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Welcome to WAKSA

2008-08-02T14:51:22Z

The WA Kite Surfing Association is the Western Australian representative body for the sport of Kite Surfing. In affiliation with the Australian Kite Surfing Association our major roles are promoting safety and protecting beach access while developing positive attitudes and relationships between kiters and beyond to the wider community. This includes providing our members with public liability insurance (see summary below), representation at an official level when dealing with Local and State Government, delivering a calendar of events that caters for all levels of kiting ability and providing the framework and standards for competitive development of the sport in Australia.

Australian Kite Surfing Association National Insurance Policy 2008-2009

Click here to download a summary of the insurance policy
Click here to download complete insurance policy

WACK! At Pengiun Island 9th November 08 Event Report

2008-11-12T02:47:58Z

We had another glorious and this time windy afternoon for the WACK! gathering at Penguin Island, Shoalwater Bay.
It was brilliant to see everyone who was able to get down to join us, I don’t think the regulars at Pengo’s still know what hit them- the beach and the waters in the bay were the busiest for kiting that I have ever seen!
There were over 20 girls (to be honest, I was too busy enjoying the vibe to keep an accurate count), as well as a good collection of supporters; thanks to the dads and grandparents for looking after the kids, and all the lads who helped out on the beach.

Our wind dance during the week seemed to have worked well- on the beach it felt windy from the start and for those of us just getting our confidence up it was a bit intimidating, but once kites were up and going it became clear we were in for a good wind session. I think we were all inspired by nice moves from Shannon, Caroline, Chrissy and Jo- maybe one day the rest of us will actually be able to do the same! We were also impressed by the efforts of newbies Pia, Judy and Anna getting out there.

Ben from West Oz Kiteboarding was able to give some good local advice before we hit the water, and bottles of LLB’s courtesy of Duncan at Angostura went down a treat to keep our energy levels up (I wonder how Guarana supplimented LLB would go as a chick kiter’s drink?!). Paul Burton came down later in the day to take some pix, you can find some of his photos here and also at at http://www.pbase.com/pbphotoswa/kitesurfing.

A few drinks and nibbles off the BBQ along with a good bit of socialising rounded out the afternoon, and I have to say a couple of glasses of bubbly went down quite nicely at sunset at the end of the day.

Our next gathering is “WACK! Christmas Kiting at Woodies” Sunday 14th December, as usual from 2pm, this time at Woodman Point. More details on this event in the next few weeks, hoping to see you all there!

Nic, Nina and Joy.

Season kick-off for WACK! (WAChickKiters)

2008-10-06T00:40:40Z

Hey Girls, its time to pull out the rashie and dust off the harness, as well as get your socialising hat on for the WACK! 08/09 season kick off.
We will be gathering for our first event for the season (and our inaugural gathering!) from 2pm on October 19th at Pinnaroo Point.
This is a casual social kitesurfing event for the fairer sex to get together on and off the water, open to all levels of kiters- we all know what it was like to be starting out!
We will have bbq’s, eskis and ice, just bring yourselves, some food and drinks, and of course all your gear.
If the wind god is not smiling on us, we have some no wind activities planned, so come along and be a part of a great bunch of like minded women.
Kids and partners are welcome to come along and support the girls!
Look out for the WAKSA banners on the beach, and come join us for a fantastic afternoon.
(for more information please contact Nic via wasksa email)

PS
Mark your diary’s now for WACK! for the 2nd Sunday of the months from November to Febuary-
• 9th November at Penguin Island,
• 14th December at Woodman’s Point,
• 11th January at City Beach,
• 8th February at Dongara.

Watch for more details of each event (and maybe some extra events!) closer to the time.

Downloads

2008-09-24T07:33:40Z

Australian Kite Surfing Association National Insurance Policy 2008-2009

Click here to download a summary of the insurance policy
Click here to download complete insurance policy

WAKSA Information Brochure

Download English version
Download French version

Welcome to the New WAKSA Site

2008-09-17T12:22:34Z

Here it is folks. All new, fresh and clean to start a brilliant new season. Bring it on – please.

