Melbourne councils are announcing beach closures this weekend, after the st kilda beach crowd and bad publicity, all eyes will be on the bayside beaches, I'm going to give kiting a miss this weekend until the bans lifted, the ban seems to just stop people gathering at the beach.

Who will launch your kite

Really mixed messages with the closure of the beaches, everything from total closure to no gathering, to you can swim and launch water craft, to ok to walk your dog but don't gather, etc. etc. for a lot of bayside areas the beach is our park area to get out into the fresh air. My local has had a few out walking but well spread out with more distancing than the shopping centres that are still open.

Bunnings is worst than the beach!

Get off Seabreeze and get back to work csjena.......and no sneaking off for a kite

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Smithy said..
Really mixed messages with the closure of the beaches, everything from total closure to no gathering, to you can swim and launch water craft, to ok to walk your dog but don't gather, etc. etc. for a lot of bayside areas the beach is our park area to get out into the fresh air. My local has had a few out walking but well spread out with more distancing than the shopping centres that are still open.

Yeah yesterday and even this morning their were mixed messages.

There are massive flashing signs at the entrance of the beach car parks saying "BEACH CLOSED" Today.

The council could consider the flying of a kite on the beach as a breach of the beach closure.

?????? Kinda obvious now.

Also MORNINGTON PENINSULA BEACHES CLOSED NOW.

Still looks like you can walk, kite, SUP, windsurf just not swim or sit, lots out walking adhering to social distancing

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Sandfoot said..

Smithy said..
Really mixed messages with the closure of the beaches, everything from total closure to no gathering, to you can swim and launch water craft, to ok to walk your dog but don't gather, etc. etc. for a lot of bayside areas the beach is our park area to get out into the fresh air. My local has had a few out walking but well spread out with more distancing than the shopping centres that are still open.

Yeah yesterday and even this morning their were mixed messages.

There are massive flashing signs at the entrance of the beach car parks saying "BEACH CLOSED" Today.

The council could consider the flying of a kite on the beach as a breach of the beach closure.

?????? Kinda obvious now.

Also MORNINGTON PENINSULA BEACHES CLOSED NOW.

Bay /Ocean or both? Went for an early surf at Gunna nothing I could see...

There will be a horde of kiters descending on Rosebud tomorrow that will give the sport some bad publicity in the Herald Scum

If it goes NW the stretch between Edithvale and Frankston will work and is usually pretty sparse for kiters. Going to popular spots will only attract the wrong kind of attention. Stage 3 will kick in soon which may mean no recreation anywhere.

Went for a recce along Mentone to Franga and there were signs at just about every Kingston beach. I stopped at a spot north of Franga no signs, and a kiter out and a young family on the beach. Sand was blowing off the beach from the wind. Police rocked up and said no kiting and they were going to warn/fine the guy already out.

This is 1 hour before pelting rain hit, beaches were already deserted. Didn't realise you could catch it from the seawater, must be coming off the stranded cruise ships

So while Vic kiters may have shown some restraint today, seems as though this windsurfer wanted to get some air but ran out of wind

www.facebook.com/beaumarislifesavingclub/posts/4015053451868908

Yeah it's so confusing, kiting, SUPing, windsurfing, etc. dont actually breach the beach closure rules, I think the police don't know and don't care so will just move people on

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Smithy said..
Yeah it's so confusing, kiting, SUPing, windsurfing, etc. dont actually breach the beach closure rules, I think the police don't know and don't care so will just move people on

Of course and as if you can have a rational argument with them. We're classed as a Vessel right? So we are NOT swimming (much).

I'm hoping the cool weather will reduce the need for restrictions, but hey once they put a sign up its very hard to take it down.

We were having that same argument in our kiting group, we are legally watercraft and covered by boating regulations which have not been banned at this point. Arguing the points with the boys in blue is always going to end in some aggro but at this time it's more the chance of negative publicity towards the sport. My sons decided against a kite today and instead went spearfishing nobody seemed to bat an eyelid.
Wetsuits on, cross the road, down the cliff and out they went. Two hours of swimming around for little return but what the hell, energy used, social distancing adhered to, no sign at the cliff face saying Do Not Enter.

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Deefer said..
We were having that same argument in our kiting group, we are legally watercraft and covered by boating regulations which have not been banned at this point. Arguing the points with the boys in blue is always going to end in some aggro but at this time it's more the chance of negative publicity towards the sport. My sons decided against a kite today and instead went spearfishing nobody seemed to bat an eyelid.
Wetsuits on, cross the road, down the cliff and out they went. Two hours of swimming around for little return but what the hell, energy used, social distancing adhered to, no sign at the cliff face saying Do Not Enter.

That one particular kiting group that wherever they congregate causes the council to ban kiting ?

If stopping kiting for a little while helps the overall cause then so be it.

So instead I'll go join a cycling peleton 1.5m apart, stand around with others in lycra ordering a double-picollo seems a lot more legit.

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Peahi said..

