Bad Mannered Windsurfers

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gerard

QLD

175 posts

gerard

QLD, 175 posts

23 Feb 2007 12:09pm

Just got back from a 3 week Kite trip up the WA coast with 3 mates from the East coast we had an absolute ball!!! Getting good wind every day except for 2 when we where over powdered on 6's!!! We Kited Geraldton & Shark Bay areas with a few days spent up a bit North of Carnarvan casing waves. Did 4200km's all up. (got to love that work fuel card!!!!!).

But some of the sweetness of the trip was taken away by some
S**T we experienced off the Windsurfers at Point Moore and Coronations, not saying all pole dancers are nuts but just a few of them managed to P**S us off. It all started at Coronations when on upon checking the beach as we first rocked up we where confronted by a Kiter with blood all over his face coming from a cut on his forehead and a mashed up nose who had been hit by a pole's gear that he said had been just thrown at him in mid air? (Can't fully comment on this as we didn't witness it but he was pretty upset and believed he was in the right) But I had a experience the next day that all but stopped me from Kiting the rest of the trip, I was heading out on a NW run and as I approached the waves a Windsurfer who had started about 25mtrs behind but had caught up and had slightly over taken me during the run out turned in front of a broken section of the wave I was preparing to boost off and aimed striate at me and If I hadn't taken evasive action would have been hit square on by him he pushed his gear at me also but missed, in the process of all this one of my feet came out of the bindings and I twisted the heck out of my ankle. I crashed my Kite in the waves got cleaned up by a set and had too swim back in. One of my mates saw the whole thing and had came over to help and had a short heated argument with the guy where he basically said that all Kiters should F**K off from Coronations as it is a Windsurfers spot. We followed all the rules set up in the Kite rigging zone and stayed North of the signs at all times (the incident happened North of the Kiting sign)
The second happened at Point Moore where one of the guy's was coming back in toward the beach when a Windsurfer who was on a more down wind tack ran strait up his ass, damaging his new board but luckily no one injured this time they also had heated a chat where the Windsurfer said he was in the right??? This happened just 30 mtrs off the beach and was witnessed by 2 other traveling kiters who said that the poley was totally out of line and in the wrong.

Was just wandering if any one else has seen this sort of thing???

Ps: The only good thing about getting injured is the camera got a good work out with over 1050 photos being taken!!

Saffer

VIC

4501 posts

Saffer

VIC, 4501 posts

23 Feb 2007 1:41pm

There have been a couple of complaints I've seen about similar problems in other areas. Simple solution would be to lodge a case of attempted assault. Technically, for one boat to endanger another is illegal and if the attempt is intended to cause injury there could be serious consequences if action is not taken against the culprit now. I.e. consider a board hitting you in the head and knocking you unconscious, potential for drowning, but short sighted pricks like this don't see the ocnsequences of their actions when all they are worried about is territorial issues with a surfer mentality.

Pricks like this shouldn't be using the water, and its best that they don't in future either.

I would seriously advise that you contact the relevant authorities and lodge a formal complaint against the culprits before something more serious happens. The worst of it is someone does drown from action like this, they won't be able to defend their actions (being dead) and kiters will more than likely get banned based on the windsurfers word.

Mini Mal

298 posts

Mini Mal

WA, 298 posts

23 Feb 2007 11:42am

Just goes to show we have more than our fair share of tossers around here. The hardcore poleys are even hassell grom kiters but when offered back on the beach by them do they turn up ,no. Sorry to ruin your trip but it is only a few of them that give them a bad name.

harry potter

VIC

2777 posts

harry potter

VIC, 2777 posts

23 Feb 2007 2:02pm

I believe it is a jelousy issue. Some of these "pole dancers" are pissed off because kiting is obviously a lot more fun, has far more variety of tricks etc..... And many are probably really pissed of because after finally mastering their sport over years and years they find that all of a sudden there is a new sport on the block that is so obviously much better. That and the fact the the guy that they saw learning to kite 4months ago is already boosting 20feet above their heads.
This does not apply to all windsurfers. as the ones I have met here in Melb have all been pretty cool.
I guess we are just lucky as we dont have to deal the crowds or the morons some of you guys in WA have to deal with.

