Hey Marty, Thanks for being attentive to our needs and to the needs of the industry. I'm sure that you as a kitesurfer would have the foresight to know that if there is a lesson in progress that you wouldn't distract the instructor as that could have dire consequences. As far as the "kite coming down where you would have been standing", I am happy that you weren't in the way and again being a competent kite surfer, you wouldn't want to stand in the general vicinity of the lesson in progress. As you were the only person who complained, I would think that others who were there were paying more attention to their surroundings than you were. As far as our instructor "not being certified or a member of AKSA, your comment was and is misleading. Our Instructor is IKO certified, though we are not members of AKSA or SEQKA as of yet. I would expect a little more less "politic-ing" and a little more working together, as this sport needs. Why would you attack us in the forums instead of contacting myself or the shop directly if you had any concerns. Remember if you need to talk we are there for you.....
rodsound2k, First of all I am just letting people in general know what's going on. As loco said "This forum is a great agent for change - it airs issues that would otherwise remain out of the focus of we, the stakeholders." Secondly regarding my comment being misleading, as I said in my original post I asked your instructor if he was certified and he told me that he wasn't. Surely IKO must teach you not to conduct commercial kitesurfing lessons on a busy beach! Also how do you know I was the only person that complained, isn't it better for me to let people know on a forum rather than ringing the council? Have a look at Kitepower Australia's comment "KK used to have an Ozone account 2 years ago, but it was withdrawn, they do not sell Ozone anymore, unless its 2 year old models. The primary reason it was withdrawn was lack of knowledge on how to safely sell and promote power kiting and kitesurfing. Other brands did the same thing." Surely there must have been some complaints for that to happen?
Gold Coast foreshore, (less than) perfect for kite lessons one day.
Banned the next.
Just wanted to put in a quick good word for Rod... Met him a few times and was impressed every time by his overwhelming kindness and have found him to be very genuine. (This was actually in knowing him outside of kite surfing and nothing to do with his shop)
However, I agree that appropriate times to teach at mermaid are few and far between. I'm hopeful that Rod will ensure that his instructors make wise decisions regarding safe teaching practices.
That photo was taken on a quite day !
You should see the swimming areas mid holiday !
Maybe they see this as advertising as it's a busy beach and it sounds like they are the closest shop. They may feel that they will get greater exposure due to the high numbers of people using the busy beach.....
Unfortunately, it will all end in tears eventually and possibly not just for them.
C'mon, it's up to everyone to do thier bit to promote our great sport in a RESPONSIBLE way.
D
Well I see the off-season nastys have set in already. 
[}:)]
Teaching on crowded beaches is stoopid and inviting trouble for all concerned - simple as that. Doing it when the conditions are cr@p and control of the kite is suss is sooper stoopid.
Right - I am hiding until the sweet breezes are back and everyone is back to the over-kited, exuasted, love thy kiter vibes again. 
