Forums > Kitesurfing General

Melbourne bayside beaches closing this weekend

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Created by Sandfoot > 9 months ago, 27 Mar 2020
Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
1 Apr 2020 4:10PM
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Surfer62 said..



Dont waste your time driving down here.


Haven't wasted my time or petrol driving there in decades.

snalberski
WA, 857 posts
1 Apr 2020 1:27PM
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HappyG said..
Its Funny... social distancing at Bunnings is not there at all. You are constantly bumping into or trying to social distance in the store.


I just came home from Bunnings and the entrance is line guided by bollards and tape and numbers regulated by staff.

AquaPlow
QLD, 1051 posts
2 Apr 2020 3:53AM
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These people can't all be stupid??
www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/germany-stays-streamlined-in-a-crisis-as-its-widespread-testing-regime-and-level-headedness-help-keep-it-ahead-of-the-curve-39086209.html
Like their approach but we have to live within ours - they do devote a lot of well allocated resources to public health.
They also have plans for immunity certificates for the recoveries.. = most people.
Wish you all well
Cheers
AP

Surfer62
1357 posts
5 Apr 2020 5:52PM
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Peahi said..

Surfer62 said..



Dont waste your time driving down here.



Haven't wasted my time or petrol driving there in decades.


Friday at Danger was awesome, only one kite out

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
5 Apr 2020 9:45PM
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about four kites spread out in my local 4-5km stretch, no beach police, only the odd 45kn squall and a heavy shorebreak to contend with



Smithy
VIC, 858 posts
6 Apr 2020 8:09PM
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So talking to a policeman friend, they have been advised that any sporting activity that is classed as a leisure activity is banned, they would consider kite boarding and windsurfing as just that and definitely not a fitness activity. He also advised that no council has the jurisdiction to decide and that police are too busy to know individual council rules anyway.

He warned they will fine you as a kite flying over the beach can be seen by lots of people and sends the wrong message to the community to self isolate except for essential purposes.

Surfer62
1357 posts
7 Apr 2020 2:36AM
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Smithy said..
So talking to a policeman friend, they have been advised that any sporting activity that is classed as a leisure activity is banned, they would consider kite boarding and windsurfing as just that and definitely not a fitness activity. He also advised that no council has the jurisdiction to decide and that police are too busy to know individual council rules anyway.

He warned they will fine you as a kite flying over the beach can be seen by lots of people and sends the wrong message to the community to self isolate except for essential purposes.


Not true Smithy, your info is wrong and a classic example of social media misinformation causing undue anxiety and negativity.

As at 6 April, there are four reasons Victorians have to leave their home:
1. shopping for what you need - food and essential supplies,
2. Medical care or compassionate needs,
3. Exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements,
4. Work and study if you can't work or learn remotely

DHHS is the COVID19 control agency in Victoria and has all information re restricted activities on their website, last update to additional restricted activities on link below, hunting, fishing, golf, camping, boating, absolutely no reference to surfing/kitesurfing/windsurfing in any way banned or a restricted activity.

www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19#stay-active

www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/media-release-coronavirus-update-cho-victoria-2-april-2020

You will not be fined for kiting in Victoria, Victoria Police have not been advised that any sporting activity that is classed as a leisure activity is banned, what sport isn't a leisure actvity ? absolute nonsense. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton makes the call on restricted activities including exercise/sports/leisure in Victoria during this period which are detailed in the website above.

Smithy
VIC, 858 posts
7 Apr 2020 7:38AM
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Surfer62 said..



You will not be fined for kiting in Victoria, Victoria Police have not been advised that any sporting activity that is classed as a leisure activity is banned, what sport isn't a leisure actvity ? absolute nonsense. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton makes the call on restricted activities including exercise/sports/leisure in Victoria during this period which are detailed in the website above.


Not social media hype, came straight from a neighbour who is a copper and based on the briefing at his station. Trust me I would love you to be right, but if you have to argue your case based on the facts you stated, you may not win.

Surfer62
1357 posts
7 Apr 2020 9:16AM
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Smithy, I can categorically say that under current stage 3 rules, victoria police will not and cannot fine you for kiting, unless you were clearly breaching the social distancing rule of more than 2 people together as a group.

surfing or kiting by yourself even with others on the water is not an issue, being in a car park or beach with a group is another matter.

Cheers, peace

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
7 Apr 2020 8:34PM
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The laws are confusing, and I wouldn't rely on a cops word nor council bylaws, only difference is a cop can easily give you a fine which you might then have to fight/appeal.

