In view of a few near misses and the recent accidents i thought i,d stick up some guide lines that we suggest the people use at the Pit. Feel free to comment


Guide Lines for sailing at Sandy Point , particularly on south west days

œ If your sailing with your right hand forward (Starboard Tack) you have right of way: ie sail your course and be positive about your direction so that the other water users can go around you. (Does not apply to kites. Kites should always pass on the downwind side when on opposing tacks)

œ When you are on the speed course, look behind you before gybing or tacking. It takes the speed sailors/kiters about 30 seconds to run the whole course. They arrive very quickly.

œ If doing tricks/jumping on the course, have a quick look behind before starting. Try and not do tricks/jumps directly in front of speedies.

œ When coming tacking back up the course, have several good looks up wind before going into the bank as there may be some one coming down. Sail into the bank behind them, slow down or stall into the water rather than crossing in front of them. The wake from your board may cause the ridder to crash at very high speed.

œIf you are going up wind along the bank, move away from edge to when another craft is approaching you on the course

œ Before jumping off the bank look up wind for anyone coming along the course

œ When pulling up on the bank try not to let you mast and sail drop back. The speed sailor passing behind you at 40 knots ,trying to stay close to the bank does not want to collect it.

œ Give Kiters room. They have as much right to sail there as any other water user.

œ Kiters should always try and pass on the downwind side when windsurfers and kiters are on an opposing, potential collision course.

œ Kiters should be aware of windsurfers approaching from behind and allow them water room to overtake upwind.

œ Play nice, go fast and have fun

Hi Kato,
here here! I have only ever hit someone at Sandy on the speed course. I wish there was a picture of his head after the stitches in his head, We could put it at the take off point near the dunes . It is impossible to stop quickly at 40+. So many people don't look bfore gybing half way down the course. Sandy gives you such an amazing feeling of going fast that most people dont expect that someone is actually going faster! On one of the bigger days last year I had to pull out of 3 runs in a row due to guys pulling awesome jump gybes 100 m into tha course. They probably didn't even know that I'd pulled out to save their asses.
keep lookin!
cheers Tony

Bonominator said...

Nice work Kato

Can I add:

When speedsailing down the south westerly sand bank if there's a stationary or near stationary sailor near the bank but in deep water, slow down or alter your course to sail down wind of them, once you've glanced behind to check if this is OK. Don't attempt to thread a line between a stationary sailor and the bank at fairly high speed on busy days unless the gap is reasonable, say 5-6m.

Mate, if there is a gap and I on ON IT, I am going through! And I don't think anyone is goin' to stop there twice.......[}:)]
On the bank, or well out in the water. Anywhere else at your own risk, and you better have your eyes open.......

vando said...

I think for saftey reasons when us QLders are down there you should heat the water so we dont freeze our nuts off

And the golden rule: always try to avoid a collision at all costs, even if you have the right of way. Never assume the other water user has seen you, I always give a loud yell about 100 yards before I get near anyone, that way if they aren't aware of me they soon will be. If you are the faster overtaking sailor you must stay clear of anyone you are passing. Assume the worst and be pleasantly suprised when it doesn't occur!

Andrew, you are correct, after rereading what I said last night makes no sense
(mental note: don't drink & type)

Yes always stay upwind of kites where possible.

Not sure how you can handle a kiter hugging the shoreline if there's no room to pass safely, and 2 feet is not safe.

If you can't forwarn them to move then I think I would abort the run & go downwind of the kite as far as possible to pass clearly.

The other alternative is to go for an Alpha before reaching the kiter & go back for another run

sailquik said...

Bonominator said...

Nice work Kato

Can I add:

When speedsailing down the south westerly sand bank if there's a stationary or near stationary sailor near the bank but in deep water, slow down or alter your course to sail down wind of them, once you've glanced behind to check if this is OK. Don't attempt to thread a line between a stationary sailor and the bank at fairly high speed on busy days unless the gap is reasonable, say 5-6m.

Mate, if there is a gap and I on ON IT, I am going through! And I don't think anyone is goin' to stop there twice.......[}:)]
On the bank, or well out in the water. Anywhere else at your own risk, and you better have your eyes open.......

With all due respect if you're a good sailor and the person in the water is able to move out of the way quickly then you're playing safe - I was referring to really busy days when the wind is light and there are about 30-40 sailors out, of all skill levels. I don't think that anyone's "speed" run is important enough in that case to take the risk. When it's on with say 25knots+ most of the sailors will be of a high skill level and it's every one for themselves! When it's really windy we tend to leave gaps between us just to get the best run in anyway.

Sailquick, I'll give you 2 metres! LOL

extreme said...

when i kite down at sandy i will go way faster than any fruity sailboarder whilst doing double kite loops and trying to land on speed geeks heads who look like they aren,t having fun anyway and should be punished with the humiliation they deserve,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,all those commas are for all the nitpickers who would try to find anything here to bag...........................
and , get your bush turkey head out of your gps screen and put it back in the car where you need it to find the local newspaper shop and maybe find a new spot to windsurf because kiters will always be the fastest no matter how many times you double check the screen!!!!!!!!!!!

Feel better now ya Zy

E X T R E M E W A N K E R is all i have to say

Bonominator said...

Mineral, windsurfers invented kitesurfing. As a general rule you'd better show some respect to all sailors or you won't get it in return.

Sure, but not wank*r dic*head kiters! Especially not them.