Freo-Swannie DWer Sunday 18th

I was just thinking the same thing Jenkz

Why force people to wear pfd's?

You will be 400m offshore max

Surely they can make up their own mind.

Think it's a marine safety requirement Greg will know the exact terms I wore mine today was no problem except for when it came out of its bag lucky it didn't inflate
Will be fixing that Velcro with some duct tape ,
You may never use it but might be just that one day when you were happy to have it , did you see that guy who floated on that inner tube for 3 days bet he was glad he packed it from Indo
The Only One To Survive

The Department of Transport have changed their minimal requirement for offshore recreational craft.
<400m offshore requires NO PFD device.
>400m offshore requires a minimium of PFD 2-3 (buoyancy jacket).
PFD 1 is above the requirement and strongly recommended by the DoT.
There is no issue with inflatable PFD type 1. They are a PFD 1 and seen as the gold standard.

Hahaha... No

Surfing at the usual????

Non members are welcome to participate, The Pod Captain, which in this case is Jenkz, has a responsibility to inform them that they do so at their own risk and that it is recommended that they join SUPWA

When I windsurf and SUP surf its not 'organized' like training sessions or competitions are. I do it at my own risk.
We need to be members of WWA (Windsurfing WA) or SUPWA/SWA for legal reasons, insurance.
What would happen if someone got hurt while doing one of these downwinders or even if someone who was doing the downwinder hurt someone or damaged something else (swimmer, surfer, boat or marker etc).
Poor Jenkz could be dragged into a big mess.
Thats just my thoughts. There could be other reasons?

Hi Guys
it's really not complicated, there always seems a few that like to stir the pot on this subject.

DoT and the water police have changed their minimum requirement for offshore paddling. You can now use a PFD 1,2 or 3 as Greenroom pointed out. If you reckon you stay within 400m on the offshore downwinders - I'd say your missing out on some good runners, especially on the Port run.

Surfing Wa and Surfing Australia have asked our members to comply with local Marine standards to satisfy their personal accident insurance coverage.

It's all being safe and having fun - certainly for the paddlers new to downwinders. The modern inflatable PFD type 1s are very compact and work well on a SUP.

Cheers
Greg

Hey Greg
Just some banter between friends. Just like a Dw can be a paddle with a few mates
and not a "training session"

Did the cut run with Ben T this arvo and while not all time it was so good to be back in the ocean.

Good on you Hilly

the session is open to all paddlers, it isn't a SUPWA members only session. Anyone can join in, but we 'recommend' what the our State body asks us to comply to - hence 'compulsory' in terms of PFDs.

If you choose not to, then it is a simple understanding that you do so at your own risk. I know it all sounds lawyer speak and officious, but there are guys like Luke, Stimo and Lach that volunteer to organise these sessions and shouldn't be put put in a position of direct accountability - I'm sure you understand that. This is why we term it a 'training session' or 'session' so as to make it clear it isn't an organised 'event'. We don't know the competency of people that turn up on the day and some new paddlers won't know what to expect either, so it is a matter of having appropriate guidelines now DWers are becoming popular.

Twimby - no worries mate, I've read the banter you guys have. Just supplying the answers that were asked for.

Have fun.

I have windsurfed way longer than you and have no idea what a goiter is other than a large neck growth and a push loop, some kind of knot ?

However I will call your hand and see on the fun factor
And as a pod captain you will have to do a few DW's this year

Unfortunately true . Just got the hang of this Internet thingy

I did a short DWer yesterday afternoon from trigg to sorrento, bloody hard work and first for the season.... Throught I was fit. Wind was a bit light hand only got a few runners but good to be back paddling.

I have a type 2 PDF for the surf ski, had to get one for an adventure race a couple of weeks ago. The new ones are very light weight, flexible and comfortable and come with a pocket for a camel back for those longer paddles.