Tow surfing and Kirra: A maze of legislation
First published in 2015, the following article explains when and why PWCs are allowed to operate on Gold Coast beaches. The information is timely as similar issues are raised each time there is a solid swell event on the Gold Coast.
“Tow surfing on the Gold Coast? It's a self-regulating mentality.” So said the Queensland Government official when I asked about the current PWC laws. He went on to describe how the authorities have assisted the local tow surfing community.
“We have signs outlining the tow surfing Code of Conduct at each of the boat ramps between the Tweed River and the Seaway.”
Over the last week those boatramps have copped a lot of use as tow surfers have lowered their craft down the concrete incline and into the Gold Coast waterways. Since last Thursday the Queensland coast has been under the influence of a strong trade swell, the result being the closure of all Gold Coast beaches for five days straight.
And that's the signal to fire up the engines; as soon as Gold Coast lifeguards officially close the beaches, the coastline from Point Danger to the Seaway – save Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creek – are no longer a bathing reserve. PWC use is then allowed within the surf zone.
“Yes, we allow it to happen,” says Warren Young, head of lifeguards at Gold Coast City Council. “As soon as we close the beaches the tow surfers are allowed in.”
Young said that he'd worked closely with the surfing community to find a “benchmark” for tow surfing when the beaches are closed. That benchmark is the Queensland state government's Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Tow Surfing Code of Conduct drafted in August 2010. I was told by another official that it took 15 drafts to get the Code of Conduct right. This betrays the fact that tow surfing in a surf zone on a closed beach crosses multiple levels of government and hence multiple government departments. The stakeholders are many and they're not just surfers. Yet, as Warren Young told me, “Professional surfers have a lot of sway in this town.”
The Code of Conduct is a standard seven page document outlining PWC regulations. It piggybacks onto the TMR's standard rules and regulations for PWCs but with one notable exception: PWC operators do not need an observer when tow surfing. This exemption was drafted following consultation with the surfing community. Young appears to work closely with the tow surfers and is sympathetic to their plight. “All the young surfers who want to be professional, their parents buy them skis so they can get more waves. It's the way it is here.”
Elsewhere within the Code of Conduct speed and distance restrictions on PWCs are defined: The personal watercraft operator must not operate the watercraft at a speed of more than six knots within 200 metres of all paddle surfers in the water.
For those unaware a speed over six knots is almost always exceeded when towing a surfer into a wave. Yet despite the explicit definition the legislation is rarely enforced. The reason, I'm told, is that the TMR are a state department and the Code of Conduct pertains to local laws. Therefore, the local authorities must police it, meaning the Queensland Water Police and lifeguards. I'm also told that local authorities - the lifeguards in particular - aren't pressured into enforcing the laws. “Their job is to manage the beaches and save lives. They have better things to be doing than policing PWCs.”
During the last swell event on the Gold Coast no infringements were issued by either the Water Police or the lifeguards. “The self-regulating system was working fine,” said Warren Young, who then described the shuttle system surfers used at Burleigh Heads where surfers were ferried to the take off, dropped off beyond the lineup, then the ski would zip down to the end of the wave and wait for the surfer to catch a wave and they'd meet up. “It's an ideal system,” says Young.
While watching Kirra on Swellnet's surfcam last Friday I noticed a similar system in place. A small armada of skis were waiting at the end of the wave to connect with their buddies before shuttling them back to the top of the point. During that small window of observation self-regulation appeared to be working.
Since then, however, videos and photos show some PWCs, and even one Thundercat*, bucking the self-regulating system and towing surfers into waves apparently within breach of the 'distance off' laws. The Swellnet forums have also been a site for complaints with few people knowing what the actual laws are. When I asked Warren Young he said he was unaware of said transgressions. He'd had no complaints from the public either therefore there was nothing to investigate.
At this point it's worth considering personal ethics. Are the complaints coming from people fundamentally opposed to PWCs despite signs a self-regulating system could work? Were those people even in the water? The lack of complaints to Warren Young might suggest so.
To those recreational surfers hellbent on prosecuting PWCs the multiple government situation offers an alternative. Despite the lack of local enforcement, tow surfers can still be charged under state government laws if they're within 60 metres of a paddle surfer**.
However, that alternative evaporates very quickly with the tyranny of distance. The state government authority, in this case Maritime Safety Queensland, aren't 'on site' the way the lifeguards or Water Police are. There's no-one there to police their laws.
The situation is confusing and complicated. The Code of Conduct includes a law that ostensibly wont be policed, and the state government has a law that can't be policed. The overlapping legislation has left recreational surfers puzzled on their rights and given tow surfers carte blanche. Although as I saw on Friday and as Warren Young described at Burleigh Heads, some do uphold the self-regulation system. It should be commended whenever possible.
Still, the odds are stacked against recreational surfers who don't own a ski or choose not to use one on principle. The state official agrees, “It frustrates the crap out of me. The Code of Conduct is five years old, tow surfing has escalated in that time, legislation hasn't kept up.”
Until legislation does change the onus of policing tow surfing falls squarely with the local Gold Coast authorities. In particular the lifeguards as they're closest to the action so well placed to observe. Yet when I put the same sentiment to Warren Young he was less understanding. “Surfing is a selfish sport, isn't it?”
Read that however you like but I wouldn't expect the status quo to change anytime soon.
* Suprisingly, a Thundercat has less restrictions on it than a PWC as it's classified as a vessel.
**127A Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulations 2004.
Postscript: The following footage was shot on Monday 19th June, 2017, at Currumbin by Luke Workman:
Comments
"Young said that he'd worked closely with the surfing community to find a “benchmark” for tow surfing when the beaches are closed".
"Warren Young told me, “Professional surfers have a lot of sway in this town.”
“The self-regulating system was working fine,” said Warren Young, who then described the shuttle system surfers used at Burleigh Heads where surfers were ferried to the take off, dropped off beyond the lineup, then the ski would zip down to the end of the wave and wait for the surfer to catch a wave and they'd meet up. “It's an ideal system,” says Young."
The above are quotes from above article ....
When all this blew up on SW last year I queried why no enforcement and suggested it was ultimately about vested interests and the money men on the goldy ... seems W Young has confirmed my view. Clearly he hasn't gained or understands the views of the paddling surfer, which would represent the majority. So long as the "professionals" are looked after W Young seems to not have a problem.
It seems its now open duck season. All you budding businessmen up there get down to your local PWC shop and start a towing business for punters. Wonder if W Young would have a problem if there were 20 or 30 PWCs in the water towing guys in!
And finally, be it for me to suggest to the SW editorial team what they should include in their website but where is the advice on what punters can do if they want to lodge a complaint as it seems Mr Young hasn't heard any alternative views to that of the "professional surfer".
Need to congratulate Stu on the research. Yep I reckon there is a business opportunity. Charge per tow or by a lot of 5 or 10. All the funds could go to Young. No conflict of interest as Blindboy says it is the Goldy after all. The legend of Jo lives on.
Does it matter if they were in the water? Punter A wants to surf say Kirra but decides he doesn't want to deal with the PWC circus (which can be dangerous). Why is his voice worth less than the guy who is out there on there PWC?
Thundercat is classed as a vessel, hence it's illegal to tow without an observer. Exhibit A above.....look where the feckwit driving the thundercat is fecking looking!!!
Warren makes some amazingly contradictory comments above. Almost laughable if the consequences of his in actions to police the laws weren't so fatal!!!!