Your 08/09 webmaster team has been busy all winter putting together this fabulous site. Launching now, just in time for all members to login to renew their membership.
The new site, apart from its dynamic new look and feel, has been designed so that more of the waksa team can manage, take part in developing new features and add to the site content in a very user-friendly environment. And it works. The new committee members have been receiving regular, ongoing instruction on website management and editing. Now that we have gone live we are all about to attend our final tutorial so that features and content can be built on, and added in, at what we are hoping will be a phenomenal rate. There are lots of ideas in the pipeline. You will need to check back here regularly to keep abreast of the progress on the WAKSA website!

So check it out. A lot of the content has come from the old site but there is ‘more’ and ‘different’ out there to be found. Eg …..

a forum where you can discuss anything of interest with other members.
the gallery is open to post your favourite kite pics.
there is a location guide which is all set to add private forums for use by local clubs based at specific kite beaches*.
FAQ’s will answer many of your queries without having to move away from your keyboard.
there is a directory where you will find all manner of links to areas of interest to WA kiters.

But, despite the array of options open to you, the events menu is probably one of the first places you will steer off to. Sorry! You will have to wait a little while longer for the full calendar. As soon as we have a few more dates finalised a proviso calendar will be posted under the events tab. But remember too that, this year, if you want an event to get up its up to you get it there! We have high hopes a full-on, feature packed calendar but without member support it just won’t happen. Use the waks@waksa.org.au address to suggest events and/or offer to step up and help run them. WAKSA will be fully behind everything the membership wants and is prepared to support.

And even beyond what you can see the waksa site will be a bonus for kiters all around the coast. It is your waksa webteam that is building the online registration system which will soon be adopted by all other AKSA affiliated states to make an automated central database for kiters Australia-wide.
Which brings us to the reminder that the point of the launch at this time is to allow you to use the easy-as online registration yourself – right now !!! The time is nigh for WAKSA renewals and full year memberships. Don’t risk it or miss the all the benefits beyond the insurance. Join Now. Its just $65 for the whole year – fantastic value and it could just be the best $65 you ever spend.

So go to it ..... and be sure to finish off with your vote on how you rate the new site.

Heres to a great season
Your waksa crew

* WAKSA is very keen to support the development of single beach or area specific local kitesurf clubs. We have the contacts, communication channels, resources and even finance to make the formation and operation of local clubs a simple and effective reality.
Local kitesurfing clubs can be Perth metro or regional areas – waksa will support them all. If you have a group of mates at your local who would like to form a club to help protect your own area, run a few comps or organise local kiting and social events then contact the crew through the normal waksa@waksa.org.au address and let us help you get it happening.

Right of Way Rules

2008-09-09T09:30:31Z

The following Right of Way guidelines should be adhered to when Kite Surfing:

• There is no absolute right of way - All parties should take any action necessary to avoid a collision.
• When two riders are on opposite tacks, the port tack rider shall alter course and/or kite position in order to keep clear of the starboard tack rider who should maintain the same course and speed.
• When two or more riders are on the same tack with kite lines overlapped, the upwind rider(s) shall keep their kite high and the downwind rider(s) keep their kite low.
• When two riders are on the same tack and are not overlapped, the rider behind shall ensure the rider ahead is aware of the rider approaching from behind.
• Never deliberately manoeuvre into a right of way position so that it interferes with another water user. If you are behind another kite heading into the beach, turn early to allow the lead rider plenty of room to turn. Always check for other water users before water-starting, jibing, relaunching a kite or recovering a board.
• A rider shall not jump if there is any danger of possible collision with another rider.
• When wave riding, the first rider on the face of a wave has right of way. This may override the starboard tack rule.
• All riders should be aware of and abide by all applicable federal, state and local government laws.

For full details, visit the Department of Planning and Infrastructure

New WAKSA Website

2008-08-29T10:42:53Z

Over the winter the WAKSA crew have been hard at work building a more user friendly website. As well as all the old favorites, like the Location Guide and News & Events sections, we have added some new features like a WA members only forum, some member poles and a new look image gallery. We have also extended the WAKSA directory by including a new section called Kiter-2-Kiter, This is a directory for all member owned, non-kite related businesses to peddle their wares to fellow kiters. Being a members only service if you still haven’t joined WAKSA yet click here and become a part of it - membership
Obviously you will find it all fresh and new but still lacking in a lot of areas which we will keep working on to bring the whole site thoroughly up to date and in tune with all things relevant to Kitesurfing in WA. Check back here regularly for updated News, additions to the Events Calendar and expanding info in many of the menu items - old and new.

