Sardunye beach sailboats.

[Sarikiz]

I was hoping to spend a relaxing day at the beach.
Unfortunately it was somewhat spoilt by the inconsiderate man teaching children to sail.
The beach was not very busy yet this man who some of the children called "grandad" insisted on mooring about six small sail boats and a motor boat at the busy end of the beach by the bar/ restaurant.
He seemed to be a good teacher but had no thought whatsoever for those people bathing/swimming in the water.
There was no reason why he could not teach the children at the much quieter part of the beach.
He actually drove the motor boat within feet of our group of bathers, a very dangerous thing to do and engulfed us in the smell of engine fumes. There were a few choice words said and people were moaning that the boats were not in a designated area.
I often go to Sardunye and I enjoying seeing the sailboats , but they are usually well away from those swimming in the bay.
Its a shame that the sailing instructor could not have had more sense

[mitsybrian]

So you cannot walk up a beach to swim, best stay buy the bar. The wind and sea condition for the sail boats and the kids may be just be the problem why do you after make your point at the bar .

[Helvetia]

Dear Janet

I hope you don't mind me using your real name, as otherwise this would make you an internet troll. I hope this is not the case.
My name is Derek. I have six grandchildren, three of which were learning to sail with me today, this is why they called me Grandad, as well as the seventeen Turkish Cypriot children, they mostly call me Derek or Sir, but I do prefer Derek.
I hope that you will take the trouble to read my reply.
I do wish you had spoken to me. I am really not the sort of person who would wish to cause offence and I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused.
That said, my focus has to be entirely on the children's safety.
We have been running this scheme at Sardunya for nearly five years with the express permission of the owners, Ipek and Oktay, Lapta Belediye and the TRNC sailing federation.
My objectives and that of the TRNC Sailing federation are simply to teach sailing to local people. To date I have single handledly taught over 200 children to sail, mostly Turkish Cypriots. An achievement that most sailing clubs in England could not claim.
If you are aware of the complexity of taking a sailing boat off a "lee shore" with rocks on either side then I am sure you would agree that our young children are doing a fantastic job. They are in fact a very talented group and I am very proud of them.
All of the boats are in fact moored by the Restaurant. Our designated space. If you are a sailor then you will also be aware that it is simply not possible to set sail from the other end of the beach.
You as a swimmer, or person standing in the water could easily use the other end of the beach.
When we started this scheme Sardunya was a quiet little backwater. People now come from far afield for their children to learn to sail. I would suggest that it is you who are invading our space, not the other way round.
Our small rescue boat was helmed by myself this afternoon. As soon as the children were off the beach I needed to join them on the water. At no time did I come within a few feet of any swimmer. I make sure! As to the fumes, it is a tiny 5hp motor we use. At worst you would have suffered "the fumes" for a few seconds. Our apologies.
Please feel free to meet me and discuss any Mon, Tue or Thu or at any another time by appointment.
Regards
Derek
p.s. I am a qualified RYA Yachtmaster and three times UK National Sailing Champion.

[frontalman]

Well said Derek, I told you you looked too young to be a Grandad!

[Sarikiz]

The whole point of having user names is just that and yes I do mind you using my real name.
You definitely did come very close to swimmers with your motorboat. People were annoyed.
I had no complaint regarding the children with whom I was very impressed.
As for Frontalman, you were not there, but this is obviously one of your chums say no more.

[PoshinDevon]

Just an observation, but any member can look up your profile and read whatever you registered when you joined Kibkom.

If you included your real name in your profile it is there for all to see. You can edit your profile to add or remove information using the control panel.

Some people prefer to remain anonymous and do not include their name and prefer using their username, others prefer people to use their real name. There are many who have no preference whatsoever.

There are no rules as to whether a username or real name should be used. Indeed there are many examples of real names being used in topics....for example when promoting a function, who is singing, who to contact or if someone needs help with a problem often members will post the persons real name who may be able to help. For example....Joe Blogs for aircon repairs....contact xxxxxxxxxxx.

This post is for information only and future posts should remain on topic.

Thanks

[frontalman]

The whole point of having user names is just that and yes I do mind you using my real name.
You definitely did come very close to swimmers with your motorboat. People were annoyed.
I had no complaint regarding the children with whom I was very impressed.
As for Frontalman, you were not there, but this is obviously one of your chums say no more.

Yes, I know Derek to be a man of integrity - a real decent guy. His wife also gives a huge amount of her time working for Tulips, helping those suffering from cancer. So they both give a lot of their time selflessly helping others. Sorry you were inconvenienced.

[Bernie]

This is one of those posts where you look at it and groan!

If you wanted a quiet day at the beach then why set up camp where sailing lessons are taking place either (a) go to the other end of the beach or (b) go to another beach!

So what if his grandchildren were calling him ‘Granddad’ - isn’t that what grandchildren do or have I missed something?

