Does anyone know what the website address is for the new down winder bus service operating from Brighton WA???

Or what time it is leaving Brighton each day??

ta

For the benefit of the non-WA folks, please explain!

Do they pick you up from downwind with your gear etc and run you back up to where you started from?

That sounds like it would be well worth it for a few bucks a trip...

Plan is you jump on bus with your gear and get taken upwind to starting point

Might also be worth noting this is Brighton WA (as in sth scarbs) being discussed.
There is a Brighton beach in just about every state of Australia.

Yikes, I'll be wanting to avoid that time the masses from the bus set off.

I guess good for the "scott nomates" out there...or teuros! , god forbid

Im not so sure this is a great idea for the good (short & long term) of the downwinder route...think about it, especially continued access along this stretch.

Perhaps someone wants to cash in?...but will a bus be feasible and for how long?

Personally, Im against it.

Bus should be for locals or waksa members only, so we don't get all the blowins wrecking our stretch of water

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Weta said...

Plan is you jump on bus with your gear and get taken upwind to starting point

Great idea! Saves filling the bus up with sand and salt water...

Worth taking in to account the access issues though (note I am not a WA local so don't know that stretch of beach) - no point enjoying the ride or a season and then getting locked out all together...

can they pick me up at costalotta (sorrento south 3rd groin)?

So how many inflated kites can they fit on the bus, or is it whos bringing their pump this time

From the conversation on Sunday (at the aborted downwinder), for the next 2 weeks (until kids break up on the 17th) and will run Mon- Fri at 4pm departing Brighton car park, south of scabs surf club, running as far upwind as leighton (i think but am not 100%). The idea is to gauge is there is a viable business. The time is because the bus is used by a school up until 3pm.

Is it true?

Who is running this bus service?

WAKSA? - I hope not. If so - bad form.

The current balance of down winder guys is pretty much spot on as it is - a good bunch of guys and friends relying on each other for use of this gem. The numbers filtered by the use of personal cars here and there. More people are always welcome but in the form of a daily bus service - perhaps not(?).

It works well, but theres fine balance between number of guys doing the down winder, versus guys at City Beach, Brighton, Scarborough and Trigg. But more importantly with the large number of every day beach goers at City Beach, Floreat, Dog Beach, Scarborough, Trigg and the sand in between.

Mess with this and all can turn to poo very quickly. Large numbers of kiters streaming down this stretch together right on the shoreline are intimidating to the average beach user. Just one extra idiot and its all over. The councils, surf clubs, worried parents, dog exercisers and fishers already have a close eye on us along here.

Leave this down winder section to the old fashioned method of finding your own way with friends or just meet people down the beach and organise a lift. Please dont commercialise it for every Tom, Dick and Harry to stuff it up for everyone to the point where no one can do it - ever!

Its a gem of a down winder, we dont want to lose it.

Come on guys dont be so protective and come with this balance BS.
So you got your little groups and all is sweet, another load of 20-30 guys isnt going to stop you having fun and gives us non locals a chance to join in the fun occasionally.
you could even get on the bus yourself to save yourself the trip back to Floreat to pick up the car.

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RayQ said...

Come on guys dont be so protective and come with this balance BS.
So you got your little groups and all is sweet, another load of 20-30 guys isnt going to stop you having fun and gives us non locals a chance to join in the fun occasionally.
you could even get on the bus yourself to save yourself the trip back to Floreat to pick up the car.

I think you missed my point Ray.

Its not to do with locals, cliques or stopping anyone having fun. Although, have you ever tried to shoot down the line unhooked and make a section with 5 kiters just in front of you? It's not fun.

However it is to do with protection. Something I thought WAKSA held in high regard and why I pay my fees every year. I expect only good administration and foresight from you guys.

Galah made a very good point "no point enjoying the ride for a season and then getting locked out all together..."

Do you really require a bus load of 20-30 kiters to do a down winder occasionally, or was it daily? Dont tell me you have been waiting all these years for a bus to help you out?

You've got mates for sure, I assume with cars even.

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Factor 5 said...

Is it true?

Who is running this bus service?

WAKSA? - I hope not. If so - bad form.

The current balance of down winder guys is pretty much spot on as it is - a good bunch of guys and friends relying on each other for use of this gem. The numbers filtered by the use of personal cars here and there. More people are always welcome but in the form of a daily bus service - perhaps not(?).

It works well, but theres fine balance between number of guys doing the down winder, versus guys at City Beach, Brighton, Scarborough and Trigg. But more importantly with the large number of every day beach goers at City Beach, Floreat, Dog Beach, Scarborough, Trigg and the sand in between.

Mess with this and all can turn to poo very quickly. Large numbers of kiters streaming down this stretch together right on the shoreline are intimidating to the average beach user. Just one extra idiot and its all over. The councils, surf clubs, worried parents, dog exercisers and fishers already have a close eye on us along here.

