Heads up to Kiters who ride at Scarbs. I was involved an incident yesterday whereby I was deliberately rammed by a windsurfer travelling at high speed.
I had just caught a small wave in and had gybed back out. I noticed a poleboarder was about to catch a wave and bare off down the line so rather than get in his way and spoil his ride, I chicken Gybed back to shore and continued toward the beach before gybing slowly back out. At this point I was about 7 metres from the shoreline.
What happened then beggars belief. The same windsurfer came at warp speed from upwind and behind me and collided into the centre of my upwind rail. Luckily and somewhat amazingly, his rig only grazed my leg. I am certain had he hit me directly I would have been seriously injured and possibly killed. My Firewire board is now stuffed. He refused to come in and discuss the incident but rather high tailed back out like a scared little girl.
The direction he was travelling indicates that he bared off the wind and headed directly at me. This fact indicates intent to harm.
I know who he is and have made a complaint to the Beachie and Police. If you see him steer clear!
Mmm time for some kite drop on the head banging ...lots of fun and they get the message.
Can't wait for his version of the events,
if he did truly purposefully ram you then you should have considered a little Hawaiian loving
Your reports to the police however has added one notch on record to be used by all the pro-ban crowds 
That is appalling ADS there is no reason for that sort of behavior even if you did get in his way.
I hope you made an assault charge with the police. In my opinion that is the same as some one trying to king hit you.
Take him to small claims court for the damage to your board.
Select to expand quoteDawn Patrol said..
Why kite in the windsurfers area? Or did this happen out of that area?
I was in the kite area. I rode a wave toward the edge of the windsurf spot. As I gybed out of his way down wind, I ended up in the windsurf area.
The beach inspector told me in no uncertain terms that the windurfers have no right to that area anyway and that there are no regulations or laws
allowing windsurfers only to utilize that area
Hes just venting off some steam, most likely for one of these reasons,
His probably going through menopause,
His hairs falling out,
His oxygen bottle was empty
Used to be a windsurfer known as "Angel" who frequented Leighton years back who was renowned for this sort of thing. Wonder if it's the same guy?
Jeez do you have to call the cops? We're all going to get banned if we keep carrying on like this.
Devil's Advocate:
It sounds like he caught you mid gybe??
Its not easy for a windsurfer to gybe. They need a 10m radius to do it in, often at high speed. Perhaps he thought he could get it in and stay upwind of you, with the shoreline quickly approaching he would have had to make a quick call if he can fit it in and looks like he ****ed up. Its not easy for them with the kiters ability to change direction quickly.
Reckless? Probably
Intentional? Doubtful
Calling the cops? GAY
Select to expand quoteGlug said..
Its not easy for a windsurfer to gybe.
must be real hard 
I only ever see about 1 in 5 actually made.
Did a downwinder last weekend and went past the scabs crew and it amazed me how dickheads ride there. There were about 15 kites south of the flags and many were basically riding in the windsurf area and also twin tippers in the flags. Also not uncommon for someone to drop there kite and end up getting washed through the crowd. Also it appears most riders ride in and out, in and out, not really heading downwind on the waves (exact opposite in fact) and have no issues cutting right in front of you. And the one guy on the vegas kite looping on the beach (out of control) after launching. Pull the safety not hold on like a twat while sliding on your stomach through the crowd (north of flags where everyone swim and sunbakes)
Now on the North side towards trigg, well before thirds, there are little to no beach users and no one kites there. Go figure! It just amazed me where the kiting population gathers when there is so much coastline available.
Anyway not saying your at fault or anything but I could imagine the frustration of the wind surfers, clubbies and general public to be honest.
And complaining to the beachie and the cops? Not sure that create the best outcome for scabs kitesurfers. But in my honest opinion it should be banned if kiters keep kiting so close to the general public.
Same thing happened at Applx a few weeks ago. Only difference was he missed. Actually I'm pretty sure he was only trying to scare but either way very dangerous .. And absolutely intentional . He actually made 3 runs targeting kiters and missed one kiter by cm's. Was put in WA section if anyone is interested.
