Hi Guys,

What's the go with aggressive surfers at Wanda. Been kiting there for a long time and there is one guy in particular who seems to think we've got no right to kite anywhere near him.

Problem is that although many of us kite way up the beach from the flags, and despite even having a clear 100 meter stretch to kite in, surfers start gathering also, and then with respect to this guy - he starts hurling abuse for us to stay away. (and then lecture kiters on keeping a 100 meters away from them) WTF!

I never cut in on a surfers wave, i give them wide berth, but sometimes you end up comming back behind them and away to the side. Problem is that if you give in to Wave Nazis' you end up having no where to kite! They've got a well known spot down from the Flags, and we've got our spot a ways up from it. I'm cool to share, and they can if they want too!

Anyway - I suppose this is just some thoughts for other Wanda kiters out there...

Tom
NA

Having been a surfer for nearly as long as "bowski" I can relate to the surfers sentiment and dislike for sharing waves with anyone who is not paddling with thier hands
ie: Goat Boaters, Polers and Lid riders unfortunately and sadly kites also fall into this category.

Its also worth noting that we are classed as a sailing vessell and therefore should be keeping 100m away from swimmers ( surfers included ).

If i were you TomClift i would assess the situation individually if someone is being a surf nazi just move on but if you are respectful and dont hog the waves most people wont say anything

Remember that we have the dangerous surfcraft not the surfers, and if anyone complains to a local council, guess who will be banned? Surfers have limited places to surf, kiters can go almost anywhere as we don't require the same standard waves as they do. I recommend that all kiters protect our own availablity to surf locations as this sport is growing every day. I have been a surfer for 30 odd years and now I am enjoying kiting as much as anyone else. Do the right thing and respect everyone else to ensure that councils don't have to step in and start making descisions as I expect it wouldn't be a good result for the kiters. As most of us know a council only needs to impose speed restrictions within a nominated distance from the shore and we are screwed.

I've been surfing for 15yrs and kiting for 1.5yrs. I started kiting so that I would have a water sport to do when the surf was blown out. When it's good enough to go surfing, I don't kite. Let's say the wind was cross to off shore and some guys were out kiting in the line up, I would be completely pissed off. If a kiter was doing a down winder and happened to go past me - well that's ok. I bit like jet skiers really, I don't mind them cruising past out the back but if they play around in the surf near us surfing then that's cause for murder really.

Yeah - I hear you all.

Still - as a friend put it "the ocean is there to share - unless you're a surfer".

Anyway - out of the love for the sport I did and will move away to another spot to stop antagonising them, despite being there first etc and them having their own crowd and own local spots littered all down the beach where no one dares to go...

I guess a generalisation is just that - but what is it that makes windsurfers and kitesurfers a peace loving bunch, where surfers are not?

Just stay the F ock away from surfers!

What you need to do is line the sufer up with something in the background, like a tree or light pole, so you have a marker for where the best waves are breaking. The surfer will always move back to that spot so you can be assured of the best waves.

Just get closer to the break and call them off the wave and tell them not to drop in.

Your in a designated surf craft area full stop. Have fun or take the boardies off and put a skirt on over ya wetsuit.

Hi Guys,

I think there are times for all sports. Surfing is for when it's clean and offshore or light to moderate. Kiting is for moderate to strong and blown out.

As a surfer and a kiter and former poler, I reckon that the surfers take the light conditions to themselves, kiters should stay out of the water. Cruising on a big board and medium kite in light winds is an invasion of surfers rights and territory. Poor form

Moderate conditions, both should be able to have fun in the same zone but keep a safe distance and let the surfers grab the best waves, they need em more than kiters. Normal surf rules apply.

Once the wind is strong, surfers should get the hell out, there is no place for surfers in 25-30 knot blown out surf. Thats where the surfers should stay clear of the kiters and move down to a less frequented break devoid of kiters. It's not rocket science, it seems logical, that way all get to play and respect is shared.

Cheers and good winds, go catch a wave

The surfers at Wanda are generally pretty cool. Over the past few days only an absolute kook would chose to surf at Wanda where the swell is smallest in the NE/E swell we have had.

That said, I can understand them getting annoyed at the countless amount of kiters who just ride in and out and get in the way of surfers who are actually trying to ride waves.

For more than 20 years the area north of the flags at Wanda has been used by sailboarders and now kiters whenever the wind gets over 15 knots. Any local surfer will know that.

Sufers in general get a bit jealous when anyone gets more waves then them, hence why short boarders hate mal riders and everyone else, and why mal riders hate sailboarders and kiters.

Give the crowded peaks some space and don't antagonise people but at the same time don't let yourself get bullied off the water by some gumby, after work surfer who doesn't understand the natural order of the beach. The usable area at Wanda is pretty small in a NE'er and can't sustain too much of a crowd. Late afternoons will always be a hazard when everyone is hassling for a few crappy waves.

Jeff

PS: Please everyone stay away from the flags. If you can't stay upwind please stay on the bay and practice.

Stuff em'!

Just land on the whingers.
Kiting is now the superior sport!

thats 30m from the closest bit of equipment.. so prob more like 60m anyway..

I think if it is a point break you should let the surfers have it for there use. However if it is a open beach break and the kiters are there first the surfers have no leg to stand on