Is there any such thing as a kite specific PFD ? Designed to be used with a waist harness ?

I thought SAKSA were in discussions about these?

Murphysegg said...

Is there any such thing as a kite specific PFD ? Designed to be used with a waist harness ?

I thought SAKSA were in discussions about these?

SAKSA sent out an email to all members asking for anecdotal evidence as to why the wearing of a pfd whilst kitesurfing was a hazard. As far as I know the one response was of no use. Without a supporting argument there is no way to be successful in our exemption.....I don't wanna isn't going to be good enough for Transport SA. Please do not post any anecdotal stories here- if you have one pm me.

Thanks

Geoff

Directly from the May newsletter...

PFDs
The SAKSA Committee has been working on the issue of Personal Flotation
Devices for kitesurfers for some time now. SAKSA’s position on this topic
is that we endorse the use of PFDs as per the current rules and encourage
all participants to use the appropriate safety measures available.
We are very aware that in many cirumstances, a PFD has actually been an
inhibitor in the safe usage of the kite and thereby actually creates a greater
danger to the user and the public alike; this is especially so for the inshore
surf zone.
We can confirm that we have met and discussed this specific matter at
length with the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure who
manage the PFD regulation in SA. They will go through their due diligence
processes and advise us in due course; in the mean time, we feel it would
be beneficial to gather some more empirical evidence.
We want you to email your anecdotes to info@saksa.com.au of specific
instances where wearing a PFD has been the direct cause of injury,
damage or danger to yourselves, or the public. The more detail the better:
Time, location, circumstances, outcome...
For more info, check out the official SAKSA forum via the website:
www.saksa.com.au/forums


So get writing and give us the stuff we need to push for an exemption !

The basic thing that people need to understand is that the authorities are interested in evidence of the danger that wearing a pfd....I can't stress enough that this is what we require.

A list of people saying we don't wanna is not going to change the rules.

From what i have heard everybody was nice and polite to the officers on Sunday. This is another very important point- any agression or mouthing off will only reflect badly on the whole community, so please make sure you are nice as pie if you get spoken to.

cheers

Other state bodies have already been contacted and their responses are pending.

sweet.........put me down for 2

How much?

hey geoff, ill try to make it down for the agm if i can, would love to get more involved and offer an outside perspective if i can :)

Is that VIC Marine rules,SA or Australia wide?