Yeah, I noticed the same thing when I was there in November. Last year, and even in January, the kiters pretty much kept out of that area, and stayed around the point, and it all worked well.

This November I noticed heaps of kite's running along the same area as most of the windsurfers, which I found strange, as not being a kiter I didn't understand the attraction to that area.

Its not a problem when you can identify if the kiter knows what they are doing, and then it doesn't bother you, but what if they are new and not too sure of themselves?

Then again, I had some goose on a windsurfer tell me "you cut me off" because he tried to overtake me and I was pointing too high for him to go past...

Last year, one of the instructors (kiting and windsurfing) using the area was reminding new kiters to the area of the local convention, but you can sort of understand that unless someone tells you, you wouldn't know.

As told to me yesterday by his friends.
five broken ribs, puntured lungs and a large part of his calve muscle missing, knocked unconsious also. he won't be walking let alone sailing again for many, many months. Very lucky he did not drown.
not a good xmas present for him.
1st rule of the water "LOOK BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING"

yep, he can sue but unless the kiter is insured its pretty pointless (like suing the car thief who trashed your car!). WAKSA members have 3rd party insurance for this kind of thing. Yet another story confirming that kiters and windsurfers don't mix. Merry Christmas!

Yes, the injured windsurfer was Nils and as a member of Safety Bay Windsurfing Club he should be insured? I called him at Rockingham District Hospital on the evening of the accident, he was awake in emergency and returning from xrays. He has since been transfered to Royal Perth, his injuries are extensive and will take time to recover. Like all such incidents the early reports are handed down word of mouth but 5 broken ribs, punctured lung and severe cut to the calf appear to be confirmed. The most up to date story (I have) is the kiter jumped and turned in the air. The windsurfer was travelling at speed nearby and the kiter landed downwind on top of the windsurfer. The scene was well outside the 'pond' in Warnboro Sound. Nils is an experienced sailor and his focus is on speed sailing, he travels fast. I don't know the kiter but many at this forum will and more detail should emerge in time. When I called him in hospital I asked him, "Are you with HBF", his responses was a muffled harumph. Both sports are in the extreme bracket but if lessons can be learnt from this incident to prevent further injury I am happy to participate in the debate. Get well soon Nils.

hello,
sorry about that very sad news.
i am a wind/kitesurfer from switzerland and we need to have special "kitesurfing" insurance there in case of any accidents.
just cost 75 aud more a year on the house insurance and pays damage up to 3 millions or more !
is it the same in here ?
be all safe this holidays
marc-a.

Hi guys,

I think this is a lesson for all of us if two really experienced sailors/kiters can collide, especially whilst in the open space of Warnboro.
Just to recap on the rules of the road, and this applies to every one, wether kiting ,windsurfing, powerboats or sailing .

1. Avoid collisions at all costs!!!!!!
2. Port gives way to starboard
3. Upwind vessel keeps clear. (this means if you jump into someone down wind of you, you will be at fault .
4. Overtaking vessel keeps clear.
5 .Power gives way to sail.(not many boat drivers bother with this one!!!!!)

In the mean time, if anyone from SBWC is reading this and seeing Neils in hospital , please send my regards .

Simon Cunningham
GoWindsurfing

Obviously the timing of my initial email was not planned for the accident. However my intention was to try and establish what needs to be decided on in order to establish some form of "gentlmans" agreement. To maintain a committed windsurfing area will at least minimise the potential for accidents and in the same measure continue to encourage new people to the sport. Bad publicity like this doesnt do either sport any favours. I understand the kiters wanting to go there before the wind really kicks-in, however this is when most of the novice/learning windsurfers are out there just trying to get their balance and go in one direction let alone dodge kiters.

If it is a sandbar that the kiters are looking for can they not continue to sail along the sandbar area between Penguin island and the mainland? This sand-bar still has nice flat water, a place for them to launch and not many windsurfers hanging around there. This was the area that they all used to hang about. Windsurfers do visit this area (as I do) however, I and others dont hang about this spot, keep well away from kites and it is usually just-in passing we head out to the swell behind the islands.

Agreed, this accident happened out of the lagoon, however with so much traffic inside these areas, it is really just a matter of time again. Maybe it would be better coming from the SBWC as they tend to have the most presence and political influence down there.

