I think there is a difference between windsurfing and paddling.
Anybody can jump into a kayak or SUP and try it. Often including people who can't swim. People who can't swim are candidates for drowning.
People doing windsurfing can most likely swim as they need to be able to get to their board when they fall off.
People can drown just as easily within 400m from shore or further out of they can't swim. Or even drown in a paddling pool. Further out would probably give less chance of making it back to the beach if in trouble. But there is the board for floatation.
How else can a drowning occur if you already know how to swim? Getting hit on the head by a board? In that case the new laws should include mandatory helmets for all people leaving the beach. Including swimmers to protect themselves from stray surfboards in unpatrolled beaches.
In the end, we are adults and don't need the government to tell us what to do. Most, if not all, take responsibility for our own safety. This involves many things:
- being a strong swimmer
- knowing how to self rescue when things break or the wind drops out
- regular replacement of critical wearing components (eg tendons, ropes, harness lines)
- sailing in company and looking out for each other
- rigging for the conditions
- having the necessary skill level for conditions
- appropriate wetsuit where required to protect against hypothermia
- hat, rashie and sunscreen to protect against UV
- heightened caution when sailing in offshore conditions
- lastly as a final defence, appropriate personal protective equipment and knowing when they are required: eg helmet, impact vest, life vest, EPIRB, flare
Select to expand quoteJohn340 said..
In the end, we are adults and don't need the government to tell us what to do. .....
On that point, I would recommend if there is a group/s that represents windsurfers & kiters in WA they would do well to approach the newly elected Member of the Legislative Assembly, Aaron Stonehouse from the Liberal Democrats Party. The Liberal Democrats are all about 'less government', and opposing the Nanny State culture. Aaron may be in a position to block this proposed policy change as it goes through the Legislative Assembly, providing he is supported by several other Independents.
The Lib Dems love this sort of stuff, they exist for it.
^^^ I would not think so as it is change to regulations - not the Act - and regulations can be changed by the CEO or whatever he is called. Thats presuming it is same as normal Reg's...
Anyway WWA and WAKSA are invited to the show. That is nice of them........ but the pessimist in me thinks it is only because we whinged so much a couple of years ago when they said they were going to start enforcing PFD's for us . Lets hope it is not just consultation so they can just say they consulted.
WWA/KSWA/RLSSWA etc.. were all invited to provide input & guide the review on the original discussion paper.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/marine/MAC_P_Discussion_Paper_Summary_Safety_Equipment_Review.pdf
This was then summarized and put to the public for comment (Survey)
app.surveymethods.com/EndUser.aspx?F3D7BBA3F6B5AEA7F1
All information will then be analysed in Phase 2 by the DoT and assisted again by the external reference group with a second survey then released for review to the public before finalising the paper for release.
Hopefully there is some commonsense and agreement within the Reference Group.