Leave this down winder section to the old fashioned method of finding your own way with friends or just meet people down the beach and organise a lift. Please dont commercialise it for every Tom, Dick and Harry to stuff it up for everyone to the point where no one can do it - ever!

Its a gem of a down winder, we dont want to lose it.

Agree with that F5.
DWer's by the bus load is a BAD idea.
I'm all for it when its on a remote stretch or for the organised (Redkite) charity events and such.
But on a daily basis along some of the most popular beaches in the Metro area?
Will do way more harm than good.

Mate, its never going to happen due to the increased shark sightings Cottesloe way, in addition to the swarming stingers existing Cottesloe through to City Beach in summer. Bus Drivers are not going to take that kind of risk!

No you are missing the point FS, you talk about protecting, I dont know what WAKSA wants, but you want to protect yourself from other kiters who are not doing the wrong thing. Id call that typical narrow mindedness

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default said...

Yikes, I'll be wanting to avoid that time the masses from the bus set off.

I guess good for the "scott nomates" out there...or teuros! , god forbid

Im not so sure this is a great idea for the good (short & long term) of the downwinder route...think about it, especially continued access along this stretch.

Perhaps someone wants to cash in?...but will a bus be feasible and for how long?

Personally, Im against it.

Yikes Negative Dhead..the idea of a DW is crew can spread out and kite undercrowded coastline and not trip over one another like say at Brighton on a busy day...the guys runnin it are not going to make a million bux but want to have a hobby business in the sport they like...good on em. Obviously they are not going to get your measly 3.50...(coz omg i feel like i just got pimped...someone tryed to make money OMG I feel violated)
I rekon its a handy service saves driving up and down on fuel and time and also when its to hard to get yo buddies teed up...plus you can drink beer on the bus...and if ya got no mates in kiting well u going meet some...and if i c yo neg ass in the water i will spray yo eyeballs out on the way past.Let me know wat yo kite looks like so I can find YOU!! HAhahaha

More 2cents...the bus i understand is a van style so it may only have 8 or 10 guys at a time..I am kinda thinking that guys would be kiting already anyway so numbers arent all of a sudden invasion size..because i dont think the bus is going to leed to breeding of more kiters and if its that kinda bus I hope there is good lookin chiks on board.
Another point is the guys running the bus and the crew involved will help to educate about safety and the dos and donts about kiting the coastline so newer guys can have a bit more knowledge and support instead of going out solo and wiping out grandmas on the beach.

DW bus bad idea. I personally find DWers, at their worst, can often barrel through an area with less awareness for other kiters and other beach users. To me a bus could legitimises this. If WAKSA is supporting it I will rethink my membership

So this is the trouble that arises from living in a place that actually gets wind..
You should get over here right now, The PKRA is going off!!!

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AndreC said...


Yikes Negative Dhead..the idea of a DW is crew can spread out and kite undercrowded coastline and not trip over one another like say at Brighton on a busy day...the guys runnin it are not going to make a million bux but want to have a hobby business in the sport they like...good on em. Obviously they are not going to get your measly 3.50...(coz omg i feel like i just got pimped...someone tryed to make money OMG I feel violated)
I rekon its a handy service saves driving up and down on fuel and time and also when its to hard to get yo buddies teed up...plus you can drink beer on the bus...and if ya got no mates in kiting well u going meet some...and if i c yo neg ass in the water i will spray yo eyeballs out on the way past.Let me know wat yo kite looks like so I can find YOU!! HAhahaha

Yikes!! Easy tiger. Going by that I guess you may be affiliated with this service somehow? I dont mean to come across negative... simply asking the question and expressing an opinion. Its always good to try see both sides of the coin. At first it sounds like a good idea but the more you think about it the less it does.

lol, no way Im tellin you my kite and colour ...Ive seen your spray and my eyes are heading for the hills already

I was at the Redkite thing on sunday when Anton(met him that day) mentioned this service. I dont know the guy but seemed to have a point and a passion for a sport he obviously loves, like us all.

I thought "great idea"........wait for it.........BUT after thinking(ooh hurts)

What if you are doing it by yourself, get halfway, stack it,no re-launch is the bus gonna wait/drive around till they find you walking back to Brighton.

If the driver knocks of at five, what then ? I dont carry alarm clock when kiting,"times up number 24 please make your way in your transport is leaving."

Do you register when you get on, so if you get lost/eaten they can report you.

WAKSA great work on sunday(as always) and all those supporting, you guys need to comment on this service and although the operator is obviously independent, needs guidelines etc especially for overseas/out of towners on what areas they cant go into, behaviour going thru the line up.

This has potential to be good if not in the to hard basket but also the potential for problems with the gen public.

