Sir, My family and I have recently had a great weekend on Windermere (August 14 and 15).

My seven year old had his first ever successful kneeboard, as did his little friend. Their smiles were wider that the lake itself!

We also enjoyed the rally, taking part to demonstrate against the impending ban, the children holding their home-made banners aloft, now that speed and water skiing had taken a priority in their busy little lives!

However, the enjoyment, the thrills and the aspirations to do more of the same quickly faded, as the reality of the ban sank in as our weekend ended and as the summer now draws to a close. The kids could not understand, however much I explained, as to why they would not be doing their new favourite' sport from next spring. It still dumbfounds me and many who share an enthusiasm for boating.

The children successfully boarded at 14 mph, 4mph over what will be allowed. At 10mph, they fell off, the momentum not quite there to sustain balance.

The crazy decision to ban such family enjoyment is selfish first and foremost. Boating is not the pastime of the rich and indulgent. It's fundamentally a family sport and a great source of healthy, safe enjoyment for young and old.

The rally flotilla contained just such families, all brought together to demonstrate for common sense, in the shape of a managed plan for the lake's use. Can't the LDNPA consider anyone's position except their own?

The decision and bylaw is made, I acknowledge, but five years on from that one-vote decisive decision, surely some up to date dialogue on a managed use for the future of the lake could at least be discussed, in light of ongoing demonstrations? Please be reasonable LDNPA and at least lend us your ear.

The opportunities for all to benefit in the future could exist if: l the speed limit was, say, 20mph - not excess, but still allows boating enjoyment for those who can board.

l lake use is limited to every other day - thus one weekend no boats on a Saturday, then the following week, not on a Sunday 50 per cent use in other words - isn't this fair?

l limit craft with noisy engines (thus removing older, noisy jet skis and boats whose early, older engines whine and irritate everyone)

Where can I take my child from next year to enjoy boarding other than the polluted seas of the coast?

Windermere covers one per cent of the Lake District. Is it fair to ban boating enjoyment on it? It's a sad reality of our culture if the answer can only be yes', with no offer of even dialogue to discuss the issue in 2004.

Richard Affleck High Wray n Sir, The upset of KWA holding a rally and WAF water-skiing on Coniston Water has raised the usual cries of irresponsible behaviour from the LDNPA, despite all authorities being warned of the actions.

Perhaps it is the disrespect shown for the LDNPA and their by-laws and policies that is the real issue. Perhaps those ramblers who broke the law of trespass to gain a right of access to the land can sympathise with the action of those seeking to gain access to the waterways to carry out the sport they feel no less passionately about - water-skiing and powerboat racing.

The spin of the LDNPA that they were forced to enforce bans to deal with an incompatibility issue is a red herring. It was and still is an issue of the management agenda of the NPA.

The LDNPA's decision to place speed bans and therefore remove power boats from Ullswater, Derwentwater and Coniston clearly shows a zero tolerance of powered craft.

Those sports people wishing to carry on with the sport they feel passionately about and in an area they have supported in some cases for over 40 years supported the LDNPA and moved to Windermere, due to the LDNPA's assurances that they would be accommodated.

Any management team worth its salt would have foreseen issues that would arise from the action of displacement and would have implemented safe management strategies which would have reduced perceived conflicts of interest between user groups on Windermere.

One only has to look at other national parks to see the agenda of eliminating speed activities from inland waterways is being replicated nationwide - to me this highlights a larger agenda is at work and incompatibility' is just spin.

This non-elected quango can bring in by-laws which have an effect on the local economy and local jobs. What other group other than elected government bodies has that kind of power?

The by-law resulted in the elimination of several user groups, which is in contradiction of the LDNPA's own policy to accommodate diversity.

Carole Cliffe Kendal n Sir, Having spent a few days recently at Glenridding, on Ullswater, with my three-year-old grandson playing and enjoying the surroundings, it made me take a look around at the peace and just how many families were around and enjoying the glorious area.

What a wonderful sight! If this is what is envisaged for Windermere, then can I ask what all the fuss is about'? The future is brilliant for everybody!

James Garside Kendal