Originally posted in Windsurfing, Foiling section, but I din't realise wing foiling had it own section....so here goes...
So I've been concerned for a while about the increasing numbers of wing-foilers using Lucky Bay in Applecross. Many are learning (which is fine) but they are doing it right in the middle of where people on slalom gear are zooming in and out. There have been quite a few near misses but yesterday I was unfortunate enough to collect one at full speed. Luckily there were no injuries to myself or the wing guy, but my favourite Patrik slalom board ended up with a nice ding in it, so I was pretty pissed off. Basically the guy decide to gybe a few metres right in front of me leaving me nowhere to go....I tried to pull up wind but he was too close, so the inevitable collision. Though he was apologetic and reckoned he saw me , he could offer no explanation for gybing right in front of me apart from saying "well these things are not that easy to manoeuvre"...
So this all raises the question a lot of my slalom and sail foil friends have been asking....why can't the wing foil guys (and girls) move a bit further north up towards the kiting area and then everybody would have their own space and we could all be safe. It doesn't seem an unreasonable request does it?
I think that is a very reasonable request nauli.
I must admit I have winged in that area occasionally, however I not really a beginner and always check before gybing.
When I was learning I went much further North.
I also now go further North 90% of the time and in future it will be more like 99% of the time.
Further South where the guys on slalom gear are has the shallow sandbar not that far out so means that the learners in particular haven't got a lot of area anyway.
It is actually better for foils further North.
Select to expand quotetightlines said..
I think that is a very reasonable request nauli.
I must admit I have winged in that area occasionally, however I not really a beginner and always check before gybing.
When I was learning I went much further North.
I also now go further North 90% of the time and in future it will be more like 99% of the time.
Further South where the guys on slalom gear are has the shallow sandbar not that far out so means that the learners in particular haven't got a lot of area anyway.
It is actually better for foils further North.
Thanks....hopefully this post will find some of the wingers and word will get around so we can make it safe for all!
Hey Nauli, I am the winger from the collision.
Long time windsurfer/kitesurfer/surfer/winger.
Sorry we ended up in a tangle yesterday, but I believe we are both at fault
I had looked, and assumed you would pass me up wind. I'm guessing you didn't see me, or read my intentions
Anyway, It happened , Im glad we are both unscathed.
Except for some gear damage, which we both have unfortunately
We can all co-exist, but when its as busy and windy as it was yesterday, we all need to take a bit more caution, slow down a bit, and look out for everyone
There were plenty of kids learning to windsurf yesterday that I saw have near misses with a few of the faster guys, so its not just the slower moving wingers that are the problem.
Its up to the more experienced and faster sailors, to ride to the conditions, and avoid incident like we had yesterday.
I winged there yesterday arvo it can be quite tricky and I'm having a good look each gybe . Down wind is a sensible idea I'm happy to do I don't sail there much as I'm from Mandurah there is definitely room between the kiters I launched from there a couple of weeks ago I think it dosn't matter if you are winging or a windsurfer learning we all need to be more alert of each other as there's nothing worse than hurting someone or your toys we all need to get on and leave the egos on the beach and keep a good vibe 
Select to expand quoteNik said..
Hey Nauli, I am the winger from the collision.
Long time windsurfer/kitesurfer/surfer/winger.
Sorry we ended up in a tangle yesterday, but I believe we are both at fault
I had looked, and assumed you would pass me up wind. I'm guessing you didn't see me, or read my intentions
Anyway, It happened , Im glad we are both unscathed.
Except for some gear damage, which we both have unfortunately
We can all co-exist, but when its as busy and windy as it was yesterday, we all need to take a bit more caution, slow down a bit, and look out for everyone
There were plenty of kids learning to windsurf yesterday that I saw have near misses with a few of the faster guys, so its not just the slower moving wingers that are the problem.
Its up to the more experienced and faster sailors, to ride to the conditions, and avoid incident like we had yesterday.
Honestly mate, you really didn't give me much choice ....yes I did see you, and was trying to work out what you would do but no I didn't read your mind...and I did slow down and I did try hard to avoid you at the last minute without avail........it's really pointless trying to argue who was at fault. I'm just happy there were no injuries.
People learning to windsurf are more predictable than wing foils so easier to stay clear of.
There have been quite a few near misses over the past month or two so the bottom line is I think it would be safer for all parties if the wing guys moved a bit further north near the kiting beach...we can co-exist but not all in the same small piece of real estate.
Select to expand quotestroppo said..
I winged there yesterday arvo it can be quite tricky and I'm having a good look each gybe . Down wind is a sensible idea I'm happy to do I don't sail there much as I'm from Mandurah there is definitely room between the kiters I launched from there a couple of weeks ago I think it dosn't matter if you are winging or a windsurfer learning we all need to be more alert of each other as there's nothing worse than hurting someone or your toys we all need to get on and leave the egos on the beach and keep a good vibe
Didn't see you there Strop...were you out in the middle more? Agree re a good vibe....and I think moving a bit north is a reasonable idea...
Come and wing where the kiters are. We are not as grumpy as the wingsurfers 
. They can't go upwind, that is why they all just bunch up in one spot.
