and some of you blokes wonder why we are p1ssed off

Look, it's a sign of the times, population growth etc so they included you in this 'comprehensive' plan.

I guess the inference is largely that you don't agree with the risk categorisation? Part of the reason there have been few incidents is that poleys don't clash as much with other user beach users: they need a lot of wind to get going. They're not out there on marginal days slashing their fins at the swimmers...but essentially still very high risk if they do connect.

Also the old launch area was informally *reserved* for windsurfers by way of tradition. Decades of localism and bloody noses there. It's seems like the Wild West era has ended. Must be painful.

I think it is a real pity that the windsurfers have been caught up in this because I agree with Mark . The kiters have caused the problems that have led to this action .

I think the problem with kiting is it is about 10 times easier to do in the waves than windsurfing so you don't get inexperienced windsurfers out at Scarbs .

After 2 weeks on a kite anybody can go tracking backwards and forwards through the waves and they may be having a good time but are usually getting in the way and have no margin for error so usually end up in trouble as soon as something unexpected occurs .

We now need to share the space and I think it is important for kiters to understand how difficult it is for a windsurfer to get out through the impact zone at Scabs . The drift in the channel robs them of all power and that is why they are not able to get out of the way when you are coming in on a wave .

We kiters need to give them the space they need (and it isn't that hard ) and just go around them because it really is ridiculousely easy for us to do so on a kite and not be ignorant and demand that they get out of the way just because we are riding a wave .

I have at times kited in amongst the windsurfers mainly because that is where the best banks are and I do feel safer amongst them ,than amongst the unpredictable and unaware kiters in other areas at times .

Kiting is a great sport however because it is so easy to get going and do the basics ,people unfortunately believe it is thier right to go out anywhere . The truth is ,it is only safe to go out if you can deal with all unexpected situations that could occur .

I have been kiting for 11 years and for about the first 3 years I didn't go near Scarbs , mainly because it was more fun and I could learn more in easier conditions .

To all the people that are starting out , don't make it harder on yourself than it needs to be . Just because there are a lot of people out there doesn't make it the best spot for everybody .

Windsurfers have claimed the sweet spot next to the SLSC for many years now, in the after noon when its cranking, theres not much chance of mixing it up with these guys, its also the time when most people get of work, and just want to go for a swim.
Any one doing down winders will know there are other similar suitable spots op wind, strangely no windsurfers to be seen anywhere.
Now they are shifting the blame squarely at the kiters, Its not quite that black and white

The problem with Kiting is that it is SO MUCH EASIER TO learn than any other performance watersport. This means that Lots more people are going to do it and amongst them is the small percentage of idiots . AS the kiting population increases the idiot fact gets bigger. The ease of getting "good enough to be dangerous" is the main problem with this sport.

With Lessons and 10-20 sessions someone with no "watersense" (no surfing background ) can be out in the surf gybing onto waves and sort of riding waves after a fashion- even on a twin tip . These people have NO idea of SURF etiquette and are so impressed with their level of semi skills that they can only think of themselves. They are also very dangerous and lack the knowledge and experience that comes from paying there dues in the ocean and having a healthy respect for their own and others safety.

THose Kiters that have never windsurfed are talking garbage when it comes to the fact that Kites are so much more dangerous than a windsufer.

Bo makes the point about windsurfers generally being out in 20kn + where kites will get out in conditions 15 knots (sometimes less) and the beach is still attracting swimmers. Most windsurfers wont be into it until the beach is hostile to the swimmers and the overlap between swimming and windsports is much smaller.

These are facts and we Kiters need to accept that this great sport is actually going to get so popular that carefull management is going to be essential.
Otherwise the sport will get banished to some remote corner of the state because it has caused too much chaos, injury,damage and aggro.

There is just one thing I cannot comprehend.....as far as kites are concerned- why the need to kite scabs?

There is no room for error.... One F up and you're making a fool of yourself and putting others into a vicarious situation.

I made the most of the 8kms south of scabs last year. I highly recommend it for newbie's and pros. Floriet up till Brighton is just JOY.

Good times.

Underoath said...