Anyway have a look around; check it out.
If you have any ideas of how we can improve the site email us a waksa@waksa.org.au

your waksa crew

Contact Us

2008-08-25T04:51:38Z

waksa@waksa.org.au emails to this address will be auto-circulated to the whole committee. More contact details shortly.

About WAKSA

2008-08-24T15:29:58Z

The W.A. Kitesurfing Association was formed in 2002 by a group of kiters that wanted to help progress the sport and allow it to grow by ensuring that locations remained available. Their efforts in establishing the W.A. Kitesurfing Association (also known as WAKSA) laid the foundation for the biggest kitesurfing organisation in Australia with over 500 members. Today WAKSA is growing and developing into a an organisation that not only protects access and promotes safety, but one that openly encourages members to participate in organised kiting and social events. WAKSA is run by a group of dedicated volunteers who give their time to ensure that W.A. remains a premier location for kitesurfing.

Weather

2008-08-24T15:25:29Z

The kitesurfing season typically runs from October to March, when regular seabreezes (SW) ranging from 15-25 knots can be expected. Winter kiting can be extremely hazardous with frontal winds and is only recommended for expert kiters. Air temperatures can range from 20C - 40C during the summer months and sea temperatures can range from 17C - 22C.

The above figures are based on the Perth Metro region and should only be used as a rough guide. For a more detailed climatic overview please visit the BOM website.

For realtime wind readings at various locations please visit the Seabreeze website.

Stick to the guidelines

2008-08-24T15:24:53Z

Western Australia is a very popular destination for kitesurfers, not just locals, but interstate and overseas vistors. By producing the guidelines outlined in the location guide (bottom panel) we hope to encourage people to be responsible and show respect to other kiters and beach users, so that we may continue to enjoy some of best kiting locations in the world.

WAKSA does not make rules or regulations; the guides our based on the experiences of our members who kite regularly at the locations. They have provided us with feedback on issues that may affect the accessibility to a spot as well as producing a simple rating system so that kiters can be aware of the ability required to ride at a specific location.

The guides are not a rule book, they are not enforcable (unless local council/DPI/CALM rules have be issued); they are designed to give kiters the opportunity to follow some simple guidelines that will allow access to be maintained and ensure continuous safety for all.

Guides for some of the most popular locations in WA are listed. We will be adding more guides as the season progresses.

C.L.E.A.R

2008-08-15T13:30:41Z

Kite Surfing is easy to practice safely with a little forethought and common sense. Ultimately we are responsible for minimizing the risk to ourselves, and others, which will help protect the future of this great sport be very CLEAR about your responsibilities.

Conditions

Wind strength
Wind direction
Always keep downwind area well clear
Waves, tides & currents
Consider possible changes

Look

Before you launch, land, jump, jibe, etc

Equipment

Always pre-flight check
Use a kite leash
Use a quick release on anything you hook into
Practise using your safety systems regularly so that it becomes instinctive
Never exceed manufacturers specifications

Attitude

Always seek and listen to local advice
Don’t exceed your limitations
Use judgement to prevent situations, not rely on skill to try and get out of it

Respect

Others - be considerate and courteous to all other water and beach users
The law
Fellow kiters - follow right of way rules
The environment

WAKSA Annual General Meeting

2008-08-04T04:29:18Z

Cottesloe Beach Hotel 17
More than 50 waksa members, family & friends enjoyed the convivial atmosphere of the ‘sunset room’ at the ‘Cott’ for this years AGM. Video entertainment included footage of the 2008 Australian National Wave Titles.

Raw footage was generously donated by ‘Steve’ from Kitepower - Sydney & Geelong. Editing was put together, very professionally and in very limited time, by Andrew Tate from Onslow.Huge thanks from waksa to Steve & Andrew for this highlight of the nights entertainment.

