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noepoxy said..
Foil assist self regulation is not working IMO, just check the webcams on surfline of popular SE QLD spots for evidence of foil assist users in the lineup on a daily basis and they come in groups now and numbers increasing weekly and some even post their videos on youtube and here of them doing just this.
There is a pro foil assist community and a pro normal foiling community, and from what I observe, they are two different communities within foiling.
I think the pro normal foil community has too much to lose from all of us being banned from the lineup to rely on self regulation by foil assist community.
In the Gold Coast (QLD) all jetskis (PWC) are not allowed except when it's big and beaches are closed. In NSW foil assists are regulated as a PWC, hopefully QLD will follow suit very shortly and regulate all foil assist as a PWC, otherwise we may all be banned shortly.
What are the rules the foil assist community are self regulating too (if any):
- foil assist users have no right of way in the lineup (shouldn't be in the lineup with others)
- they should not use it around other foilers, surfers, wingers, windsurfers or other water users and remain a 200m distance even if not using the motor
- learn the sailing rules and right of way when using around boats, kite surfers, wind surfers and wingers etc
- don't forget the 200m rule
You have made some valid points for sure. The 200m rule is a bit harsh for foil assist. In WA the DoT has a set of rules specific to towing in with a JetSki and that is 200m from any other water activity but for foil assist it's probably a bit more than necessary.
In WA the DoT has a specific set of rules for electric foil boards. The rules don't make any distinction between full Efoil and foil assist and I doubt the DoT is really aware of foil assist just yet. The rules state that all Efoils need to be registered and display registration numbers ( required for all motorised vessels of any HP in WA) , riders must wear a life jacket at all times. If operating further than 400m from shore must have life jacket, plb or epirb and flares or Electric emergency lights signal. The fact a foil assist is a motorised vessel definitely puts them into different category in WA. So far I haven't seen any foil drivers that are registered or have rego numbers or safety equipment. The requirement to carry safety equipment is also in place for kiters, windsurfers and wingers as well but very few carry it either.
Noepoxy I think your right there's always going to be a core crew that does the right thing but if we think we can trust every hyped up punter on the Goldy that's just dropped $12000 on an electrified foil board to self regulate we're kidding ourselves.