Hi everyone.
I have come across too many windsurfers lately who don't think they need to wear a PFD while sailing. Sorry but you do and in all SA waters, fresh or salt.
Below is a copy and paste of the relevant section of the Harbors and Navigation Regulations, Jan 2011.
(Underline and bold added)
169—Personal flotation devices to be worn on certain recreational vessels
(1) Each occupant of—
(a) a vessel (other than a surfboard, surf ski or racing shell) that can only carry
the operator and no other person; or
(b) a surfboard, surf ski or similar vessel that is being operated in inland waters;
or
(c) a sailboard or kiteboard; or
Patsparks, have heard this many times over the last 25 years.....
Its great that you believe in the legistlation and want to adhere to it but i think youll find most of us arent really interested.
PFD's can actually be more dangerous while wavesailing!!!!
What are you the local compliance guy for?
Daz got warned last year sailing at Sellicks, got threatened with a fine......
We always have a couple in the car, its the law.....apparently
Yes that was us that you kicked off the water last weekend at Goowla patsparks just before the wind settled in for a potentially fabulous session, but I guess you know that coz you took down all of our details and made a formal report. 
Stripped of fun, exercise and healthy living
Water wings. Will you fine me if I wear me water wings Pat ?. They don't get in the way of the harness.
Oh, now I get it, patspurts is the local compliance officer for PFD's as well as being a landsailer trying to make enemies with the local windsurfing community.
A question for you Pat. When was the last drowning of a windsurfer that could have been saved by a pfd in SA?
In 20 years of windsurfing i havent once worn or been told to wear a pfd. One fine every 20 shouldnt break the bank.
Select to expand quotelegless said...
It is pretty hard to find a pfd that is suitable for windsurfing. Patparks can you suggest a pfd that is suitable. They tend to get in the way of the harness.
In addition how come surfers don't have to wear one. windsurfing is just a surf board with a sail on it.
Quick surfing lesson....try this with a PFD....you wont get very far 
wearing a PFD in ocean with waves whether its surfing or wave sailing would put ones life in danger.
you have got to be kidding me mate!!! No one wears em! exept for maybe newbie beginners. or when your sailing triple mast jaws. 
I wear a pfd all the time, and a helmet for that matter. Nanna - maybe but it is irresponsible to put yourself and others at risk. I would never sail solo without being able to self rescue. Sure it may be more dangerous in some instances in the surf but would you expect sea rescue to pick you up 5k off shore if you had a breakage or got seperated from your gear.
Patsparks is merely giving a friendly reminder as there have been a few people picked up for not abiding by the rules, in most cases you get a warning first. Shooting the messenger and chest thumping doesn't do much for public relations when kiting has been banned on most beaches and there has been talk of doing the same to windsurfing.
If you carnt swim and not familiar with the water conditions you are entering DON'T GO OUT!!!
A PFD will save your life if you carnt swim...being knocked out by mast is highly unlikely..
”the forces of nature are on your side”
If it makes you feel safer by all means wear one and lots do...but not wearing one, why is that "irresponsible to put yourself and others at risk”!!
Im sure may have a story to tell......and all lived to tell it.
they wont even help if you're knocked out, chances are you'll be face down. at least they'll find you easier after a few days. doesn't sound like he's just giving friendly reminders if he's taking details and reporting people. just stay out there, get him to catch you in his land yacht
I would like to point out that firstly I am a bit of a novice so I wear a lifejacket religiously but I would tend to think that not just being knocked out is the only danger we face.
Dislocated arms from a violent catapult or any other dangers that we havent considered may give us reason to be wearing a PFD for the unexpected. better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Only yesterday did I find a PFD that is designed for windsurfing/kitesurfing. Neil Pryde does one with a cutout loop for your harness and hook. I tried it yesterday and barely noticed it was there. They have these for sale at Onboard for around $135 Im told.... So it may be worth having a look if youre interested.
I would not dream of telling the more experienced guys that they have to wear a PFD as that is their own decision but wanted to let everyone know that there are windsurfing specific PFD's out there....if you want to keep the Nanny happy..
Pat,
This link summarises what is a pretty old argument from the Windsurfers point of view.
www.uswindsurfing.org/usw_library/other/pfd_issue.pdf
The main point is that in some situations, wearing a PDF on a windsurfer is a good idea, while in others it is positively dangerous. Being trapped under a sail while hooked in is a case where extra flotation is very bad. Most of us have made the choice depending on circumstance. The legislation has been there for years. To date, the enforcement has been fairly pragmatic.
