Common sense coupled with intelligence usually enables kiters who visit spots other than their local spot to respect that spot, the locals, and any rules which might apply. A lot of people seem to struggle understanding what has been established as the only way enabling everyone do their tricks (or mow their lawn) in the pond without getting tangled up or annoying others. FFS is it so hard to either ask or to observe others amd then just follow the same rule. Going into the pond upwind through the flat water section. Trick or whatever will naturally guide the kiter downwind. Which is where he/she should stay and ride outwards to the edge of the pond or further. In order then to ride upwind and start allover again. Short tacking, sticking to one's bum, or "owning" the flat water section sucks and is not the way to make friends. This rule should even be understood by those who ride at Woodies normally. If not feel free asking. Ta

Understand your frustrations, but for good will sake this should be posted in the general and vic section.

know exactly who you are talking about.. always feel a bit bummed when I see that crew rock up or already out.

But really, locals must understand, visitors having their photo taken is way more important than a good vibe and being considerate, or safe

Locals and visitors, firstly should read the signs with rules before entering pond, showing useage and rigging areas. It is a shared area kiters and windsurfers and at times both parties drift out of their areas and share and compromise pretty well. The signs stipulate 2 rules to obey,1 is port and starboard rule and 2 upwind/downwind user{kiter or windsurfer} .Legally in the case of injury/accident local circuit agreements probably account for nothing. Coming into pond on port you have to give way to starboard guys coming out pond, iff you boost and trick you have to give way to all below you on rules 1 and 2. Basically coming into pond and doing your trick do not fark up and hit somebody. Also too many learners and lower itermediates clogging up pond .Most important is application common sense and looking after each other and still have the ability to go hard and have fun.You also have too watch out for guys who do tricks /boosts going out off pond. Watch out short tackers. Visitor with camera not appreciated by locals.

You are wrong default. The pond is a prostitute visitors from WP and god knows where from can just use whenever they want. Anyone really living here? C'mon, make space for the poor guys who were probably kindly asked to not come to beach #3 @ WP any longer for obvious reasons

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RussKraut said..

You are wrong default. The pond is a prostitute visitors from WP and god knows where from can just use whenever they want. Anyone really living here? C'mon, make space for the poor guys who were probably kindly asked to not come to beach #3 @ WP any longer for obvious reasons

He did not read signs coming to pond, slams his kite in to people downwind on blown tricks, short tacker, rude verbally abuses locals, hogs creamy flat water section, He is due for a shorter back and sides and a bonus line cut job

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rcr46401 said..

Locals and visitors, firstly should read the signs with rules before entering pond, showing useage and rigging areas. It is a shared area kiters and windsurfers and at times both parties drift out of their areas and share and compromise pretty well. The signs stipulate 2 rules to obey,1 is port and starboard rule and 2 upwind/downwind user{kiter or windsurfer} .Legally in the case of injury/accident local circuit agreements probably account for nothing. Coming into pond on port you have to give way to starboard guys coming out pond, iff you boost and trick you have to give way to all below you on rules 1 and 2. Basically coming into pond and doing your trick do not fark up and hit somebody. Also too many learners and lower itermediates clogging up pond .Most important is application common sense and looking after each other and still have the ability to go hard and have fun.You also have too watch out for guys who do tricks /boosts going out off pond. Watch out short tackers. Visitor with camera not appreciated by locals.

Agree with you on most of this. But the starboard vs port rule is to avoid collision when two kiters are heading towards each other. In the pond, a circuit has been established which makes sense and usually works well which is as described above. Insisting on starboard right of way, short tacking, clogging up the restricted tiny area with or without camera, or uncontrolled overpowered upwind tacking into that area due to not having pumped up the right kite size is calling for trouble.

Yeah the clockwise circuit rotation works well inside the pond in the butter flat area - which means you get a nice flat section at the end of each tack to do tricks. It's actually more like a triangle kinda rotation.

Here's some general pond etiquette/circuit handy hints to bring along, and in particular applies to busy days if you want to ride the butter flats.

The main trick section (where the photog's love to stand) is on the port tack/regular stance. Heading west into the pond at the end of the little bay, just before the water gets shallow. This tack (when busy) generally gets right of way/upwind position in the circuit. It is also courteous to ride on a bit after this section and allow the next guy in the line-up space to do trick. You get some crew land their trick and immediately transition back into the traffic (sometimes without looking) which causes the next guy to bail out, fcks everything up and is also pretty dangerous.