And if no one is willing to police the laws, one seriously has to ask the question who will be liable when someone dies from being hit by a PWC in the surf.
Insurer will walk away from the PWC driver as they will say he was breaking the law....that leaves the family of the killed only one avenue to seek compensation in my opinion....me old mate Warren the doofus above!!! Hope your insurance is paid and up to date Warren!!!
I think the first death will change all this.
Kinda fecking scary that it's gonna take something like a fatality to make someone enforce the rules that are currently in place to stop a fatality!!!
Agreed...the coroner will change this when it happens and "un" blur the lines.
Good effort Stu. Thanks for the research.
It's been said many times in other related threads, until someone is seriously injured or killed, the ski system will be a blur of those users trying to do the right thing & those that don't give a fuck............good luck
Thanks for the info Stu.
Disturbing.
Let's now encourage the next generation to be greedy cunts with no respect for their fellow citizens is how this reads to me.
Except for those who wish to paddle and therefore get considerably less waves than if there was an equal playing field.
And the noise and general presence of PWC's is not what I'd believe to be enjoyable to most surfers.
PWC manufacturers would love it though. With this stance, everyone that can scrape together enough coin to purchase one, is being heavily encouraged to do so.
Money under the table here? Or just blind stupidity?
It's the Gold Coast! It's Queensland! Money talks. Equity is just some wishy washy lefty nonsense. Of course the pros, who spend all year surfing the best waves in the world, have the right to dominate the line up with their skis when it gets good. Screw you bloody workers who just happen to live there. If you can't afford a ski you are just some no account loser who should be grateful to have the opportunity to watch us whistle past displaying our highly evolved (though decreasingly marketable) skills.
Personally I think we should just burn the whole notion of pro surfing. Turn off the events, don't talk about them. Avoid all products with which they associate themselves. It's time the circus left town for good.
Hear, hear.
I'm with you BB, what you say is just a beautiful hit of fresh air. To roughly quote a very well known shaper up that way .... "contest surfing is just pop music" and this guy hates pop music.
Yip, you are spot on.... those pros have NO RESPECT whatsoever. Just because they can ride a wave better than the rest of makes them feel they have a right to more waves. Its not just the local pros either, pros from all over the world rock up at any beach and snake surfers who don't surf like a pro. I have seen it numerous times, they seem to eye up who the HOT locals are that really rip, give them respect and then snake / drop in on beginner, average and even good surfers. I would say that 90% of pros are the same and I have surfed with loads and loads of them in good waves and craps waves.
One incident that comes to mind is a seppo named Taylor dropping in on my brother on a 6ft barrel at a local reef. We had never seen Taylor out there before and were as local as you got at that reef. My brother was in the barrel through the first long section and charging towards the next shorter section when Taylor shoulder hopped.... Short of sending him in, my brother had a good talking to him about that sort of behavior.
But heck, I have seen SO many pros drop in on surfers or snake surfers... I think that the prerequisite for them to do it is if you have a board that is not shiny and white and covered in logos.
So is a "Code of Conduct" law.? Does it form part of an "Act" or is it just something that people have just drawn up and council have passed?
This is probably what you're looking for: Tow-in surfing code of conduct.
I'm gonna use Warren Young as a referee next time I get a speeding fine. Unless someone made a complaint about my driving, I should never have been caught.
What a schmuck
So glad that we employed numerous bureaucrats to have 15 attempts at drafting a piece of legislation that those charged with its enforcement choose not to do so. A perfect example of how Australia works
“All the young surfers who want to be professional, their parents buy them skis so they can get more waves. It's the way it is here.”
Something about this quote seems very wrong
Rich parents at 20k + a throw.
Consideration: If you show consideration, you pay attention to the needs, wishes, or feelings of other people.
Just a basic level of consideration removes W Young from the conversation.
It doesn't exist at Kirra and it seems at a lot of other breaks around the country.
The 'Gold Coast'......what a CLUSTERFUCK
And this is why I live where I live.
I live here too Shaun!...and I've got a stiffy after gaining even more perspective on what it's like to live 2000ks north.
Not to mention the ski wash that chops up the waves as well, surfed there on the Friday before the circus hit town and had a ball, came back the next day saw the chaos and bailed, i used to have respect for Warren Young till I read those comments , hes got no idea!
Horrible mentality, seems typical of QLD government style though, from rampant developers - look at the cruiseship marina proposal for stradbroke island to shifty politics - pay me and i,ll come round for dinner mr newman, money talks, even the clubbie guys blows sponnos by the sound of it , bizzarro world. Love the "parents buying skis so their kids can get waves"??? Sad state of affairs QLD. I guess thats why theres so many of em over here, interstate surfer refugees
ended up down big kirra beach negotiating big sucky closeouts and a ski and its rider zoomed all around me
just when you thought you were on to something
oh look attack of the jet skis
maybe i'll just push on through further down
oh look more jet skis
i'm spraying on rid next time i go surfing
they'll stay 200 metres away then
Its a bit suspect
I can smell retribution in the gold coast air - drop in on a tow surfer whenever you can, do whatever is necessary to screw the tow surfer's wave. Sabotage at the boat ramp anyone? Nah, that won't happen, will it?
I have to agree with Ringmaster what a CLUSTERFUCK!
I was considering relocating to the Gold Coast but after watching these videos no way.
Great article, good investigation stu, you mentioned the pros when they come to town, sure there are few outa town pros, but isn't this mostly about the local pros, And doesn't the godly have more pros than anywhere living there,
So these pros get paid to surf everyday they want, surf the world over and that is still not enough, they want to get every wave they can while laughing at the average bloke just trying to get a wave. Fucking selfish pricks, the me generation gotta get my photo in the media, look at me look at me now I'm a pro
Look no further than Dean Morrison - a perfect example of what's going on - http://www.surfermag.com/blogs/random-happenings/dean-morrison-kirra-cyc...
Dean Morrison has always been one of the biggest drop in wankers on the Goldy, especially at Kirra,I'm pretty sure he has little surfer syndrome, so next time you see him in the water drop in whenever you can. I'm sure he wont mind some of his own back
If the "Code of Conduct" doesn't form part of an "Act" (ie law) it isn't worth the paper its written on.
"The personal watercraft operator must not operate the
watercraft at a speed of more than six knots within 200 metres
of:
all persons in the water other than the skier (the person
who is being towed)
all paddle surfers in the water
all other ships or watercraft in the water.
The personal watercraft operator must ensure their craft
is equipped with a rescue sled with a minimum of five
hand-grip handles — two on the port side, two on the
starboard side and one at the bow of the sled attached
to the watercraft with a three point hitching. "
This is taken directly from the code of conduct August 2010 as you can see it still states 6 knots, plus further it states
6. Tow-in surfing and personal flotation devices
Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are required safety
equipment that must be carried on all registrable vessels. They
are required to be worn by all persons on a personal
watercraft. They are also required to be worn by all persons
being towed by a line connected to a vessel (including a
personal watercraft). This includes waterskiing and tow-in
surfing. Failure to wear a PFD while tow-in surfing can result in
on-the-spot fines issued to both the person operating the
vessel/personal watercraft and the tow-in surfer. "
I bet this wasn't occurring
Another interesting extract
Vessels are restricted from operating in the bathing reserve
unless it is being used for tow-in surfing when the beach is
closed due to extreme weather conditions and it is not operated
within 200 metres of any aquatic equipment, wind powered
craft or swimmers.