We can argue about rules , areas , ettiquette etc but at the end of the day people's trying to ram each other is not acceptable .. I'm no legal expert but looks like assault to me.. I think report to police is a good idea.
Select to expand quoteGlug said..
Jeez do you have to call the cops? We're all going to get banned if we keep carrying on like this.
Devil's Advocate:
It sounds like he caught you mid gybe??
Its not easy for a windsurfer to gybe. They need a 10m radius to do it in, often at high speed. Perhaps he thought he could get it in and stay upwind of you, with the shoreline quickly approaching he would have had to make a quick call if he can fit it in and looks like he ****ed up. Its not easy for them with the kiters ability to change direction quickly.
Reckless? Probably
Intentional? Doubtful
Calling the cops? GAY
Right mate, firstly I didn't call the cops the Beach Inspector did. Secondly, the impact was so high, I could have been seriously hurt.
Thirdly, this guy has form - he has done it before.
Lastly, I thought he was cowardly in not manning up and at least apologising.
I was standing in the shallows next to him and asked him why the hell hit just hit me like that. He said nothing, just took off and left me with a stuffed board.
Gay? Pffft.
^ I've got to agree to most of what JonoPark wrote. So many kiters going through the flags, too close to swimmers etc.
I'm not saying that the following is the cause to this accident, but I don't blame the windsurfers for getting annoyed with kiters going through their spot. It doesn't need to be written in law so the ranger can enforce it, but that area between brighton and scarbs that the windsurfers use should be avoided by kitesurfers.
It isn't really much of them to ask, and they have been sailing there since before kitesurfing existed.
How bad is your board/repairable?
edit: none of that gives them any right to intentionally ram someone
Select to expand quoteMonkers said..
Same thing happened at Applx a few weeks ago. Only difference was he missed. Actually I'm pretty sure he was only trying to scare but either way very dangerous .. And absolutely intentional . He actually made 3 runs targeting kiters and missed one kiter by cm's. Was put in WA section if anyone is interested.
We can argue about rules , areas , ettiquette etc but at the end of the day people's trying to ram each other is not acceptable .. I'm no legal expert but looks like assault to me.. I think report to police is a good idea.
In hindsight maybe a cop report is not the best way to go, but in the heat of battle and if he did indeed try to ram you (not saying this is a fact as yet) I can see why you did.
If a windsurfer tried to ram me, then it's fair game and I can assure you he would have a number of kites bouncing off his head, if he rammed me on purpose Im afraid it would be him reporting abuse to the cops, especially after the entire crew had finished with him. That's if he made it to shore....
If he just stuffed up then I'd smile and have a laugh...then snake him on every wave after that, not like it's hard....bahahaha clumsy bloody
Things.
But yeh I can see how it could get frustrating for them and indeed other sailers with the numbers out there now....ho hum....
Yeah but this dude's smashed his board up and then just pissed off! That's poor form even if it was an accident!
Just curious guys and I expect to get a bunch of smart arse answers and only two or three that are actually informed and worthwhile reading so knock yourselves out.
Why do so many incidents seem to occur in WA? Perth compared to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne have so much more accessible kite able space and yet there are so many more incidents in Perth and you all seem to be really aggressive toward each other (and the rest of the world)....not sure if its just cultural or historical or if you are all just more manly and tougher than the rest of us....reading this forum though it certainly seems like something is going on.
Let the beating begin
Ha ha ... I think you may have a point kitbt .... The d&@khead factor is pretty high over here ... More prevelent in the windsurfer camp
next time boost just high enough to take his pole with you on the way down..you could make a game of it..get friends involved...have a points system...
could get a kind of beach roller derby going...sounds like fun..
I am glad all the pole dancers I know are top blokes..there is no room in my life for fu(kwits...
Select to expand quotekitebt said..
Just curious guys and I expect to get a bunch of smart arse answers and only two or three that are actually informed and worthwhile reading so knock yourselves out.
Why do so many incidents seem to occur in WA? Perth compared to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne have so much more accessible kite able space and yet there are so many more incidents in Perth and you all seem to be really aggressive toward each other (and the rest of the world)....not sure if its just cultural or historical or if you are all just more manly and tougher than the rest of us....reading this forum though it certainly seems like something is going on.