Deefer said..
We were having that same argument in our kiting group, we are legally watercraft and covered by boating regulations which have not been banned at this point. Arguing the points with the boys in blue is always going to end in some aggro but at this time it's more the chance of negative publicity towards the sport. My sons decided against a kite today and instead went spearfishing nobody seemed to bat an eyelid.
Wetsuits on, cross the road, down the cliff and out they went. Two hours of swimming around for little return but what the hell, energy used, social distancing adhered to, no sign at the cliff face saying Do Not Enter.

That one particular kiting group that wherever they congregate causes the council to ban kiting ?

If stopping kiting for a little while helps the overall cause then so be it.

So instead I'll go join a cycling peleton 1.5m apart, stand around with others in lycra ordering a double-picollo seems a lot more legit.

Yep some large groups of cyclists riding together over the weekend. At least with kites we have no choice but to social distance.

To the large majority its clear, now is not the time to kite / windsurf in the bayside region. FFS

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Deefer said..
My sons decided against a kite today and instead went spearfishing nobody seemed to bat an eyelid.

Different story in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

A couple of spearo's went in off the rocks on a headland and then were met by lifeguards on jetski's and got pointed to head back in. Beaches closed apparently means whole coast is closed... except rock fishermen are allowed to stay!

Get ready to do nothing fun on the water for quite a while fellas

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Chris_M said..
Get ready to do nothing fun on the water for quite a while fellas

It would be good to get some clarity, were not in lockdown like NZ (yet) and depending on what you read or which council, you may or may not swim in the water. A kitesurfer or two would be considered OK as exercise?

Perhaps KBV/KA could get some clarification?

Also the warm weather last weekend would ordinarily mean masses go to the beach, This weekend is cold and windy, in fact Sat & Sunday are looking like they are nuking.

Every state is going to be different, but I would think it always better to not ask questions you don't already know the answer to, especially if you might get an answer you don't want. Ask forgiveness, not permission.And from what I read, rules are pretty clear. You can go out to exercise as long as you are exercising alone and not congregating. This is exaclty what kiting is. Why ask.Don't hang out in big groups. Don't drink beers on beach afterwards. Go. Kite. Go home. You are not partaking in risky behaviour regards spreading the virus . And your exercise is fun, better luck to you.

Every state is going to be different, but I would think it always better to not ask questions you don't already know the answer to, especially if you might get an answer you don't want. Ask forgiveness, not permission.And from what I read, rules are pretty clear. You can go out to exercise as long as you are exercising alone and not congregating. This is exaclty what kiting is. Why ask.Don't hang out in big groups. Don't drink beers on beach afterwards. Go. Kite. Go home. You are not partaking in risky behaviour regards spreading the virus . And your exercise is fun, better luck to you.

Why not just not be selfish and do the right thing at the moment? This issue isn't social distancing, the issue is that if you stuff up and end up in hospital you're putting an unnecessary burden on an already stretched, and what will potentially be swamped in the not to distant future, health care system. Pull your heads in for a few weeks.

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Peahi said..

Chris_M said..
Get ready to do nothing fun on the water for quite a while fellas

It would be good to get some clarity, were not in lockdown like NZ (yet) and depending on what you read or which council, you may or may not swim in the water. A kitesurfer or two would be considered OK as exercise?

Perhaps KBV/KA could get some clarification?

Also the warm weather last weekend would ordinarily mean masses go to the beach, This weekend is cold and windy, in fact Sat & Sunday are looking like they are nuking.

Well I guess NZ is a lot less complicated since we don't have state rules and federal rules to try and decipher.

The rule here is no doing anything on the water - boating/kayaking/ surfing/ swimming/ SUPing etc. Also no doing anything else like driving your car (unless for an essential trip to pharmacy/ supermarket).

People are being asked to stay in their neighbourhood. While there are a few that want to push the boundaries and treat the lockdown like a holiday, generally people will be pissed off at this and most likely report you to the police.

Initially I though if I was to head out for a cheeky wave or kite sesh there'd be no problem (social distancing and all that) the problem would be that it would snowball into everybody just having a holiday and doing whatever they wanted because they'd seen somebody else out having fun and that would defeat the purpose. Transmission would be more likely to occur and we would be back to square 1. Also there is the issue of increased risk requiring ambos/ coastguard/ other people and therefore transmission as well as tying up valuable resources.

So sadly, we all need to toe the line and just stay home and not go out and have fun.

The only grip I have is cyclists still being allowed out in lycra (which is bad enough) but that cycling is a damn site more dangerous than me having a SUP in the bay out front of my place. Maybe cycling doesn't look like much fun so there's not likely to be a snowball effect? Dunno.

The longer it all carries on, the more fuct our economy is gonna be, and the longer economic recovery will take.

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Chris_M said..

Peahi said..

Chris_M said..
Get ready to do nothing fun on the water for quite a while fellas

It would be good to get some clarity, were not in lockdown like NZ (yet) and depending on what you read or which council, you may or may not swim in the water. A kitesurfer or two would be considered OK as exercise?