IANC

QLD

130 posts

IANC

QLD, 130 posts

23 Feb 2007 1:32pm

I also found this the case when I visited Lancelin, Geraldton and Coronations this time last year.

At Coronations I just used to get out as soon as the wind was enough to kite. That way I had a few hours on the water without windsurfers

.

In the arvo I used to kite well down the beach to the North.

DaveSpruce

568 posts

DaveSpruce

WA, 568 posts

23 Feb 2007 12:57pm

I've heard the same stories. Also windsurfers comming down to the beeches with screwdrivers (not the drink) to rip the kites apart and taking down license numbers of kiters cars to damage them later at night.

Well all I can say is that these people are a bunch of ****ing amateurs and brings disgrace to the entire surf-culture, since this is NOT what surfing is about. And it also pisses me off that old, mature men can do something this childish.. They must surely be retarded or something. Get som ***** and stop ****ing kiters over you ****ing windsurfing whores!

JayBee

NSW

714 posts

JayBee

NSW, 714 posts

23 Feb 2007 3:13pm

I am a windsurfer and happy to be one. Tried Kiting a few years ago, but not for me.
I think 99.999% of windsurfers would agree that the behaviour described above is disgraceful. It is shameful to think that someone from the watersport community would do this irrespective of whether they are a windsurfer, surfer, kiter.....

I would agree that you should file an assault charge should you experience any behaviour like this. No excuses.

JB

Kitehard

2782 posts

Kitehard

WA, 2782 posts

23 Feb 2007 1:18pm

Hey Gerard,

This type of behaviour is Neanderthal and stems from a serious lack of brain power. Luckily the Neanderthals were made extinct by their primitive behaviour and lack of good moral judgement.

Fortunately most Poleys around the place are pretty decent guys and help out and exercise tolerance and good judgement when around kiters, especially in Perth Metro. In fact many of the Perth Poleys kite too!

I'm sorry that this happened to you and glad you enjoyed your trip. Do not let the few retards we have over here taint your impression of WA. Most likely the offenders in question are not even from here.

Good winds, and trust that Karmic payback is a bitch [}:)]

kitebored

NSW

593 posts

kitebored

NSW, 593 posts

23 Feb 2007 3:20pm

some footage of these incidents would be great to show the authorities..

youngbull

QLD

826 posts

youngbull

QLD, 826 posts

23 Feb 2007 2:21pm

i just dont understand why windsurfers are like that.If i had seen a guy mess up one kiter then try to take out another, I would grab every kiter on the beach i could find, bail him up and beat the livin daylights out of him. as far as i am concerned nobody owns any part of the beach apart from the between the flags for swimmers, not surfers,windsurfers or kiters. sounds like the rest of ya trip was fun though gerard, ha fuel work card im jelous.

kiterdan

680 posts

kiterdan

WA, 680 posts

23 Feb 2007 1:44pm

I am surprised that you didn't get the same reaction north of carnarvon.

Myself and a mate went up for 2 weeks in november. On the second day we went to pay our camp fees, had a bit of a conversation with the lady looking after the shop and her english windsurfer lady mate...all was fine until we told the english chick that we were kiting there. All of a sudden, the attitude changed, smiles disappeared and the typical questions were asked..

"you guys are pretty dangerous right?"
"dont you think its unfair that you take up so much room?"
"you can't really ride the wave on a kite so what are you doing here"
etc etc

Her perception of us as friendly guys changed just because we were kiters. She went onto to say that the windsurfing crew there (80% of which were european) did not want us there...we weren't welcome!

I said that if anyone had a problem with us, then they should come around and have a few beers and if we had done anything wrong, we would be the first to apologise. I also said that we were there for 2 weeks and we weren't going to leave unless the weather turned to **** or one of us died.

The next day, there was a **** load of dropping in, guys bearing downind (not all mind you, but from the same few guys including english windsurfer chick). It wasn't until we waved, gave a few waves away even though we had right of way, and had a chat with the windsurfers did they actually give us respect. We were told that we had the 'right' attitude out there...supposedly too many kiters have a bad attitude...and from what I've seen in perth, I can hardly blame them for having some reservations. Some people have to think they're the ducks nuts and are better than others...do your own thing but show respect.