07/08 reports were presented by the outgoing President, Secretary, Treasurer and Events Co-ordinator. Alex Bell then declared all positions vacant and in stood in as Chairman to kick-off the election of the new committee for the 2008/09 season. 13 nominations were received. When the voting was all done & dusted we had the following structure, and people, forming the 2008/09 waksa committee.

President
Phil Morrow - Nominated by Alex Bell - Seconded Nick Streuli - Voted in by the members Yes

Vice President
Dean Gilkison - Nominated by Phil Morrow - Seconded Lance Gelden - Voted in by the members Yes

Secretary
Pat Banks - Nominated by Jessica Van Den Berg - Seconded Daniel Anderson - Voted in by the members Yes

Treasurer
Nick Dawe - Nominated by Alex Bell - Seconded Daniel Anderson - Voted in by the members Yes
Alex Swingewood - Nominated by Nicolea Paull - Seconded Nick Dawe - Voted in by the members Yes

Webmaster
Nick Strueli - Nominated by Pat Banks - Seconded Alex Bell - Voted in by the members Yes
Brad Wright - Nominated by Alex Bell - Seconded Coert Du Plessis - Voted in by the members Yes
Said Salameh - Nominated by Nick Strueli - Seconded Nick Dawe - Voted in by the members Yes

General Committee
Michael Brooks - Nominated by Nick Strueli - Seconded Chrissy Gaudieri - Voted in by the members Yes
Ray Quahs - Nominated by Sue Anderson - Seconded Alex Bell -Voted in by the members Yes
Graeme Speak - Nominated by Jonothan Keys - Seconded Daniel Anderson -Voted in by the members Yes
Lance Gelden - Nominated by Daniel Anderson - Seconded Nick Dawe -Voted in by the members Yes
Christophe Chevallier - Nominated by Richard Walanski - Seconded Nick Strueli - Voted in by the members Yes

Congratulations and thanks to all those involved. An exciting year is about to unfold.Several items of general interest were raised and discussed. Each of these will be addressed in detail, and reported on, by the committee at a later time.

Time then for our presentations. The new president, on behalf of all WAKSA members, thanked Alex Bell for his three years of dedication and self-driven voluntary work as president of WAKSA. For his tireless, and so successful, initiatives in this role Alex was presented with WAKSA’s inaugural Lifetime Membership. A very prestigious and well deserved honour as the form, and direction ahead for waksa has been very much forged by his efforts.

As the prime movers behind the hugely successful kitestock event Alex Bell and Jess van den Berg were each presented with three years of free entry to Kitestock. Jess was also applauded for her work as overall Events Coordinator for the last three years. Here again one person has defined the standard for all future waksa events. Her thoroughness and her legacy of the “events templates” will serve waksa well – well into the future.

Presentations and thanks were also extended to Chrissy for her year as treasurer and to Sue for the great job she has done with the very time consuming role of secretary.

Thanks were also extended to all the resigning & past committee volunteers who, collectively, have built WAKSA to a position that is widely acknowledged as Australias premium kitesurfing organisation.

Amongst the final round of applause the words “WA ROCKS” was heard from the someone at the bar. How true! The next committee meeting is scheduled for 14th May 2008 time and venue to be announced.

WAKSA Membership

2008-08-04T02:40:11Z

Becoming a WAKSA member is a positive way of not only protecting yourself from the potential liability (download summary) which may result from a mishap which results in injury to another person but it also offers protection to all your fellow kiters in helping to keep beaches free for all beach users to enjoy. Several beaches are already subject to restrictions requiring WAKSA membership as a prerequisite of kiting in the area. You will need to check the WAKSA location guide to get the full details of these by-laws or risk equipment confiscation and/or fines by local authorities.
WAKSA membership will also give you automatic entry to all of the social and competitive events which we run during the kiting season; from Oct 1st through to the end of March. WAKSA also supports local ‘beach user groups’ by providing a forum for ease of communication between kiters frequenting the same beach regularly. Local beach user groups are also entitled full access to all of the WAKSA owned equipment for social events &/or local competitions.
A quick look around this site will give you more information on the growing number of benefits to be gained by being a part of the WAKSA scene. Your one low annual subscription of Aus$65 will cover you for 24 hour Australia wide insurance as well as offering you a welcome to every official AKSA affiliated kitesurfing event in Australia. See our directory for contact details of all the affiliated Kite Surfing Associations around Australia.
Enrolment is made simple via our online registration and payment forms.