I would say that includes paddle surfers
This is very grey IMO and could easily be challenged by both sides of the coin (paddle surfer and PWC operator). But as soon as the paddle surfer is off his board (snapped board/leggy) then it's clear as that he's now a swimmer IMO.
I agree Don but I would class a surfboard as "Aquatic equipment
Good point!!! I'll use that!!!
And just for the record, I own a ski!!!
Towers - making "goat boats" look acceptable.
Remember it's not all tow surfers. I saw Kirra/Superbank a few times over cyclone Marcia swell and there were times when the skis were doing just what Stu described (waiting at the end of the wave). You may have ideological opposition to skis but I think this is the beginnings of a good syatem, it seems to have been created by consultation and most of the surfers I know who paddle Kirra don't object to it. This should be taken into account.
Thanks Stu.
This isn't just about pros. In a part of the world where sand blankets just about everything, once the swell gets over 6ft.paddle options are pretty limited therefore a lot of the local crew have skis. The shuttle system was working as designed during the part of Sunday I surfed Kirra - i.e. keeping mostly out of the way, not chopping the place up. But you can't compete with a guy who's just got a 200m lift when you're paddling your arse off to hold position.
no where else in the world has a law for tow guys where all the stakeholders were not consulted...only the pros it seems.....have had input and as there is always a certain logic behind a law.......Pros having lots of power and skis providing more waves for budding young pros!
try and explain to the judge when someone is hurt or killed........"that oh we changed the rule for the pros so they could get more waves and further their career,".....
I f the paddle surfers made a submission to Qld Maritime and because of the the increase in Ski numbers and no policing of potential breaches of the laws....as per the thundercat incident.............they would have to listen because they have a duty of care to all users.......and any accidents could come back on Qld Maritime...
I note in the Tow Regs....if the beaches are not closed..there is a 400m exclusion zone for Skis.......so this definitely means no taxi service.......
Its ironic everybody that's on Dingos case for dropping in......but the law has been created on the GC that actually recognizes pros and their right to have more waves...anybody know anywhere on the planet where this is the case?
It's not just pros that are doing it, anyone can buy a ski. And very few are actually towing. It is honestly not as big of an issue as everyone here is making out, there a lot worse problems out there, the main issue being inexperienced surfers putting every ones lives at risk, but then they all cry everybody has the right to be out there. There will more likely be a death from a board to the head than a ski out there.
Maybe it's changed, but in my experience, most relatively inexperienced surfers used to stay away from Kirra and surf Rainbow bay or Greenmount until they got more confidence and ability. It least it was that way when I was a young fella.
I totally disagree on the ski's, once it becomes 'accepted' more and more lines will be crossed leading to who knows what.
What's wrong with paddling your arse off, getting your wave fair and square, drifting down the line and maybe picking up another one and doing the run around?
I hear ya, I like the fitness I get from the paddle and I don't need to catch 100 waves, I'm happy enough to get amongst it, do the walk around and enjoy the spectacle. As for kooks, they know no boundaries, trust me, people who can barely lay on a board out by the rock at Snapper hassling for waves, I am not shitting you. There is nothing scarier than the paddle through Snapper when there is a bit of swell, you just pray there isn't a set, multiple near misses per surf are common place, run overs aren't even given a second look.
Actually right back atcha on that one. I know a bloke who's wife only surfs the Superbank (still after all these years can't get used to that name) because it's the only place she can make it out. So you could imagine her ability.
Now that's scary.
give em all a ski...!!!
And promoting or condoning jet ski's in the line up to take even more kooks out the back when they can't make it/paddle it when it get's big isn't gonna make the line up even more dangerous?
until the break is saturated with Skis and there will be good drivers and bad drivers.......as anybody can get a ski and a license...
Yes, I have a ski license, be afraid be very afraid
Dingo is getting monstered in the comments section of just about every publication/website that's picked this footage of the drop-in up.
I've read hundreds of comments and with only a couple saying that the bloke he dropped in on probably wouldn't have made it, only 2 have come out in outright support. Surprise surprise, they just happen to be two other washed up pro's in Koby Abberton and Chris Davidson.
I'm all for banning skis. Fuck it, the law is the law and until the legislation changes or is repealed there should be no exceptions. I surfed Kirra throughout the 80's/90's, the sweep was there back then too and we did ok.
That guy 100% wasn't going to make it, I've watched it a few times, he wasn't going fast enough in that first section.
100% eh?? Any chance you could flick me this Saturday's lotto numbers later today? Cheers :-)
I reckon he had a good chance, he'd set a nice line and was then chandeliered by the section Dingo the dog pushed over.
But we'll never know now will we? Done and dusted.
The set line was his problem in my opinion, you cant just sit back and enjoy the ride when it's like that. But like you say it's done and dusted and in reality it's only a wave, life goes on.
“Their (clubbies) job is to manage the beaches and save lives. They have better things to be doing than policing PWCs.”
I don't see how monitoring jetskis DOESN'T fall under both managing the beaches and helping to save lives? Mr Young better hope no one gets maimed or killed by a PWC (Pretentious Wankers Craft) before he retires!
when all considered.....the whole area from D-Bah > Kirra is man made.....and man has been tinkering with waves,sand flow etc for years...
So why are we surprised that there is a weird cowboy type approach out there......amazing how people seem to break every written and unwritten law to do with surfing...maybe we should just leave everybody there and use it as an example of what you would not want at your own beach.....??
Haha, love that word!
You guys are like the first skiiers: Chair lifts!? You guys are pussies, just trudge up the top in the morning and sky down again at dusk! One Hill - One Day - One Ride!
Like Seaman said - close calls with wayward learner's boards is much bigger concern.
The real test of anyone's ethics would be the following scenario:
You have been out for 1.5 hours done 3 walk arounds from North Kirra to Snapper, had 2 waves, your arms are burning, your legs are chaffed from the walk and you are looking at the 400 metre flat water paddle back to the beach at North Kirra when Mick Fanning pulls up on a ski and asks if you want to be dropped back out at Snapper.
Do you accept the ride?
Fkn Oath!
And of course, that is a very plausible scenario that will happen to almost every recreational surfer.
Ok then it's not very realistic, we all know Fanning has his own chauffeur.
Serious question: how often would a bloke on a jetski offer a free ride to an unknown recreational surfer?
Have heard of it quite a few times Ben. Just depends on the day, the situation, etc.
Has been known to happen on quiet days.
By 'quiet' do you mean 'three feet'?
I meant low crowds, a couple of guys out and a ski or two in the area. BUT the 2 i am thinking of were about 3-4 foot.
Should a ski be used when it's 3-4ft though? Or was this just for the ferry assistance, and not towing in?
I also find it hard to believe that good Kirra (even if at a smaller size) would only have 'a couple of guys out'.
Short answer: mid week, small crew, guys practicing with the ski, ferry assist.
Second line: No comment.
@mk1 , if theres 300 guys out 1 ride each may be fair at least rather than 20 guys get all the good ones .Dongo and fannybag may be local celebs, but dropping in like that and towing thru paddlers as stated above is just being greedy arseholes - period, shit we have had to listen to the media banging on about the "coolie kids' for years, local knowledge and being good enough should count for getting the best waves (like everywhere else in the world)what happens when there is 100 skis? who has priority when everybody is towing each other off?
Mike, I think the "1 person per wave" thing is outdated. Multiple riders on each set is the latin-american new school, stop fighting it australia and get with the moment! I want to see 50 longboarders sharing the stoke down the coolie line then a tow rope they all grab onto to conga line back to the peak!
To me there are two separate issues here: Towing and ferrying.
