite them to observe your flights to illustrate you are in paragliding rather than BASE jump (come equipped with BASE footage). You can approach them with your emergency plan and checking in (illustrating good mountaineering), then hit them up to join you. I would also try to have a P3 so that way you have the appropriate credentials for paragliding at the site as I know in NorCal there have been some conflicts in the past between the skydiving and paragliding community over sites and I have a hunch a complaint may have been filed. My experience with the rangers in SoCal have been positive as long as I approach them with a "yes sir" mentality. Keep in mind these guys are accustom to dealing with an unsavory element (ie poachers) so as long as you illustrate a certain level of respect for them, the activity you are engaging in, and the environment you in they will treat with you with the same respect.

 

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April 20, 2012 - 9:59pm
#3
kitesurfa

Replied via email...

@Swoopn
Law is - BASE jumping is illegal in USA national parks and it seems they are trying to compare Speed-Flying to BASE jumping and not to Paragliding.

 

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April 20, 2012 - 9:59pm
#4
kitesurfa

Submitted by Swoopn

 

What law is the officer stating you are breaking?

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