Hello fellow Gold Coast kitesurfers/kiteboarders, i would like to share some ongoing correspondence that i have had with the powers that be regarding Currumbin inlet and estuary.

Currumbin has long been a windsurfing place since the 70's and a kiting place since the 2000's. Self regulation has always been a key tool in stopping kiters from invading the inner estuary that is full of swimmers and general water users.
Well a lot of us old school dudes have left "the Bin" and self regulation has flown out the window, so i would recommend that you guys should attempt to kindly inform anyone you know who kites there that days could well be numbered!

READ ON

Dear Surf FX
After talking to various industry associations and leaders regarding kite surfing issues at Currumbin please find below information from Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) in this regard. I am writing to you to ask that you do not undertake kite surfing activities in the estuary and mouth of Currumbin Creek, as it has been brought to the attention of GCWA that there is an emerging issue with regard to such activities in this location
As you may be aware, this is an extremely popular destination for locals and visitors alike and regularly hosts large numbers of people engaged in a wide range of recreational activities (e.g. swimming, surfing, fishing, boating, bird watching, families with small children picnicking on the sand, etc.).Due to the popularity and the confined nature of the location, there have been several incidents of interactions between various user groups in the past (e.g. various types of vessels and surfers/surf craft of various styles, kite surfers and swimmers/beachgoers, etc.).In this regard, you may be aware of recent work undertaken as part of the ‘Currumbin Estuary Safety Awareness Campaign’.
This campaign was initiated by the Member for Currumbin, the Honourable Jann Stuckey MP, in collaboration with GCWA, the City of Gold Coast (Council), and representatives from local community groups. Included as part of this initiative was the installation of behaviour monitoring cameras, new boat ramp and beach entrance signs and the development/distribution of educational materials (see attached for example).Please note that after discussing this issue with various local representatives (e.g. the Member for Currumbin, the Honourable Jann Stuckey MP, Council lifeguards and representatives from local community groups)
GCWA wishes to advise that, while the area within the estuary and mouth of Currumbin Creek may be considered suitable for the launch and retrieval of kite surfing craft to enable access of ocean waters seaward of the entrance to Currumbin Creek, it is not considered to be a suitable area to be conducting kite surfing activities.
As such, please be advised that GCWA asks you not to use the waters within the estuary and mouth of Currumbin Creek for kite surfing activities, unless such use is for the purpose of launching/retrieval of kite surfing equipment to access ocean waters seaward of the entrance to Currumbin Creek.It should also be noted that while this is an educational email request at this stage, GCWA has the power to control activities or conduct (e.g. kite surfing) by issuing a waterways notice (refer section 22 of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority Act 2012, reproduced below) and that penalties apply for the contravention of such a notice.
At this stage GCWA has chosen not to go down the path of issuing a waterways notice, instead, preferring to work collaboratively with users to make the location safer for all.Furthermore, GCWA is aware of various requirements in operation elsewhere (e.g. rules, regulations, codes of conducts, etc.) that, if applied to the waters of the estuary and mouth of Currumbin Creek, would not permit kite surfing activities to take place.Your cooperation in this regard would be greatly appreciated. It would also be appreciated if you could circulate this information to other kite surfing participants, organisations, associations, etc. – thank you.Should you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me on the details listed below.

Hal MorrisCEOGold Coast Waterways Authority


...........just sayin!

So in layman a terms are they saying:

1- launch and land only in the alley
2- only use the creek to get in and out of the Ocean
3- don't use the area for mowing lawn and jumps
4- it's not law yet but if you keep doing point 3 we will make it law and enforce it with fines ??