Realistically - almost any form of actual tow-in on the GC is basically illegal besides offshore bombies like **********/outside seaway/macking open beaches where there are no paddlers. I say this because if the points even resemble having something surfable (specifically superbank) they will always have a hoard of paddlers and they will always be within 200m of a tower/towee. Burleigh/Currumbin are a bit more of a grey area as when they get big there is less opportunity for paddlers (no Snapper to Greeny stretch to duck dive foamy monsters and make it out before cooly/kirra). So in terms or actually towing on the points – Superbank is essentially a permanent no-go, Burleigh/Currumbin maybe ~8ft+ acceptable (once a year swells).
Which leaves the 'ferry' system. Whilst this appears to be a nice loophole around the legislation, and I would have to agree appears to be reasonably safe (as long as they are going 6kts), it’s a plain and simple cunt act. Not only do people have to put up with the smell and noise, it is quite simply the surfing equivalent of queue jumping.
Unfortunately you can’t legislate against being a cunt.
offshore bombies are a circus to the 'cool kids'.
Yeah the macking open beaches are getting frickin' crowded.
Done
Theres only one way to combat the inconsiderate few with access to skis who tow their mates in or ferry them up the point.
If you cant beat em join them! Invest in your own Ski charge punters before they paddle out for the Gold Coast Surf Taxi (Patent Pending). Join the likes of the Mad Hewitsons, Parko, Wild Native Dog and Fanning in getting your own surf taxi. $10 for unlimited trips up the point, 100 punters a day $1000 minus overheads a few swells and you have your own ski and a nice little gig cruising around the Goldy Points.
Who's in might do a kick-starter campaign to raise the funds relocate to the goldy and exploit the all ready over exploited just a little more. After the cyclone season might go and do Bells.
there is no escaping the fuckwit behaviour of these semi pro's like Dean Morrison
I have had words with him and his ski driver as they ploughed through small lineup on a backbeach 3ft peak several years ago
The sense of entitlement of these assholes is just disgusting
Retribution at the boatramp may not be far away
Maybe someone should do a little documentary on this, get it up on social media. A few interviews with the culprits and some footage of some near misses, as well as pros doing laps and taking all the waves. The soothing sound of jet skis throughout. I think something like that could get quite a strong negative reaction from your everyday surfer. Maybe up on twitter etc #ripcurl etc those companies might not appreciate the bad press. Maybe even an interview with their exec on their views on their sponsored surfers being so selfish and what they think the response of the everyday surfer will be to this behaviour and to their views on the brands they endorse.
Hey Brutus, any chance this happening at Bells on swells less than massive or is there a stronger level of local enforcement or common sense? I can see the frustration if guys are getting taxied out the back after each wave but just quietly sometimes wish I could get a free ride when the arms are turning to jelly.
nah no chance...a long paddle is a way of regulating the amount of guys at the peak.....try just walking back and enjoy!!
Having said that there have been a couple of big days at Winki we have thought about it!!
a jetski will hit and kill someone in the water. then bans will be enforced to avoid liability.
i hope it's not you or your child that is killed.
Everyone should be equal in law. These were not big waves -Gold Coast rarely has "big" waves -last time 2001?? If you want or need more paddle power, get a bigger board. Wait your turn. Enjoy "surfing" with people not competing against them. MY WAVE!!!!!!
Tow in longboarding on steel tipped boards!!! Now that's the future of competitive surfing.
might be time to bust out the SUP's!!
Be interesting what current affairs take on this will be.
This is all evidence of the "me mentality..... I'm more important..............I need more waves than you....... I don't care about you, or your lack of enjoyment while I'm nearly running you over and you're sucking in my PWC fumes etc"
For mine, it's hard to enjoy going for a surf and being in the water with all this circus and insane vibe all around me - the PWC, the 'look at me pros', the blatant drop-ins, and dodging the wannabees ....
Knowing I get NIL enjoyment out of the above, I simply decide to pass up some high quality waves late last week and weekend, but this week on the dropping Marcia swell has been my opportunity. Others might have more combative instincts or take the entrepreneurial opportunity to get even and get a PWC and join in or cash in on the madness - not me.
On Warren Young, the colour biege comes to mind. Disappointing as he dodged and refused to engage in any clear representation or understanding of what was really taking place out in the water last weekend. I saw it and was appalled and disgusted; it was nuts and a selfish free-for-all by the PWC's and their masters. Young on the other hand didn't see any misbehaviour, wasn't aware that any legislative or code of conduct rules were broken, and no-one complained"...
On that basis, it is only going to be a matter of time before an injury or fatality from a PWC is going to happen and the shit is going to hit the fan. Legislators and bureaucrats like Warren Young will all in unison say "I didn't see that coming...." Yeah right!
Well as soon as its 3ft these PWC clowns take over Box Head, and the beach is never closed there, rules? laws?, you must be joking, I haven't seen anyone take any notice whatsoever of "distance off" laws either. Near misses happen every time the place fires now.
How is this even allowed to happen at a public and open surf beach? This would quite simply not be tolerated at any other surf break I can think of.
Basically someone will be killed before some kind of action is taken on this IMHO.
I watched that Dingo drop in vid and he claims the wave as well at the end WTF?, the guy has no shame apparently!
Why don't you just launch a massive protest @ the Quikky pro? Banners , Shouting getting on tv..providing footage of the offenders etc..seems if you are really pissed off and serious enough to do something about it that would be a start.
that is probably the best and most immediate response that could be taken, names of offenders and thier sponsers on banners lining the shores at the quik pro. how many companies would enjoy that on the live web cast. especially when the ones who are getting burnt are the people buying boards, shorts and wetties that so Drongo Morrison can enjoy his privliged existance. don,t wait for legislation use people power.
#Quik Pro PWC and Pro drop in protest!!
Great article, stu.. Quite a good piece of journalism....
This is the epitome of everything that is wrong in modern surfing.... Greed, narcissism, and pure self indulgence.... Whenever you see people towing into surf under 8 foot,,, sand bottomed surf at that, throw shit at them - on the land - in the water - whilst they're riding... Make no distinction between a pro or a rich tosser... Just throw shit at them.... Drop in.... Shut them down... Paddle surfers stand as one...
With all due respect to all contributors to this forum its a repeat on what went down on this website late last year, I can't be fucked to look it up but I reckon it might be September ........
Equally, I can't be bothered doing the research but one of you guys that actually live and surf up there should post the required contact links to the responsible (????) Qld authorities so that rather than complaining here you can go straight to the lazy mother fuckers.
There's an odd idea what about an online petition site????
Naively, I would have thought these are things SW could/should/would have done but it seems not.
Equally, for the sake of completeness it would have been good to expand recent articles to get some comments from morons like the mad hueys to see what they actually think they are doing and to hear their justifications.
So for fuck sake can some motivated individual find and list those contact numbers or get an on-line petition up.
See you all on this forum the next 3 foot sweet at Kirra ................
Why don't you do it rather than telling everyone else (again). Honestly mate, there're three of us that run the whole Swellnet gig: modelling, coding, national dawn reports daily, national forecasts three times a week, editorial, social media, admin, admin, and more admin...
And you reckon we're lazy cos we don't follow your indulgent little whims to a tee? Get over yourself and go for a surf.
I'll just say sorry in advance as I can't let this pass by, and it is meant to be humorous, don't take it the wrong way, your doing a great job, a thankless one at that, but here goes.
Maybe you could get an intern?
You're hired Shaun. Now grab me a coffee...