Did you try to discuss your problems with this teacher/granddad (Derek) about your concerns or to the owners of Sardunya Bay?

[MikeK]

Hello Helvetia. PM sent.

[Sarikiz]

Hello Helvetia pm sent but no reply received.
Frontalman what has Dereks wifes charity work got to do with this thread. ? Lots of people give their time to charitable causes in North Cyprus. It has nothing whatsoever to do with my original post.

[frontalman]

You described him as "inconsiderate", so I thought I'd give a true character reference. I believe his wife's charity work is relevant. You don't have to agree, of course.

[waz-24-7]

Absolutely support Derek in his endeavours to teach children to sail at the venue.
His response is indeed polite and encourages me to support him even more,

Sailing and the teaching of young children on water is a risk. Derek performs both with skill and commitment.
I know no other on the whole of Cyprus that performs the task with such great results.

I have personally witnessed over several years the joy that he bring to his students and the promotion of a sport that is much neglected in the TRNC.

Derek please carry on with head held high.

[RAZR63]

"He actually drove the motor boat within feet of our group of bathers, a very dangerous thing to do and engulfed us in the smell of engine fumes. There were a few choice words said and people were moaning that the boats were not in a designated area."

You are obviously still suffering from the intoxication, are you sure it was just the smell of engine fumes? Otherwise you wouldn't have put such a ridiculous post!

By the way it is Sardunya Bay not Sardunye....

[jofra]

"He actually drove the motor boat within feet of our group of bathers, a very dangerous thing to do and engulfed us in the smell of engine fumes. There were a few choice words said and people were moaning that the boats were not in a designated area."

You are obviously still suffering from the intoxication, are you sure it was just the smell of engine fumes? Otherwise you wouldn't have put such a ridiculous post!

By the way it is Sardunya Bay not Sardunye....

1. I was not there - WERE YOU THERE?
2. "Intoxication" - the original poster (as far as I can see) at no time and in no posts makes comments regarding or relating to a "bar" and/or alcohol other than location - it is only the SECOND poster that, for some reason, in a rather misspelt and incoherent post, refers to a "bar"....
3. The degree of proximity of the motor boat and swimmers is definitely a matter of opinion, BUT - (other) "people were moaning that the boats were not in a designated area." - can you confirm that this is untrue?

It may well be that the gentleman providing lessons is to be commended, but neither does Sarikiz deserve such an insulting and patronising response as this.

[frontalman]

In the absence of the original poster re-posting, I believe this thread should be closed before it turns into a slanging match. Points have been made and answered.

[Ragged Robin]

In the absence of the original poster re-posting, I believe this thread should be closed before it turns into a slanging match. Points have been made and answered.

Seems to me it is already just a slanging match. I dont know either the location (even where it is) or any of the posters personally but it seems to me no one has made a relevant point!

How far is "the other end of the beach" and how easy is it to reach and is is safe to swim there.?

Bearing in mind another post about access to sea and beaches, does" the bar" have authority to permit the sailing boats to take up part of an area of pubic access? Has "Grandad" the permission of he Local Authority to use the beach and sea and to teach children.

As a general principle I approve encouraging children to participate in an active sport, but particularly when it includes some degree or risk , it needs to be carefully though out and planned,

I note that "Grandad" is a highly qualified sailor, but is he a qualified teacher (often in many subjects those who can do can't teach) and has he passed the police checks etc. required in the UK and Europe for those taking care of children.

If I were a mother of those children I would be asking those questions and also what life-saving provisions /people were provided. I don't know this location but knowing the rocky shore and currents in the seas round North Cyprus I doubt if one man in a motor boat is adequate in t he event of an accident. If I were a Cypriot mother I would also want to know if Grandad spoke Turkish to give instructions in an emergency.

I mean no disrespect to someone that to my knowledge I have never met, and I am sure he is an honourable man ("so are they all all honourable men") but I think he needs to consider his own position if only for his own sake. At the very least the area for sailing should be roped of with buoys, and notices posted.

The responses of some of the posters sadly illustrate the fact that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". There seems to be a serious misconception among the posters here that doing what is seen as "good works" and working for "a charity" automatically proves bona fides and confers some kind of sainthood absolved from query or criticism!!!!! or the need to take into accounts the rights or needs of othersections of the community

Meantime could some kind person please tell me where the locations is. I need to avoid it, as I am unable to walk any distance, particularly along a sandy or worse stony beach.

[woodspeckie]

It's at the start of the Lapta walk or end depending on the way you are walking but we start it there. Only accessible by car along an un made up road full of pot holes (it was last year, I couldn't put up with living in one of the houses along there) or a long walk from the main road. There is a lovely restaurant serving a nice lunch and a drink at the end of our walk. It is Dec to March we are there so no boats or anyone using the beach.

[Ragged Robin]

Thanks Woodspeckie Perhaps fortunately it is not a place I am likely to be able to visit anyway!