As usual these regulations on behalf of all windsurfers in South Australia and Kite surfers were undertaken with no communication from the minister involved, Boats and Harbors or any other representative with the state windsurfing bodies.
This will be a pointless excercise debating the regulations with the authority that issues the fines and has no concept or understanding of surf sailing, freestyle sailing etc.
It would have been nice if the regulations were posted when amended (22/9/2011) to update everyone on the changes. Just because its a regulation does not mean it has been thought through or is in the best interest of the sport.
Okay then Pat you may be only "upholding the law" well how about you head down to Moana and start implementing this law!!
Have you posted on the jet ski web sites
(1) Subject to this regulation, a person must not operate a personal watercraft—
(a) after sunset or 8 pm (whichever is the earlier) on any day; or
(b) before 9 am on a Sunday or before 8 am on any other day.
Maximum penalty: $1 250.
Expiation fee: $160.
Or maybe heading out to the West Coast and enforcing this For tow surfing
(5) A person must not be towed by a vessel unless another person (the observer) on the
vessel is continuously observing the person being towed and giving such directions to
the operator of the vessel as may be necessary to prevent injury or risk of injury to the
person being towed or to other persons.
I will do my best to avoid you, not visit your waterways and keep well away from Goolwa - thanks for the heads up. If you come anywhere near us while sailing in the surf the reception will be frosty to say the least
I think that the point about the windsurfing community not being involved in the regulation of what windsurfers (and kite etc.) require on the water is valid and typical of our politicians who pass laws and ask questions later.
I had not even thought of being trapped under the sail and unable to duck dive to get out... that is a very serious point.
However, I would just like to point out (as what happens to most of the saftey officers on work sites) Pat may be coming on a bit strong about pushing the legal point, but I think his intention is for the safety of windsurfers around SA.
Hence why he felt the need to publish this thread to alert us to the legal requriement of a PFD. I assume that he does not sell PFD's, nor profits from when people are fined for not wearing one. The main point he is making is to look out for the safety of the windsurfing community.
Even if his point of view maybe in-complete as to the rammifications of wearing a PFD.
So to Pat, Thank you for making us aware of the legal perspective of wearing a PFD (I didnt know that it was a law) but please take into consideration the perspective of the windsurfing community who have to deal with the issues created by wearing a PFD.
I will continue to wear one as I have only had positive benefits, but should a situation arise where I must decide, I would hope that my reasoning would provide suffcient evidence against copping a fine.
Thanks,
Luke.
Kimba, no one is chest thumping. We are just stating how it is, and how it always has been. If you choose to wear a vest well thats great.
If i get separated from my gear 5kms out to sea there are gonna be other things ill be more worried about than whether or not the sea rescue squadron come and save me.
And as for patsparks giving a friendly reminder, interesting you read it that way.
Its pretty obvious from the responses that are being given that we are all very passionate about our sailing and dont appreciate someone coming along telling us what we Have to do.
To put this in perspective for you, how would you respond if you were told that you were told you were no longer allowed to sail any of your beloved freshwater lakes due to a change of law?
Are the Neil Pryde vest "PFD 3, Australian Standard AS 4758 or AS2260"
There web site does not state this!!! http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/transport,%20travel%20and%20motoring/Boating+and+marine/Boat+and+marine+safety/Marine+safety+equipment/Personal+flotation+devices
Ha, ha, funny post.
Bring in the riot police I say,
You are all a bunch of recalcitrant little girls and boys....naughty, naughty naughty.
Next thing we will associate windsurfing clubs with motocycle gangs....
What makes me laugh is people waste there time on this stuff in the pursuit of public safety......
Leave adults to make adult decisions I say....
Three cheers for Patspark, hip hip hurray, hip hip hurray, hip hip hurray.....
My tip to you patspark, buy a warm jacket and some waterproof shoes, your going to need it for this one....
I think maybe the best solution is a PFD1 yoke. As it has no inflation until you inflate it and there is a gap up the middle for a harness hook and the straps on the back don't interfere with your harness.
After saying that I don't want to have to wear a PFD. I think a helmet is more useful to a windsurfer as it helps to prevent you getting knocked out.
HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!
Ill be wearing 2 of them... you can never be to safe.
actually ive got one on now.
I wonder if this landyacht sailer is required to wear a PFD cause he is below the high water mark? 