You're not going to pay me are ya?
Doesn't matter, never had a job before so I'll take it.
Yeah. You take bitcoins don't you?
Fuck Shaun too quick .... ( my phone went flat ,
When I was about to hit " comment. " !
I was going to say , you guys need some non paid
lackeys , advertised through crowd funding . Then when
You are forced to put them on the payroll , we'll just get a
Kick start program to keep 'em in the industry !
I know a fee guys , I'll make a call and get back to you with a list .
Move along southy, your to slow.
I'm blaming technology fail . I was on it before 5 .
Anyway , I'll get the ball rolling in the Forums .
I've had a few phone convo's , and I reckon I'm ready to announce a Swellnet lineup change
for the new WSL season . ( you know inline up with WSL's " keeping it fresh feel " , and the old " if ain't broke , change it " .. )
Yeah, that's it stu, I'm lazy and I like telling you what to do. Happy.
Right Floyd, now that l'm a part of the team, I would like to ask you not to take that tone to any of the swellnet staff, it didn't work for me and it won't work for you
And remember if you tell someone to fuck off please do with a smiley ☺
Shaun, you're cracking me up.
Now, about that coffee.
Chop chop.
Think young stu needs something stiffer than coffee.
Watch your mouth intern boy.
Well you know I thought you might need a beer or a gin and tonic, take the stress out of your day.
Dealing with riff raff that surfers are can be a bother.
Righto Shaun will take your advice.
I can see from your photo you are man of the arrrrts who reasonably enjoys a good feed and red. But, what I really want to know is how's your appetite for slurping down gravy now that you are a fledging member of the SW team?
I'm taking to it like pig to shit and I have plans.
I just have to convince the lads to fly me up to the contest and pay for jet ski hire so I can interview surfers about their freesurf behaviour whilst they're surfing a wave in their heat.
Like an aquatic Norman Gunston.
Gold
Fuckoon gold alright,so funny and norman can play ,who woulda thought.
Thank God your here Shaun i was getting worried about Swellnet but now i know youve been drafted to INTERN we are in safe hands................................................................................................................burp
Stu, I have an efficiency solution for you. I reckon you could reduce your workload by ditching the dawn reports - all they do here is get every bugger out of bed. Let 'em sleep in and miss it, that way those who deserve it get the gravy. They can always tune into the 8am report. No need for any half-$rsed interns then....
yeah Floyd..there are whingers and doers in this life...
what we have just seen with the whole Dingo/PWC debate is that the written rules for PWC owners and users are for Pros , so they can get more waves per session.
Dingo simply mirrors this elitist culture that currently exists from Snapper to Burleigh,and is recognized by the Authorities who control the beaches.......that certain level of surfers have priority over lesser surfers.....the Pro Lobby.
All the point breaks on the GC are man made, we have PWC rules that would not be allowed anywhere else in the world that favour elite surfers , and we have an unwritten rule/law of surfing that says "thou shall not drop in,"........
So whats the deal with all the Dingo bashers ......he dropped in and then declared that there is a group of locals that have priority in the surf.........I think at every local break you will find a group of locals that try and enforce a code of ethics .......and bring order to the break....
If someone is serious about the PWC debate...just go up to Eagles Nest at Kirra..and film what goes on ....then send it with a formal complaint to Qld maritime....but also the media....
" yeah Floyd..there are whingers and doers in this life..."
Couldn't agree more brutus.
What I see on SW is lots of whinging every time there is a decent swell on the Queensland points but no news of organised protest/complaint. So its a story that just keeps on giving for the surf media and sites like SW. A Current Affair comes to mind in the way this issue is played out.
Thankfully, I don't live on the Goldy so I don't have to deal with PWCs nor crowds when I surf. Nonetheless, I'm staggered how/why some many surfers that suffer at the hands of the "pro rules" you refer to just seem to cop it as a normal part of their daily surfing life.
The trouble with your suggestion about someone filming from Eagles Nest is its easy to pick off an individual or a small group. An protest needs to be organised and have as many punters as possible signed up to it. That's where an on-line petition would work with a few thousand signatures along with video footage.
You and others have referred to how pros are looked after on the Goldy by vested interests. The solution must therefore come from outside the authorities, the industry and the surf media. Surfers up there need to come together to fight this issue. Until then I await the next swell and the next wave of whinging as you say.
.... and for the record and while its no-one's business but mine I'm very active where I live in fighting the state and local governments and developers in defence of a national park.
You'd be surprised at the feelings up here Floyd because the opinions on this forum dont exactly mirror those on the ground. There might be isoalted incidents of dangerous ski use, but compared to years past its improved, surfers knows this and that's why I doubt you'll find the "few thousand signatures" you're claiming.
I'd like to see skis more tightly policed (and no thundercats) but eradicating ski use isn't the goal of ANYONE I know.
Interesting to note Boxright that you say none of the locals (?)...want to eradicate the taxi-PWC's....and seems everyone is happy that all surfers could eventually have a lift back to the takeoff...can someone explain to me if there is a set of 5 waves every 2 mins....who gets priority???
Brutus, Dingo has had a lot of issues over the years from not only on the Goldie. The guy seems to have a chip on his shoulder the size of a bolder and is not getting any smaller with age. Maybe it is a small mans syndrome which I can relate to however he has been a real dick and been called out by his peers (remember the kaffule at Pile some years back with another pro). I reckon he has brought this one on himself.
yeah Mem..there have been a lot of surfers with issues that seem to manifest in their surfing.........the list is very long.....
knowing Dingo since he was kid....broken household/racism .....always had to fight to get ahead.....had to do a bit of this myself ......over the years
not sure any of the bogans I have seen on the forums are his peers.....
spoke to him yesterday and had a laugh with him about the whole beat up .......and I know his peers in the big wave/free surfing he is respected.......
I have seen Occy/Parko/bruce Lee/ash...etc....burn guys with no comment......from anyone.....except the burnee....fark is that a word?
I think you hit the nail on the head. Dingo is respected by a group of surfers world wide that behave in the same manner he does. Go figure....
exactly Rabs.....there is the philosophical debate on that we are all equal...and everybody should have the same rights in the water....and we should all be lining up taking a number and waiting our turn.....beginners and all....??
OR
there is a hierarchy at each surfspot with elders etc that manage and/ or show custodianship and bring order to surf spots!
It is now Brutus, burnee, good one, i like that
Isn't Burnee a town In Tasmania?
yeah they are all dropins and possibly where the dropin started.......and slowly oozed their way north...blame the bloody Tassie Burnees
Fair enough perhaps his tirade on the twitter facebookverse was his undoing, and I know those you have referred to are serial offenders (Parko seems to get off particularly lightly). I knew he had a hard up bringing and is a respected surfer. My only worry is that if it is OK for pro's to burn with impunity it may spread like a cancer through every break. OK I am a local dropping in is open season on anyone who is not a local which is what and who is a local? Does Dean still live there full time. All very murky if you ask me, seems more like might is right.
Brutus, you've mentioned several times that the GC points are man made. What is the relevance of that point to this debate?
Rabbits68, correct, absolutley none. Its about marine safety, duty of care etc etc
Rabs..I see the irony in a man made surfing coast.....save Kirra...ah its man made and man destroyed......to a sport that takes place there where the rules that do exist, are made to service the elite surfing market,and so far no-one has been able to tell me who made the surf rules,who enforces them and where can I read them please....
