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Forums > Kitesurfing General

How to check if Swanbourne firing range is active

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Created by Dave Whettingsteel > 9 months ago, 11 Nov 2013
Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
11 Nov 2013 11:34AM
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I'm planning on doing a down winder tommorow after work, and am not sure whether to get dropped off at Floreat, or Cottesloe. I have had a look online, but couldn't find any published times as to when it is ok, or not ok, to kite past the firing range.

Any tips appreciated.

Thanks

stamp
QLD, 2776 posts
11 Nov 2013 1:41PM
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did you try ringing them? or is that too old school these days?

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
11 Nov 2013 11:48AM
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Ring who? It's used by the SAS and a range of rifle shooting clubs. I couldn't find a range admin number to call.

Danmurphys
WA, 231 posts
11 Nov 2013 11:58AM
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You just check for the red flags at each end of the rifle range off west coast hwy.

Easy to do during a car drop.

Either that or just run the gauntlet, making sure you don't drop your kite or lose your board in front of the range.

Underoath
QLD, 2433 posts
11 Nov 2013 2:00PM
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If the red flags are flying at the Army base- West coast highway.

Then its a yes.

Saying that, hasnt stopped us completing hassel free downwinders before.

If the army blokes are on the beach, stay 400m off shore untill you hit that watch tower.


Juddy
WA, 1103 posts
11 Nov 2013 12:11PM
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Range is operated by WA Rifle Association - www.wara.asn.au - 9385 2071.

Usually, there's a red flag flying to show the range is being used - if so, stay clear....a long way clear. From memory/anecdotal info, there's a 1km offshore clearance area out to sea when the flags are up. Nothing tightens the sphincter more than hearing a few pot shots when you're passing by.....

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
11 Nov 2013 12:12PM
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Thanks Underoath, Juddy and livetofly, good info. Cheers.

Underoath
QLD, 2433 posts
11 Nov 2013 2:19PM
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Its only ever a problem when your up past Lanno and they start dropping bombs from F16's.

Juddy
WA, 1103 posts
11 Nov 2013 1:27PM
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Select to expand quote

Its only ever a problem when your up past Lanno and they start dropping bombs from F16's.


Soft. So fkn soft. What's wrong with a couple of bombs from a F16???

dogfish
NT, 253 posts
11 Nov 2013 3:25PM
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Tony Travers, also known as Datto, next to the Toyota 4WD that was bombed in an airforce blunder in 2000

Darwin has been bombed quite a bit during World War Two but the most recent one happened during Operation Pitch Black exercise at 9.15 Pm on August 3, when a dummy missile fell off an airforce bomber. At the time Tony Travers was preparing a BBQ for himself at his workplace and residence at # 2 Strath Road, Berrimah ( Datto's Rust Repairs), which unfortunately has gone out of business since then due to all this.

This is Tony's eye witness account of the event;

All hell broke loose when a AIM-7-CATM { Captive Air Training Missile } fell off a FA-18 Hornet
as it prepared to land at Darwin airport During Operation Pitch Black on 3 August 2000.
It landed 20 metres from me and hit a 1974 Toyota Landcruiser directly at the rear of my shed.
The ensuing destruction as the 250 Kg -12 foot Missile hit the Tojo at approximately 500 Kph shook the dust out of the roof of the shed as it sent a shockwave tearing through the shed.
The Boom was like a thunderclap directly overhead ,, Very Very Loud,,, It scared the Crap out of me,,, { And My 2 Red Heeler Dogs } Upon doing a search around the shed I found 1/2 of the Missile protruding out of the ground beside the Now Destroyed Toyota,, Absolute Awesome Damage ,, The Guidance Fin had cut the windscreen like a Bullet going through a playing card and the engine had been Smashed into a thousand pieces ,, You could see the pistons and internals of the motor everywhere,, Totally Destroyed !!! Diff ,, Chassi ,, Cab ,, Gearbox ,, Everything in its path,, { It Probably hit # 5 Cylinder Causing a massive backfire

KBwhokbs
WA, 68 posts
11 Nov 2013 4:25PM
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That's awsome. Hope the airforce made good on the damage.
Never realised how much and how bad the bombing of Darwin was until visiting the East Point military museum earlier this year.
Worth a look if you're in the NT.

And Dave, zigzagging down wind past the Swanbourne range will make you a difficult target anyway, haha.
Forecast winds for tomorrow should get you through that zone pretty quickly I would think.

birdie919
WA, 82 posts
11 Nov 2013 6:05PM
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Select to expand quote
stamp said..

did you try ringing them? or is that too old school these days?


made me chuckle just imagine some old gezzer with a pipe answering the bakerlight phone.

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
11 Nov 2013 8:40PM
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Haha, yes heap of wind forecast tommorow, and no F16's so should be good! Apparently the range is aligned south to north, so the exclusion is in case of a ricochet, not for a straight shot.

Am looking forward to it!

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
11 Nov 2013 8:56PM
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Select to expand quote
Dave Whettingsteel said..

I'm planning on doing a down winder tommorow after work, and am not sure whether to get dropped off at Floreat, or Cottesloe. I have had a look online, but couldn't find any published times as to when it is ok, or not ok, to kite past the firing range.

Any tips appreciated.

Thanks


put you hand in the air, then lower it, if all your fingers are gone then the range is open

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
11 Nov 2013 9:12PM
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Thanks Cauncy, I knew I could rely on you for good advice haha

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
11 Nov 2013 9:15PM
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Dave Whettingsteel said..

Thanks Cauncy, I knew I could rely on you for good advice haha


no wozzas dave, i might hit your local at the weekend, are you home to share a beer

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
11 Nov 2013 9:23PM
Thumbs Up

Actually I will be, going up Friday late arvo, back to Gero Sunday arvo. Wife and young daughter off to Perth to see the quack so am footloose and fancy free too! When you coming up? Wind looked crap last time I checked. Catch up for drinks and BBQ on the balcony if you make it...



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"How to check if Swanbourne firing range is active" started by Dave Whettingsteel