Vicco Voluntary Code of Practice

This thread ain't going to be deleted, it's good discussion.

It does needs to be discussed & addressed, whether you like it or not, because if you turn a blind eye, things get implemented and you'll be left wondering why.

Kitesurfing has gone through the flames in all these things, and beaches are getting banned left, right & centre. Volunteer orgs work real hard to save what they can.

This blue bit indicates where kiters are now allowed in mullaloo .. a lot of community discussion in the forums saved the bit they did get

"Like never before, maintaining kitesurfing beach access is up to us....

Many Thanks to WAKSA for their ongoing efforts in maintaining beach access. This issue consumed many hours of volunteer kiters working hard to ensure a few bad apples don't ruin kitesurfing for the whole community (both kiters & non kiters). The team at WAKSA put in mountains of effort, and over 80 kiters turned up at the council meeting to show their support."

Full story here:

www.seabreeze.com.au/News/Kitesurfing/New-rules-for-Mullaloo-kitesurfers_4173448.aspx

Ali,

Point 3 could get the following added "(unless a support vessel is within 400m)"

Simon

I believe they have been working on this for several months Oliver. I've only become directly involved in the last couple of days.

I've joined the dots. Obviously SUP's are too unorganized in Vicco to get together and work stuff out. Just another one of those boring and irritating East vrs West melodramas.

When are you westies ever going to figure it out?

....We have the stronger paddlers. Go Cam.

You're wrong.

All this has been coming for a hell of a lot longer than 8 months ago.

DJ

As this situation was totally avoidable I find the emotive outrage expressed by some quite amusing!

As DJ says this has been going on for a lot longer than 8 months, there has been ample opportunity for intervention, even blind Freddy could see it coming. Ask your self why is it that it got to this point before anything has been done.

The only Nannys involved are the ones on this forum flapping thier gums rather than applying positive actions and input!

Paddles sports like OC1, canoing and kayaking have or are going through similar issues with safety, we are no different.

All surf Sups need legropes near shore an maybe additional equipment at offshore bombies.

Down Wind SUPs, well I will leave that arguement to those with more experience than me as it varies with conditions.

Table a document that shows what measurable action will be taken, by when and by who. Educate new comers through the SUP clubs and stores and it will all go away!

Pretty simple fix really

Or just continue to sit behind the keyboard make negative comments abuse the peak body who is trying to assist us avoid regulation, do nothing constructive and continue to crap on to ensure you get the so called Nanny State your so much against.

Phill

It looks like I have hit a raw note and coped it though not intended. It was meant to be tongue in cheek. If you are in a situation of being Government regulated in Victoria then you need to to give guidance. In many areas you seem to suffer regulations more then we do (Lucky us).

When organizing events that have other people involved then regulation is required so that risks and your own personal legal liability are mitagated, however regulation for personal acitivy to the point that is happening is taking on the Nanny State perspective. No personal offence intended.

I have over 2 decades of personal experience in Education as a Physical Education teacher that has seen regulations grow to incredible levels. Our regulated document used to be 1cm thick and now if you printed it now it is over a foot thick (Hawaiian style ) and continuing to grow.

I still have a printed 1978 Syllabus book for PE Teachers that list 'tree climbing' at an acceptable activity with positive outcomes. You would never teacher that now (not saying I would want to). etc etc etc.

I have seen the regulations we have as being one of the reasons many things are not taught any more and also a contributing factor to children's lack of activity and ability to identify risk. So much so that we now teach risk identifications........... (Before anyone starts i am not complaining about education. It is just the way it is know)

Some of the rules you seem to have mentioned are made of common sense. The fear is it may lead to it being very prescriptive and doesn't allow for all situations and levels of ability or associated support.
When are we going to rely on the individuals common sense when participating in personal activity. It worked in the 90's, 80's, 70's, 60' etc etc etc.

I stretch my Sunday morning brain and can not think of a story in QLD where a SUP paddler, Kite Surfer, Wind Surfer, Ski Paddler, Surf Boat Crew etc etc that has come to grief here from not having these rules written by a regulative body.

Maybe my comment was made at annoyance of over regulation but where will it stop. And yes I agree with Jacko so enough said by me..

Had a nice paddle this arvo on the Yarra. Thanks to DJ for the company/guide and giving me a go in the big Naish. Wow, those things are smoooooth. After DJ left I went downstream to the aquarium, and on the way back got accosted by a Parks boat and an angry little man who threatened to fine me for not wearing a PFD. I pled stupidity (from NSW) but he told me I'd get fined if he saw me again. I was of the impression there was no compulsory PFD requirement in VIC? Anyone know for sure what the rules are on the Yarra, so I can tell him to get stu**ed if he stops me again over the weekend?

