Select to expand quoteMartinF2 said..
Hope you are feeling better George.
May I suggest you contact Ash Bygate from Newcastle (look him up on facebook). He was on the jet boat I believe and is a witness to the incident. He may also know of others on the craft that ran you down and someone could have footage. I also wouldn't post up anything more about the driver or company as this could be used against you. I'm assuming this is all going to end up in court so we as a windsurfing community need to put down our pitchforks and let George deal with it in an appropriate manner. I wish you luck as this business has the support of Gold Coast Council and Tom Tate behind it. Just scroll down on their page to the news feed where they are pictured as one of the Gold Coast's 6th main attractions with Tate.
Best of luck and keep us all informed on this thread. You have the support of the windsurfing community behind you and I'm sure some of the other Gold Coast windsurfers can help with previous aggressive behaviour by this company.
On another topic - If you are a member of a windsurfing club sanctioned by Windsurfing Australia I think you are covered 24-7 on the water. This might be helpful in this situation as the windsurfing insurance company can fight it out with the operator at fault????? Someone might be able to help with this info and if this is the case I suggest everyone join a club.
Cheers
Marty
Thanks a lot Marty for the advice, it's much appreciated.
Yes, I'm member of the Windsurfing Australia however their insurance is strictly 3rd party cover.
You are correct George. I just read up on the insurance so thanks for pointing that out. Guess we will see you at Viccy and Manly more after this with some of those famous pancakes that pop out the back of your trailer 
Good luck.
Cheers
Marty
Select to expand quoteMartinF2 said..
May I suggest you contact Ash Bygate from Newcastle (look him up on facebook).
Ash Bygate is a seabreeze poster's anonymoose account for hassling antivaxers and Reclaim australia nazis, no help there... 
Select to expand quotekiteboy dave said..
MartinF2 said..
May I suggest you contact Ash Bygate from Newcastle (look him up on facebook).
Ash Bygate is a seabreeze poster's anonymoose account for hassling antivaxers and Reclaim australia nazis, no help there...
Ha Ashbygate - you sure peter slipper wasn't driving that boat Kiteboy!
Martin, some very wise words regarding the pitchforks.
Select to expand quotesausage said..kiteboy dave said..
MartinF2 said..
May I suggest you contact Ash Bygate from Newcastle (look him up on facebook).
Ash Bygate is a seabreeze poster's anonymoose account for hassling antivaxers and Reclaim australia nazis, no help there...
Ha Ashbygate - you sure peter slipper wasn't driving that boat Kiteboy!
Martin, some very wise words regarding the pitchforks.
Bugger - Thought it could be an avenue to help support George's case as I can only assume the Jet Boat company doesn't have great records of people that were on the craft that day for witness accounts.
It's one of the reasons I bought a GoPro and wear it every time on my head when out. It records stupid acts by other water users including jetskies and kites not looking when boosting and turning. I also used to windsurf Shearwater but stay away from down there these days because of the traffic. I love windsurfing as much as the next guy but it's not worth my life so chose places a little quieter. This may not give you the 2sec peak so many crave these days but at least you live to sail again. With the current development taking place in that area for more boat users I can only see things deteriorating further. Just remember maritime really don't care about windsurfers as there is far more revenue from tourists on Jet Boat rides and Boat/Jetski licence and registration fees. We will never have a voice against this.
I hope George has some success with this.
Cheers
Marty
Select to expand quotesausage said..kiteboy dave said..
MartinF2 said..
May I suggest you contact Ash Bygate from Newcastle (look him up on facebook).
Ash Bygate is a seabreeze poster's anonymoose account for hassling antivaxers and Reclaim australia nazis, no help there...
Ha Ashbygate - you sure peter slipper wasn't driving that boat Kiteboy!
Busted! Yes Mal Brough is my local rep, unfortunately, as was Slipper previously. A dirty old weasel but only doing what the rest of them were, everyone else (inc our PM) got to quietly repay their rorts and he lost his rep, marriage, chance at a child, all for a failed political scheme to bring down a government. At least some of it came out on 43 minutes.
