A summer once spent years and years ago in WA.
A euro sailor drowned while sailing, in waves,and it was said to be due to the fact he had a PFD on and couldn't get clear of his rig and was then tangled up in it..
Dunno if its true but i believe it.
The other thing you could do, same as i used to do while kiteboarding at Gladstone road.
"DONT COME OFF THE WATER". the dufus/nice inspector will loose interest and bugger off.
at that moment you bolt it into the beach, pack your kit up and high tail it the hell out of there.
easy, problem solved.
A summer once spent years and years ago in WA.
A euro sailor drowned while sailing, in waves,and it was said to be due to the fact he had a PFD on and couldn't get clear of his rig and was then tangled up in it..
Dunno if its true but i believe it.
The other thing you could do, same as i used to do while kiteboarding at Gladstone road.
"DONT COME OFF THE WATER". the dufus/nice inspector will loose interest and bugger off.
at that moment you bolt it into the beach, pack your kit up and high tail it the hell out of there.
easy, problem solved.
Select to expand quote
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
what's the deal, you need a pfd on a surf board on nice flat inland waters but not the ocean. don't they care if surfers drown?
It is my hope we do not cross paths patsparks
I have little tollerance for ill-conceived legislation and those that seek to enforce it
I hate wearing PFD's, I too was kicked off the water down at goolwa just as the wind was looking good.
I spoke to the Officer about getting an exemption for the surf zone which he seemed may be possible if there is a safety concern about pfd's in the waves, this maybe worth doing if it becomes a problem
The Pryde ones and the Yoke style don't meet the requirements (unless they've changed which Australian Standard they are quoting in the legislation).
Glad to have left the Nanny State... have fun this summer, sounds like its heating up over there
oh well im an outlaw lol.
with my 4/3 wetty and waist harness on i float nearly too much to duck a wave now, add a pfd and id be like a cork.
if surfers dont have to i dont have to end of story.
Hi Patrick,
you have successfully communicated to the windsurfing community. 510 of us have read your post in just 48 hours!
I notice in your Seabreeze profile that one of your 'sports' is "Communicating with the windsurfing community". Seems personal rather than professional. I do believe this is not a great start for positive communications and hence the heated response!
For me it's safety first. I can't enjoy this great sport if I'm drowned! Whilst learning to sail I was always in a PFD. Since mastering the use of a harness and sailing in waves I choose not to use a PFD. I would be very happy to shout you to a beer at the Goolwa Hotel to discuss the reasons for and against wearing a PFD whilst windsurfing. Maybe you are even in a position to assist the windsurfing community to change this controversial legislation? It would be a great opportunity in any case to return to positive communications with the windsurfing community.
I plan to be in Goolwa early January if you would like to take up the offer.
Cheers,
Richard
Hi all,
As someone who has been teaching beginner windsurfing to kids and adults for the past 10 years as my job Ill add a couple of things.
1. No one who is in the beginner to intermediate stage of windsurfing should have any reason not to wear a PFD type 2 or 3 or equivalent. A PFD type 1 should not be used for windsurfing even a yoke as you could self inflate accidentally. The reason I say this is because beginner to intermediates are still in the learning stage, ie what rig do I put up in these conditions?, what board should I use? did I check the forecast correctly? and when we are learning we make mistakes..... Hopefully not big ones. But wearing a pfd can help and I will not let anyone who is under instruction not wear one.
2 once entering waves or past the intermediate stage people should be able to make there own decisions on what they believe to be the safest option for them. For me personally Waves = no pfd. Cant duck dive, Flat water blasting = depending on conditions and water depth I may wear one but probably not, sailing by myself = I wear a pfd or don't go out
As to pat, who has stirred up a bees nest, bud if you whant crew to wear pfds posting on this fourum will not change a thing, you need to go about it a different way. And fining people down the beach will just make everyone change location, get pissed off and hate you. Not cool for anyone.
Just my two bobs worth
Matt
would be funny watching golitto, or kiri trying to freestyle with vest on,
whens the last time you saw a friendly PFD tow a buddy windsurfer, or kitesurfer to shore!!
maybe the goverment needs to come up with a disclaimer for living here [}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)]
Okay so we're all agreed; In certain circumstances it is more dangerous to have a PFD than not having one. I personally wear a helmet and take appropriate safety precautions but don't wear a PFD for that very reason.
Legislation is not set in stone, it is continuously amended. We can do something about it. Is there any research available or resources available to Windsurfing SA which we can be put to a local politician. If we can get them onside, they may put a bill through parliament for appropriate changes.
If so, what would the appropriate changes include?
Lets just go sailing
If you feel comfortable wearing a PFD do it - if you dont - run the risk of a fine.
You can always challenge it in court. In the waves for most of us it is not an option with a waist harness
Fingers crossed we get to use our preffered PFD or not tomorrow
See ya on the water
Yawn,Catch me if you can Missus only releases me when jobs are done have resorted to going out after dark,old patsy will be tucked up in bed by then.
Check Ya Patsy.[}:)]
Saying that tho, I got too get my2 year old grommet one.
And one last thing Life jackets are as cool as wearing your shorts over ya wetty.[}:)]
Pat sparks a debate....
You certainly have ignited something here....
What happened to the old fashion "attack the man" technique?
The whole Legislation say's nothing about windsurfer's so i guess were exempt...
i don't use a sailboard i windsurf!!!!
A PFD 2 is suitable for use for sports such as water skiing, sail boarding, kite boarding and sailing dinghies.
PDF 3 These are designed for high-speed water sports such as water skiing, aqua-planing, operating PWC and sail boarding.
PDF 1 Not permitted for water skiing, aqua-planing and like activity.
which part do you not understand!!!!!!!
www.evalbum.com/675
And I quote...."As aprentices we did great burnouts on these things."
I'll just stay in the shore dump (400m or less from shore).... Who can measure it anyway?
