Maybe want be long and this will be the case here::


"Hi. I thought this info in The West Australian 25/08/2014, was of some importance to you .

<div>To quote: Kite & windsurfers must now carry safety equipment when more than 400m offshore.
<div>Rules to come in this month say they must have a lifejacket & carry either red or orange flares or an emergency positioning indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or personal locating beacon (PLB) when between 400m & 3.7km from shore.
<div>From 3.7km to 9.2km, they need a lifejacket & an EPIRB. Any further out they must also carry parachute flares.
<div>The rules, endorsed by the WA Kite Surfing Association & Windsurfing WA, will be introduced because the sports are growing & participants are venturing further offshore. "

Any reasonable person is able to make informed decisions about risk. Therefor it is there own choice and personal risk management whether or not or to what degree of safety precautions they decide to take, we are responsible for our own safety, at the end of the day. I don't believe we need to be enforced in any way, I windsurf mainly because of the freedom, things like this deter from that greatly IMO, I prefer my boardies and mad hueys T.

Opportunity knocks...a "Rad" more importantly practical version of a PFD is needed to fit the "Cool" image of some watersports . It was pointed out on this forum that the safety equipment available presented a safety risk! It could tangle the user in the windsurf or kite gear. Stormy came up with a design that boaters wanted to wear. They are now nearly exclusively worn.
Pains Wessex make a compact flare for aviators "Mini Flare 3" PLB's have become affordable.
Unfortunately we live in a "Nanna" Society. No one is responsible for themselves and common sense is much rarer. There is no turning the clock back.
The Police will fine people as they have a lot interstate. A cynic would suggest another means of revenue. Of course not our paternalistic masters are only trying to save us from ourselves. Next a legislator concerned with our welfare will make unsafe manouvre laws. No looping or jumping. In control gybing only! No speed above 35Knots. Watch out they'll have radar guns out at your favourite speed sailing spot!

appleman said..
This thread has obviously been written out of pure boredom,it has no place in Tasmanian windsurfing forrums,unless that's what you want to happen, so bad luck to Western Aus, but don't even let the establishment know about it,,,,,,,,,,, bring the wind, not the rant that happens in other states, you could talk about double demerit points for speeding, or texting when driving, much better than windsurfing safety stupidity.

Appleman. You can stick your head in the sand. The five blokes that drowned at Partridge Island 15 years ago prompting Life Jacket laws would probably be alive if they had safety gear. Sure they were irresponsible fools. They paid with their lives. Will a SUP paddler come to grief paddling in open water without at minimum an EPIRB? Let's hope not.
If you think the legislators in our State don't know about WA laws you are naive. Yes you are correct about "The Rant" in WA; unconstructive.
Having been in a "dodgy" situation recently with unsailabe gear, a K offshore, My situation would have been far better with a means of drawing attention to myself. As it turned out I self rescued. Dumb luck this time. Next time I'm offshore I'll have the right gear. COMMON SENSE.
Unfortunately it's a rare commodity and the lowest common denominator governs rules and regulations.
Lets enjoy the freedom we have for now. The Laws will come some time.
Water-sport enthusiasts can prolong introduction of draconian legislation by applying common sense; anticipate problems with appropriate equipment and safe practices.
Bring on the wind!

geared4knots said..
James i totally agree with what you say but..
unfortunatelly the marine police dont!!., Just like some boaties think they should not have to wear lifejackets.
In Bicheno this last summer many people where fined becaused of the new SUP laws and life jackets, no exceptions.
They ( marine police)did not listen to people beliefs/rights... they just handed out the tickets.
//
Perhaps we should contact our MAST and ask if there are any planned changes? or is this going to draw attention?

pain in the arse , i agree!!!
I Know most of my sailing, is within shoreline distance anyway

Damo I think keep it quite, it will make them start thinking. Some people here don't even know there are windsurfers here. I agree, if you want to take precautions it's up to the individual, it's not like we're out there taking up valuable police time/money getting rescued all the time.

appleman said..
Partridge island five blokes on windsurfers, don't think so,would have known them. As you said common sense, are we talking boats or windsurfers ????? If you need safety gear wear it ,I do, common sense not law,. Boat laws best thing to happen .windsurfing law is the day I give up, hard enough listening to the LOCAL LAW, you know who you are.

Shhhhh, no one knows veitzy

Australia the Nanny state bring back bolt on
1300 hp rocket fuelled diffs that you
could buy from a car spares shop
for $200 in the USA in the 1960s
which legally turned any car into a
200/300km dragracer and .08 legal
Limit ,no seatbelts ,guns
Arrr the good old days

What have bike helmets,bananas and morons got to do with windsurfing?

Busted!!.
SUP riders at Lauderdale beach..warnings by marine police last week while paddling around shallows of the point.
pfds must be when when on a SUP unless in the surf. $140 fine
regardless of distance from the shore