http://www.waksa.com/index.php/site/index/ en brad@catch23.com.au Copyright 2008 2008-11-12T02:47:58+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/welcome_to_waksa/ http://www.waksa.com/site/welcome_to_waksa/#When:14:51:22Z 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, representation at an official level when dealing with Local and State Government, delivering a calendar of events… 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 2008-08-02T14:51:22+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/wack_at_pengiun_island_9th_november_08_event_report/ http://www.waksa.com/site/wack_at_pengiun_island_9th_november_08_event_report/#When:02:47:58Z 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. 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. General, News 2008-11-12T02:47:58+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/season_kick_off_for_wack_wachickkiters/ http://www.waksa.com/site/season_kick_off_for_wack_wachickkiters/#When:00:40:40Z 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.  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. General 2008-10-06T00:40:40+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/downloads/ http://www.waksa.com/site/downloads/#When:07:33:40Z 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 2008-09-24T07:33:40+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/welcome_to_the_new_waksa_site/ http://www.waksa.com/site/welcome_to_the_new_waksa_site/#When:12:22:34Z 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. 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. General 2008-09-17T12:22:34+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/right_of_way_rules/ http://www.waksa.com/site/right_of_way_rules/#When:09:30:31Z 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 Safety 2008-09-09T09:30:31+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/news_waksa_website/ http://www.waksa.com/site/news_waksa_website/#When:10:42:53Z 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 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 General, News 2008-08-29T10:42:53+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/contact_us/ http://www.waksa.com/site/contact_us/#When:04:51:38Z waksa@waksa.org.au emails to this address will be auto-circulated to the whole committee. More contact details shortly. 2008-08-25T04:51:38+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/about_waksa/ http://www.waksa.com/site/about_waksa/#When:15:29:58Z 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. 2008-08-24T15:29:58+08:00 http://www.waksa.com/site/weather/ http://www.waksa.com/site/weather/#When:15:25:29Z 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. Safety 2008-08-24T15:25:29+08:00