Red-thumb me all you like but the jist of it is...

Woodies is the perfect place for the flatwater wakestyle crew. Try finding a place like that anywhere in the metro region and you may need to travel 45 minutes from there. It also gets a phenominial amount of exposure on the internet/mags.
BUT
It is dangerous for newbies. There isn't two ways about it...remember, IF YOU ACTUALLY GOT LESSONS, you would have been advised that you should not kite in off-shore winds unless you're an experienced or advanced kiter. It's going to sound harsh mate but unless you're willing/able to save yourself at woodies offshore, you shouldn't kite there...in other words, don't expect someone to save your arse knowing full-well that you can't save yourself.
PLUS
There is no need to be here if you're going for massive jumps etc.

It's just like scabs...one of the only decent waves close to home and blokes wanting to jump massive in front of 'awe-inspired' beach-goers are crowding it up.

The fact is, you can do that sort of thing ANYWHERE (and god bless you for having fun) but there is no need to go to locations that are suitable for the specialised-styles of riding. These riders actually require the conditions characteristic of these spots whereas (and you'd have to agree) you don't.

Dave, as I clearly stated, you can go anywhere you like...

Because you can do your tricks anywhere.

And I never said you shouldn't go there. I'm saying that:
1. It is perfect for the wake-crew. On the other hand, it is just another spot for guys that like to go big.
2. Unless you're able to save yourself, you shouldn't be kiting there...you are relying on other people to save you which is not fair.
3. THERE ARE 2 OTHER BEACHES PERFECT FOR GOING BIG!
4. Woodies is not the be and end all of flat water in Perth.

This topic sucks. Good on you Ben for helping out but because of the new crew who think just because they're bow kites have 100% depower, their kites are going to save them from being blown away, this spot will go from bad to worse. More tangles, more rescues, more frustrated sessions...FOR EVERYONE.

But before I go, I'll ask you this: why the hell do you like 40 people kiting in a shoebox. How is that fun?

My suggestion to the wakecrew: build a ****-load of sliders and kickers.

Give me waves anyday.

i'm so happy at woodies i could sh1t

quote:

---

Originally posted by Juddy

What's happened in two years?

---

Kite advancement causing false sense of security for newbies who haven't learned the basics of the dangers that a C kite teaches you.

Lack of respect of the conditions versus abilities.

Its not about "you have to be good to kite anywhere" its about farking idiots who can't read the safety warning on their kites, let alone reading the wind/waves/currents and doing an assesment of where they will end up WHEN things go pair shaped.

RANT START:
Used to see the same thing when i was a lifesaver, save a bloke who has been caught in a rip. Drag them out the water, get back to the beach and the donkey jumps back in the water and does it again, eventually getting his gear confiscated. Maybe we should do the same for people who can't be bothered getting kiting lessons.
RANT END:

For those of you who haven't read this, READ IT:
http://www.kitesurfingschool.org/safety.htm

As a member of the H@rDcore PumPAbike scene, I thought I would sign on and offer my opinion. Woodies is the perfect place for our crew to perfect our EGOS, by performing the little gay flip and triple extra gay spin. Roger is working on a special seat-pass backhand cordless electric move. It would be a shame if the hardcore woodies KITE crew got in our way, because we could always fit line cutters to our pumpabikes. Then WHAT YA GOING TO DO?????. Everyone knows Pumpabike CREW are egotesticle nuts. So don't push us ok!

I heard the Pumpabike nationals are on at woodies this summer. They were going to have it at Tombies but decided they would get in the way of all the elite kiters there.

I don't understand what all the negative attitudes are about all we are asking is that unless you competent don't ride in a dangerous spot. I would give the same advice to people riding at Point Walter. As for hiding behind alias', If you want to know who I am click my profile I got my real name listed. Most people down the beach know who I am, so it's not like I am hiding.

Most of the people on this thread aren't woodies regulars, and definately most people on this thread have never had to save a kite blowing out to sea at woodies. I know this because it's always either me, Dan, Simon or Damo that do it.

Ok heres a story for you this kook from tasmania thought it would be a good Idea to learn on the offshore side. He couldn't negotiate traffic and after about an hour or so he wrapped his kite around Dan's, not normally a Huge deal. Dan's kite crashes and he panics and quick releases everything. Dans kite on the water is angled around the other guys bar which somehow has wrapped in such a fashion it was auto zenething. So I have to kite directly out to seawaiting for this kite to drift down to the side of the window and attempt to catch it. Took me about a minute to finally catch it, Dan's kite still in Tow.

Another rider at this stage has towed Dan out behind him to the other guys kite which I was holding. He then had to swim back at least 300m with both kites and his board. Small damage to his kite and tangled lines.

