I notice that the whole beach side section of Beach Rd at south Ricketts has No Standing signs.
The only legal parking is in front of the houses or around the corner in Dalgetty Rd, or down in the car park near the lifesaving club.
It's a bit rude that this happened with no warning. It is fair enough to restrict parking near the pedestrian crossing but closing off the whole area is unrealistic.
A few strong protests to the council or the local paper would be in order.
Perhaps also ask for the lifesaving club car park to be upgraded. It's not at all pleasant packing up among the dead animals and used frangas.
It doesn't just affect sailors and kiters. That is a very popular beach with a life saving club. How are families and dog owners supposed to get access with no parking in the area? Unless they are trying to restrict the beach to residents ...
When were there kiters being seriously loose? I thought everybody was on their best behaviour last night. Was that earlier in the afternoon before the wind picked up?
Yes, I was watching from the road at the top and one kiter came within just a few metres of swimmers, at speed, on several occasions. He seemed to be showing off. There was a lot of jumping quite close to shore. The odd windsurfer came a bit close to the swimmers, too. We all need to keep well away from swimmers or we are certain to be banned from there.
interesting point...
just supposing someone did hit a swimmer, it wouldn't be great but lets not assume that it automatically gets us banned. If it does happen though, I think there should be some sort of prepared plan or statement.
I mean if a car hits a bike. It's not driving that gets banned.
Do we have any PR people that post here? What would be the "right" thing to do after a swimmer gets hit? For the person that hits the swimmer? For everyone else? For El Presidente of Windsurfing Victoria?
Don't want to get technical here but we are banned....it is a no boating zone!!!!!!
The question is will they police it? and I believe the answer is yes if some D..head forces their hand.
ok, so the question remains. If a swimmer gets hit, how do we handle it and how do we ensure that it does not become policed (or not for that long)
how on earth have we ended up in a situation where Dendy is partially banned and Ricketts is completely banned?
If you see someone doing something stupid, tell them. If we (sailors and kiters) are good at self regulation, we are very unlikely to have problems at places like Ricketts. Being good at self regulation means having the courage to speak up. Did anyone have a word with the problem kiter? It might be uncomfortable, but if something needs to be said, it should be said beforer it's too late.
As a rule of thumb, I'd encourage all kiters and sailors to give other beach users plenty of space + a buffer margin again. Look at things from their perspective and imagine they are nervous/cranky/crazy and don't know anything about kiting/sailing.
Re: PR - I think Mr Love is right. There is a rule that will be enforced the minute there is an injury or if someone complains. PR won't make a difference. Prevention is the key. In the meantime maybe we should fake a life-saving by a windsurfer/kiter to build some brownie points
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I haven't been to either places, but if there's a SLSC nearby at each, has anyone casually spoken to any of the members of the clubs? Do you know any of the members?
nothing formal, but something just reinforcing that the actions of a few were noticed and not supported in any way by the majority. You may be able to get a bit of support and find more of a lay of the land if you gently align yourself with other beach groups, all whilst trying to remain under the radar.
Otherwise, just go and sail at your nearest oil refinery/aluminium smelter or sewage outfall. Hey, it works down here in geelong. no swimmers to worry about
jermaldan your a dam smart cooky, how do you come up with thease ideas?? i like it dude, they could make us windsurfers the cops
your a ideas man you are
The Bayside Punishers. Has a ring to it doesn't it????
OK for a new crew name. Even the artwork is easy to imagine. Imaging seeing a bunch of sails with skulls on them coming at you. If I were a kiter, I would be sh***ing myself!
I give it 10 minutes before our fearless leader is offering us Bayside Punishers hooded tops with WV logos on the front
Has ten minutes expired yet?
Hoodies, T-shirts, rash vest with the logo is more than possible.
Bayside Punishers could be good GPS Team Challenge name. Guys, if you are not part of a team yet, get a GPS and start a team. First select a captain and then register online.
Use a couple of raceboard fins on twirly handle things. Two crossed ones on your back.
Of course, all this begs the question, how are you going to catch the kiters? They just have to point a few more degrees upwind and you're stuffed. If you get too close, boing and they're 20 metres away (like proper ninjas).
If sailboards are the the cool black ninjas, then don't they always get beaten up by the slightly daggy Tombei the Mist?
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Anyway, none of that has anything to do with parking. Don't park on the beach side of Beach Rd. You'll get booked eventually.
The only legal parking is a few spots between the driveways in front of the houses and in the car park. Even Dalgetty Rd has No Parking signs all over it.
Feel free to send the council an email requesting they clean up the car park.
Everyone needs to use their brain. I was sailing there on Monday and I saw two kids going snorkeling. Had a quick chat to them about where they planned to go so ad to avoid them. Snorkellers are much harder to see. I have sailed in bay for twenty years and if you keep your speed down when coming in. Gybe well out unless coming in for a break and even warn other when you see a swimmer. Kiters were much of a big issue on Monday.
