little o said...
There was poo and toilet paper everywhere in the bushes. People parking all over the vegitation. Not sure who's supposed to manage that but they seem to be sleeping.
It also seems like every year they cram more and more people into the place. Definately not a place I'd stay
The first one is without doubt an exagerated claim, there is a drop toilet at Tombies and anyone who knows the current 3Mile camp Manager knows that she would not let that happen. I know because i have to pick up the rubbish when i am at Tombies, occasionally there are the odd pieces of toilet paper but never everywhere. Infact there is very little rubbish which is pleasing to see and understandable because the majority of kiters,surfers and sailors have a healthy respect for the place they love to come to. Everywhere in everything you will always get those with no respect for others who will do the wrong thing, perhaps next time you see someone heading of into the bush with a roll of toilet paper you can give them a shout and point them towards the toilet.
If it was as you say the biggest day of the year then i don't think i can argue with the fact that people may have parked on the vegitation. On days like this the whole of 3 Mile end up at Tombies to watch the very few guys game enough to go in the water. The parking area was constructed in the early 90's and isn't sufficient anymore for days like that.
When i first took over i approached Government to replace the drop toilets with composting ones and improve the parking faclities at Tombies but due to interin development orders in place at that time i was refused. Once the current Government has resolved it's inter departmental issues I will approach them again about new toilets, improved parking and shade for all those who prefere to sit and watch on a 4+meter day.
Ahhhhhhhhhh.............the million dollar question.... There is more people there than the last time you came to Gnaraloo, and more last year and there will be more this year. I have NEVER advertised Gnaraloo to any water sports users, it is just natural progression of a spectacular destination. You will be pleased to know that a lot of the NEW people don't surf,kite or sail they come to enjoy the Ningaloo Reef for it's snorkelling, fishing, the pristene beaches and the "cool desert vibe" that it has to offer. They will come and watch you guys out on the wave and head back to camp to have a feed and a beer in front of the Indian Ocean and not crowd your lineup.
So.......can you tell me who i should turn away to keep the numbers down?
Is it people that have been before because they have had their chance?
Is it new people who have never had the enjoyment of staying at Gnaraloo because they only just heard about it.
Is it the ones that didn't know to book and have just driven 16hrs and 1400km from Margies and expect to set up camp.
Maybe the wives and kids who don't surf, sail or kite.
Well, i cant turn any of these away because i believe that this place is so unique and spectacular that all those prepared to make the effort to get here should be allowed to enjoy it. Getting here is not easy,and it's not for the people who go to Coral Bay or Exmouth, so take comfort in that so long as the road dosen't get tar sealed Gnaraloo will help protect itself.
And for those of you that got to enjoy it many years ago..........u got to have some fond memories that the people of today can only dream about with envy.
And actually it wasn't very crowded today 22 people in camp, 5 kites and 4 poles on the water, and look at the conditions...........
