A summer once spent years and years ago in WA.

A euro sailor drowned while sailing, in waves,and it was said to be due to the fact he had a PFD on and couldn't get clear of his rig and was then tangled up in it..

Dunno if its true but i believe it.

The other thing you could do, same as i used to do while kiteboarding at Gladstone road.

"DONT COME OFF THE WATER". the dufus/nice inspector will loose interest and bugger off.
at that moment you bolt it into the beach, pack your kit up and high tail it the hell out of there.

easy, problem solved.

169—Personal flotation devices to be worn on certain recreational vessels
(1) Each occupant of—
(a) a vessel (other than a surfboard, surf ski or racing shell) that can only carry
the operator and no other person; or
(b) a surfboard, surf ski or similar vessel that is being operated in inland waters;
or
(c) a sailboard or kiteboard; or

what's the deal, you need a pfd on a surf board on nice flat inland waters but not the ocean. don't they care if surfers drown?

2qik4u said...

jamdfingr said...

The Neil Pryde PFD's that I mentioned are a PFD Type 2 (as I have been told)

With some google searching that's right....

Neil Pryde High hook(CE)

CE, CE Mark. - stands for 'Conformite Europeenne' in short a product bearing the mark is manufactured to conform with the relevant European directives for that product.

EN393 - European CE standard covers 50N buoyancy aids, providing a minimum of 5kg of buoyancy.

Type 2: European Standard EN393-1993 Lifejackets-50N



Carry-on!!!!

I think PFD's have to be tested in Australia to meet Australian standards to get approval to sell and use. I got told the cost of testing did not make it worth while for windsurfing specific PFD's to be imported.

The Pryde ones and the Yoke style don't meet the requirements (unless they've changed which Australian Standard they are quoting in the legislation).
Glad to have left the Nanny State... have fun this summer, sounds like its heating up over there

legless said...

2qik4u said...

jamdfingr said...

The Neil Pryde PFD's that I mentioned are a PFD Type 2 (as I have been told)

With some google searching that's right....

Neil Pryde High hook(CE)

CE, CE Mark. - stands for 'Conformite Europeenne' in short a product bearing the mark is manufactured to conform with the relevant European directives for that product.

EN393 - European CE standard covers 50N buoyancy aids, providing a minimum of 5kg of buoyancy.

Type 2: European Standard EN393-1993 Lifejackets-50N



Carry-on!!!!

I think PFD's have to be tested in Australia to meet Australian standards to get approval to sell and use. I got told the cost of testing did not make it worth while for windsurfing specific PFD's to be imported.

PFD 2 Buoyancy Vest

It must comply with ONE or more of the following standards:
•Australian Standard AS 4758.1: Personal flotation devices classified as providing level 50 buoyancy, or AS1499:1996
•European Standard EN393-1993 Lifejackets-50N
•International Organization for Standardization ISO 12402-5.


Neil pryde vest marked(CE) comply's to •European Standard EN393-1993 Lifejackets-50N

Hi Patrick,

you have successfully communicated to the windsurfing community. 510 of us have read your post in just 48 hours!

I notice in your Seabreeze profile that one of your 'sports' is "Communicating with the windsurfing community". Seems personal rather than professional. I do believe this is not a great start for positive communications and hence the heated response!

For me it's safety first. I can't enjoy this great sport if I'm drowned! Whilst learning to sail I was always in a PFD. Since mastering the use of a harness and sailing in waves I choose not to use a PFD. I would be very happy to shout you to a beer at the Goolwa Hotel to discuss the reasons for and against wearing a PFD whilst windsurfing. Maybe you are even in a position to assist the windsurfing community to change this controversial legislation? It would be a great opportunity in any case to return to positive communications with the windsurfing community.

I plan to be in Goolwa early January if you would like to take up the offer.

Cheers,

Richard

Hi all,

As someone who has been teaching beginner windsurfing to kids and adults for the past 10 years as my job Ill add a couple of things.

1. No one who is in the beginner to intermediate stage of windsurfing should have any reason not to wear a PFD type 2 or 3 or equivalent. A PFD type 1 should not be used for windsurfing even a yoke as you could self inflate accidentally. The reason I say this is because beginner to intermediates are still in the learning stage, ie what rig do I put up in these conditions?, what board should I use? did I check the forecast correctly? and when we are learning we make mistakes..... Hopefully not big ones. But wearing a pfd can help and I will not let anyone who is under instruction not wear one.

2 once entering waves or past the intermediate stage people should be able to make there own decisions on what they believe to be the safest option for them. For me personally Waves = no pfd. Cant duck dive, Flat water blasting = depending on conditions and water depth I may wear one but probably not, sailing by myself = I wear a pfd or don't go out

As to pat, who has stirred up a bees nest, bud if you whant crew to wear pfds posting on this fourum will not change a thing, you need to go about it a different way. And fining people down the beach will just make everyone change location, get pissed off and hate you. Not cool for anyone.

Just my two bobs worth

Matt

maybe the goverment needs to come up with a disclaimer for living here [}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]

vote 1 for most entertaining thread of the year!!!!

choco said...

Kimba said...

I wear a pfd all the time, and a helmet for that matter. Nanna - maybe but it is irresponsible to put yourself and others at risk. I would never sail solo without being able to self rescue. Sure it may be more dangerous in some instances in the surf but would you expect sea rescue to pick you up 5k off shore if you had a breakage or got seperated from your gear.

Patsparks is merely giving a friendly reminder as there have been a few people picked up for not abiding by the rules, in most cases you get a warning first. Shooting the messenger and chest thumping doesn't do much for public relations when kiting has been banned on most beaches and there has been talk of doing the same to windsurfing.

+1 using race sails pfd also helps when water starting, wave sailing different story don't think you need to wear one, laws the law though so no use in carrying on, do you wear a seatbelt when driving?

Understand totally the Laws the Law but the legislation states.....
That if you are more than 400m from shore you must wear a type 1 PFD....

Type 1 PDF's are NOT permitted for sailboarding...and i would say most sailboard's go more than 400 meter's from shore....traveling at 30knts it wont take long to cover 400meters....

So it's not that simple as saying..."Yes you need to wear a Personal Floatation Device"

unless you stay within 400m from shore!!!!!!

Yawn,Catch me if you can Missus only releases me when jobs are done have resorted to going out after dark,old patsy will be tucked up in bed by then.
Check Ya Patsy.[}:)]
Saying that tho, I got too get my2 year old grommet one.
And one last thing Life jackets are as cool as wearing your shorts over ya wetty.[}:)]

Pat sparks a debate....

You certainly have ignited something here....


What happened to the old fashion "attack the man" technique?

2qik4u said...

http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/transport,%20travel%20and%20motoring/Boating+and+marine/Boat+and+marine+safety/Marine+safety+equipment/Personal+flotation+devices


Not permitted for water skiing, aqua-planing and like activity
Crashing at high speed wearing one of these would not be pretty

As I said, it says nothing about windsurfing.

Pat Sparks and his Hyosung Cruiser

www.evalbum.com/675

And I quote...."As aprentices we did great burnouts on these things."