G'day all,

Had an interesting experience at Lancilin yesterday. I'm from NSW and Kite with all the crew from the Central Coast but travel to WA most years and i'm currently living in WA working and get on the water every chance i get. I have grown up surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding and think both sports are an awesome pass times.

Ok, my story starts yeasterday arvo when i turned up at Lancilin to go out for a kite in the solid 30kt sea breeze. I turned up and was lucky to get a car park (I don't have a 4WD or else i would drive out to the spot) then pulled out my kite gear and set up on the beach. This is not anything different to what i have ever done before except it was a weekend and most other times i have kited Lancilin it has been a weekenday. I'm well aware that you can'y launch from the windsurf area and i totally agree with this and can see the potential for an accident if kites were aloud to launch from here. I put my wettie on grabbed my kite and board and ran down to the beach to head down to the south where i would launch and kite with the other kiters already on the water.

As i ran along the beach in front of the windsurf hire trailer i was being yelled at from across the park and i stopped to confront who was yelling at me. It was the park ranger who had bailed me in front of everyone and started interrogating me on who i was. Then started to inform me that i was getting a fine for $100 for kiting from the windsurfing park. I explained to him i'm well aware you can't kite from here thats why i'm running to the south to go kiting. I was made to feel like a criminal in front of the onlookers while i explained i was unaware that pumping a kite up then heading down the beach is not aloud. I was apologetic and did nothing to make the situation worse even though i just wanted to blow up at the guy with the tone he was using. Fair enough i did the wrong thing but it was a honest mistake and i had kited up there twice last week and did the same thing without a drama. What i thinks makes it worse was all the windsurfers watching me pump up and not one person warned me you can't pump up on the beach, thanks guys. The park rangers approach was somewhat aggressive and did nothing to help the situation, i don't know his name but he is very unprofessional. He ended up taking my details and letting me off with a warning which was a good outcome.

I wish my experience had of ended there but it didn't! I finally got on the water and stayed down on the flat water for and hour or so enjoying the strong breeze and warming up. There where one or two kites out on the point and i decided to go get a few waves. I have been kiting in the waves for years and grew up windsurfing and surfing so i know the rules. As i trucked out through the swell i got abused by 2 windsurfers telling me to F#$@ off and i don't belong here, this is before i have even got a wave. I had wave sailed there last week and shared the waves with all the other windsurfers without an issue. I understand what it's like to be a local as i grew up surfing and since i'm not a local at Lanno i don't push for waves or drop in 100metres upwind on windsurfers but i take whats left over and wait my turn. Last time i checked no one own's the waves and wind!

Coming from the east coast i can not believe the split between Kiters and Windsurfers here in WA. We kite and Windsurf together on the Central Coast and it's such a close nit community where everyone gets along. Many times i have come off the water Kiting and jumped on a mates windsurf gear for a few waves. Sure there will always be Locals and if guys are doing the wrong thing you would expect them to sort them out but if there is no confliction why start abusing people?

Having painted a bad picture of kitting at Lanno i did have 2 awesome kites last week up there and got plenty of waves. I set up in the park and de-rigged in the park while chatting to a few old windsurfers about the conditions, they were very friendly and thats the type of people i'm used to and i think that makes both sports understand each other.

I know people will say if your not a local speak to them before you ride there and find out the rules. I thought i had done this and yes i did see the signs that prohibit kiting activities! And Kiting Boarding Activities include pumping your kite up! Don't get me wrong i'm not in the right but i'm saying there are ways to approach things and last time i checked i didn't have a criminal record!

I think i might get some stickers made up saying "Kiteboarding is not a crime" like back in the day when i was a kid and skatebaording was considered a crime! I guess it's always the minority thats destroys it for the rest.

Anyway thats my whinge and i have somehow left out the many expletives i was saying when I 1st got on the water yesterday.

I have heard nothing but bad attitude about the Lancelin Windsurfers. First I herd of it was in a Kitesufing magazine. The female kiter that was writing the article got badly abused and threatened by some windsurfers about wave rules. I felt so embarrassed for WA because the Windsurfers at my local are friendly and happy to share.
I was there yesterday as well and had a great session which was bordering scary at times. The wind was blowing.

Abesy said...


As for the ranger one is a douche and the other is a legend so i recon its just luck of the draw with who you end up dealing with.

Yeah I've heard they have two rangers up there, the cool one actually kites and SUP's. Met him once at party and seems like nice guy, would probably give a warning still though just to keep the peace.

I have an issue with that signage @ lano. It states no kitesurfing activity in this area, Which is no big deal. But I would never of thought that would include the pumping up of kites on the grass before walking to the point to launch, that is bordering on discrimination. Last week I noticed they have now made the point 4WD access only, so I don't understand why those with a 2WD can't pump up on the abundance of grass area before walking up.

