Unfortunately the dead water is nearly closed up to any water flow. Lots of Algal growth already and the temps are still low. After speaking with the Shire they advised it's not their jurisdiction or responsibility to monitor the water quality of the Hardy inlet area, although it was their decision to open a new cut on the Western bank. Shire advised it's the Department of Waters responsibility to monitor, so I have contacted them for some feedback. Filling with sand too.
Pictures not 100% current but close.

That's ****ed. It's one of the best spots to kite if they dredge the southern end will that fix it ? I've seem people with 4wd down the southern end last summer. It's one of the most epic flat water spots ever should not be let go to ruin.

Maybe be running a big gig like one of the waska events or get a petition going to raise awareness ?

That's ****ed. It's one of the best spots to kite if they dredge the southern end will that fix it ? I've seem people with 4wd down the southern end last summer. It's one of the most epic flat water spots ever should not be let go to ruin.

Maybe be running a big gig like one of the waska events or get a petition going to raise awareness ?

Agreed, Augusta just lost a huge tourist attraction. I know kitting is small but the equality of that location made it world class with huge potential.
There was nothing better than sitting on the protected grassed area post session, drinking red cans, watching guys boost. Was sick!!

Its one of the jewels in the WA crown for sure. Those who come from all over the globe to kite it, stay at the caravan park and spend money in the town but I doubt much consideration to this was given when they decided to chop the new mouth in and starve it of flow. Once loaded with crabs, whiting, rays and the odd dolphin, you see nothing now.
Opening to ocean on the eastern end would be a start Id think but would also need to be opened up to the River again on western end as its just small flow in two spots.

Yeah big change since 2013 (pictured below). The image you posted above is from Dec 7, 2017. it will most likely be worse this summer.


At least you can still kite in the ocean. Still great to go down there when it's 40 degrees in Perth and no wind.

Send emails to the Premier and include local shire. Meeting next week with mcgowan and gov depts to discuss the state of the safety bay foreshore and tyhe impact on the pond and kitesurfing in particular world events. Will keep you all posted.

Is it still worth a trip to Kite? Heading to The region next week.

^ no if your keen on flat water , the area to east of the dead water where the best wind was is completely dry now , there is a small patch of water closer to colour patch but it is not good for kiting as the sand dunes on the coast side have become too high and steep and therefore effect the wind in there.
If your after waves it's still the same!

on a positive note the new cut that the shire dug has moved about 20 m east from where it started out so in maybe 50 years time we will be able to have some flat water again

I think the only way to fix the problem would be to dredge the eastern "old river mouth" and fill in or restrict the flow to the mouth on the western side. Really is a shame. I wouldn't even bother going there for kiting anymore, You can still kite there however there are better spot in Perth. Such a shame and Im sure the town economics would be feeling it every summer.

Select to expand quote

Plumb79 said..
Unfortunately the dead water is nearly closed up to any water flow. Lots of Algal growth already and the temps are still low. After speaking with the Shire they advised it's not their jurisdiction or responsibility to monitor the water quality of the Hardy inlet area, although it was their decision to open a new cut on the Western bank. Shire advised it's the Department of Waters responsibility to monitor, so I have contacted them for some feedback. Filling with sand too.
Pictures not 100% current but close. vpnauth.vip/fmovies/ ovo.fyi/yesmovies/ ' />

I've seem people with 4wd down the southern end last summer. It's one of the most epic flat water spots ever should not be let go to ruin.

Saw this poster yesterday. Took the pic through a shop window and obviously the date has passed, but there is information should anyone want some contact details.

The flat water is ****, not so much due to the stinky water but the oceanside dunes have gotten so high that they really mess with the wind making it punchy as f#ck.

The ocean though is still great!!

Update on the deadwater, it's cleared out a little and isn't so stinky with a couple of channels for the tide to move through. There is some sand building up in there now and still a bit of slimy weed. The sand bar is large again and can be used for launching. The river mouth has widened, which made it easier to get across and back kiting, it also made J's beach the place to launch and kite, the bay now has a nice flat beach and a massive area of flat water on the ESE breeze with the SE producing some epic little ramps. The main surf break has moved out deeper and there are some good size waves to kite along.

A mate and I kited up to the end of the deadwater, Scott River end, hopped over the beach and kited downwind back the the bay. Next trip I'll try that again with the surfboard I reckon. I ended up kiting over 6 hours on my 9m Reo that day, mostly in the bay on my twinnie.

We got a laugh from an older fella with a vintage, 10m red-pink Airush kite, old Wipika bar no donkey stick, 4-lines and no safety. I was kiting out of the deadwater as I saw him fly superman before his kite and bar sailed past me up the river. He swam back to shore and a boatie kindly picked him up, took him to retrieve the kite. Then this fella untangled his lines, setup with his mate and launched again, we watched as he flew like superman again then we jumped in to rescue the bloke before he hurt someone other than himself. He was thankful, I strongly suggested he retire the equipment and asked his mate to not launch him again. He said he got the gear cheap and thought he'd chuck it up in the air... I showed him my newer safety gear and recommended he find an instructor and get lessons!

Augusta is still the place to kite ESE-SE-S down south!

Cheers, j