Parks Vic Officer was down at Ricketts this morning warning the kiters they were travelling at over 8kms within 200m of shore. Fortuantely he seemed to focus on the kiters (about 6 out) and not the windsurfers (about 4 to 5 out).
I also noticed that they were coming in close to shore between the flags to gybe turn or do whatever kiters do, even though there was nobody swiming probably not a good practice.
Sooooo tempting to respond........ and unload yet another dose of "told ya so" and "who has the balls to stand up to the man"...... but then I'd be just repeating myself.
See my earlier posts on this subject
Slightly off-topic - watched 4 jetskiers (fairly talented too, 360deg horiz rolls & 180deg air jumps) yesterday at our local swimming beach jumping & carving on the shore-break (about 5m off beach at times!) No repercussions from the cops. Is the rule distance from shore - or swimmers? (depending on if there's a speed limit in place - ie;5kts as mentioned above)
Was there when the Parks officer showed up....i was rigging/setting up. I wouldn't really use the word enforcing. He politely made me aware of what area I shouldn't be sailing in. No problem really, when sailing in towards the beach I gybed before the bouy's and came in and out on the far side. Just a pity the wind didn't stick around.
A few things:
- The wind lulled off around 12:30 then came in beautifully for the rest of the afternoon around 2:00. I had a truly wonderful two hours. The first hour was tough but rewarding because I didn't get stuck out. The second hour had big floaty jumps, glassy water next to a groyne and clean waves over a sand bar. Bliss!
- I used to windsurf all the time near the patrolled area of a LSC near where I lived. Liberally signed with no boating markers, flags and the whole thing. (I still do come to think of it.) I got 3 friendly reminders in 7 years and never got hassled. As long as you pay due respect to the intent of the regulations then nobody is going to worry about the letter of the law. Charging full speed into a patrolled area when there are life guards around is kind of dumb. As long as you show you are aware of the rules and don't ride along with a big sign saying "I am an idiot! Please book me!" then you will be fine and you can do whatever you want to do.
- Were those jet skiers out near Ocean Grove/13th Beach? I saw a group like that a few weeks ago. They made it look like a heap of fun. They found their own little peak and tore it apart. See above for the intent of the law vs. the letter of the law.