In the end, everything was cool and we left with a few more friends than with what we came. I came to the conclusion that there is always going to be one english windsurfer chick in the bunch and there are always going to be reservations about kiting. At least, until we show that we aren't dangerous and that the two sports can coexist in the same locations.

I'm not condoning the action in this case cause that's just plain idiotic and dangerous. There are always going to be the few that spoil it for everyone else.

But instead of developing your own prejudices about windsurfers, take the higher ground, give a little, and you will get. If you've done something wrong, don't be a dick, go up and apologise! Moreover, these blokes will find it harder to do this **** if you say hello before you go out.

Cheers
Dan

davidmurray79

53 posts

davidmurray79

WA, 53 posts

23 Feb 2007 2:04pm

Dan you are right on the mark. I'm a windsurfer from nz living in Perth. There seem to be a lot of idiots in both sports both thinking ones better than the other. We have the same problem in NZ with skiers/snowboarders and it just a joke. What happened to good old human sprit. Get over your grudges and grow up. If I see a kiter on the water I'll smile and wave.

xtortya

322 posts

xtortya

WA, 322 posts

23 Feb 2007 2:37pm

my mate got into a bit of trouble at pinneroo yesterday on a kite, and the first person to go to his aid was a windsurfer. I had a chat to a few of them on the "walk of shame" back up the beach with my kite and they were all top blokes and chicks. I haven't come accross a bad bloke at pinneroo yet. I'm only starting out and everyone has been a great help to me.
ok, i've had my Oprah moment.
Az

Saffer

VIC

4501 posts

Saffer

VIC, 4501 posts

23 Feb 2007 4:37pm

quote:
Originally posted by kiterdan

I am surprised that you didn't get the same reaction north of carnarvon.

Myself and a mate went up for 2 weeks in november. On the second day we went to pay our camp fees, had a bit of a conversation with the lady looking after the shop and her english windsurfer lady mate...all was fine until we told the english chick that we were kiting there. All of a sudden, the attitude changed, smiles disappeared and the typical questions were asked..

"you guys are pretty dangerous right?"
"dont you think its unfair that you take up so much room?"
"you can't really ride the wave on a kite so what are you doing here"
etc etc

Her perception of us as friendly guys changed just because we were kiters. She went onto to say that the windsurfing crew there (80% of which were european) did not want us there...we weren't welcome!

I said that if anyone had a problem with us, then they should come around and have a few beers and if we had done anything wrong, we would be the first to apologise. I also said that we were there for 2 weeks and we weren't going to leave unless the weather turned to **** or one of us died.

The next day, there was a **** load of dropping in, guys bearing downind (not all mind you, but from the same few guys including english windsurfer chick). It wasn't until we waved, gave a few waves away even though we had right of way, and had a chat with the windsurfers did they actually give us respect. We were told that we had the 'right' attitude out there...supposedly too many kiters have a bad attitude...and from what I've seen in perth, I can hardly blame them for having some reservations. Some people have to think they're the ducks nuts and are better than others...do your own thing but show respect.

In the end, everything was cool and we left with a few more friends than with what we came. I came to the conclusion that there is always going to be one english windsurfer chick in the bunch and there are always going to be reservations about kiting. At least, until we show that we aren't dangerous and that the two sports can coexist in the same locations.

I'm not condoning the action in this case cause that's just plain idiotic and dangerous. There are always going to be the few that spoil it for everyone else.

But instead of developing your own prejudices about windsurfers, take the higher ground, give a little, and you will get. If you've done something wrong, don't be a dick, go up and apologise! Moreover, these blokes will find it harder to do this **** if you say hello before you go out.

Cheers
Dan

I accept that there may be bad perceptions, and little incidents here and there, maybe even misunderstandings, but throwing gear at people out on the water is just plain dangerous and criminal, and likely to result in a serious injury if its a newbie who does quite have the kite control to get out of the situation.

These guys need to be taken off the water quickly before they cause serious injury.

mineral1

4564 posts

mineral1

WA, 4564 posts

23 Feb 2007 3:06pm

Xtortya, I can back you up on that, was one of the crew I sail with went to the guys aid, poor bastard had the kite lines wrapped around his legs, kite trying to re-launch and him holding onto marker float for grim death.

