I thought I would have a kite somewhere else for a change today so I headed down to Shoalwater Bay with Nic (Knickers). We parked at the north end of the carpark where the ferry for Penguin Island leaves from, rigged up on the beach directly in front and kited upwind to the sand bar. We had a good kite for an hour or so then started making our way back downwind to where our kitebags were on the beach. We were nearly there when we saw two young guys jogging along the beach, yep sure enough they grabbed our bags and took off. I screamed into the beach dropped my kite an took off after them but it was too late they were gone.
A few people had seen them, two young white guys around 17yo, one with a shaven head or very short crew cut and another with spikey hair, both with black shirts and black jeans, there was also a solidly built girl with them. They left in what was described as a small white commodore with a grey grille and dark tinted windows, it sounds like it was VK or early model with the rego 1CAT??? So be warned and keep an eye out for this car.
Some of you might remember I had my kite bag stolen off another beach last year so I am cautious now and never leave anything in my bag, I had it fully zipped open and layed out so that you could see there was nothing in it except the pump but they still took it, Nic wasn't so lucky and had her kite bag taken plus another bag with a few items.
They more than likely just dumped the bags so if anyone finds a 13mtr F-one Bandit bag & pump both with my name and phone number on or a 10mtr North Rebel bag and pump or has anymore info pease give me a call on 0419937293

Yep %#$@*# scum, ruined what was shaping up to be a great day

Tightlines, sorry to hear about your bad experience in our area. Unfortunately we have had a huge increase in break ins and damage at all the beach carparks around Rockingham recently. About a week ago a kiter's car got done over at the Wiamia St carpark, I also read in the local paper last night some lady that walks down at Warnbro beach had her car vandalised for no reason. It suxs, no respect for others private property. I have seen a couple dodge cars like you describe go up and down, I'll keep an eye out for that rego.

All in all I think we're pretty lucky here in W.A.
I guy I know of in Port Moresby has to pay a security guard to watch his car every time he kites.
Maybe guys / gals in high risk areas need to band together and get a security firm involved in some sort of on-call arrangement and have the carpark patrolled while kiting ?? As there is a congregation of kiters around most popular kite beaches, the cost per person would surely be minimal if regular kiters from each location chipped in ??
While property insurance is a good idea , it is always an after-the-fact deal and will not remove the bad taste of having gear stolen (some of my favourite gear is no longer made) and the inconvenience of shopping to replace gear or get vandalised cars repaired, and will never make up for the sessions you miss over the next few days.

Paradox said...
Frankly I would be much more worried about losing stuff in WA given the stories I am hearing. Most PNG people are so stoked to see you kite at their beach they don't even think of taking anything - and wouldn't generally anyway. 99% of them would stop a thief from breaking into your vehicle and if there is enough of a crowd they will beat the living ** out of him before handing him over the police to finish him off.

Thats what we need. A police force that can beat the **** outta criminals.. Or a law system where we can.

grumplestiltskin said...
[There's usually around 20+ kiters down there most days.

I agree - its something we do need to look at as a group.
But its often way over 20+
Over 40 when I left today with more still arriving and still a few hours of light left.