I was sat with a mate last week on the cooper logs near Werners trailer, I observed him for a while, he's clearly a grumpy arogant w@nker with some deep down sychological issues.

I think the best solution is to keep Waksa involve and as Juddy did in Leighton some one should draw a map for launching and landing zone there.

And as for the rude wind surfers I'm afraid you can not do anything but ignoring them.

Last year they almost hit one of the kiters with their windsurf in the middle of the ocean!!

Hey Guys,

That track to Eddy Island Point does need to be 4WD only and should be signposted.

I witnessed a bunch of backpackers in a Mitsubishi van get severely bogged in the dune blowout soft sand and basically blocked the passage for about half a dozen 4WD's from entering or leaving the beach whilst they mambied around digging with their hands.

I ended up snatching them out with my Patrol once frustration became too much.

As for Werner and his cohorts, pffffffff. Being an Aussie, I don't take kindly to being told off by tourists for kiting in the waves. The Ocean is free for all to use and I stand my ground! [}:)]

Cheers,

KH

Have had a similar experience with a ranger at Lancelin. It was June this year, there was a big front coming through, 25+ knots and rain. It was quite unpleasant to be on the beach and there was not a another person or windsurfer on the beach, park or water. We pumped up our kites on the sand in front of the carpark south of the grass, we didn't have a 4WD.

A very aggressive ranger stormed down threatening to fine us for kiting in the "park area". Apparently the "park area" includes the beach down to the waterline and the area in front of the gravel carpark. After some animated discussion, I cooled him down by asking what he wanted us to do to appease him. All that was required was to move our kites 10m further south!!! I bit my tongue and didn't tell him this was a fkn pointless exercise.

If this is the same ranger, then he needs to adjust his approach to visitors and the general public. Perhaps an official complaint to the council might be the way to go?

I am now a local resident there, I think I might attend the next local council meeting. Will put in a good word for us Kiters.

hilly said...

whatthe said...

If this is the same ranger, then he needs to adjust his approach to visitors and the general public. Perhaps an official complaint to the council might be the way to go?

How about you do that.

Sick of kiter's whining on this forum about Lano wanting 'something' done.

Get off your arse and do it.

Basically you are a couple of years too late. The FLUMP (that I asked for submissions to be sent in about) technically bans kiting from Eddies point to North Point (Lano Bay). I went to meetings and submitted my thoughts. see www.gingin.wa.gov.au/Documents/4464-1137-04R_rev7_ds.pdf

Werner may be a wanker in your view but he has the ranger, council and FLUMP on his side.

Plus so many complaints against dumb ass kites go to council constantly he has heaps of ammo.

No doubt.

One has to wonder why so many complaints about Weener's long record abusive and threatening behaviour (on and off the water) isn't taken to task by the council also? Council a little too inbred or familiar perhaps?

lurch said...

Thanks for the compliment Sammy think it was a party at Hilly's when you were in town. Theres a couple of things I need to clarify before I get lumped into the same category as the shire rangers policing the so called new kiting by laws. I work as a National Park ranger for the DEC based in Lano and have no affiliation with the shire rangers or Gingin shire, although I do have a working relationship with them.
There are two shire rangers that come to town, one is good the other is evil, my bets are on the evil one busting his chops at the windsurfing beach the other day.
Gingin shire apparently passed this by law a while ago and posted an A4 notice in the window of their shop front next to the pizza shop, as if most kiters, etc will ever get to read this. The signs they have erected in the park, states no kiting activity, but is not specific, does not say "by order of Gingin shire" or if there are fines enforceable for commiting an "offence". Apparently the fine is $100, but I would like to see the offence go to court and see what a judge has to say as to whether it stands up or not. Maybe WAKSA should get a lawyer to run a ruler over the by law.
As Rowly23 states, the park is used by local kiters including myself to rig up, shower, have a beer at the end of the sesh, etc during the week in full view of the shire rangers without any consequences. To deny us the use of the park would amount to a version of South Africa's apartied by discriminating against kiters.
The track through to the point is now only 4WD because the shire denyed a successful application for federal money to realign the track closer to the park and stop the dunes from blowing out. As a result the track has blown out a again and is 4WD only at the mo'. Therefore where do you park if you only have a 2WD and want to lock up your gear?
The only way to start making changes is to talk to the people at Gingin shire and ask that they explain themselves and the by laws. The evil ranger has psychological issues and is not liked around town, this has been brought to the attention of the shire also, best just to avoid the guy if he is around, or if he gives you a mouthful document what he says and send it through to the shire. PM me if you want details of where to send it.
Gingin shire has been getting a hiding from the locals lately, they are an inland shire run by farmers with a very poor grasp on coastal issues, this has been coming to a head over a number of issues.
Hope this helps
Lurch

Unfortunately council by-laws are enforceable in the courts as they are made with delegated authority.

