May be of interest to some.

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html

No, in that document, personal watercraft seem to be only jetskis as the comments about them all seem to imply that. I think windsurfers 'might' fit into the non-powered vessel category.

"wind, surfers" are mentioned in the text, as well as kitesurfers.

I didn't read it completely, but it describes kitesurfers as needing to learn the right-of-way rules.

I don't know if it really makes any distinctions for windsurfing, other than suggesting that it or kitesurfing are popular in some spots.

BenKirk said...

Huge sweeping statements!

"A large number of kitesurfers are operating in the vicinity of small sailing craft. Kitesurfers become caught in powerlines and trees. These users need to be separated by zoning given both types of craft are difficult to handle, particularly on windy days."

I think this document is squarely aimed at jet skis and power boats and in response to accidents / near accidents and subsequent complaints that happened last summer.

Clearly Kiters/Windsurfers are not sailing in a harmonious way within Botany Bay.

Quite the contrary. Kiters stick to a certain stretch of beach. Windsurfers to another. The only time kiteboarders and windsurfers are sharing a beach is in a strong SSW. Those mainly happen in winter and the number of people on the water is so small that I haven't seen any issues.

Apart from a few drop ins, I haven't found kiters to be bad around the reef breaks of the Northern Beaches or at Wanda.

The biggest issue with kite boards at Wanda is that they seem to have no respect for the flagged area. I wouldn't be surprised if they one day ban kiteboarding at that beach for that reason.

I seem to remember that NSWWavesailing had a meeting with the Surf Club a few years back to discuss the issue.

As for the Northern Beaches... I wish there would be more people out on the water (kite boarders or windsurfers). Most days during the week it can get quite lonely out at Makaha and Long Reef.

CaptainHadoc said...

"A large number of kitesurfers are operating in the vicinity of small sailing craft. Kitesurfers become caught in powerlines and trees. These users need to be separated by zoning given both types of craft are difficult to handle, particularly on windy days."

I think it would fair to mention that this is a quote from the submission (Commodore, Kurnell, Catamaran Club), not a statement of the Report....

That would make more sense!

CaptainHadoc said...
Anything? (speed limits?) (There's a special speed limit for foreshore drive for instance...).

from what I understand most speed limits near ports and in canals are put in place to reduce damage to embankments from water craft generated waves. Most kite and windsurf boards probably wouldn't have this issue.