But they need to be careful: The learner driver one was a debacle, even if theoretically they were doing the wrong thing (non essential travel), but then going to Bunnings is hardly essential either.

Nothing to date specifically mentioning surfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, supping being banned.

I think the Easter weekend is going to bring a whole lot of new rules (Bass Coast already has), hoping its cold and windy so beach goers (and therefore cops) stay away.

Weekend just passed seemed a bit more laid back at the beaches (maybe because of wind and rain) compared to weekend prior where cops were staking out every bayside beach.

RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
8 Apr 2020 7:57AM
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Bass coast has shut beaches for everything for Easter.
while beaches are still open in South Gippsland. It is still considered non essential travel, to drive from Melbourne down here for anything other than essential work or repairs to a holiday house.
Thats not keeping coming down to renovate or build a holiday house as some seem to think.

bjw
NSW, 3568 posts
8 Apr 2020 9:22AM
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It does seem that councils are stepping above their pay grade and enforcing laws they shouldn't be, and restricting rights they shouldn't be. Perhaps police are stepping above the law as well?

Smithy
VIC, 858 posts
8 Apr 2020 11:04AM
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Maybe this clarifies it...

towradgi
NSW, 424 posts
8 Apr 2020 2:50PM
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bjw said..
It does seem that councils are stepping above their pay grade and enforcing laws they shouldn't be, and restricting rights they shouldn't be. Perhaps police are stepping above the law as well?





HappyG
VIC, 290 posts
8 Apr 2020 6:42PM
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What Bass Coast shut down beaches? Inverloch locals including myself (Warragul) have been kiting, surfing, suping. Maybe they are telling people not to come down. It seems that everyone is staying in Melbourne as it like a ghost town... Except the few Footballers wives down here walking on the beach with their little cavoodles.

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
8 Apr 2020 9:32PM
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HappyG said..
What Bass Coast shut down beaches? Inverloch locals including myself (Warragul) have been kiting, surfing, suping. Maybe they are telling people not to come down. It seems that everyone is staying in Melbourne as it like a ghost town... Except the few Footballers wives down here walking on the beach with their little cavoodles.


Maybe more to deter tourism from the Phillip Island area, and its probably easy to vet cars crossing the bridge

At the same time a 3-hour drive to inverloch or sandy pt for a kite would be hard to justify as mere exercise.

i'd say the footballers wives are at their holiday houses, probably bored too

Surfer62
1357 posts
9 Apr 2020 7:19AM
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Peahi said..

HappyG said..
What Bass Coast shut down beaches? Inverloch locals including myself (Warragul) have been kiting, surfing, suping. Maybe they are telling people not to come down. It seems that everyone is staying in Melbourne as it like a ghost town... Except the few Footballers wives down here walking on the beach with their little cavoodles.



Maybe more to deter tourism from the Phillip Island area, and its probably easy to vet cars crossing the bridge

At the same time a 3-hour drive to inverloch or sandy pt for a kite would be hard to justify as mere exercise.

i'd say the footballers wives are at their holiday houses, probably bored too


Yep, I'd say if your lucky enough to live at beach your ok, a 10 + km drive to the beach would be hard to justify.

vendeavours
VIC, 361 posts
9 Apr 2020 12:51PM
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We are stuffed BetterBoating . Vic.gov on 8/4/20 Black and white We can not Kitesurf on Vic water Police can issue on spot fine Bugger Stay Safe Hopefully later this year


HappyG
VIC, 290 posts
9 Apr 2020 11:23PM
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Well then that's it... I cant believe you can go for a surf but not SUP or kite...
Oh well I have the keys to an indoor skate park I can skate... Or go for a mountain bike ride down a back country pump track... Jesus these options are not dangerous.
Do you know the funny thing there has been more accidents and near missus with people on bike paths and scooters on paths ATM and doctors and hospitals have seen a rise in this... Anyway stop bitchin

Smithy
VIC, 858 posts
10 Apr 2020 9:53AM
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Surfer62 said..
Smithy, I can categorically say that under current stage 3 rules, victoria police will not and cannot fine you for kiting, unless you were clearly breaching the social distancing rule of more than 2 people together as a group.

surfing or kiting by yourself even with others on the water is not an issue, being in a car park or beach with a group is another matter.

Cheers, peace


So seems my policeman neighbour was correct then.... I so wish he wasn't

RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
10 Apr 2020 3:07PM
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From a vic gov website
"Yes, the use of recreational vessels for the purposes of facilitating retail sales is permitted."

djdojo
VIC, 1607 posts
11 Apr 2020 9:31AM
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So much good wind going to waste today. I wonder if the pushback on these rules will get them overturned or at least somehow dialed back within a few weeks.

RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
11 Apr 2020 1:13PM
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From Facebook

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
11 Apr 2020 1:48PM
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The councils control the beaches to the mean high tide line. Parks Victoria controls the water and communicates through Maritime Safety and Better Boating. The councils have no authority in the water.

The councils in general don't mind if we go to the beach, rig up and get going.

Maritime Safety says no going out on the water. The advice says no human powered or wind powered craft. They explicitly mention SUP, canoe, kayak, wind and kite surfing.

You could say that surfing is permitted because it's not mentioned in the notice. It's also said elsewhere "stop looking for loopholes", I think a gung ho cop could give you a ticket then you're stuck with trying to challenge it.

Professionals are allowed to do most things provided they observe the social distancing rules.

My take is that the government have no idea about kiteboarding and they don't care. The message is pretty clear. Just stay home. Go for a walk if you have to. Kitey windy sailey thing? Who gives a ****?

It burns me that I am far more exposed to morons with no idea of personal space on a walking/cycling track. I can't think of any reasonable way to fight it. COVID-19 tends to trump civil disobedience.

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
12 Apr 2020 8:37AM
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Gorgo said..
The councils control the beaches to the mean high tide line. Parks Victoria controls the water and communicates through Maritime Safety and Better Boating. The councils have no authority in the water.

The councils in general don't mind if we go to the beach, rig up and get going.

Maritime Safety says no going out on the water. The advice says no human powered or wind powered craft. They explicitly mention SUP, canoe, kayak, wind and kite surfing.

You could say that surfing is permitted because it's not mentioned in the notice. It's also said elsewhere "stop looking for loopholes", I think a gung ho cop could give you a ticket then you're stuck with trying to challenge it.

Professionals are allowed to do most things provided they observe the social distancing rules.

My take is that the government have no idea about kiteboarding and they don't care. The message is pretty clear. Just stay home. Go for a walk if you have to. Kitey windy sailey thing? Who gives a ****?

It burns me that I am far more exposed to morons with no idea of personal space on a walking/cycling track. I can't think of any reasonable way to fight it. COVID-19 tends to trump civil disobedience.


On top of Parks Vic there is YET another govt dept betterboating.vic.gov.au/, which makes more blanket rules despite the total irrelevance of SUP, kayak or kitesurf as "all forms of human powered boating", somehow surfing got missed.?

So wearing floaties will be considered recreational human powered boating.

Ahoy there me maties!

farNT
QLD, 89 posts
13 Apr 2020 5:11PM
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vendeavours said..
We are stuffed BetterBoating . Vic.gov on 8/4/20 Black and white We can not Kitesurf on Vic water Police can issue on spot fine Bugger Stay Safe Hopefully later this year



We can go fishing crabbing as it is classed as food gathering here in Queensland

Peahi
VIC, 1467 posts
14 Apr 2020 10:24PM
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Common sense has prevailed it seems

Smithy
VIC, 858 posts
15 Apr 2020 6:37PM
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So confusing, so a sporting body with no authority, Windsurfing Victoria, says it's ok but a state government authority, Better Boating Victoria, stills says it's not OK so who you going to believe...

its not that hard, give it a break for a while, the better we as a community can show we can play it safe, the sooner things will be eased.

Pigdog3
VIC, 55 posts
15 Apr 2020 6:51PM
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Smitty go eat a fkn dick mate. They are still horse racing surfing and I have a hundred fkn ****s climbing all over my back at work.
Besides the fact we care under a dictatorship government.
Have a spell mate off to the paddock ya Muppet

Aspiremr
WA, 108 posts
15 Apr 2020 6:58PM
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Smithy said..
So confusing, so a sporting body with no authority, Windsurfing Victoria, says it's ok but a state government authority, Better Boating Victoria, stills says it's not OK so who you going to believe...

its not that hard, give it a break for a while, the better we as a community can show we can play it safe, the sooner things will be eased.


Why so keen to win the argument and see it stopped. It does not pose a risk of transmission. Are you one of those new kiters who is actuallly really scared, and doing it only to prove something to someone. The longer it is shut down the longer you feel safe? Or perhaps you;re a frustrated participant in another sport, and want everything shut down if you can;t do your thing. Whatever it is, give it a rest. UNder the radar, low profile, and we will be fine. Unless we make enough noise, then it will get attention and be banned.



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"Melbourne bayside beaches closing this weekend" started by Sandfoot