Not to stir up a shit storm, but I thought everyone should be aware that there is a meeting at Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club tomorrow (Tues) 18 Jan at 7pm to discuss the future of windsurfing and kitesurfing in the bay.

I know this has been a concern of the lifesavers for a number of years, usually over one or two bad apples from overseas not following the lifesavers requests to respect the bathing areas. However, I have a strong feeling that tomorrow's talk has been called because of a fight between a lifesaver and a windsurfer last Monday in which punches were thrown. As a witness to the fight, I can only say that the lifesaver acted completely inappropriately and I would hate to see this incident falsely spark an end to windsurfing at Big Bay.

All windsurfers and kitesurfers are invited to attend the friendly discussion to understand how the waters might best be used. Myself and Mark can't make it, but I would encourage all Big Bay supporters to go there and voice your concern in a mature fashion.

The following e-mail is doing the rounds this morning:

Good day all

As discussed on Tuesday night at Big Bay lifesaving, please find below a brief breakdown of the evenings meeting and how we will be going forward from there.

The main aim of the meeting, and all future meetings will be to come to an understanding between all parties involved in when, where and how Big Bay will be used by kite surfers, windsurfers, swimmers, surfers and body boarders.

The main problem that we are facing is that Big Bays marketing strategy from the tourism industry and council is to promote the beach as a safe swimming beach.

We need to ensure that as many people as possible are made aware of what the rules of the bay will be so that we can guarantee continued availability of wind and surf sports at one of the best locations in the world.

One of the suggestions was that a flag system be introduced to communicate between lifeguards, swimmers and wind users as to where each one is allowed at any given time.

This system is still being reviewed by all parties involved, and should be finalized at the next meeting.

If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns, please forward them on me and I will ensure that the parties involved will receive them. We live in a democracy, so let us all give our opinion on the matter.

I will keep e-mails confidential if requested to do so.

Please forward this e-mail on to as many people as possible to ensure that we get as many points of view before any decisions are made.

Speak now, or forever surf where you are told to surf!!!

For the moment, the requests are that the windsurfers stay down wind of the flagpole in front of the lifesaving tower, and that kite surfers stay down wind of the red flag that will be on the beach.

I am very confident that we will be able to settle all disputes at Big Bay, and we might even set the standard for governing the sports across SA.

Regards and safe surfing


Bruce Sandmann

082 356 0700

b.sandmann@yahoo.com

www.universalsportmags.com

Almost everyone on this post and from WSA were at the WSA Nationals in Langebaan. With guys flying in from KZN and PE, I don't think they could just abandon the event for the meeting.

meeting was on tues eve im sure nationals were not running then my point is 4 local winsurfers and 3 euros attended again i feel it was a poor effort rocky why were you not there!i did note the wind was blowing so maybe that was more important and where were the retailers! only myself and spowy were there.it just sent out a message that we are a easy prey and i expect winsurfing at big bay to have its wings clipped well and truly there was a lot of informationat at that meeting that i was not aware of and will have a bearing on the sport if not well represented.