Bugger wouldn’t cut his lines, no matter what

Paul dropped his sail, swam downwind and deflated kite for him, and with that he was able to untangle himself.

By the time Paul had got back to his board and sail, water started and came back to the shore line he was well and truly tin fruited

But he had the energy to head back up to the school, advising that one chap was in trouble.
There is no way any of us would contemplate an action like at Gero, or condone such a scatter brained action.
We get in each others way from time to time, particularly at Pinnaroo, but grin and put up with it as we are all of the opinion, fair is fair, and none of us are perfect.
Yea well suppose there is the odd one or two who are, but most of us just wish we had it like the guns A

Kitehard

2782 posts

Kitehard

WA, 2782 posts

23 Feb 2007 3:15pm

Actually, this very same thing happened to Marcus "Flash" Austin in Maui. A poley saw him about to waterstart and bore down on him running him over on his sailboard. The attack was completely unprovoked and left "Flash" with a nasty gash in his leg. The incident was reported to the authorities and apparently this was not the first time this had happened and the guy ended up doing a stretch of time for it.

If these incidences are not reported each and every case, then we lose the ability to be able to show an established pattern of violence and assault from the perp, and hence action is unlikely to be taken unless there is either witnesses or proof.

oh! and a huge THANK YOU to Pinnaroo Windsurfers who over the season have remained super cool and very tolerant of all the noobs that drag and walk through the area north of the point on a daily basis. Xtortya is right, a very good relationship going on between the two disciplines. Harmony creates a good day out for all involved

Cheers and good winds,

nebbian

6277 posts

nebbian

WA, 6277 posts

23 Feb 2007 3:17pm

Before everyone casts judgement, lets consider something.

How easy is it to throw a windsurfer at someone else? I'd be hard pressed to throw the whole thing more than a metre, that's standing on land. How do you throw a windsurfer at an innocent kiter, while swimming in deep water, if that kiter is keeping his distance as he should be?

Also why would any poley want to a) get separated from his kit, and b) risk damaging his sail and mast from hitting a kiter?

Just saying that if a kiter was in midair and gets hit by a windsurfer, then perhaps the kiter didn't look downwind before jumping?

Gstar

391 posts

Gstar

WA, 391 posts

23 Feb 2007 3:34pm

I find a Flare Gun will take care of most windsurfers, or kiters come to think of it...New meaning to the phrase Hindenburg.
By the way."harden the F@#k up" and "Come and get some"[}:)]

whippingboy

1104 posts

whippingboy

WA, 1104 posts

23 Feb 2007 3:39pm

If this really is a case of unprovoked surf rage, identify and report the offender/s.

I sail in WA and the only 'us and them' with the crew I hang with is the nice people and the ****heads.

Kiter, Windsurfer, Fisherman, Surfer whatever

Respect of the ocean includes respecting other users

P.S. If you're an angry ant try kick boxing, not water sports

Leech

1933 posts

Leech

WA, 1933 posts

23 Feb 2007 3:50pm

quote:
Originally posted by harry potter

I believe it is a jelousy issue. Some of these "pole dancers" are pissed off because kiting is obviously a lot more fun, has far more variety of tricks etc..... And many are probably really pissed of because after finally mastering their sport over years and years they find that all of a sudden there is a new sport on the block that is so obviously much better. That and the fact the the guy that they saw learning to kite 4months ago is already boosting 20feet above their heads.

Ha ha ha, you're funny

Saffer

VIC

4501 posts

Saffer

VIC, 4501 posts

23 Feb 2007 6:00pm

quote:
Originally posted by nebbian

Before everyone casts judgement, lets consider something.

How easy is it to throw a windsurfer at someone else? I'd be hard pressed to throw the whole thing more than a metre, that's standing on land. How do you throw a windsurfer at an innocent kiter, while swimming in deep water, if that kiter is keeping his distance as he should be?

Also why would any poley want to a) get separated from his kit, and b) risk damaging his sail and mast from hitting a kiter?

Just saying that if a kiter was in midair and gets hit by a windsurfer, then perhaps the kiter didn't look downwind before jumping?

Actually its pretty easy. I can't throw a bike very far, but when I'm in the air I can throw it pretty far just by pushing it away from you.