OR
maybe there are no written rules , a man made surf break, but PWC's seem to be able to do want they want...breaking the only real rules that exist.....
when you add all that up.....its like anarchy in a wave pool....and the survival of the fittest is....???
file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/tow_in_surfing_code_conduct.pdf
It is provided for the benefit of tow-in surfers, other surf users
and the wider community. The code of conduct is published
and freely available to the public via Maritime Safety
Queensland, Surfing Queensland and Gold Coast City Council websites
there you go Brutus, I must say I googled it as buggered if I could find it on either the GCC or SQ sites
Remember last year when this very debate reared again after a solid Kirra swell?? Pretty sure The Cooly Kids were slayed by the forum punters for the same reasons. Short memory?
You seem to be on the fence Brutus. Are you for skis (the way your mate Dingo & others use them) or are not?? Or does "Surfing is Anarchy" express your view?? Curious....
yeah this has been going on for years...I remember when the 1st guys started doing stepoffs...Luke E/Parko etc......I actually told em is was fucked and greed personified.......
I only use a ski to tow in big waves when there are no paddle surfers.....not as rec vehicle only used in very solid surf.......
There are no written rules in surfing so is it the survival of the biggest and the fittest...who determines the rules,who enforces them.....small groups often take over breaks....called local elders......or some breaks, its Brute force or both.....
the cooly kids as do most local surfers think they have a right to more waves as they live there, and are better surfers.....or do you believe that everybody is equal and we all should take turns......if so how do you enforce rules that do' t exist except in our own minds??
So surfing is anarchy......yeah......
No I don't think we should all line up, take a ticket etc beginners/intermediate/advanced alike. It has never been that way as you know. You ask are there any rules? By your own admission there are rules, being "locals" enforcing priority at most surf locations. I do wonder though that over time with crowds getting thicker, less waves to go around, is it right that a select group of people get way more waves? I'm not talking about surfers who can't handle the conditions. Do you think it's really working? I think your right that surfing is anarchy at some locations but not all. I suppose then the reality will be a resurgence of physical confrontations, because some people will only put up with arrogant/selfish behavior for so long. If we can take a step back, idealistically, no one should claim ownership of nature......
it seems to me there are slight variants on "the rule" depending on the spot.
That's why I pose the question, what are the rules out on the supa bank.......no-ne really knows....yet Dingo gets crucified for saying in public what most elite surfers think.......and do!
As far as Pwcs go....yeah a select group of surfers want more waves ...so a rule law was created to accommodate them.....
the resurgence of physical confrontations might actually sort out ......???...
this is not going to happen as the Law is very specific about fights threats and intimidation....whereas in the good ol days it was all sorted..
Now that the law does not permit the above.......we have everybody claiming waves and more surfers means that there will be an arrogance/selfish aspect in surfing which we are seeing now.....
and no ownership...just good stewardship...but who?
Brutus it is Queensland you are old enough to remember Jo and Russ the minister for everything, their spirit seems to live on. It has always been a bit different up there.
ah those corrupt bogan cowboys.....actually their spirit lives on from D-Bah to Burleigh....hehehe
was there any need to be towed in anyway? Looked like it could be paddled into to me.
Is this a case of surfers getting lazy?
So much for the healthy lifestyle and getting fit - get towed around while sucking in petrol fumes instead!
How about all the Gold Coasters who are unhappy paddle out during the upcoming contest. Surf throughout the heats, drop in on a few of the competitors and make your feelings known.
Find a spokesman who has the ability to articulate your grievances on hand to speak to the media regarding the current situation. Alternatively go back to whinging online every time it happens.
That would be democracy at work.
someone dies and the rule will be changed. Its not surfing anyway. Its so called big boys and their toys.
If some random punter burns Jordy in one of is heats, name your price. Would make watching a Smith heat a little less boring.
It would make the entire contest more interesting.
Dino andino out there driving a ski? like to see his pwc license
he has a license and has done the fully accredited Tow course in Hawaii.........next!
Is it valid in Australia?
yes ,and ours are accepted also O/S.....
How has the 1st day gone in the SW office shaun? Lots of gravy to spill on ya bag of fruit?
Fuck I can tell you it's not as easy as you think, I'm on the way to Adelaide at the moment Ben sending me to his mums place with a load of washing, apparently he can't find anyone on the east coast that irons his underpants as good as her(can't argue with that). Could one of you guys post late on Sunday night to remind me to pick up their morning coffee in Wagga Wagga on the trip home .
Regards,
Shaun
Intern to the board of Swellnet.
Leopard skin G's with skiddies, keep them and use to make the coffee
Figures shaun; there is so much I could say about that but your employers are just a little pissed off with me at the minute, apparently I keep on telling them what to do! Tell me is there a photo of the Queen on the wall behind stu's desk?
Hope you have a current passport for your return trip out of SA.
"Elsewhere within the Code of Conduct speed and distance restrictions on PWCs are defined: The personal watercraft operator must not operate the watercraft at a speed of more than six knots within 200 metres of all paddle surfers in the water."
"While watching Kirra on Swellnet's surfcam last Friday I noticed a similar system in place. A small armada of skis were waiting at the end of the wave to connect with their buddies before shuttling them back to the top of the point. During that small window of observation self-regulation appeared to be working."
Those two statements seem to be at odds if you assume paddle surfers were in the vicinity.
Whose idea was it to enact laws no that no one has any intention of enforcing?
Wouldn't like to be in the shoes of the chief lifeguard or water police when the first serious injury or death happens. Certainly appears to be a failure in terms of discharging their responsibilities.
250 people jumping in at froggies and paddling around the corner into the lineup would be gold!!
Its already been said but if a ski or any other water craft is doing more than 6knts within 200m of a swimmer or surfer then they are breaking the rules
But if no one is willing to enforce the legislation then what is the point. It will take the death of one of your mates, nextdoor neighbour, family member, young fella in your son's school class or a well know local old boy before anything is changed.
Sad really that it will take someone to be killed for any action
Blood on the hands of qld maritime and local council
I think its time to take the law into your own hands and deal with it. Are these pwc drives
and surfers in the area the biggest and toughest thugs around? Im confident if you guys banded together with force and made it quite clear its not on anymore made them feel
intimidated and threatened with gusto they would back right down and sneak away. Im sure there is more guys not getting the free ride that are and tough guys as well.
So true fortunately most people aren't interested in violent confrontation. To me if couple of surfing entrepreneurs purchased a PWC set up a user pays system with wristbands they would get a lot of takers and it would make things more even.
Still looks like ~70% of the commenters who actually surf in the area aren't too fussed about this.
40 years of surfing and 30 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry working worldwide including extensive marine operational knowledge and skill and I can say fuk you Mr Warren Young. It’s not a matter of if, but when will there be a serious incident or fatality/s. Seriously you call yourself “Head of lifeguards at Gold Coast City Council”
Seaslug Is that you (Rolls Ryse), Nganhurra FPSO....?
HI Welly
Nah mate, didnt work on that one, its dougo from Cott. Cheers
All good Seaslug or Dougo:)
Imagine the social media outcry and vilification if a "pro" was injured/killed by a "non pro" PWC. Mind you if it was the other way around, maybe the outpouring of emotions would not be as great.
