No doubt you've all heard the RPDC handed down their report today and scuttled Walker Corps canal development of Ralphs bay.
What do you all reckon about that then, a walk in the park, it only took six years to do it. For those that are as long in the tooth as I am it reminded me of the Franklin River days.
What can we protest about now, got to be something, any canal developments happening at Hawley??
great news,
we can protest against sailing on moulting lagoon on the east cost, johno has been threatened with prosecution because of they think that we windsurfers are harming the ducks, when the shooters get to kill the crap out of them for like 2 weeks in a year.the thing that annoyed me was you are aloud to go there any time in a dingy.when were only using the wind keeping out of the way.it is a great speed spot plus NM's,1 HR's for the gps team challenge.
need johno to see this post to tell more.....i think he is still on holidays though.
Great idea Izaak, I'm bored s...less so be more than happy to do a spot of protesting. I know friends in high places that now have time to focus on this issue. john gay, a personal friend of mine would be happy to bring the dozers over and knock out the bloody ducks out. Could send them down to Ralphs bay, plenty of wasteland...wetlands down here. While we're at it could doze up a reef in the channel and score a decent wave
Thanks Izaak Holidays finished spent sun before last cruising around Darwin on a 11.5 m racing cat (just missed the wind though 25 kts 2 hrs b4 we went out) in 30 deg C to come home to bloody cold.
Yeah re Moulting lagoon near Coles Bay I have been caught twice belting around there, still got 2 of my pbs there Nm and 1 hr. Great place to sail on your own as its only waist deep everywhere and fairly flat and good for a bit of pace. I have been told not to windsurf upstream of a line due Sth of Meridith point in the Swan river
The last time I went just for a look and a big aluminium cat with maybe twin 90 hp motors throwing up huge rooster tails went up the river past where we can go sailing but its ok for boats WTF just doesnt make any sense.
The Parks bloke said we were disturbing the Swans but when its blowing 25 kts theres not a swan to be seen anywhere they must all hide in the bushes.
I would be happy with some sort of compromise say keep off the lagoon during nesting season but for a blanket ban it seems ridiculous.
I did think about a protest during the duck shooting season but I rather like my KA sails and gave that a miss.
johno
Yeah, fantastic news about Ralphs Bay!!
Regarding Moulting Bay Lagoon, it does sound absolutely ridiculous. I recall the ranger guy you spoke to you Johno and he said it had been legislated, or something? This may have been as a result of back in the 80's when there were a lot of windsurfer one design-type boards out on nice days in light to moderate winds, especially in summer when everyone is down at their shacks at Coles Bay and the surrounding areas. This place would probably have been perfect for learning and bobbing around. Maybe that's when they decided that area needed to be off limits? Don't know, but must have been some reason to target windsurfers?
Not sure how this could be changed (I'm sure it could though). Next time it looks like it'll be OK to go for a sail there, I'm keen!! Best to have first hand knowledge of the area before approaching anyone about whether we can or cannot sail there!! 
The kayaking leg of the Freycinet Challenge paddles through Moulting Lagoon as well, so there's about 120 little kayaks in there scareing their little duckies too. Not much difference between and kayak & a windsurfer, maybe just a wee bit faster.
The kayak is faster, it can get up to about 40kts....not! I think the windsurfers would be just a tad faster....like heaps faster.
Were abouts is this windsurfing spot at moulting lagoon Ive had great times camping at river rocks fishing never sailed there tho must be further down would love to give it a go
There are no signs to stop you but I was told by the ranger to read the Moulting Lagoon game reserve managment plan 2003 on the net, which is like a novel and mentions sailboards breifly on pages 28,32 and 43.
The only place I have found to rig up is about 600m past the Freindly Beaches turn off on your right.
Thanks to Dave and Geraldine for organizing it, today I had a brief meeting with the Minister for the environment regarding sailing at Moulting Lagoon. Our main point is why windsurfers are not allowed there when you can shoot ducks between March and June and bomb around in a power boat any other time.
He seemed totally on our side but said it will take some time and effort to go through all the right channels to have the management plan for the area amended so we shall wait and see what becomes of it.
Anyhow out of all the times I have sailed there (maybe 15) I have been warned once and the next time was given a formal interveiw but nothing ever happened from this, so any one for a sail??
Just kidding
Johno
Way to go to Geraldine, Dave and yourself for making this happen. Hopefully something becomes of this sooner than later
Well done for putting our views forward Johno. It's a good start to getting that management plan changed. Let me know next time you're planning to go for a sail there watch the swans
The Save Ralphs Bay Committee have organised a celebration at the Lauderdale hall sunday midday. I offered to set up a couple rigs for them as they're pretty keen for windsurfers to be involved. If you're hungry and passing the hall drop in for a snag.