Sorry Martin, would help if I could.
I find GC too stressful to kite, I don't know how you guys do it - and that's without these idiots lining you up.
The proper authorities have been alerted to this unfortunate incident with George, lets hope for a diplomatic outcome !
Its get me so angry these cowardly bullies!! imagine a truck driving at a person for kicks!! I nearly went down there to have a chat with them until my wife talked me down. She knows how that may have gone.
These people need consquenses and I trust the police etc will take it up.
Phil just sent through this article relating to this post. Looks like we are not the only ones having trouble on the Broadwater.
www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes
Regards, Scot Farley
I see them regularly on the broadwater. I left a review too.
I suggest that everyone with Facebook left a review too. Best thing to stop their stupid business.
Select to expand quotejusavina said..
I see them regularly on the broadwater. I left a review too.
I suggest that everyone with Facebook left a review too. Best thing to stop their stupid business.
Looks like they may have taken their FB page down as link to it doesn't work today (it did yesterday).
Found this on their Website much to my amusement;
"All our jetboat drivers are hand-selected, fully trained and hold mandatory commercial marine licenses, issued by Maritime Marine Safety Authority. They are there to ensure a safe trip and to make your jet boat trip enjoyable & memorable." Well I'm sure it was memorable for George as he won't forget it in a long while.
Select to expand quotesausage said..jusavina said..
I see them regularly on the broadwater. I left a review too.
I suggest that everyone with Facebook left a review too. Best thing to stop their stupid business.
Looks like they may have taken their FB page down as link to it doesn't work today (it did yesterday).
Found this on their Website much to my amusement;
"All our jetboat drivers are hand-selected, fully trained and hold mandatory commercial marine licenses, issued by Maritime Marine Safety Authority. They are there to ensure a safe trip and to make your jet boat trip enjoyable & memorable." Well I'm sure it was memorable for George as he won't forget it in a long while.
I just tried to find them again on FB and it doesn't work anymore...
I'll try again another day.
You can leave a review on TripAdvisor, refer the following URL
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g255072-d2049935-Reviews-Jetboat_Extreme-Surfers_Paradise_Gold_Coast_Queensland.html
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g255072-d3801199-Reviews-Gold_Coast_Jet_X-Surfers_Paradise_Gold_Coast_Queensland.html
they have multipul alias on trip advisor
I wonder if telling Paul Burt Channel 9 would help as he was swamped by a Jet Boat while fishing and gave them an on air spray.
All the best Geo Geo, perhaps the witnessed should be writing statements or stat decs in preparation just in case. You will have no shortage of guys willing to offer statements of support and relating personal incidents.
Perhaps a meeting with Waterways Authority MSQ as a group could be beneficial.
sadly, following the typical gold coast standard, the company responsible will probably fold and open under another name to avoid a payout
Select to expand quoteI think more importantly would it even be observed? If there were cameras and a greater police presence you would see less errant behaviour but you would see a rise in complaints (a and costs) perhaps its been a case of not proportionatly growing the governance to match the increase in water users?
<div>From what ive read most powered craft are not in favour of speed reduction, rather they would prefer a common sense rule. To that I would say common sense is currently absent and any boatie education is worth little because it is erroded by the predominant behaviour of any given day. Seems like mom and dad need to pay more attention to the kids
Select to expand quoteHaircut said..
sadly, following the typical gold coast standard, the company responsible will probably fold and open under another name to avoid a payout
No, I am afraid you are wrong.
Typical authorities response and the easiest will be banning windsurfers and maybe kiters two from waterways.
Obviously for their own safety.
Hopefully I am wrong this time 
(beside that is where money come from to city coffers - tourist operators not windsurfers)
If a car hit a cyclist then I think that the response would be immediate. A boat hitting another water user is no different, unless there is proof of an accident. Even then, if a car injures, maims or kills another person on the road it is manslaughter I believe. In my opinion the operator of the jet ski has to answer for his actions. As for the 'tourist dollars', they should be operating the jet boat offshore, via the Seaway. There is a jet oat at Mooloolaba and it operates offshore where there is plenty of room. I grew up near the Broadwater and as such think that it is dangerous to have a jet boat in those waters. Next time it will be a kayak or tinny full of kids who get in their way. Will they run over them too?
apparently there has been a shifty tow-truck-company styled battle between the jetboat operators going on over the years - ala in-line versus the v8. given the chance, the other operators might be happy to help oust the opposition if they see an opportunity
Select to expand quoteMarkSSC said..
