I notice that the whole beach side section of Beach Rd at south Ricketts has No Standing signs.

The only legal parking is in front of the houses or around the corner in Dalgetty Rd, or down in the car park near the lifesaving club.

It's a bit rude that this happened with no warning. It is fair enough to restrict parking near the pedestrian crossing but closing off the whole area is unrealistic.

A few strong protests to the council or the local paper would be in order.

Perhaps also ask for the lifesaving club car park to be upgraded. It's not at all pleasant packing up among the dead animals and used frangas.

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Gorgo said...


A few strong protests to the council or the local paper would be in order.

Some one else mentioned doing the same - but I pointed out to them that that beach is a 'no boating' beach so it is probably not a great idea to bring any council attention to the fact that we still windsurf there!! It is actually banned there, always has been, luckily no one enforces it.

Although a couple of seriously loose kiters were doing there best last night to hit swimmers and people just sitting on the beach so I am sure they can get us banned all by themselves!!

It doesn't just affect sailors and kiters. That is a very popular beach with a life saving club. How are families and dog owners supposed to get access with no parking in the area? Unless they are trying to restrict the beach to residents ...

When were there kiters being seriously loose? I thought everybody was on their best behaviour last night. Was that earlier in the afternoon before the wind picked up?

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Gorgo said...

It doesn't just affect sailors and kiters. That is a very popular beach with a life saving club. How are families and dog owners supposed to get access with no parking in the area? Unless they are trying to restrict the beach to residents ...

When were there kiters being seriously loose? I thought everybody was on their best behaviour last night. Was that earlier in the afternoon before the wind picked up?

Yeah I agree totally I just mean when approaching the council maybe don't mention you were windsurfing!

Actually it was just one kiter in particular got super close to swimmers, then just about dumped his kite on people on the beach. Yes it was pretty early on when it was lighter. Please don't think I am kite bashing here, I kite heaps myself - I just don't like dickheads who do stupid things

Yes, I was watching from the road at the top and one kiter came within just a few metres of swimmers, at speed, on several occasions. He seemed to be showing off. There was a lot of jumping quite close to shore. The odd windsurfer came a bit close to the swimmers, too. We all need to keep well away from swimmers or we are certain to be banned from there.

interesting point...

just supposing someone did hit a swimmer, it wouldn't be great but lets not assume that it automatically gets us banned. If it does happen though, I think there should be some sort of prepared plan or statement.

I mean if a car hits a bike. It's not driving that gets banned.

Do we have any PR people that post here? What would be the "right" thing to do after a swimmer gets hit? For the person that hits the swimmer? For everyone else? For El Presidente of Windsurfing Victoria?

Don't want to get technical here but we are banned....it is a no boating zone!!!!!!

The question is will they police it? and I believe the answer is yes if some D..head forces their hand.

ok, so the question remains. If a swimmer gets hit, how do we handle it and how do we ensure that it does not become policed (or not for that long)

how on earth have we ended up in a situation where Dendy is partially banned and Ricketts is completely banned?

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ginger pom said...
how on earth have we ended up in a situation where Dendy is partially banned and Ricketts is completely banned?

Simply comes down to the fact that it is within a couple of hundred metres of a lifesaving club in both situations. Can't we get them to move out? Their clubrooms would make a nice hangout for the windsurfers.

If you see someone doing something stupid, tell them. If we (sailors and kiters) are good at self regulation, we are very unlikely to have problems at places like Ricketts. Being good at self regulation means having the courage to speak up. Did anyone have a word with the problem kiter? It might be uncomfortable, but if something needs to be said, it should be said beforer it's too late.

As a rule of thumb, I'd encourage all kiters and sailors to give other beach users plenty of space + a buffer margin again. Look at things from their perspective and imagine they are nervous/cranky/crazy and don't know anything about kiting/sailing.

Re: PR - I think Mr Love is right. There is a rule that will be enforced the minute there is an injury or if someone complains. PR won't make a difference. Prevention is the key. In the meantime maybe we should fake a life-saving by a windsurfer/kiter to build some brownie points.

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mr love said...

Don't want to get technical here but we are banned....it is a no boating zone!!!!!!

The question is will they police it? and I believe the answer is yes if some D..head forces their hand.

I was there yesterday (Monday) and noticed that one kiter was being a real D.Head and turning within 5 meters of the children that were swimming in the water! He was that close that he nearly sprayed one of them on his turn to go back out....All it takes is one irrate parent to get pi$$ed off and complain to the council and that will be it!!

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windaddict said...

mr love said...

Don't want to get technical here but we are banned....it is a no boating zone!!!!!!

The question is will they police it? and I believe the answer is yes if some D..head forces their hand.

I was there yesterday (Monday) and noticed that one kiter was being a real D.Head and turning within 5 meters of the children that were swimming in the water! He was that close that he nearly sprayed one of them on his turn to go back out....All it takes is one irrate parent to get pi$$ed off and complain to the council and that will be it!!