There is just one thing I cannot comprehend.....as far as kites are concerned- why the need to kite scabs?

I made the most of the 8kms south of scabs last year. I highly recommend it for newbie's and pros. Floriet up till Brighton is just JOY.

Good times.

thanks for the recomendation.

For the guys who have already been riding this stretch for many years know the waves pretty much break on the shoreline up to about brighton.

Theres the answer to your question.

Noobs shouldnt be kiting at scarbs, period. Its probably where alot of this drama has stemmed from. People trying to teach complete noobs here when its sub 15 knots with many punters on the beach, kites in the water drifting amongst swimmers...geeeshh

oldjenkins said...


With Lessons and 10-20 sessions someone with no "watersense" (no surfing background ) can be out in the surf gybing onto waves and sort of riding waves after a fashion- even on a twin tip . These people have NO idea of SURF etiquette and are so impressed with their level of semi skills that they can only think of themselves.

Generalisation, heaps of ppl I know here came from EU or other countries where they didn't surf, me included.

On the same note, heaps of ppl from Oz I've met skiing in Japan this season didn't see any snow till than. Hardly someone from Darwin did...
So you saying they should be put with kids on a slope, or practicing snowman making before they hit a slope?

Just wait till someone pays $2000-3000 for the air fares to get here from ie. EU and than, God forbid, hit the Scarb across amfiteatre...They will lough to our face.

eppo said...



He he he, just helping it onto it's fourth page. My god, what's going on...now we are onto surf ettiquette, ha ha ha...

Yeah bans are hilarious.
In another 5 years when all the other councils see the 'great success" at Scarbs, so they ban kiting and windsurfing at every metro beach where people swim, see if you're still taking the p1ss about this debate.

I think that all that needs to be said has been said without deviating into petty opinionated discriminations like newbies on tts in the surf. Not taking the piss it is serious matter I should know probably been in the sport longer than you and have seen this situation evolving over time. Stay focussed and positive that's my call. Ultimately your own behavior is all you can control.

poor relative said...

there are no bans merely zones

windsurfers are banned from a zone.

Mark _australia said...

windsurfers are banned from a zone.

Funny that, so are kites

I think everyone is banned from a particular part and zones created because of the danger water craft (kites and windsurfers) pose to swimmers.

I haven't seen or read any evidence to suggest any particular incident has precipitated this 'zoning'

you retards are going on like it's the only beach in perth . We are blessed with hundreds and hundreds of untouched beaches .

****ing amazing sometimes . And besides why would you want to go to scabs as it's a ****hole anyway

Mark _australia said...

In 10yrs time when kiters and windsurfers are banned from every metro beach

There are no bans merely zones.

People complain. Thats the nature of people. They complain about dogs sh!tting on their verge, people driving too fast people driving too slow about Daylight saving about cyclists about any fuc@ing thing really..... it doesn't necessarily mean the local council will ban cars, dogs, cyclists etc.

In this case what it does mean - given the popularity of that beach - that regulations have to be introduced in order for everyone to co-habit this small stretch of sand - the nature of living in a city.

As such windsurfers and kiters are considered high risk. Personally i agree both sports are high risk to the unwary swimmer.

As such designated zones have been created to make safe this area for all recreational users. The designated Zones to me appear to be in the areas that are frequented by low risk users the most ie in front of the amphetheater.

Kiters didn't cause this, windsurfers didn't cause this - we have co-existed reasonably well in scabs for as long as i have kited there which is quite a few years (tho i tend to go further North towards Trigg).

This zoning was created in order for all water users to co-habit the area (as council see it) 'safely'

About time i think.

Mark _australia said...

poor relative said...

Mark _australia said...

windsurfers are banned from a zone.

Funny that, so are kites

and the windsurfers are banned on the basis of one incident a year, and the kiters banned on basis of one a day.
Hmmmmm.... interesting risk analysis (or lack thereof)

Think you may have misconstrued the 'one complaint a day ' comment. Lifeguards get many complaints comments incidents a day. for example, he would tell people to move their dogs off the beach multiple times a day... not incidents, just part of being a beach inspector.