Let the beating begin
Because WA uses the general forum for everything that happens around Perth so the whole country reads it whereas other states keep that stuff to their own forums
Seriously though I think WA would have the highest number of windsurfers and kiters and most of those would be based around Perth.
Because it is always advertised worldwide as the windiest state persons from overseas will go there year after year which would increase the numbers during peak season.
No problems here at the Gong with kiters mixing with windsurfers
I agree with kitebt's comment. I grew up in Perth and I'm lucky enough to come back here most summers to kite. I've kited in the USA and many parts of Asia where there is usually many more people on the water and generally less space for all. And I am SHOCKED by the aggressive and selfish behaviour of many kiters and windsurfers in Perth. Especially considering that there is so much space on the ocean compared to many spots in the world. It's really depressing. There used to be a feeling of camraderie in the sport here. now it feels like competition. Screw that.
Select to expand quotekitebt said..
Just curious guys and I expect to get a bunch of smart arse answers and only two or three that are actually informed and worthwhile reading so knock yourselves out.
Why do so many incidents seem to occur in WA? Perth compared to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne have so much more accessible kite able space and yet there are so many more incidents in Perth and you all seem to be really aggressive toward each other (and the rest of the world)....not sure if its just cultural or historical or if you are all just more manly and tougher than the rest of us....reading this forum though it certainly seems like something is going on.
Let the beating begin
Come over here and drive around Perth for a bit, might give you an idea why?
I do know the Agro in the water surfing wise is we don't have the plethora of point breaks like on the east coast. Always concentrated numbers on few decent breaks. Metro wise and even down margrets now, it's a cluster Fck. The mass migration of economic refugees hasn't helped either, but hey everyone's trying to make a living so it's not their fault.
But don't know about the kiting thing....could be a lack of wave thingy maybe...
Select to expand quoteeppo said..kitebt said..
Come over here and drive around Perth for a bit, might give you an idea why?
Not to sure what you mean by this eppo? Is it crowded on the roads, will I see the mass of kites on the water.....please explain?
I think your comments about lack of point breaks might explain some agro on the water which would definitely bubble into the forums but I know in Sydney we really only have one good flat water spot which is crowded most afternoons and ludicrous on a good weekend and I promise you the traffic is 10x worse than Perth so still unsure if it quells my curiosity.
What I meant is we can't drive for sh1t...lol!! Merge, wtf is that. I've driven in Sydney and Melbourne and crew drive fast (at least the speed limit anyway) and give way to each other. Here in the nanny state too many numb nuts think the safe speeding thing means drive 10km below the limit ( which to me creates more dangerous situations), and do not give way to each other.
Perth has grown so fast so quick we are yet to adapt. Yeh traffic is bad over there, but I tell ya get on the freeway now and it's getting damn close.
...but it was a metaphorical stretch to kiting.
Maybe the same thing, up until 5 years ago there was a lot of space man, now bang everyone's doing it. Maybe we haven't adjusted.
But hey we don't have to go far to have uncrowded spots though.
Yeh I don't have any answers really.
It's the Wild West baby!!
Okay, red thumb away, but;
If the poledancer did go hard on the kiter, that su*ks and isn't right.
Now, please explain the difference between this and a kiter short taking another kiter and admitting it? If he was on a kite, "When, the poledancer was on the wave and the kiter deliberately took this action" I would consider a different action, angry or not, no need to hurt or injure any one on the water. 
Seriously, were you there? I wasn't but I sure as S**t would be pretty p**sed off if someone short tacked me then Bit**ed when their gear got trashed due to what is being reported as "the other guys fault".
Why should a forum support bad behaviour from either party. Find out each others details, sit down and sort it, without the rest of the world having to reconcile your inabilities.
NO, get it right regardless of the type of equipment, Sailboard / Kiteboard you are equal in terms of "maneuverability" SUP & Surfboard need more room and Swimmers need even more. If you can't sort this, play where no one else is at risk of your ego or stupidity, both of you MUST get off the water until you can co-exist.
Rant over.
P.S: I support both disciplines, but see no benefit in any conflict whatsoever between the two 
Select to expand quoteADS said...