This is just one example, please if you don't know what you are doing don't ride at Woodies.

quote:

---

Originally posted by carbine

bugger it im riding like a kook this year. no regard for anyone. **** the local rules, **** everyones safety. I may have the ability/the knowledge and respect to allow me to kite there but im going to kite like i have no ****en idea what so ever.

thats how u all want it? fine!

whos up for some speed runs? I still dont know how to slow down yet!!!! LOL@@@@

---

what's new?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Captain Goodvibes

Hey hardcore woodies guys you should practice what you preach. I agree woodies is really for advanced riders and hacks dropping kites and getting into trouble is a real pain and 1 knob who dosnt know the drill can quickly stuff it for everyone

But I remember a certain bunch of Woodies crew making C0cks of themselves at brighton last season trying thier handle passes right on the shore line - crew wave riding, swimmers everywhere and twice droppped their kite on the beach (Dry sand) meters from sunbathers not once but twice in a couple of minutes. (I think if you scare off the girls sunbathing you will be dealt with very harshly by the locals)

You will be good boys this year when you ride at our local and wont do silly things like that

---

i remeber an arrogant nob trying to police scabs when he cut off a bunch of woodies crew a countless number of times when they where trying to ride waves... and the funny thing was they only had surf boards with them.. not twinies

then he started to preach about how he was in a war and how he would break us with each other and how he makes people disapear ect ect ect.....

and to get the story straight there where only kiters on the beach, the sun was setting and it didnt crash it luffed and it was when the kite was changing hands!

pretty simply its asking people who can't save themselves or understand how to kite in a manner that doesn't notably effect others not to use woodies offshore side as currently it is one of the worst spots for it. those who dont know if they are up to that level or not probably are not.

i did write a huge reply but then thought against it as no matter how much sence it makes for beginners not to kite at an offshore, crowded beach when its surrounded by far better suited ones some one will say "you cant say that, its a free country."

Well done for helping the dude out havox!

quote:

---

Originally posted by cwamit

Well done for helping the dude out havox!

---

yeh well .. i think no matter how good i g et or how long i do it im sure im going to keep rescueing people if they need it, i think everyone should

quote:

---

Originally posted by RayQ
very overrated spot

---

Absolutely Ray - spot on.
Woodies offshore (beach 3) is a very small, way over-rated spot unless you are there on a good day with 10 or less out - like never.
With more than 20 - like always - its a very small, crowded, frustrating & dangerous spot. Great spectator sport but no room for fun kiting for anyone.
AND MOST DEFINATELY NEVER A BEGINNER OR LEARNER BEACH. 1 mistake and you are trawling yourself through a couple of kms of Perths sharkiest waters (just ask the fishermen).

quote:

---

Originally posted by RayQ

Very sad thread

---

Yes it certainly sounds that way; but it sounds a lot worse than it really is.
The guys complaining here (granted they do it less than diplomatically) are speaking from the frustration of continually seeing what is a very small, flat water zone; perfect for freestyle practice & training; being rendered useless to everyone by kiters who really would be better served at any number of other beaches. Even the adjacent beaches 1 & 2 are way better options for most riders right up to the serious end of intermediate level. Not to mention a whole heap safer.

The 'best & most influential' crew (ha ha ha ha) are as great a bunch of friendly, helpful kiters as you would meet anywhere. The background message of this thread is perfectly valid; not elitest at all really, it just comes across that way.

Safety Bay; only 20 mins away; is definately a way better option for great flat water. Not all butter smooth but way safer & no risk of overcrowding down there.
And it should be noted that rescue by other kiters off the north side becomes all but impossible once you are down toward the jetty - huge wind shadow; or at any distance offshore - too far gone. Seemingly abandoned downed kiters are not necessarily just being ignored as they drift off into shark alley. There is just no point in more people pointlessly ending up in trouble.

Lets keep kiting friendly everywhere.

i'll bring enough pre rolled joynts for all of you to smoke when i arrive in Nov... then you can just CHILL THE F#$% OUT!

People make mistakes, you all did to when you were a nooby...

keep it friendly, offer good advice in person... If you see a Noob or Euro terrorist having trouble in there first run in and out, stop them at the beach and suggest NICELY that beach 1 or 2 might be better... If they choose not to take the advice and get in trouble call the coast guard to rescue them from shark alley and they'll be left with bill $$$ sure they won't do it again... if they do cause a second issue i'm sure 10 or so pin prick holes in their LE bladder will keep them off the water...

REMEMBER, ANGRY LITTLE MEN: keep joynt in hand all the time to help you remain CHILLED!!