Parks Vic Officer was down at Ricketts this morning warning the kiters they were travelling at over 8kms within 200m of shore. Fortuantely he seemed to focus on the kiters (about 6 out) and not the windsurfers (about 4 to 5 out).

I also noticed that they were coming in close to shore between the flags to gybe turn or do whatever kiters do, even though there was nobody swiming probably not a good practice.

Sooooo tempting to respond........ and unload yet another dose of "told ya so" and "who has the balls to stand up to the man"...... but then I'd be just repeating myself.


See my earlier posts on this subject

Slightly off-topic - watched 4 jetskiers (fairly talented too, 360deg horiz rolls & 180deg air jumps) yesterday at our local swimming beach jumping & carving on the shore-break (about 5m off beach at times!) No repercussions from the cops. Is the rule distance from shore - or swimmers? (depending on if there's a speed limit in place - ie;5kts as mentioned above)

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Sailhack said...

Slightly off-topic - watched 4 jetskiers (fairly talented too, 360deg horiz rolls & 180deg air jumps) yesterday at our local swimming beach jumping & carving on the shore-break (about 5m off beach at times!) No repercussions from the cops. Is the rule distance from shore - or swimmers? (depending on if there's a speed limit in place - ie;5kts as mentioned above)

The rules are as follows:

200m offshore 5knots (where powered vesssels are allowed)

5knots within 50 mtrs of swimmers regardless of where the swimmer is swimming. (more applicable to rivers and lakes)

It's also 5 knots within 50 meters of another vessell (powered or not)

These laws are standard laws that didn't go under reveiw, but in my boating licence course (that I did around 3 months ago) I was told they're looking at reviewing and moving to 75 mtrs for swimmers (which will in effect really stuff up the Murry for skiiers)

Was there when the Parks officer showed up....i was rigging/setting up. I wouldn't really use the word enforcing. He politely made me aware of what area I shouldn't be sailing in. No problem really, when sailing in towards the beach I gybed before the bouy's and came in and out on the far side. Just a pity the wind didn't stick around.

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ejmack said...

Was there when the Parks officer showed up....i was rigging/setting up. I wouldn't really use the word enforcing. He politely made me aware of what area I shouldn't be sailing in. No problem really, when sailing in towards the beach I gybed before the bouy's and came in and out on the far side. Just a pity the wind didn't stick around.

I didn't speak to him myself. The kiter told me of his warning but he did say he was a friendly guy and it was "just a warning". Fortunately it was too shallow for the windsurfers to get close to the shore. Not sure why the kiters had to turn between the lifesaving club's swimming zone marked by their 2 flags as there was plenty of room.

A few things:

- The wind lulled off around 12:30 then came in beautifully for the rest of the afternoon around 2:00. I had a truly wonderful two hours. The first hour was tough but rewarding because I didn't get stuck out. The second hour had big floaty jumps, glassy water next to a groyne and clean waves over a sand bar. Bliss!

- I used to windsurf all the time near the patrolled area of a LSC near where I lived. Liberally signed with no boating markers, flags and the whole thing. (I still do come to think of it.) I got 3 friendly reminders in 7 years and never got hassled. As long as you pay due respect to the intent of the regulations then nobody is going to worry about the letter of the law. Charging full speed into a patrolled area when there are life guards around is kind of dumb. As long as you show you are aware of the rules and don't ride along with a big sign saying "I am an idiot! Please book me!" then you will be fine and you can do whatever you want to do.

- Were those jet skiers out near Ocean Grove/13th Beach? I saw a group like that a few weeks ago. They made it look like a heap of fun. They found their own little peak and tore it apart. See above for the intent of the law vs. the letter of the law.

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Gorgo said...

- Were those jet skiers out near Ocean Grove/13th Beach? I saw a group like that a few weeks ago. They made it look like a heap of fun. They found their own little peak and tore it apart. See above for the intent of the law vs. the letter of the law.

Nope, Portland - They were having fun & no harm to anyone else, about 13deg, 30kt offshore & raining so beach was empty, but they were going within a metre or so & spraying each other when one stacked. One bad move & it could have possibly been bad. I thought that they were doing the wrong thing, but they put on a good show!

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Sailhack said...

Gorgo said...

- Were those jet skiers out near Ocean Grove/13th Beach? I saw a group like that a few weeks ago. They made it look like a heap of fun. They found their own little peak and tore it apart. See above for the intent of the law vs. the letter of the law.

Nope, Portland - They were having fun & no harm to anyone else, about 13deg, 30kt offshore & raining so beach was empty, but they were going within a metre or so & spraying each other when one stacked. One bad move & it could have possibly been bad. I thought that they were doing the wrong thing, but they put on a good show!

Good group of guys that ride stand up ski's out of Portland. Sick set up over there at Bridgewater! Although I would rather be going to the horseshoe looking for Bluefin at the moment!

Interesting debate the jetski one, I have a stand up, and we launch them at London Bridge at Portsea with a hand pulled trolley, and don't have any hassles because no one swims and it's pretty ****ty for surfing...

One day the parks guy came down and said, ahh you guys can't launch here because it's national park. And we said well what do you want us to do, we can't ride around from the heads because we can't carry enough petrol so it's not safe..

The Parks guys said ahhhhhh I am not sure then, mmm give me your address and I will find out and send you a letter... never heard from him and never been hassled since!!

I think the key is just to be reasonable and don't do stupid things!!

No one will complain about rickets in the middle of winter!!

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ka222 said...

I would rather be going to the horseshoe looking for Bluefin at the moment!

Horseshoe & west this weekend - no swell, no wind & the blueys & albys are running! The boat's fuelled & ready to go, the TLDs have had a service & new line, the lures have sharp hooks & new leaders & I'm keen for a fish!

Now I've said that, I can expect that the wind will show up & ruin my chances at going fishing, so a sail might well be on the cards.

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Sailhack said...

ka222 said...

I would rather be going to the horseshoe looking for Bluefin at the moment!

Horseshoe & west this weekend - no swell, no wind & the blueys & albys are running! The boat's fuelled & ready to go, the TLDs have had a service & new line, the lures have sharp hooks & new leaders & I'm keen for a fish!

Now I've said that, I can expect that the wind will show up & ruin my chances at going fishing, so a sail might well be on the cards.

Yep I got plenty there a few weekends ago!
Sun is looking good, boats ready but I am going to Maui on tues and I think the missus will kill me if I go fishing the weekend before I leave!
But hey if it's really calm I might see you there!!