Perhaps KBV/KA could get some clarification?

Also the warm weather last weekend would ordinarily mean masses go to the beach, This weekend is cold and windy, in fact Sat & Sunday are looking like they are nuking.

Well I guess NZ is a lot less complicated since we don't have state rules and federal rules to try and decipher.

The rule here is no doing anything on the water - boating/kayaking/ surfing/ swimming/ SUPing etc. Also no doing anything else like driving your car (unless for an essential trip to pharmacy/ supermarket).

People are being asked to stay in their neighbourhood. While there are a few that want to push the boundaries and treat the lockdown like a holiday, generally people will be pissed off at this and most likely report you to the police.

Initially I though if I was to head out for a cheeky wave or kite sesh there'd be no problem (social distancing and all that) the problem would be that it would snowball into everybody just having a holiday and doing whatever they wanted because they'd seen somebody else out having fun and that would defeat the purpose. Transmission would be more likely to occur and we would be back to square 1. Also there is the issue of increased risk requiring ambos/ coastguard/ other people and therefore transmission as well as tying up valuable resources.

So sadly, we all need to toe the line and just stay home and not go out and have fun.

The only grip I have is cyclists still being allowed out in lycra (which is bad enough) but that cycling is a damn site more dangerous than me having a SUP in the bay out front of my place. Maybe cycling doesn't look like much fun so there's not likely to be a snowball effect? Dunno.

The longer it all carries on, the more fuct our economy is gonna be, and the longer economic recovery will take.

Mate that street SUP must be looking all the more appealing for you just go one better and wear lycra.

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Peahi said..

Chris_M said..

Peahi said..

Chris_M said..
Get ready to do nothing fun on the water for quite a while fellas

It would be good to get some clarity, were not in lockdown like NZ (yet) and depending on what you read or which council, you may or may not swim in the water. A kitesurfer or two would be considered OK as exercise?

Perhaps KBV/KA could get some clarification?

Also the warm weather last weekend would ordinarily mean masses go to the beach, This weekend is cold and windy, in fact Sat & Sunday are looking like they are nuking.

Well I guess NZ is a lot less complicated since we don't have state rules and federal rules to try and decipher.

The rule here is no doing anything on the water - boating/kayaking/ surfing/ swimming/ SUPing etc. Also no doing anything else like driving your car (unless for an essential trip to pharmacy/ supermarket).

People are being asked to stay in their neighbourhood. While there are a few that want to push the boundaries and treat the lockdown like a holiday, generally people will be pissed off at this and most likely report you to the police.

Initially I though if I was to head out for a cheeky wave or kite sesh there'd be no problem (social distancing and all that) the problem would be that it would snowball into everybody just having a holiday and doing whatever they wanted because they'd seen somebody else out having fun and that would defeat the purpose. Transmission would be more likely to occur and we would be back to square 1. Also there is the issue of increased risk requiring ambos/ coastguard/ other people and therefore transmission as well as tying up valuable resources.

So sadly, we all need to toe the line and just stay home and not go out and have fun.

The only grip I have is cyclists still being allowed out in lycra (which is bad enough) but that cycling is a damn site more dangerous than me having a SUP in the bay out front of my place. Maybe cycling doesn't look like much fun so there's not likely to be a snowball effect? Dunno.

The longer it all carries on, the more fuct our economy is gonna be, and the longer economic recovery will take.

Mate that street SUP must be looking all the more appealing for you just go one better and wear lycra.

I'm thinking rollerblading. My pink blades would match my pink fannypack. Shame all the rest of my lycra is either leopard print, or tiger print... oh well, it's not a fashion show, its for my mental health

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Chris_M said..

...

The only grip I have is cyclists still being allowed out in lycra (which is bad enough) but that cycling is a damn site more dangerous than me having a SUP in the bay out front of my place. ...

The greatest increase in risk will come from home handymen. All those DIY projects and numpties driving power tools and falling off ladders.

A more visible threat is the number of families getting out on bikes on the cycling tracks ... for exercise. You've got people out walking then mum, dad and all the kids come barrelling though at high speed and weaving lines.

Its Funny... social distancing at Bunnings is not there at all. You are constantly bumping into or trying to social distance in the store. You are right everyone is treating it like a bloody holiday. They have been mentioning closing down Bunnings but that will kill the building industry and Wesfarmers will crack it their profits will fall through the floor (Wesfarmers are in Scomo's back pocket).

I live down Gippsland way and there are heaps of caravans and motorhomes on the road. I really don't think these are all grey nomads. There are heaps of Cycling groups around here but it seems the main groups have called it off for the moment probably because the cafe's around here are closed or they can only get take away.

Most Bayside Councils have now cleared kitesurfing as exercise so kiting is allowed. Check your local council.

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Sandfoot said..
Most Bayside Councils have now cleared kitesurfing as exercise so kiting is allowed. Check your local council.

Saw a few kayaks and SUPs out in the bay tonight while doing my Scott no mates ride (sans drafting), so looking a bit more positive,

Dont waste your time driving down here.