I met a backpacker recently who said she'd been up at lano and had some windsurfing lessons from Werner and proceeded to tell me what a lousy teacher and lazy ass he was.

Sounds like those in the know just give Lano the miss altogether !

Abesy said...

Just tell them polys to F&%$ off they dont own the waves or the water.

They are known to get agro up there and the best way to deal with them is give them the finger and keep on kiting or deal with there agressive behaviour on the beach . They are a select few and the majority is usually friendly and helpful.

As for the ranger one is a douche and the other is a legend so i recon its just luck of the draw with who you end up dealing with.

obey the rules, respect people on the water, learn to box and you should have no probs up there in the future

They land plently of head punches in the movies but land one in real life and the average Joe will break a few bones in his hand along with the victims jaw, eye socket and nose, many of which require surgery and possibly permanent disfigurement in the case of eye sockets.

Boxing belongs in the ring.

goofy foot said...

Abesy said...

Just tell them polys to F&%$ off they dont own the waves or the water.

They are known to get agro up there and the best way to deal with them is give them the finger and keep on kiting or deal with there agressive behaviour on the beach . They are a select few and the majority is usually friendly and helpful.

As for the ranger one is a douche and the other is a legend so i recon its just luck of the draw with who you end up dealing with.

obey the rules, respect people on the water, learn to box and you should have no probs up there in the future

They land plently of head punches in the movies but land one in real life and the average Joe will break a few bones in his hand along with the victims jaw, eye socket and nose, many of which require surgery and possibly permanent disfigurement in the case of eye sockets.

Boxing belongs in the ring.

yes it does belong in the ring, you dont wanna end up in court for pushing this blokes face in because he's obviously not worth it, so prepare for your trip, take two sets of gloves and a token ring of sorts, even a ring in the sand would do, and when he pipes up, ask him nicely to get in the ring. That'll fk him.....hopefully

Hey Kitehard,

Cool!

Rich

My Lancelin Kiteboarding Experience:

1. Check if the car can get to the point else park at the carpark.
2. Kite on my back, some water, the board and harness, trek out to the point (5min)
3. Pump up, chat to a few people, look at the beautiful water and blue sky
4. Do a few warm up runs in the lagoon, admire the colours of the weed and reef below, check out the birds on the island (and sometimes on the beach)
5. Head out to the southern reefs or further downwind to break where all the windsurfers are.
6. Catch a few waves, smile a lot. Circle out the back and take my turn with the windsurfers. Keep my kite high over them.
[Was one bloke staring at me / trying to force me upwind / spray me? Whatever dude.]
7. Go back in with the setting sun (avoid the seaweed = bonus!). Meet my crew for a BBQ and cold drinks on the grassy picnic area.

Still reading?
My Lancelin Surf Experience:
Go out in the morning, offshore, clear water, etc.
Catch mostly uncrowded surf, smile a lot.

My Lancelin Kitemare Experience:
Crash the kite and can't relaunch
Heading for that little island of sharp rocks!!
Self rescue back to the beach
Two or three windsurfers and kiters stop to see if I'm ok.
A windsurfer (sweet girl) gets my board for me.
Actually it wasn't such a kitemare.

WAKSA. said...

This is a very disturbing post. The WAKSA committee has resolved to take immediate action in response to the situation in Lancelin.

WAKSA needs to choose its battles more thoughtfully.
It needs to be more selective with regards to its campaigns. ^^^
Anyway, the grassy knoll has been a conspiracy for awhile now.
The poleys own the park, all Lano kiters know that.
What was once a big, sandy beach carpark years ago - is now a suburban lawn for windsurfers.
I pumped-up once on the grass - but I got away with it.
I was one of the lucky ones.
The flatwater spot on the south is ordinary - the inside reef is covered in razor blades.
Main Break is tempting for a fattish wave but it's full of push-looping pole-kooks.
South Passage is way better real estate - directly in front of the tavern.

It seems to me that we should organise a ride day there, with as many kiters as possiable.Then follow their rules as to where to ride BUT FIRST ALL RIG UP ON THE GRASS AREA THEN CARRY OUR KITES DOWN THE BEACH TO THE CORRECT AREA, THEN AT 3.30PM ALL CARRY OUR KITES BACK TO THE GRASSY RIGGING AREA AND SIT AROUND ON THE GRASS WITH A COLD BEER AND BE HAPPY SITTING IN THERE AREA AS KITERS WITH A COLD BEER...The grassy area belongs to all rate payers.

KITESTOCK 2011 ? Lano ?