Park's Victoria

I wonder how much the fines will be? Coming in on the wrong side of the southern yellow pylon at Dendy could prove costly.
Easier for us to go 10 knts. Heard the kiters are expected to body drag out past the 200m zone if they are not in their designated zones.
Gives the clubbies more clout. I guess we'll all have to put the brakes on sooner as we come in. Also will make it harder to play around in the shore chop. Kiting zones will be very crowded if they allow us in their zone to catch a few legal bay waves.

And like thease laws are really going to work, surrre i new about thease laws agers ago, there not newdoes it mean we need to put speedos on our booms so we know what speed we are doing? and what if jaws is chasen a kiter does it mean he must body drag in still. Next will they fine us for doing forward loops??thease laws make you want to have a massive belly laugh!

Another thing to how would a beginner kiter learn to kite when he has to straight away kite 200m out in the deep water or the boys in blue will turn there disco lights on the boat and pull him overhahahaha

And how is a beginner windsurfer meant to windsurf straight away pass 200 metres?? He will be spending most of his time in the 200m zone trying to windsurf, and when he does get that good one run, that he has wanted all afternoon in the seabreeze, i bet he wont be pass the 200m zone, so on go the disco lights hehehe

and safety beach to rye the 5 knot rule is going to be in a zone of 750m ha,ha,ha[}:)]

It's actually Marine Safety Victoria who have just completed the first major review of all marine safety laws since the early 80's. (I went to a presentation on this yesterday.)

The main changes have to do with a uniform set of laws regarding alcohol and search and seizure. Basically that means if you are drunk fisherman or a hooning jet skier they can charge you and impound your craft.

The same laws can apply to a kiter behaving dangerously or windsurfers for that matter (I remember the calls for banning windsurfers in the early 80s and seeing guys on wally windsurfers blasting through crowds of people.)

Realistically the laws haven't changed much as far was we are concerned. We never could legally go more than 4 knots within 200 metres of the beach and 50 metres of other people etc.

Maybe we are better off now that we have some designated zones at various places.

For us, I doubt if anybody is going to seriously change their behaviour. We will ride wherever we want to ride as long as there are no people around to get upset. That's usually the case when there's enough wind to have fun.

Notwithstanding some faded old signs at West St Kilda, Mentone and Aspendale, there's no such thing as a designated windsurfing area.

It's easier to list where you are not allowed to sail, which is around boat ramps and near shipping lanes, etc.

You're pretty much allowed to sail anywhere provided you obey the basic boating rules. ie. Less than 4 knots within 200m of the shore or 50m of any other craft.

You also have to obey the unwritten rules of, don't annoy anybody and don't get caught.

All those yellow posts indicate the proximity to the beach. I guess the new red buoys appearing all over the place are more indicators. One can assume there will be a blitz of warnings and maybe the odd fine (I doubt that. A mate decided it would be a good idea to jump over a couple of jet skis. The cops riding them gave him a stern warning and sent him on his way.)

My understanding is that the new laws will be released after the election.

Windsurfers can sail in the Kite zones under the same conditions we currently have. Please refer to PV website and flyer. It states the kite zones can still be used by other water users.

The only changes in the current proposal for windsurfers is some extensions to the no boating zones and decreasing the distance for the 5 knot limit along the Peninsula from 750m to 500m. Plus the loss of the only windsurfing area in Frankston. Once again please refer to PV website. There is a number documents etc.

Most of these changes are going to take some time for PV to implement.

Some changes to benefit windsurfers have been suggested to PV and we are still waiting for a final response.

Fines are as follows:

Exceeding 5 knots: $191

No PFD: $149

Operating in a no boating zone: $191

The laws are not out yet they will be here soon after the local elections.. the real truth: PARK VIC DONT WANT ANY ONE WINDSURFING AT ALL THEY ARE TRYING TO BAN THE SPORT OUT RIGHT this is just another way for them to try and work out a way to ban windsurfing with thease stupid laws..