Richard Lui was the first to sail on his kite buggy Saturday morning as he had a 16-square meter kite. "Too little wind was the complaint" of the demonstration permitted by the Washington Parks Department, that is considering allowing wind-sand sailers to be legal on ocean beaches.

KLIPSAN BEACH – The World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame received word from Morrie Williams that there will be a demonstration of kite buggies near Klipsan Beach June 19 through 21. The kite buggies will “sail” along the beach two hours before until two hours after low tide those three days.

Saturday’s kite buggy or wind-sand sailer rides will begin about 10:45 a.m. and go until about 2:45 p.m., Sunday rides will be from about noon until 4 p.m. and Monday’s rides will be from about 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. according to Williams.

The Washington State Parks Department is considering changing the Washington Administrative Code to legalize wind-sand sailing vehicles on ocean beaches that are classified as public highways. WAC 352-37-020 provides the following definition of a wind-sand sailer as being a wheeled, wind-driven recreational conveyance, which is also referred to as a kite buggy.

The present WAC 352-37-190 deals with excluded/limited recreation activities. It states, “The following forms of public outdoor recreation activities or devices are prohibited on the ocean beaches unless specifically designated therefore or authorized by the director or designee as a special recreation event. Vehicles not licensed and certificated pursuant to chapters 46.12 and 46.16 Revised Code of Washington include wind-sand sailers, parasail, hovercraft, powered parasail, ultra-light aircraft, or powered hang gliders.”

Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW. The demonstration at Klipsan Beach has filed for a special permit through the Parks Department. There will be similar demonstrations at Pacific Beach and Grays Harbor Beach. Other demonstrations will occur July 16 through 18 and August 14 through 16 at Klipsan Beach.