Me and a mate had an incident with a swimmer Tuesday night sailing near the Semaphore jetty. Nothing happened, but my mate sailed (slugged) a bit too close to the swimmer and the swimmer did his block.

I don't sail near swimmers any more as I'm paranoid of hitting them. Most have no situational awareness. I saw a few close calls last summer where swimmers would swim into the sailing circuit, and some right out to 200m where you wouldn't expect them.

All I want to ask is people sail well away from swimmers. It's not worth inviting a collision or a complaint to the council.

J

Swimmers do make great gybe markers though - make sure you have windsurfing SA membership cause it will give you third party insurance if you accidentily mash their melon!

Good Call Jay, i watched some guys at Semaphore on the weekend sailing way too close to swimmers. Have to remember that swimmers and people in the water dont understand the control that we have and it can freak them out. Would only take a few incidents and we too would be listed on the signs like Kites saying NO WINDSURFING...

I think there is a 5 knot speed limit around swimmers, and within xx meter of the shore.

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russh said...

Swimmers do make great gybe markers though

They make good shark biscuits too (albeit fish patties)

Yes, my membership is due now. I'll make sure I renew.

J

dowen seacliff way ya get the people on the boards paddling out right
in front of ya. sometimes ya have to slow right down to go though
the middle of them it gets sooo anoyhing. some of the kiters
come close to ya as well