I just wanted to raise this issue because if something nasty happens I would feel really shitty for not at least saying something on the forum:

Kiting in the 1 foot shallow water on high tide on top of the reef, carving turns and even jumping is not a clever idea If a kiter ever lost it in there hard things would be over real fast I imagine. Never mind the barnacles, you get dragged into the ramp and rocks and I'm getting out of the water at Kook Street walking to the Beagle for wings and picking up my truck later after the cleanup is over

I have observed at least 3 different kiters coming way inside down on the reef. Newsflash: your are directly upwind The fellow today, (I don't think I have had the pleasure but ogopogo got him in the pix w/ da very cool tan baseball hat...) lost his board a couple of times in the kelp and whatnot. At one time I thought he might need a hand in ankle deep water so I burned in there only to see him get control & recover board etc. on his own. Jeez man, anybody can blow a turn or something....leave yourself some room

Just sayin'....... damned if I do and maybe if I don't

Cheese Grader! I cruised in to close by accident an noticed I was in three inches of water and going full speed. Danger! Won't go in there like that close again.

Also heard rumors that someone lost his 10m over there.

If you crash your kite on or before the barnacle, the wind/and waves will make sure that the kite becomes one with these rockybarnacle, kite will get stuck quickly and any effort to remove it will shred it apart. Leaving it there hoping to get it back the following day will shred it even more

Hopefully it doesn't happen to anyone else.
But if it does, rumors are that your chance of wining $400 and $500 off a new kite during the following windfest will increase largely.

Have an happy barnacle day