Ride on a bit into the shallows and transition there onto the starboard tack. Ride downwind of the port tack and take some chop on the nose "for the team". Problems arise when this tack tries to cut upwind of the port tack to try get straight back to the butter flat section mentioned above - essentially cutting off the line of guys coming into that section. Continue to ride downwind of incoming traffic, heading east/towards the outer tip of sand bar, there is another butter flat section at the end, do your starboard/goofy stance tricks here.

It is also considered courteous (when busy) to not spend the entire session constantly in the butter flat section. It just creates too much congestion in there and no one gets any tricks down safely. Tack outside the pond from time to time and free it up a bit. The locals do this all the time.. and by doing this you generally get right of way when heading back in on the port tack once again. If you are heading back out east on the starboard tack/to the end of the sand bar - DO NOT TRANSITION back into the pond in front of these guys coming back in. This is the notorious pond "short tack". Keep riding a bit until you pass each other.. easy as!

At the end of the day, bring common sense and courteous behaviour which allows everyone to enjoy their sessions here without any agro.. and you"ll be welcome back

Why kite in a cramed up little area ?It does not matter how many rules there are.There is to many people there.I found an awesome glass flat water spot the other week .There was know one kiting it.
I did not have to travel far either
Kiting in the pond is better in the winter.

And just to make matters worse lets put a kicker rail up to !!

For the record I completely understand and agree with all this. However, as a matter of practicality... surely every single kiter sitting on the sandbar waiting their turn looking west, somehow at some point has crossed over the rideline of every other kiter sitting on that sandbar. In practicality there is a catch 22 with this ideal rotation prgramme being promoted. Im not in dissent... I just dont know what to do at that critical brief moment approaching the eastern sandbar and want to scoop up and park. Im torn... what to do!??!?!?!!

This is great.Thanks

Default that all makes total sense for working order...extended circuits in busy times right jumps outside left inside aware of downwind factor etc so thankyou ....;..and "craggers" i get confused at that 'east spot' too whether to pass the short little circuit type people/photo pros' or not(and have a sit down)..but it normally works out in my case as learning small jumps i dont try anything i havent tried'outside' or when theres noone about so i hopefully dont upset or disrupt peoples chain and who is far better than me....

i have a question however! ..
i was just wondering where else this information is written for people coming down or up or from wherever to the safety bay'pond' to visit...is it in a kite mag anywhere or on any website such as waksa.. ?..
would also like.to ask why there are no pictures of the circuit in the two shops..or if there are and i am wrong ..?... and would also like to ask if it is true that the council cant put a sign up map-type of circuit because they would be liable in the case of any'incidents'..
and would also like to ask if it is normal in other kite circuit areas(if they exist..i am aware of no others..just pelican point perth kind of...)..that there are no 'signs'......and would also like to ask if the recent leighton circuit for example (the day of the rottnest to.leighton race if anyone went)..had any banners or.paperwork.or.flyers of the circuit explanation...

or is the circuit for this worldwide (as this is a place of practice and fun zone obviously....) only through word of mouth and general sit down and 'observing & asking first' skills...instead of bundling straight in with no idea how it is really supposed to work

theres alot of questions to extend this topic

thanks

Hey craggers, timmy.. like with all local guidelines there are always grey areas and all the things I mention are of course in an ideal world and are not set in stone. Its just a "general" thing to keep in mind, especially when busy. You can of course go against the grain if there's a gap in proceedings and is safe to do so. Most locals will do this, but only at a selected moment where your'e not forcing the point and being a d1ck to do it.

Yeah craggers that spot of rest, wait etc is like at the top of the line or pointy end of triangle. You can cut across upwind towards the end of the circuit to the bank if youre not cutting someone off. Common sense really.. or if busy and there are crew coming in on that port tack in front of you. Just keep kiting out a bit past the bank on the starboard tack, transition back and pull up there on the way back on port. If youre resting at this spot you then of course wait for anyone coming back in to pass before setting off. Your'e at the back of the line.

Good question timmy. I dont think its written anywhere (I could be wrong). Some people don't neccessarily agree (unsure why) with the circuit and I think it has become more difficult geographically over the years as the end of the sand bar has changed, extended in/north somewhat. Anyways I'm still an advocate and it would be good to get something on WAKSA spot info if it's not. But yeah, its a word of mouth and observe, ask questions thing. I knew about it even before I moved here, maybe from reading these forums

Lets face it, some "visitors" act like they really dont give a fck about anyone outside of their clique, local guidelines, locals or safety. Theyre here for self promotion and an open space for themselves, no one else matters. They wouldnt bother asking or observing because they already know everything. Everyone should give way to them at all times. All take, no give. This is the vibe kill.. I and others have had words with some of them. Some take it well, others don't. Im not talking about the pro's proper that visit, they ride defensively and do the right thing, nothing to prove. It tends to be that next level down - the here for the summer semi pro's, partly sponsored, foreign instructors and their girlfriends/boyfriends. The types who want to be pro's but just ain't there. Human nature at it finest, if you get my drift

Anyways, there's a few locals who have had enough and if nothing changes we'll have further words in person. Wouldnt normally bring this stuff up online and like to leave it to the water.. but since its been raised. It is good to have local guidelines discussed in any forum. Its been a while and may even show up in web searches and the like.