Good luck Anton.

I think it's a great idea and will use it for sure!!

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default said...

AndreC said...


Yikes Negative Dhead..the idea of a DW is crew can spread out and kite undercrowded coastline and not trip over one another like say at Brighton on a busy day...the guys runnin it are not going to make a million bux but want to have a hobby business in the sport they like...good on em. Obviously they are not going to get your measly 3.50...(coz omg i feel like i just got pimped...someone tryed to make money OMG I feel violated)
I rekon its a handy service saves driving up and down on fuel and time and also when its to hard to get yo buddies teed up...plus you can drink beer on the bus...and if ya got no mates in kiting well u going meet some...and if i c yo neg ass in the water i will spray yo eyeballs out on the way past.Let me know wat yo kite looks like so I can find YOU!! HAhahaha

Yikes!! Easy tiger. Going by that I guess you may be affiliated with this service somehow? I dont mean to come across negative... simply asking the question and expressing an opinion. Its always good to try see both sides of the coin. At first it sounds like a good idea but the more you think about it the less it does.

lol, no way Im tellin you my kite and colour ...Ive seen your spray and my eyes are heading for the hills already

LOl..yeh you are entitled to your opinion for sure. I dont even know the dudes who are doing it. I am surprised by the anti sentiment on this one. I heard about the concept through WAKSA last year and I think they were supporting it. Kitesurfing is never going to be everyones friend but group awareness and being as responsible as possible is going along way.

I hardly think a DW bus will create kite havoc.

It aint gonna make anyone rich either lol.

40 kiters in Brighton or 40 spread out doing DW's i think i know which is a less disaster scenario.
The beach is pretty much empty from Swannie to City beach anyway FFS

I would suggest that the bus drives from further North and does a complete swoop - picking up/dropping off at key points like Mulla's, Pinna's Trigg, Brighton and finishing at Leighton.

Bits for sale in the bus like choccy, water, sun screen, beer?? etc etc might make it a bit more profitable.

Good luck with the venture i'll support it.

^^^ Agree - will support it also.
Can't always get the same time off as mates, so downwinders are few and far between.

I did the redkite downwinder last year with 70+ riders going from Leighton to Scarbs at the same time. Didn't have any problems with congestion, 14kms is plenty of room. So hardly see how a bus of maybe 15-20 riders is going to be problematic.

@the gibbo: If you park at Brighton and the bus drives to Leighton, then there are no issues with the bus having to wait for you. Again, the onus is on the individual to make it back safely, just like any other day kitesurfing.

I heard this was the bus

Maybe educating some of the DW crew its not cool to blast straight through the middle of an area eg brighton where crew are happily doing some loose kind of rotation.

Nearly every session some spanker come straight through the middle with no regard of people kiting a spot and on their way in lineing a wave up

Hello forum, long time lurker first time poster (although I have used the buy and sell)

http://www.downwinder.com.au/

The bus service is being run on a trial basis by one of my mates, Anton. The aim is to allow people to ride waves without hassling about hookups every single time. Anton owns a bus that does a school run (from my understanding) and so it will only run after school initially.

At the moment, its being run on a trial basis for two weeks, for free, to assess viability. The bus could hold 20 guys max with their gear.

As far as some of the opinions of guys being against it, I think it will spread out the crowd. think about it, would you rather have 20 extra guys out at brighton, or those 20 guys doing loops somewhere a bit further south?

As far as dickheads doing run through of areas crowded with either swimmers or other kiters/poleys, do you really think that having a bus will encourage these people? or not having a bus service prevent them?

Anyway, go to the website and give your feedback. At this stage, its an prototype.

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poor relative said...


The beach is pretty much empty from Swannie to City beach anyway FFS

Correct, and if the kite bus only served that section - no worries at all. My concern is the 4-5km section between City Beach and Trigg which has plenty of general public walking the shoreline, swimming etc. It also happens to be the best part of the whole dw'er coast. Hence why I am a bit worried about it's future.

Again I'm only concerned about a LARGE number of kiters heading down the coast IN MASS together on a DAILY basis. If it could be spread out somehow it would be better, although I'm skeptical this will happen.

the crook old blokes at swanny nude beach will love it, they be standing on the waters edge "pointing" and waving.

with a bit of luck the blokes getting on this bus will atleast be semi regular like minded crew who know how NOT to fck up the run for everyone. Non bus users can get out 20 mins either side of the bus and avoid the traffic i guess if it gets to that.

BUT i agree with any incidents that stretch is next on the hit list, SAS firing range, old Fisherman casting snapper weights at you, crook hommers in sand dunes, fin eating reefs, mums, kids, dogs, sewerage pipes and subsequent sht hazard in water, groins, flags, tourists...sharks, theres a few obstacles there. So dont fk up!