[Paddlewise] Good news from South Australia

Briefly, a couple of months ago, South Australia (a large state in their
Union) unexpectedly passed a silly law prohibiting kayaks from venturing
more than 2 nm offshore. I reported on this a while back.

Peter Carter, a SA paddler, today reports success in having this nonsense
changed: http://www.users.on.net/~pcarter/regulations2009.html

I mention this again, both to share the good news and to show that sensible
efforts by the paddlesport world can achieve good outcomes. If it happens
near you, take heart and get off your bum.

To extract from Peter's site:

"It was a productive meeting. We achieved the outcomes we wanted, and the
regulations will be amended. The two nautical mile limit will not apply,
replaced by a 400 metre limit for craft that are not sea kayaks. A
definition of sea kayaks suitable for inclusion in the regulations needs to
be finalised, but sea kayaks will be permitted on all waters, sheltered and
unsheltered."

and

"Sea kayaks operated solo beyond 400m from shore will need to be equipped
similarly to other small craft: PFD 2, bailing device, waterproof torch at
night, flares (2 red, 2 smoke), V sheet, four litre water capacity, chart,
compass, EPIRB. (There is some question as to whether PLBs meet the
standards.) A VHF radio and/or a mobile phone is recommended. That means
that some of us will have some shopping to do, but it brings us into line
with other craft.

A pod of kayaks, such as a group under training with an instructor, must
have all that equipment within the group, plus a towline. With club groups,
there will usually be multiple items of equipment. A question to be resolved
is the definition of a 'pod'.

An important outcome of the meeting was the opening up of communication
between the department and organised canoeing. Thanks go to David Mausolf
for his initiative, to Jim Hallion and his staff, and Ian Dewey for becoming
the main point of contact with the department. "

Best Regards
Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand
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