Dropped in on the retailers this morning and found this useful guidehttp://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/600392/new-boat-swim-zones-brochure-June-2013.pdf
I looked at this over the weekend.... they've actually been pretty good about it.
Dendy is launchable at the top.
Green point allowed.
Ricketts point south - ok ish at the south end
Most importantly
Mentone - Naples street (end of my road) is launchable too
So is Hampton up the north end as long as you are careful to dodge the dirty big rock. Between the groynes is open slather if u don't mind being with hundreds of kiters. It's all doable, I agree.
WV and IWC caught wind of the original proposal at the eleventh hour as it was almost going to print. There where several meetings and what we see now is the outcome of those negotiations. A much better outcome than what was originally proposed.
is it just me or does the jet skier picture looks like someone trying to hump a dolphin....?
and the kitesurfer one looks like a guy trying to eat a giant pizza...?
if it's just me, don't say anything please
Please note; Windsurfing Victoria has not made a broadcast about these changes yet, as Parks Victoria is still waiting for final approval of their installations. They will advise WV and others once approval has been given. An official notice will be issued. This comes over a year since the first windsport zones were installed at a Rye and Rosebud. Please Be careful and check the current rules and regulations that are in place.
www.parks.vic.gov.au/water-management/boating-and-swimming-zones
I gotta be honest I really need one of these signs in my backyard there cool,
But because of jet skis not following the rules of the water this is the bug bear we have to live with
The surfers are going to have a field day when it hits western port bay as they complain about everything and a lot of
Our breaks will be no go zones ,even if its no good for surfing
Well that's my 2cents worth (although it means nothing to the parks vic )
The launching area at Bonbeach is outside the 'swimming only' area. It starts at Williams Grove car park and the swimming zone ends well before that.
Looks like Pookipa and Point Ormond are limited to 5 knots within 200m of the beach. That's going to be a challenge for local sailors and King of the Bay pilots.
I just
Currently there isn't a single shared wind sports area between Middle Brighton and the kite area at West Beach St Kilda - the guys who sail from Elwood Sailing Club don't even get one! A shared wind sports area wouldn't preclude swimming either. It just requires you to slow to 5 knots when within 50m of a swimmer - sensible really.
Makes me think not enough research/consultation went into this. There are a few no brainer spots for shared wind sports that seem to have been ignored.
Hey WV who do we need to lobby to get Pookipa up as a shared spot? Swimming there should be strongly discouraged anyway given the proximity to the storm water outlet. Not sure its a big enough to safely launch or land a kite there so maybe they need a new 'Windsurfing' only catergory!!! Just like the real thing in Maui
People need to have a look at this, it's unbelievable. Sailed at Pookipa last night, and there's a new marker (the right hand X circled below) that is 200m directly off the beach South of the outlet.
My take on the effect of this is (at one of the most popular windsurfing spots in the bay):
1. No ability to sail downwind to get the ramps in front of the poo pipe. You basically can't sail in front of it with these regs - say goodbye to KOTB
2. No ability to sail from Pookipa at all if the wind is South West, unless you're prepared to do about 10 tacks to get the 200m off the beach
3. If the wind drops, or you're underpowered, no ability to get back into your launching point
4. Creation of a swimming only zone where the poo pipe dumps into the bay!
So they've buggered a great sailing spot, to give swimmers the unencumbered right to swim in ****.
I know a few people are already saying, "this is stupid, just ignore it" but last night, there were already people swimming between the two yellow X's - right through the regular sailing path off the beach. I reckon it's only a matter of time before there's an incident.
WV, what can we do to get this changed??
You've really got to read this document to realise how absurd some of it is. See this definition:
"Shared Wind Sport Area – this zone provides an area for
kite boarding, sail boarding and other wind based boating
activities which may exceed 5 knots except within 50m
proximity to other vessels and swimmers. Other vessels are
permitted in this area."
So if you're within 50m of another kiter or windsurfer, no plaining!
ParksVic haven't put any thought into these zones at all. I regularly kite at Hampton and the entire main beach is now a "swimming only" zone. Windsports area is now to the north between 2 rock groins. Clearly whoever has come up with these zones does not do any wind sports. It's an absolute joke. The area between the rock groins can be a handful for beginners (because of the swell) and will get very crowded. On top of it in a SW when the wind is cross on there is only one line out to clear the rocks and with everyone in there I am sure it will lead to few incidents.
Having said that I was out at Hampton yesterday and everyone was still going from the main beach without any drama. There were few windsurfers and few of us kiting.