[br]
The direction he was travelling indicates that he bared off the wind and headed directly at me. This fact indicates intent to harm.
Actually, the description youve given right there of his direction of travel is the only suggestion to me (as a windsurfer) that he may not have seen you and may not have had intent to harm you.
Windsurfers have a rather large blindspot (a sail) which despite being made of clear monofilm in a lot of cases, still manages to blur/block our vision downwind of us. I'm sorry to say that it sounds like he did the bad deed though, if he didn't want to speak after the incident.
We're not all like that
Select to expand quoteSubsonic said..ADS said...
The direction he was travelling indicates that he bared off the wind and headed directly at me. This fact indicates intent to harm.
Actually, the description youve given right there of his direction of travel is the only suggestion to me (as a windsurfer) that he may not have seen you and may not have had intent to harm you.
Windsurfers have a rather large blindspot (a sail) which despite being made of clear monofilm in a lot of cases, still manages to blur/block our vision downwind of us. I'm sorry to say that it sounds like he did the bad deed though, if he didn't want to speak after the incident.
We're not all like that
Yep most of the Poleboarders, are cool. I have kited there forever and coexisted without too many dramas. I give respect and don't short tack any windsufers. The vast majority of them are fine.
Select to expand quoteMOWIT said..
Okay, red thumb away, but;
If the poledancer did go hard on the kiter, that su*ks and isn't right.
Now, please explain the difference between this and a kiter short taking another kiter and admitting it? If he was on a kite, "When, the poledancer was on the wave and the kiter deliberately took this action" I would consider a different action, angry or not, no need to hurt or injure any one on the water.
Seriously, were you there? I wasn't but I sure as S**t would be pretty p**sed off if someone short tacked me then Bit**ed when their gear got trashed due to what is being reported as "the other guys fault".
Why should a forum support bad behaviour from either party. Find out each others details, sit down and sort it, without the rest of the world having to reconcile your inabilities.
NO, get it right regardless of the type of equipment, Sailboard / Kiteboard you are equal in terms of "maneuverability" SUP & Surfboard need more room and Swimmers need even more. If you can't sort this, play where no one else is at risk of your ego or stupidity, both of you MUST get off the water until you can co-exist.
Rant over.
P.S: I support both disciplines, but see no benefit in any conflict whatsoever between the two
Here's the thing, I didn't short tack him.
Select to expand quoteADS said..
MOWIT said..
Okay, red thumb away, but;
If the poledancer did go hard on the kiter, that su*ks and isn't right.
Now, please explain the difference between this and a kiter short taking another kiter and admitting it? If he was on a kite, "When, the poledancer was on the wave and the kiter deliberately took this action" I would consider a different action, angry or not, no need to hurt or injure any one on the water.
Seriously, were you there? I wasn't but I sure as S**t would be pretty p**sed off if someone short tacked me then Bit**ed when their gear got trashed due to what is being reported as "the other guys fault".
Why should a forum support bad behaviour from either party. Find out each others details, sit down and sort it, without the rest of the world having to reconcile your inabilities.
NO, get it right regardless of the type of equipment, Sailboard / Kiteboard you are equal in terms of "maneuverability" SUP & Surfboard need more room and Swimmers need even more. If you can't sort this, play where no one else is at risk of your ego or stupidity, both of you MUST get off the water until you can co-exist.
Rant over.
P.S: I support both disciplines, but see no benefit in any conflict whatsoever between the two
Here's the thing, I didn't short tack him.
Man, honestly if you didn't short tack the poley and he didn't see you as above mentioned. Perhaps, instead of drawing it to the attention of a national/global forum, it may have been better to sort it locally 
This forum is starting and perhaps has become a large "them .v. us" forum, works for some who want conflict in their life but.... grow up!
Select to expand quoteADS said..
I ended up in the windsurf area.
You see, there lies the problem. ^^^
You mistakenly accept that there's a 'windsurf' area ...
an exclusive zone just for poledancers only.
If you consent to such a retarded, flawed concept ...
don't be so surprised if the junkyard dogs are set upon you when you invade their territory.
lol.