Peace out

Thanks default. Think this explanation is as good as it gets and a great guide for those visiting. Both from around Perth and elsewhere. I would love to see the circuit somehow set in stone as well as I think this is the only way to save this highly frequented spot. I'd like also to see more common sense applied and respect towards a spot and its locals. Something I personally don't have difficulty with. Wannabes, kooks, with or without gopro, just don't take yourself too serious, talk to locals, smile, and enjoy yourself and others. Can actually be fun not being self-centered all the time. Cheers.

how about getting a sign up daily via jason/drew/Andy in busy 'summer tourist season' or weekends or whenever necessary or/and best still so they dont have more responsibility on.their plate..kindly asking the council for permission via petition signatures if necessary to attach it at the entry gate for all three paths..so technically its not council property it is kiters or kiteschools property..
surely there is an artist kiter you must all know
the sign would have a circuit picture detail with directions and possibilities of circuit movements and a general guide of what'not to do'..such as standing middle pond taking photos if that offends(unless special permission)..and kicker rail only with schools permission(which it is i believe&only temporary and fun)

This should help you all out? ..The signs would be unavoidable!

Hence r.e standing.middle pond taking photos that will also read and say"do in less busy time of the day" such as pre 1pm/4pm

Just an idea ....why there isnt one allready with all of these small issues to be honest have no idea.
It takes a five mins read max and irons out the rudeness of tourists/visitors you can have sometimes. When a sign is seen....a sign such as the police sign'lock your car' it has a mentle imprint and people will know they are being 'watched' by locals. Just as thieves know people are aware in that carpark with signs

guaranteed a sign will cut your problems down by 70%

And as we all know not everyone uses 'forums'(i am new to it myself!!)

Default.Thanks for all detailed circuit description possibilities..not sure who you are but everything you say should be put in a nice two three foot squared colourful waterproof picture x3 ..lol

In a squash court wasnt there rules dont wear black plimsoles in there? and bowling alley whatever..rules are broken but at least there is list of them to 'deter'

When in rome do as rome do? i guess i am lucky being brought up with that in my brain.perhaps

There obviously needs to be a circuit in there or it would all be impossible but where the heck.is it written? On waksa? its not. Is it on google images? Or a safety bay promotional youtube video?..... or the 'lonely planet guide to kiteboarding'??!?
Theres some brainstorming!!!
V interesting story about the sandbar! hmm
..perhaps the club of 'good locals' could give that a crack all as above.Up to you

But maybe i have misinterpreted this topic as guidelines help for all to establish a good circuit..not short tack greedily etc..only when there is space people coming in to the pond via'port'(not cutting off etc). continuously ruining jumps without practicing.outside or being 100% sure of downwind passing etc. thanks again default. Am sure alex pastor world champ when practicing in rome respected rome


So did leighton have circuit fliers? Anyone on here know ?
Cheers

www.google.com.au/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&ei=wuMAU8bzGIjRkwXpwoDYDw&q=ski+slopes+circuit&oq=&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.41l3.0.0.0.3405.2.0.0.2.2.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..35.mobile-gws-hp..0.2.270.21dIJXPlbzs&gws_rd=ssl

If you get the circuit going thats great ,but what happens when 10 of the 60 people in the pond stack it every 2nd trick .There is always someone there body draging to find there board right where everyone else want to do there tricks.
I could not think of a worse place to kite.
There is a turd drain that goes straight into the bloody thing too.I smells like a public toilet!.

Its WA folks there is so many flatwater locations to kite.Use your sense of adventure an seek them out.
Get in your 4x4 's and have a look around big old WA!.

Thats why i wore a leash when i first tried it...never wore one up north.....no long upsetting bodydrags and boy did i get some comments about that! (all meant for the best) Boots would be cool there wakeboard style. But then i realised the occasional one off bodydrag was safer and others did it etc&prob preferred it.. so am sure they wouldnt mind me once every blue moon ..and got far less leashy type comments