Unbelievable the amount of mis-information that is being thrown around. It's a shame that Max Wells, from Surfing Victoria has got his facts so wrong. [}:)]
There is NO legislation to regulate SUP in Victoria.
As far as the main contact at Marine Safety VIC is aware, police HAVE NOT requested SUP to be classified as vessels.
Marine Safety had one incident that alerted SUP to their attention. As a result, they were keen to see what the industry standards are.
ASI have been providing SUP instructor and SUP school accreditation for over 2 years now. They are the industry leader and operate internationally. See their website at www.academyofsurfing.com
Australia's new national Stand Up Paddle Association, SUP Australia Inc, has been formed to liaise with government departments such as Marine Safety VIC and provide proper and full consultation from people who represent the industry. Consultation information will be posted shortly on their website. www.sup-australia.com

If I could just make a few points....

Simondo - that is enjoyable viewing but will not help the situation. SUP is not a dinosaur sport - see sky sports uk this week for what happens to that type of activity.

deleting things from the Internet does not work....once posted it will remain. So whilst u may like a post to be deleted just remember it can be found - counts double for social networking! Short sighteeness will get you nowhere fast.

Australia is a police state but we all choose to live here and in doing so we have accepted the rules that society by definition of our demographic state have decided are for the betterb of all. We may not like them all. We do have the ability to challenge them and change them though if that is what is required. It's a lot easier to be sensible about the process and sort it before it happens. It sounds to me like max should be given a gold star. I think some of you should show him some respect and help him not hinder him with your short sighted comments. Imagine a road network with no laws.....it would be fun but not in the long run. Rules suck. But they allow society to function.

Anyway just a few thoughts......

I dont know Max well, but i have seen the results of his actions over the last 3 years in SUP. I also dont know what involvment Surfing Australia has had with SUP in other states but in Victoria they have fallen over backwards for us!

Assisted both SUP Vic and Bass Strait SUP form into clubs.
Assisted with hazzard management on events at no cost.
Supplied infrastructure including tents, PA etc again no cost.
Assisted with obtaining permits we could not have achieved without their guidance
Assisted with and even paid for insurance for one event.
Single handedly orgainsed and raised sponsors for us to run an indepentant State Title that was a huge success even on a pretty crappy day.
They keep stepping outside the box to make SUP inclusive and grow!

From what I have seen on every occassion Max has done exactly what he said he would do and put his (Surf Vic) money and staff on the line to achieve goals for SUP!

So I guess those actions gives Surf Vic and Max great street cred in my book, maybe I am wrong?

Straightup with the 2 Vic SUP clubs forming a joint working party to meet with and work with TSV the whole thing is a micron from being put to bed by all parties?

Jonathon SUP Vic found the existing "Human Powered Vessels" legislation currently in place in Vic and it just needs a few tweaks from what i understand. The joint proposal I saw tabled works for all concerned and as agreed by all parties present at the meeting is pretty much common practice by the clubs in Vic anyway.

As Simmondo and Brendon have said working together is the answer.

This has been splashed across the breeze for weeks and many people individuals and businesses have had significant input. To my knowledge we havent seen anything from SUP Aust Inc, how can you or your association add value?

Its all the commercial infighting and political CRAP that is taking the FUN out of the sport IMO, dont we just want to Surf, DW and Race?


DISC: on BSSUP commitee, Surf Vic Member (have to be to surf in surf not SUP comps), love SUP, hate the Politics.

Makes me want to go surf a Mal again and I never thought I would say that. Wonders off to buy some wax

Phill

Maybe, there just needs to be a little more communication to members of groups such as SUP Vic, rather than a select few sitting on information for months, hoping the problem goes away.

One of the reason I became a member is to be informed of changes to the activity I enjoy doing. Unfortunately, a whole lot of stuff has just come blurting out in the forum in the past few weeks that I was totally unaware of. Obviously, with hindsight, it would have been better if SUP Vic kept their members up to date with some of this.

As for working together, I didn't even know there was another SUP Club in Victoria until this thread. Maybe I'll join the other SUP Club here in Vicco as well - between the two of them I'm hoping they will do a much better job communicating with their members in the future.

Yes, the last two months have been pretty full on for me, I've been on holidays and have been pretty busy working since Christmas, so haven't had much time to do much else. Sunday should be ok for me though, I guess I can hear all the updates at the SHQ cerberus thingo.

Columbia Pictures presents a Nora Ephron film...

"WHEN OLIVER MET WOOGIE".

If you only see one romantic comedy movie this summer etc etc