Yep! that's the one I was referring too!
was really bad

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scottw said...

If you see someone doing something stupid, tell them. If we (sailors and kiters) are good at self regulation, we are very unlikely to have problems at places like Ricketts. Being good at self regulation means having the courage to speak up. Did anyone have a word with the problem kiter? It might be uncomfortable, but if something needs to be said, it should be said beforer it's too late.

So you are suggesting we set up a vigilantly style gang like the Hawiian Wolf Pak or the Bra Boys to patrol Rickets & Dendy? I like it!!!
I tell you what – you don’t mess around when you are windsurfing at Hookipa and there is a surfer with Wolf Pak tattooed across his knuckles!! Pretty much reads ‘Don’t drop in!’ - Those guys are hardcore

If you have never heard of the Wolf Pak surftherenow.com/2009/01/22/kala-alexander-on-pipeline-and-the-wolfpack/

I haven't been to either places, but if there's a SLSC nearby at each, has anyone casually spoken to any of the members of the clubs? Do you know any of the members?

nothing formal, but something just reinforcing that the actions of a few were noticed and not supported in any way by the majority. You may be able to get a bit of support and find more of a lay of the land if you gently align yourself with other beach groups, all whilst trying to remain under the radar.

Otherwise, just go and sail at your nearest oil refinery/aluminium smelter or sewage outfall. Hey, it works down here in geelong. no swimmers to worry about

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ka222 said...

scottw said...

If you see someone doing something stupid, tell them. If we (sailors and kiters) are good at self regulation, we are very unlikely to have problems at places like Ricketts. Being good at self regulation means having the courage to speak up. Did anyone have a word with the problem kiter? It might be uncomfortable, but if something needs to be said, it should be said beforer it's too late.

So you are suggesting we set up a vigilantly style gang like the Hawiian Wolf Pak or the Bra Boys to patrol Rickets & Dendy? I like it!!!
I tell you what – you don’t mess around when you are windsurfing at Hookipa and there is a surfer with Wolf Pak tattooed across his knuckles!! Pretty much reads ‘Don’t drop in!’ - Those guys are hardcore

If you have never heard of the Wolf Pak surftherenow.com/2009/01/22/kala-alexander-on-pipeline-and-the-wolfpack/

Oh yeah this is more like it! I can see it now, A gang of windsurfers with 'The Punnisher' on their black sails in black wetties with the same logos on their backs. Attached to their backs a katana blade:

Windsurfer: Excuse me ma'am is this kite surfer bothering you and your children?

Lady: Why yes Mr Windsurfer, he is scaring the children in the water!

Windsurfer: I'll have a word.

Windsurfer speeds out towards the kiter at top speed unhooks as he approaches nearer and then takes a huge jump off some chop. He discards his board as he is launched through the air and whilst somersaulting removes the katana from its sheath and cuts the lines of the kite.

Windsurfer returns to beach.

Lady says to windsurfer: Oh thank you, how can I ever repay you!

Windsurfer says to lady: Happy to help - no strings attached (*gives a wink*)

The End

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jermaldan said...

ka222 said...

scottw said...

If you see someone doing something stupid, tell them. If we (sailors and kiters) are good at self regulation, we are very unlikely to have problems at places like Ricketts. Being good at self regulation means having the courage to speak up. Did anyone have a word with the problem kiter? It might be uncomfortable, but if something needs to be said, it should be said beforer it's too late.

So you are suggesting we set up a vigilantly style gang like the Hawiian Wolf Pak or the Bra Boys to patrol Rickets & Dendy? I like it!!!
I tell you what – you don’t mess around when you are windsurfing at Hookipa and there is a surfer with Wolf Pak tattooed across his knuckles!! Pretty much reads ‘Don’t drop in!’ - Those guys are hardcore

If you have never heard of the Wolf Pak surftherenow.com/2009/01/22/kala-alexander-on-pipeline-and-the-wolfpack/

Oh yeah this is more like it! I can see it now, A gang of windsurfers with 'The Punnisher' on their black sails in black wetties with the same logos on their backs. Attached to their backs a katana blade:

Windsurfer: Excuse me ma'am is this kite surfer bothering you and your children?

Lady: Why yes Mr Windsurfer, he is scaring the children in the water!

Windsurfer: I'll have a word.

Windsurfer speeds out towards the kiter at top speed unhooks as he approaches nearer and then takes a huge jump off some chop. He discards his board as he is launched through the air and whilst somersaulting removes the katana from its sheath and cuts the lines of the kite.

Windsurfer returns to beach.

Lady says to windsurfer: Oh thank you, how can I ever repay you!

Windsurfer says to lady: Happy to help - no strings attached (*gives a wink*)

The End

GOLD!

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I just don't like dickheads who do stupid things

Err, that's gonna make your parties pretty boring dude.....

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Retzy said...