If a car hit a cyclist then I think that the response would be immediate. A boat hitting another water user is no different, unless there is proof of an accident. Even then, if a car injures, maims or kills another person on the road it is manslaughter I believe. In my opinion the operator of the jet ski has to answer for his actions. As for the 'tourist dollars', they should be operating the jet boat offshore, via the Seaway. There is a jet oat at Mooloolaba and it operates offshore where there is plenty of room. I grew up near the Broadwater and as such think that it is dangerous to have a jet boat in those waters.
Next time it will be a kayak or tinny full of kids who get in their way. Will they run over them too?
Unfortunately the current evidence suggests, yes.
I believe that before this accident they would come as close as possible, give you a scare and cool you down with huge spray of water. The story is that the same happened to Paul Burton from channel 7 when fishing in his tinny and he commented the incident in public on TV.
Seeing the number of responses and victims make me believe that this was not one rare incident but part of the entertainment going for years but until now, nobody could do anything about it. Authorities are too busy with "real" accidents and wouldn't have time and capacity to deal with a case of someone being splashed. Plus who has a time to do go through all the paperwork, supporting evidence, witnesses declarations etc.- just my opinion.
Also I can't imagine driver to be able to see you have kids on board at that speed, swinging the boat from site to site, constantly looking around for other boats, swimmers, stand up paddlers and other water users.
Few shots of Windsurfers having an enjoyable sail in the Broadwater. For the Jetboat companies, GCWW and MSQ who I know are following this thread.
I will be using my on helmet cam on every sail from now on, this way we can start getting live on the spot footage and when it happens again we have something to show the water Police .
I have been watching these posts with great interest.
There Facebook page has been shut down but there website is up and running still.
Kiteboarding and Windsurfing will not be banned on the Broadwater.
I would suggest like all waterways a speed limit will be placed that will hurt the operator invloved. I cant believe they would be allowed to go in and out at speed from other water users, especially swimmers. If this was in Victoria (Nanny State) they would be shut down straight away.
I was hit by a jet ski once when windsurfing at Portarlington in Victoria. I was lucky as I saw they guy coming towards me and I dove under the water before he hit my gear. He did come back and saw I was not dead and then sped off with his mate after seeing my board was trashed.
Luckily I got in to the shore and yelled out to someone to stop them on the boat ramp. A very large crowd of people formed around them till the police arrived. The driver and his mate tried to leave the scene but the locals thought otherwise.
It was not until later I had realised he had hit the back of my leg when I saw a massive bruise.
I am more worried about Georges Injuries after the incident. I can not belive that in todays Internet savvy society these operators would not be proactive and made sure George was OK. I would think that would assume responsibility but its better than the online backlash from the community.
Also the driver involved - wouldn't he better off for his career to fess up. The internet is forever, future employers will search for his name. When I employ people I do a google search and a search on Facebook and trust me it does sway your thoughts on employing them.
i wonder if the incident was reported as required:
www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Marine-incidents.aspx
There are penalties to the master and operator for not reporting.
Just want to avoid any unfair assumptions and keep you updated:
- straight after the accident the driver came back, asked me if I'm ok and said he would file a report, he asked me for my name & ph No
- I had a ph call on Sunday afternoon, which I missed and later found out it was the call from MG, owner of the company
- I had a second ph call on Monday late afternoon form MG. We had some discussion and he sounded very genuine and concerned about the whole situation
- I've heard some rumors that the company (driver) failed to lodge the report with Maritime Safety QLD within 48 hours and perhaps lodged the report on Monday
- I believe that the MG, owner of the business did the right thing and contacted me personally