Another serious accident or for that matter a death, will cause the local council to create some change irrespective as they will be compelled to pass by-laws to protect the public. With no warning signs or restrictions, there may be the possibility for members of the public (this includes all people sailing) to seek legal action. This is a distinct possibility given the recent case of the guy suing the local Cottesloe Council after he broke his neck/back from body surfing down the beach. Apparently they did not have any/sufficient warning signs regarding the hazards associated with the surf/sandbars. The council is responsible to protect the public(especially if it is going to cost them money), and banning a sport from an area is an option!

very sad to hear about nils. hope he recovers soon. i am a local kiter and know the kiter involved. he is very sad and shaken by what has happened. he respects others on the water and is an experienced kiter. lets just remember the accident could of occured between a windsurfer and a windsurfer or a kiter and a kiter. no one wants this kind of accident to happen and all kiters wish for a speedy recovery for nils. lets respect others on the water and be aware of other water users around us. i hope kiters log on to your website so as to hear the views of both windsurfers and kiters. i understand your concerns but this was an accident and something we all need to learn from so as to stop this ever happening again. either party could have been hurt

quote:

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Originally posted by eyespy

I spy with my little eye the banning of kite surfing.I think Safety Bay windsurfers should write a formal letters accurately detailing the incident and how dangerous you believe the kite surfers to be and send copies to the local ranger, Safety Bay council,local member of parliment for that area and any other officials you can think of. The more incidents that are officially reported the sooner kiters will be restricted to certain areas. The more individuals that can actually be bothered and motivated to put pen to paper the sooner the change!

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Get an accurate account of the accident first before making wild judgements.
The blame game is always played out by the haters and rumour-mongers.
The world is imperfect, accidents happen unfortunately.
Nils, get well real soon.

Kind regards,
waveslave

im confused?
you got one experienced windsurfer
and one experienced kiter
and the kiter lands on the windsurfer
if the kiter was experienced why did he jump when he jumped?
if the windsurfer was experienced what was he doing downwind/under the kiter?

this may not have anything to do with anything,
but hellmen often go to hell.
but thats just a saying i made up,
and may not be relevent,
but in some cases it is.

in any case, keep a wide berth from each other waterpeople.

monty python quote: run away, run away.

Sad to hear two guys enjoying their sports have an accident.. But what we can hope is that the two sports sit down together and self regulate before both sports are tarred with the same brush and a great spot is taken away from these sports.

quote:

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Originally posted by fish


as a matter of fact im going to have some lessons in kiting just to see what its like

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Well Fish, it's a little bit like polesurfing but way better.

Happy winds for your new year,
Regards waveslave

quote:

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Originally posted by fish

the same happened to me kecks
i was sitting on the beach next to my gear
i was with filth
a kiter came in up wind of us flying his kite over our heads
then all of a sudden it depowered and fell
he yelled out "look out"
and the kite landed a few metres away from us
we could have exchanged colourful words but it was CHRISTmas eve and its not my personality to do so
i offered to hold his kite while he wound up his lines but filth ended up holding his lines while he ran to his kite
its all about taking control of the situation and to think before you speak
we are all human and have a right to life
we all love our wind sports and thats what makes us live
as a matter of fact im going to have some lessons in kiting just to see what its like
but being a surfer my passion is windsurfing
peace to all

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If that was at Mettams, once again, sorry about that.

Did a down winder from Floreat and came in at Mettams as live just up the road.

Came straight in as the Bay was full of windsurfers. Had to come in up wind of the guys on the beach as only a limited area on the beach where there are no rocks.

When on the beach my quick release released (which it should not have done and very unusual) causing the kite to depower and fall to the beach unpowered.

Bit embarrassing, but thanks Fish and Filth for your understanding.

quote:

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Originally posted by den


Depending on the FACTS I would suggest the wronged contact the police and a solicitor. Based purely on what I have read I see Negligence causing Grievous Bodily Harm. If that were the case then it would be a CRIME with all the repercussions.

...gets off soapbox...

Can you tell I am eff-ing angry?

Once again, I am not a lawyer.

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No you are not - so don't post inflammatory sh1t!

The offence is unlawfully causing grievous bodily harm, not negligently causing GBH.

Unlawfully has a different meaning to negligently.

GET OFF YOUR SOAPBOX!!!