I just don't like dickheads who do stupid things

Err, that's gonna make your parties pretty boring dude.....

are you ASKING me to post a photo of you from the last one Rhetzy?? haha

jermaldan your a dam smart cooky, how do you come up with thease ideas?? i like it dude, they could make us windsurfers the cops your a ideas man you are

The Bayside Punishers. Has a ring to it doesn't it????

OK for a new crew name. Even the artwork is easy to imagine. Imaging seeing a bunch of sails with skulls on them coming at you. If I were a kiter, I would be sh***ing myself!

I give it 10 minutes before our fearless leader is offering us Bayside Punishers hooded tops with WV logos on the front

Has ten minutes expired yet?
Hoodies, T-shirts, rash vest with the logo is more than possible.

Bayside Punishers could be good GPS Team Challenge name. Guys, if you are not part of a team yet, get a GPS and start a team. First select a captain and then register online.

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WindRider said...

Has ten minutes expired yet?
Hoodies, T-shirts, rash vest with the logo is more than possible.

Bayside Punishers could be good GPS Team Challenge name. Guys, if you are not part of a team yet, get a GPS and start a team. First select a captain and then register online.

How cool would the skull look on a black rashie, black hoodie etc....

I have been told that I cant use Katana blades though because they are illegal and need to be registered. Flying through the air with a swiss army knife doesn't quite have the same feel to it.

Use a couple of raceboard fins on twirly handle things. Two crossed ones on your back.

Of course, all this begs the question, how are you going to catch the kiters? They just have to point a few more degrees upwind and you're stuffed. If you get too close, boing and they're 20 metres away (like proper ninjas).

If sailboards are the the cool black ninjas, then don't they always get beaten up by the slightly daggy Tombei the Mist?

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WindRider said...

Has ten minutes expired yet?
Hoodies, T-shirts, rash vest with the logo is more than possible.

Bayside Punishers could be good GPS Team Challenge name. Guys, if you are not part of a team yet, get a GPS and start a team. First select a captain and then register online.

Maybe you should start wearing a suitable Club President Jacket as below

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Gorgo said...

Use a couple of raceboard fins on twirly handle things. Two crossed ones on your back.

Of course, all this begs the question, how are you going to catch the kiters? They just have to point a few more degrees upwind and you're stuffed. If you get too close, boing and they're 20 metres away (like proper ninjas).

If sailboards are the the cool black ninjas, then don't they always get beaten up by the slightly daggy Tombei the Mist?

Ohhh!!!! thumbs up for the race fin idea as a weapon of choice. Ultra sharp race fins that will slice through anything.

Our punisher ninjas will perfect the "Ultra-Catapult" where we get thrown up to 12 - 18 meters in a second!!!

We will also perfect the high powered laser pointer that can cut kite lines on nuisance kiters from the beach!

We have also got the best one liners that we can say like:

Person on beach: How did you get rid of that kiter Mr Punisher?
Windsurfer (Punisher): Had to pull some strings....(*wink*)

Dont worry Gorgo, we are only after d-head kiters that endanger people.

Hasta la vista!

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scottw said...



Re: PR - I think Mr Love is right. There is a rule that will be enforced the minute there is an injury or if someone complains. PR won't make a difference. Prevention is the key. In the meantime maybe we should fake a life-saving by a windsurfer/kiter to build some brownie points.

Before we start apologising for our own existence, as far as I know windsurfers have sailed at ricketts continually since the sport was invented.

If there is an accident, it will be the first one in memory and we just need to make sure that after it we respond with something sensible like

"Windsurfers have been enjoying sailing at Ricketts trouble free for the last thirty years. Windsurfing Victoria has a code of conduct that all sailors abide to. The windsurfers in the bay self police effectively. Mostly swimmers and windsurfers never come into contact due to the different weather conditions that they each seek out (warm and calm vs windy and choppy). This was an unfortunate accident... but it was the first example of such an accident and therefore not a good reason to change thirty years of precedence..."

not

"Windsurfing is technically banned at Ricketts cos we did **** all about it when Parks Victoria conducted their review. Besides which there's only about 100 of us and we don't count next to all the bigger numbers. We'll work on the 'sailing illegally but unpoliced basis' after the fuss dies down"

Anyway, none of that has anything to do with parking. Don't park on the beach side of Beach Rd. You'll get booked eventually.

The only legal parking is a few spots between the driveways in front of the houses and in the car park. Even Dalgetty Rd has No Parking signs all over it.

Feel free to send the council an email requesting they clean up the car park.

Everyone needs to use their brain. I was sailing there on Monday and I saw two kids going snorkeling. Had a quick chat to them about where they planned to go so ad to avoid them. Snorkellers are much harder to see. I have sailed in bay for twenty years and if you keep your speed down when coming in. Gybe well out unless coming in for a break and even warn other when you see a swimmer. Kiters were much of a big issue on Monday.