Steps to a WAKSA Membership:

Register your NEW website user name here (Note: this site won’t recognise old user names. You must re enter them.)
Activate your new user name via an email you will receive shortly. Click the activation link in the email and you will be redirected back to this page
When your user name is activated and you have logged into the site you will see a Pay your registration here link at the bottom of the page that will direct you to PayPal to complete your WAKSA Membership Registration
As soon as we receive email confirmation of your payment of A$ 65.00, your WAKSA kit will be sent to the address you entered on the membership form
Your insurance will take effect from payment date up to 30^th September the following year
Your tags will be coming soon

If online payment isn’t your thing then you can always download the registration form, fill it out and post it and your payment to: PO Box 324 Hillarys WA 6923.
Download form here.

Kitesurfer Saves Drowning Family

2008-02-04T12:26:56Z

In a remarkable turn of events in Geraldton, a Dad found himself being swept offshore holding on to two kids who couldn’t swim.

Sunday night at 8pm, the wind is cranking at over 30 knots (55 km/h), and there is one kiter out - Matty Kalajzich.

Speaking with Matt, he said that the wind was turning offshore, so he heads in to call it a day. It’s then that he sees the Dad with two 4-6 year old children on his shoulders in trouble. The man is about 150 metres offshore, and is yelling for help.

With 30 knot offshore winds a single man trying to keep himself and two kids afloat is clearly headed for disaster.

Immediately ditching his board, Matt makes his way to the man, grabs one of the kids and carries the child to shore using the power of his kite. Once that boy is safe on land, Matt heads back out to the Dad and remaining child and drags them to safety.

Once onshore, it becomes clear the speed at which the kids were swept out by the ocean. Whilst bent over getting his breath back it’s plain to see the Dad is still fully clothed (including reading glasses). The kids have been playing by the sea, the rip and the wind have then rapidly dragged them out of their depth - Dad has jumped in after them, and quickly found himself out of his depth as well.

The man reveals that just prior to Matt appearing he was about to let one of the children go so that he could save at least one - at unbelievable situation to face, when only 10 minutes earlier he was having a fun on the beach.

Well done to Matty Kalajzich - hero of the day!

Update 24th Jan:

Tasman, the lucky Dad to be rescued logged in and posted this message - good on you Tasman!

“My thanks goes to Matt for saving my Boys (Emmett(6) and Lawrence(4)) on Sunday afternoon.

Our regular evening walk of the dogs and play in the water soon turned into a dire situation due to the ocean currents, offshore winds and my poor judgment.

Matt’s presence in the area saved not just the Boys and I, but also saved me from punting on the strength of my eldest (Emmett, not only initiated the rescue of his younger brother by going in after him, but on numerous occasions let go of me and swam ahead of us. It is his bravery in the water that stays with me more than the heroic deeds of Matt - and I know thats saying something!).

It was the presence of Matt that saved me from going into panic mode. Having attempted to get to shore using different strokes without success (watching the 4wd on the shore get further away) I knew my next choice was to wait of Matt (who I had been watching before hand). If Matt was not there, who knows where we would have ended up? Strong currents, offshore winds, my guest would be the shipping lanes - if we lasted that long!

Matt’s efforts and ease at which he plucked us from our ride ‘through hell and back’ also reinforces (or maybe introduces) the Kite as a valuable tool in surf rescue. In the hands of skilled surf rescuers on patrol, the Kite’s image could soon be more positive.

It was the “Don’t think, just act” process going through Matt’s mind that makes him a Hero. Even well after the event, I’m am still not sure if Matt realises what his actions mean to this young family.

Thanks again Matt, for saving the lives of my Boys.”

Story courtesy of www.seabreeze.com.au