Hi Guys

You might already know this but Ripcurl are trying to organise an event at Gnaraloo.

There is a petition against it through this link:

www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-gnarloo/

There are so many reasons why this is a bad idea. You will have your own....but think of the negative impact on the already fragile environmental system that this comp will bring. It will have international exposure which means that we will have MANY people travelling here every year. That will undoubtedly have an impact on the environment and the safety of everyone that sails, surfs or kites at Gnaraloo. Can we afford to risk one of our last remaining "untouched" treasures??!! I am all for tourism. But this needs some serious thought.

Please spread the word around. Even if it does not stop the competition it will bring the issues to the attention of the people that matter and hopefully have them addressed.

Thanks!

Did you actually READ my post?

My NUMBER ONE CONCERN is the environmental impact on the place with all of this added exposure. It has nothing to do with me wanting to have the spot to myself. The safety aspect comes in to it as well though. If you have actually been there yourself then maybe you would realise why. And there IS an airport nearby.

It is an amazing place and it should be kept that way.

I have never been there and have no vested interest but isn't Gnaraloo private land? Surely any development that occurs is at the discretion of the owners and any relevant authorities. Resorts in remote locations in general are low volume, high value affairs (ie not masses of people) and these types of establishments usually, in my experience, regard the protection of the environrment as a marketing feature. Obviously the place already has plenty of exposure as every article on the internet and in magazines on surfing or windsurfing WA features it. Will it really get any worse? has there been any discussion of excluding low cost camping if a resort is developed?

Its not actually private land, its a pastoral lease, but that is besides the point.

the basic facts of the matter are:
its miles from anywhere and short of spending hundreds or thousands on road work, access is not going to allow many people to get there.

They are only talking about one competition (even if its every year), there is no way that the government or private sponsors are going to spend anything like the money required to upgrade facilities - they wont even spend money on a sports stadium that is guaranteed to bring in revenue

There is NO water there, the only option would be a desal plant and that is NOT likely

Its during the surf season, so why would the windsurfers care (thats tongue in cheek BTW)

Stribo said - Also the crowded break ,the expensive camping rates ,the flies ,shallow reef and the distance and cost of getting there ....

In our humble opinion $15 a night is hardly excessive to sail a world class wave.
A fully sponsored rider from Maui was up there with us recently... he told us it's the best wave he has ever ridden and Hookipa would never be the same again. High praise indeed

Just an after thought but wouldn't sending the petition out to everyone and anyone also work to promote the place ?

club309 said...

I have never been there and have no vested interest but isn't Gnaraloo private land? Surely any development that occurs is at the discretion of the owners and any relevant authorities. Resorts in remote locations in general are low volume, high value affairs (ie not masses of people) and these types of establishments usually, in my experience, regard the protection of the environrment as a marketing feature. Obviously the place already has plenty of exposure as every article on the internet and in magazines on surfing or windsurfing WA features it. Will it really get any worse? has there been any discussion of excluding low cost camping if a resort is developed?

Don't believe it. It is already common knowledge that the Govt is resuming the pastoral leases ..... their grand plan is to resume the whole coastal strip so they can (1) build a hwy thru from carvarvon to improve the drive to Coral Bay etc and (2) then the land is valuable and they can sell it for resorts, townsites, blah blah.
If that happened tomorrow, Gnaraloo would look like Ho'okipa within a couple of years.
WWA sent in good scientifically based opposition to the Coogee Development a sit would bvgger up Crazy Waves and the Govt ignored us. Don't let them stuff up Gnaraloo (or Oakajee (SpotX) for that matter!!!!!
Big comps at Gnaraloo and a highway right past 3 mile camp gives them all the excuses they need to start development there. All the pollies wanted Smiths Beach at Yallingup, they all want Maud's Landing nr Coral Bay cos they have their grubby hands and their $$$ invested in big business.
Don't let them do it. This petition is a start .... kittle bit by little bit guys

Oh google returns 23,000 web pages on Gnaraloo!
Sorry i mean 23,300