What we all need to realise is we already have the tools to stop this, and it's under our feet. If you get burnt by a tow in or just a drop in wouldn't it be a shame if that thing under your feet suddenly happened to shoot forward and "accidentally" interrupt that persons wave. Of course you can exchange pleasantries after stating that, "Oh, I didn't see you MATE" because I'll guarantee you that will be the response if you ask them on the paddle back out, "why the f*** did you do that".......just sayin'.
its a bloody joke. get rid of the skis when someone is paddling , i work hard for a living and when i get a chance to surf i want my fair share. i don't expect more than anyone else .and i don't like some rich guy taking off further inside coz a ski just dropped him/her after i been paddling for 2 frigging hours against the sweep.i surfed kirra monday of that swell morning and there was nearly no sweep and they were still using skis .
and dropping in is stealing . unless your in a contest then its just teaching everyone that dropping in is ok
Im guessing most ski's are launched in the Tweed river...is the river classed as being in NSW ?
Do the Marine rules relating to ski's differ in NSW as to Qld [carrying of safety equipment,speeding e.t.c].....you may get some of these fuckers breaking NSW laws just after launching and hammering up the Tweed river to get to the superbank ?
Get some mates together and buy a ski . The laws will stop skis before too long so get out there and get a few. When in Rome....
You all are aware that pwcs have been banned from jaws, Mavericks , Ghost trees etc
(except for rescue) by people power so whats our excuse seeing we are no1 in the world
for political correctness we really are a pathetic bunch.
Just another tick for the Gold Coast.........
Surfed Kirra quite a bit mI'd to late eighties, never paddle against it, go wide or do the walk, over and over and over
So glad I don't live on the east coast
I witnessed those guys on the thundercat towing over the weekend of the marcia swell!!!! They were absoulute kooks whom had no idea what they were doing and easily could have cuased a major accident!!! If they see this article they should take a long hard look at their efforts and go and practice towing before the next swell so as not to kill somebody!!!!
Well, I have been surfing kirra every time it is 2 foot or over and offshore midweek for the past 4 years. When it 6 foot dredging and with a sweep that would put a wicked witch to shame I stay home and suck on beers, or head on up to the Snapper/Greeny stretch to watch zillions of chaff float past being unable to paddle strong enough to pass a duck.
I rarely surf it on weekends, and especially while that steaming pile of crap known as Pisswsl is on down the road.
Being a rather old prick who is in shape I do like to reap the rewards of my paddling strength, watching the takeoff spot clear out leaving me to Tee off on some gems.
These Jerski owners and partakers are pure scum in my mind. As if the smell of the things and the noise isn't bad enough, the chop they leave on the surface and the fact that it is just plain gay to be towed in while ANYONE is paddling in makes you wonder if once in the parking lot they get changed into skirts instead of shorts.
They should not be allowed in the water near paddling surfers EVER! I see near misses at the alley all the time as drongo and bogan inc feel like real men twisting the throttle on craft they can hardly handle.
That isn't the issue though. If I put that jerkski in the water next to a bunch of people swimming there would be (quite rightly ) howls of indignation.
So what makes it acceptable to do to surfers?
Well put Stupe.
fumes, noise, chop. nightmare. and that's without a fatality.
" ... The reason, I'm told, is that the TMR are a state department and the Code of Conduct pertains to local laws. Therefore, the local authorities must police it, meaning the Queensland Water Police and lifeguards ... "
Stu, are you able to reveal your source?
What about Qld Maritime?
I remember an old bumper sticker from way back that might be due for a revival
Save a whale
Harpoon a jet ski
I think alot of us have looked past the question of "why do the pro's/ski owners want more waves?" and here I think it's fair to say that SwellNet are not guilt free.
How many of those getting lifts back out or towing or stepping off DON'T have a camera? I suspect not many. The clip is the new front page and swellnet post 'em just like every other website.
How about an ethics code for clips? If they burn for the wave the clip gets vetoed?
stop the insanity!donkeys on ski's hijacking the waves.nicg said it all!fumes,noise,chop.all dangerous are to the general public.let go off the rope kooks!
So, how are the protest plans developing ? Or are you all star struck and to busy soaking up the comp.
I was thinking for environmental reasons we could just delete all the posts on this thread and recycle it for the next cyclone swell, where the conversation can once again go round and round like a big low and then just fizzle out.:-)))
so true
Turd that one, sometimes it is like a roll of toilet paper, goes round and round.
guys i am in the process, had initial discusions with chris robbins and will talk to wayne deane about it. will also talk to state member and council including tom tate. i will be focusing on safety and will use the local government act as well as the gold coast beach manage plan The emphasis will be on how jet skis can surf waves paddlers cant. even though beaches may be closed it must be stressed that surfers will attempt to surf big quality waves- which will only be a certain locations.
It would be helpful to get letters of support from the surfing clubs as well as surfing qld/australia. also to get some surf clubs to support in regards to safety issues.
the emphasis will not be on banning jet skies but insisting they go to breaks where it is impossible for paddlers to surf or no one is in the water. Last swell there were surfable waves at fingal, kingsc.liff and cabarita. I will be using the death of the surfboat people at the clubbie carnivals highlighting the dangers involved.
Just as some beaches dont allow dogs, jetskies should be included as well.
I have finished my reports to the United Nation's so i have time to do this and do have the contacts with govt officials and the media. I expect a backlash from ski owners and that crew, so it would be beneficial if i had some well known gold coast surfing legends lend their support.
If you believe we should go ahead with this, please send me incidents with dates and photos.
daveburdon@rocketmail.com
let us hope we can get a win win for all so we can paddle safely whilst the tow in crew can still score some great waves,
happy surfing
davetherave
dave rave excellent proposal!i dont live there but surfing oz h.q. needs u2 do it.i've seen it work in monterey bay.6-8ft beach breaks with rev head jet skis chopping up kms of surf.dolphins dissapeared along with everthing else due to noise n pollution.it took a few years but after enough was enough the elders,surfers,custodians of the shoreline made it happen.they spoke up and got a marine sanctuary.jet skis totally ban!
I also contacted Cr Robbins last Friday- along with a link to this thread - expressing safety concerns regarding skis in the line up. Rather than join the online chorus of whinging I thought this may be a better way to draw attention.
My issue isn't around pro surfers or high profile surfers - quite simply it is a matter of safety regarding skis in the line-up.
The 2 main issues I see are:
(1) Will it take another fatality (in 2011 local surfer was fatally struck by a boat at the Alley) or serious injury for the issue to addressed or laws to be enforced?
(2) If the issue around skis is not addressed now - how bad will the situation become in the future. Do you want to see skis in every line-up( ie 5 ft Snapper) in 5 years time once the sweep becomes a bit tedious?
Skis are already banned at the Alley if people are paddling - let's simply keep it that way.
Absolutely correct Dazzler, my point exactly. This thread is not a discussion on pro’s, semi pro’s, locals, blowins, drop-ins etc. etc. blah blah.
It’s about marine safety, duty of care etc etc
C'mon guys let's not go down the legislation route, banning ski's is not the answer, surely we can act like the community of like-minded people we're supposed to be and self-regulate the risk! i.e. the cooly kids, the boardriders clubs, the elder statesmen wording these dickheads up to act more responsibly, more for each other instead of being self-absorbed tossers, show the younger generation how to behave as men instead of little boys. The law is only for those communities too fucked up to manage their behaviours, we don't need it, we just need our leaders to stand-up and school these fuckers right.
I disagree. I don't live in the area so have refrained from commenting, however I work as a lawyer in a related field (criminal injury) so have a professional interest. What is happening at the southern end of the Gold Coast matches an established pattern where authorities increasingly turn a blind eye to dangerous behaviour. In this case it appears borne of a belief the dominant local culture wants PWC use, a stance easily torn down (start with this comment thread). Also, ongoing tensions are documented in local, national, and niche media, the dangers widely reported. The same examples show self-regulation doesn't work.