If you jump in someone's direction and then kick the kit away from you in their direction, you have a board flying at someone at a substantial speed.

gerard

QLD

175 posts

gerard

QLD, 175 posts

23 Feb 2007 6:16pm

Hey Kiterdan,

We had no troubles up North but spent most of our time at the very last section of the wave, we set up down wind and Kited back up to the surf so we where way out of the road and doing our own thing cause the main break was pretty packed with poley's.

We actually spent a few days with a couple of Windsurfers from Holland at Monkey Mia and did 2 x 27km down winders with them using the two cars so we could all Kite/ sail at once. Holy S**T there is a lot sharks at that place!!!!!! We literally saw 100's hey but most where small about 4 - 6 kgs.

I have 2 good mates from Perth who Windsurf and I Kite Safety Bay and Woodies regularly and have never really had any trouble before so think it is just a few heavy locals trying to keep there little bit of beach to them selves - pretty sad for these guy's really that they can't enjoy the water with company cause it is only going to get busier on the water with more people traveling now as the sport is really growing.

So I have no issues with poley's in general but was just interested if any one else had seen this in there travels

Cheers Gerard.

clacks

NSW

25 posts

clacks

NSW, 25 posts

23 Feb 2007 8:11pm

hey all windsurfers suck to the max, end of story.

waveslave

4263 posts

waveslave

WA, 4263 posts

23 Feb 2007 8:34pm

quote:
[i]Originally posted by nebbian

How easy is it to throw a windsurfer at someone else?

Don't know ?
I've never attempted the move.

But right-on nebbian.
This windsurfer-throwing story is a bit of a stretch.
lol.

I'm guessing the bloody victim got too close to a poley hacking into some mad loop.
A loop that went real bad.
It happens.

Probably wasn't an intentional aggro-throw.
More like an intentional panic bail-out to escape the gear mid-rotation.
Ejection at 180 degrees.

Poleys can't spear boards like surfers can.
There's a big fat arse rig attached to it.
Victim just didn't see it coming.
Splat.

Strongbow

273 posts

Strongbow

WA, 273 posts

23 Feb 2007 10:07pm

DOGTOWN.....

manicskier

VIC

772 posts

manicskier

VIC, 772 posts

25 Feb 2007 4:29am

quote:
Originally posted by clacks

hey all windsurfers suck to the max, end of story.

Youre an idiot, its generalisations like that which cause this shlt, everyones out there having fun, just an element of the people are idiots, and you don't have to be a poley to be one.

YOU have just proved that..

hirschausen

422 posts

hirschausen

WA, 422 posts

25 Feb 2007 7:53pm

It would really help everyone if people actually recorded a few facts when incidents happen.

1. name/car rego.(if possible)
2. nationality (if possible)
3. make/colour of equipment
4. time & location and names of people who saw something on the beach or know where the offender is from, just ask questions.

Drop in to the local police station with your report. If in Geraldton also drop in to G-Spot on your way home, pass on the details so that the Geraldton Windsurf Club can follow up the incident if you aren't around. We have several police officers in Geraldton that kite and windsurf who can ask the right questions to determine the truth of the matter and it can be dealt with swiftly.

It doesn't help a great deal by only starting negative stories from one perspective on forums. It usually just creates a divide that isn't reflective of the majority of windsurfers.

I'm looking forward to the day when we can all get along,

Otherwise it looks like I shouldn't kite with my wife because she's a poledancer, and might just leap off her gear and smash my head in out of jealousy because I'm doing a new sport.

Now you four line kiters....now I can tell you a story of two about those reckless dudes!.

jord070

1109 posts

jord070

WA, 1109 posts

25 Feb 2007 8:03pm

as a windsurfer i get very pissed off when kiters come and cut you off in the windsurfing area. but this seems to be that it was a toataly unprovoked attack i hope who ever this guy was gets all his gear smashed up, i dont realy fancy kiters at all but if they are infront of you i think no matter whats happening you should give them room, a windsurfer only take up about 4-5 square meters when a kite needs mroe than double that, even if you where in the windsurfing area it is unreasonable, you should have just gone strait through him, but than you would be dropping to the same imature level as he was,
sorry that a single event could end up making your holiday a pile of **

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