I just wanted to make a few things clear as to my previous post here that by no means were I inferring or intended to infer that Greeny is part of the FUN POLICE. He is a good bloke and is only trying to help a bad situation as best as possible. I am however referring to the FUN POLICE as the ANGRY GUY in Currumbin Boardriders and/or other Wowsers who kicked up the stink in the first place and the Authorities who are turning a blind eye to the fact that the Estuary is a dangerous place for any swimmers and they are the ones who should not be there. The Clubbies will not even set up flags there (apart from the red danger no swimming flag) because of that exact fact and liability to them. If anyone should be cleared out of the whole Estuary, then it should be the swimmers and the polluting dog owners. You only have to kite into the corner of the Estuary and the water pongs of a disgusting doggy odour. As for fishermen catching fish of the rocks there, in the past 30 years plus I have been going to Currumbin, I have rarely ever seen any one catch a fish off the breakwall rocks apart from a few tadpoles. The times that most of us are there kiting is when it is unfavourable conditions for beach goers and surfers alike apart from the desperados trying to teach and surf in the choppy slop and to the best of my knowledge I have never heard where a Kiter and Surfer having clashed there but I have heard of plenty of Boats, Suppers and Surfers even between themselves clashing or running into each other out there in the break on an ongoing and regular basis. I for one am not to bothered that I cannot kite in the Estuary as predominately I always kite on a surfy out in the break but it is convenient to park, set up, launch, land near the South Carpark instead of walk and trudge the gear heaps of miles where the parking is a sh#t fight from over Lacey's or around over at Currumbin Beach and I and I'm sure many other Kiter's particularly Surfy Kiter's would not like to have our freedom to Launch, Land and cut out through the Estuary Channel imposed on.

However if it were me able to be in charge but I know I am not before any one starts getting on their high horse thinking who the heck does this guy think he is, I would make it a case that all inexperienced Kiters, launch, land and kite over at Lacey's side of the rock wall and not kite in the Estuary.

From my take on what Greeny is trying to say here that unfortunately but sorry it's all over for Freestyle and Wakestyle Kiters in the Estuary. Unless there is somehow where we can band together and come up with a brilliant and unquestionable case, make representation and convince the Authorities otherwise. How we can do this? That is something I do not have a clue about but if some of us do then I would be more than happy to throw my hat into the ring

LostinSpace said..
Unless there is somehow where we can band together and come up with a brilliant and unquestionable case, make representation and convince the Authorities otherwise.

spacedude....you can't do burnouts on a pedestrian crossing...same scenario!

are but if there were no pedestrians then there would be no need for a pedestrian crossing

greenleader said...

Main said..

greenleader said...
Yep, in my discussions with waterways i brokered a deal for kiters to enter and return without any water police enforceable laws against kiters being introduced, but we have to self enforce this as kiters.

Impossible?

Well I guess we need to let people know whenever we see them there. It's either that or lose the spot....

true main, I am only the messenger who gets called by the powers that be for the last 35 years....we are dealing with public servants with bosses....kiters pull your heads in...and your mates and the blow ins.

This is easier said than done. I casually mentioned this to a few guys and the response was they aren't going anywhere and the govt can get farked

Guess ill start looking for a car park at Lacey's.

Andrew, thanks for your reply from you and the alley boardriders club that is always pro-active for the good of the alley!
Would love to talk to you in regards to the safe interaction of our sports in our very special spot. cheers Ian 0402296970 or send me a p.m.

surfing and kiting the alley on a regular basis, the thing that worries me by far is seeing days with 100+ surfers (me being part of them) from the rock to Laceys and then boats decides that the only way it can make it across the shallow sand bank is by getting on the plane full speed ahead over the shallow so it doesn't ground then hitting the waves at speed with no idea what is behind them.... Boat came in with alarm running the other crowded day - thought that was pretty respectful - at least something... a few of my friends have got stories about skippers that have no idea what is going on /nearly getting run over...

those days that surfers and kiters share waves are pretty rare, 20 knots+ is not exactly a surfers dream... same goes for beachgoers, this spot is world class for kiting.... when no other recreational users really want to be there because it is sooo windy.

Why do they even bother to dredge the estuary? The sand ends up leveling out, the banks for surfing are about the worst they have been - too deep in many areas now, multiple sections of fatness...i would guess you dig a huge hole in the sand and it fills in with sand from elsewhere.... - i walked down tow where it comes out - not exactly lacking in sand before they started..