It would serve the Gold Coast City Council well to research PWC accidents around Australia then either police the beaches when they're closed (paddle surfers deserve the same protection from danger as other beach users) or ban PWCs outright. They also need to pay very close attention to the messages Warren Young is sending. Staggering quotes in the face of photographic evidence.
atticus, are you in a position to clarify or comment in relation to:
a) the authority responsible for regulating jetski use in the surf zone when the beaches are "officially closed" (i.e. based upon the current legislation and regulatory framework), and
b) the authority or authorities that you would list as defendants if your client was injured by a jetski in the surf zone when the beach was "officially close" (i.e. assuming the jetski driver was the first defendant)
As I see it, and FYI I am not a lawyer, the breach of the "duty of care" by Qld Police, Qld Maritime, GCCC, and Qld surf life saving is massive at the moment. By failing to regulate the jetski use in accordance with the current legislation and framework, anyone injured would have a solid case against all these 'authorities'.
The first injury and this will all be too late for the surfer injured, but the changes will be rapid. I just can not believe the authorities are not taking action now. It's easy to see from all the video footage that there were numerous breaches of the laws regulating jetski (i.e. as per the tow surfing code of conduct.)
Sure, I can understand legally the authorities need to fine the driver of the jetski and that may not be the owner, to who the registration is linked. But, surely they can start by writing letters and issuing warnings to the jetski owner and by making some public statements that Qld Police and Maritime will be policing the lineups ... then fucking do it during the next swell. Pretty simple.
Too late once a paddle surfer is badly injured or killed.
If the authorities do not do something, and a paddle surfer is injured, badly injured or killed, would you like to take the case atticus?
OMG that clip from yesterday.
Is it really going to take someone to die before this becomes a bigger issue and jet skis are forced to keep well away from paddle in surfers?
the burleigh one? i just wondered how people coped on these swells back in 70/80/90's haha
Ski drivers amongst paddle surfers is an accident waiting to happen. Ski drivers who believe that have right of way are ignorant inconsiderate arseholes it won't stop a charge of culpable manslaughter.
@Nick bone
Don't know where it is but the new little clip been added to the story above.
I seem to remember all the shit going down about tow v's paddling at all the big wave venues.
Real men paddle unless its 6' Currumbin/ Burleigh etc and your too fucken lazy and greedy to paddle.
Hypocrisy in its highest form.
If that bloke on the ski killed his mate, the laws would be enforced.
Close call? "She'll be right, no worries, carry on."
Maybe they can change the rules to state, if its too big, say over 10 foot, you're allowed a ski, or if say its less than 10ft but you can't get out the skis are allowed. If its 3 foot pumping kirra like in the above photo, skis fuck off. Easy. I should be in politics. Hey all you bureaucrats out there, come and see me, I've got heaps of ideas.
Maybe they can change the rules to state, if its too big, say over 10 foot, you're allowed a ski, or if say its less than 10ft but you can't get out the skis are allowed. If its 3 foot pumping kirra like in the above photo, skis fuck off. Easy. I should be in politics. Hey all you bureaucrats out there, come and see me, I've got heaps of ideas.
Maybe they can change the rules to state, if its too big, say over 10 foot, you're allowed a ski, or if say its less than 10ft but you can't get out the skis are allowed. If its 3 foot pumping kirra like in the above photo, skis fuck off. Easy. I should be in politics. Hey all you bureaucrats out there, come and see me, I've got heaps of ideas.
Tow surfing strickly only whe totally unable to paddle.
Real surfers paddle end of story.
Have a look at the wave of the day today at Bells....I'm pretty sure that the guy paddled into that no worries. Does this mean that Gold coast surfers are lazy gay men who like noise and bling. Who care little about others and their wave count. Where the rich kids are towing at 4 ft and everyone else suck on their petrol fumes and just watch their fat cat antics. If the surf industry can get rid of the skis the Gold coast will have a industry boom in step ups and guns as it should. Where you ride your wave and enjoy watching others doing so too as you walk back to the paddle out to have your turn again. Mick Fanning can add two more boards to the DHD sales line as can others. Greed is not good unless your mentor is that wall st. guy, so buy a nice gun and paddle...no more noise , wakes and fumes, no more Gold coast ski park, no more greedy stupid antics, just peace and quiet, good aloha spirit, when it 8ft plus you will have it nice and quiet with your friends and discuss the characteristics of your beloved gun while you wait in natures beauty for the next bomb...Make Dorian proud.
The entire Gold Coast got quarantined as a Dickhead Theme Park a long time ago and nothing say's dickhead like a pro surfer with a jet ski. Sensible folks use the Gold Coast like flypaper, they leave it there to attract and contain dickheads.
My first surf ever at Kirra, after 30 years. I had been chronically ill, went on holiday to Tweed, winter six foot swell. Couldn't get a wave for days, so crook, so took out a boogie board to relax, I am competent on one, surfed for hours paddling, and paddling always giving way to the inside, never dropping in, marvelous sights of seeing Kirra from the water, so hollow, finally get the only large wave that come to me alone on the day (after already being ploughed into the sand bottom on a closeout(wow that sand is hard). Paddling, paddling, then Julian Wilson and Mick fanning come buzzing past on their PWC heading out the back after heaps of waves, and half way out , Julian sees my one wave and jumps off his PWC , drops in on me and takes it. Exhausted I resigned myself and drifted down to some super long stretch of beach at end of the wave, and collapsed. Maybe they should build a PWC terminal down their? for the future?
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Towing in at 3ft ......this could have been Death so fucking lucky.
Wednesday 21/06/2017;
Currumbin Alley is pumping, the sweep keeping everyone honest.Locals jumping off the front ,taking there chances within the medium range period of swell.
Two or three ski's out , running up and down the line up , ferrying punters into position,then cruising back down the line to take position for the pick up.
That's pretty much where i ended up ,struggling to keep up on a 8ft Webster gun.
Ah well , least i am having a go, not getting any younger if you know what i mean.
I was really impressed with the standard of surfing from everyone that day, including the guys on PWC's I thought to myself." Geez they have really got it together ,"as the ski rider again tracked back down the line towards me." i wonder if he is going to maybe offer a ride back up the point in sympathy?".
The PWC pulls up next to me , i barely keep my position and look across in exhaustion.
I couldn't believe what i was seeing!
In his hand was a cell phone and there he is texting away doing what ever you do when your out the back ,at the Alley on a jet ski. What the fuck. i still don't believe it .
Was i hallucinating in over- exertion? What was he doing on the phone anyways, checking the shark app, Instagram, Facebook, Sports bet?
Wow! fuck i am getting on .
I thought big boards were cool, but that shit is next level.
Too early to dust this old chestnut off?
Nope.
I sure as hell hope someone isn't seriously injured or killed by a wayward jetski.
Duty of care! Police. Martime Qld. GCCC. You're all on notice. WHEN the inevitable unfortunate happens, the lawsuit will change the cluster fuck.
I hope those in power, authority, end up doing criminal time in jail if some one is killed by a a jetski.
It was really surprising yesterday morning that there was only one ski at kirra taking photos and doing a couple of runs with swimming photogs back up against the sweep. Another turned up later in the morning and was running surfers back up the point but both stayed pretty well out of the lineup and no step offs that I saw. Still a bit cheeky for those of us paddling against the sweep but not too bad considering what it has been in the past........