Select to expand quotePrfctChaos said..
Come and wing where the kiters are. We are not as grumpy as the wingsurfers . They can't go upwind, that is why they all just bunch up in one spot.
I'm only coming down there if ya stop wearing ya shorts on the outside of ya wetty
Select to expand quotestroppo said..PrfctChaos said..
Come and wing where the kiters are. We are not as grumpy as the wingsurfers . They can't go upwind, that is why they all just bunch up in one spot.
I'm only coming down there if ya stop wearing ya shorts on the outside of ya wetty
NO DEAL! Enjoy your bumpercars with the polies.
Select to expand quotePrfctChaos said..stroppo said..PrfctChaos said..
Come and wing where the kiters are. We are not as grumpy as the wingsurfers . They can't go upwind, that is why they all just bunch up in one spot.
I'm only coming down there if ya stop wearing ya shorts on the outside of ya wetty
NO DEAL! Enjoy your bumpercars with the polies.
I have been learning to wing there as well. There is a good patch between the kiters and slalom heads. It lines up nicely to miss the sand bar, which is a pain anyway and pretty free from other water users.
I am a long time windsurfer, so understand the mechanics of a crowd and some of the slalom boys do enjoy buzzing the newbies. Would not hurt to give a bit more room.
I also think it would be better for learner wing dingers to get out of the speed run slot of the windsurfers.
If you are wing diniging come on down to the gap.
I have recently done some Winging at Lucky Bay. The wind is fickle and the runs are short given the sandbank. It isn't a great location but it does have a shower and is easy to rig. I usually go during the week when there are very few people on the water. I agree that there are a few good speed sailors going fast, but there are also quite a few learners too.
I have windsurfed, kite and Wing now. What I have noticed at this spot that many windsurfers do not give way to starboard tack. Most are beginners and may not know that there are rules of the road that apply across all sailing sports. This means that you need to anticipate what you think people are going to do which increases any chance of an accident happening.
I think that we can all coexist on the water and should help each other out. We are all there to have fun.
Yesterday I was further up the beach in the kiting zone with some friends. I had come into the beach and noticed a wing that was unattached cartwheeling through the air. It was around 20 knots. I saw a kiter try and grab it and miss. Then another foiling who managed to grab it. He left his foil and started body dragging the wing in to the beach. I ran 500m down the beach and out into the water where he was coming in and took the wing from him. Getting back to the beach the owner, a windsurfer, learning to wing met me.
Later the kite foiler came to the beach and I landed his kite. I told him that the owner of the wing had said to thank him. He said that he was just happy to help and that we should all look out for everyone on the water.
Select to expand quoteNik said..
Hey Nauli, I am the winger from the collision.
Long time windsurfer/kitesurfer/surfer/winger.
Sorry we ended up in a tangle yesterday, but I believe we are both at fault
I had looked, and assumed you would pass me up wind. I'm guessing you didn't see me, or read my intentions
Anyway, It happened , Im glad we are both unscathed.
Except for some gear damage, which we both have unfortunately
We can all co-exist, but when its as busy and windy as it was yesterday, we all need to take a bit more caution, slow down a bit, and look out for everyone
There were plenty of kids learning to windsurf yesterday that I saw have near misses with a few of the faster guys, so its not just the slower moving wingers that are the problem.
Its up to the more experienced and faster sailors, to ride to the conditions, and avoid incident like we had yesterday.
I think it is important to remember that in the windsurfing world any type of turn or manouver is quite a rare occurrence. So when you do actually jybe this is often met with shock and confusion.
It is also important to bare in mind that on occasion windsurfers do reach planing speeds. When this happens it is very important to them that no one disturbs this rare and special moment.
So yes definitely leave the windsurfing area to the windsurfers, after all they were there first. When exactly they arrived archeologists are still debating but they were definitely there first.
Select to expand quoteYoungbreezy said..Nik said..
Hey Nauli, I am the winger from the collision.
Long time windsurfer/kitesurfer/surfer/winger.
Sorry we ended up in a tangle yesterday, but I believe we are both at fault
I had looked, and assumed you would pass me up wind. I'm guessing you didn't see me, or read my intentions
Anyway, It happened , Im glad we are both unscathed.
Except for some gear damage, which we both have unfortunately
We can all co-exist, but when its as busy and windy as it was yesterday, we all need to take a bit more caution, slow down a bit, and look out for everyone
There were plenty of kids learning to windsurf yesterday that I saw have near misses with a few of the faster guys, so its not just the slower moving wingers that are the problem.
Its up to the more experienced and faster sailors, to ride to the conditions, and avoid incident like we had yesterday.
I think it is important to remember that in the windsurfing world any type of turn or manouver is quite a rare occurrence. So when you do actually jybe this is often met with shock and confusion.
It is also important to bare in mind that on occasion windsurfers do reach planing speeds. When this happens it is very important to them that no one disturbs this rare and special moment.
So yes definitely leave the windsurfing area to the windsurfers, after all they were there first. When exactly they arrived archeologists are still debating but they were definitely there first.
We are just all trying to keep safe smartarse....
