So the water skiing in the estuary scenario seems to have raised its head again. This debate has been going on for years. I can remember when I was about 15 and we nearly had agreement to be able to water-ski up at Widegates but at the last minute the decision went against. We still did in but made sure that we weren't being towed when people were around. No-one ever reported us or made an issue of it...plus we weren't going anywhere near as fast as we did on our windsurfers!
It's reminiscent of the ongoing debate up in the Lake District. The main arguments against are the disturbance of the natural habitat in an AONB. Despite my escapades of youth I tend to side with the "NO" stance as the Kingsbridge/Salcombe Estuary is one of the most amazing places in the UK. Do we really need the scream of outboard engines shattering the peace & quiet and scaring the wildlife or the wash from the outboards gradually eroding the shorelines and the habitats of the creatures that dwell on these shores??
The again...the prevailing winds send a large chop onto the shores of Widegates and some places in South Pool so that seems to negate the outboard wash argument to a certain extent, and up at Widegates most people open up their outboards to in excess of 20 knots anyway and it's generally excepted to be ok.
I can see the water skiers point of view as South Pool Creek or Widegates would be awesome places to water ski in safety. However, bar one horrific incident in Starehole Bay about 18 years ago I have never seen any safety issues out there. I think the safety issue is more of a cloak for the less than ideal conditions usually found in Starehole Bay.
Perhaps just perhaps there could be a compromise and water skiing could be allowed for certain periods of high water between 9 and 5, the harbour office could charge and plough the money back into the up-keep of the estuary...it has to be Widegates as South Pool Creek is just too small.
Who knows one day it just may happen...
Tuesday 16 June 2009
Salcombe's Waterski Conundrum
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7 comments:
Good decision not to allow waterski use in the estuary. Salcombe Estuary is a magical place, pretty peaceful in South Pool creek and Widegates, and this activity will spoil that tranquility. Even the existing volume of boats in season now is high, but at least these are only going 6/8 knots. Plenty of other places for skiers and PWC users to go other than Salcombe. (Incidentally great festival last weekend, good bands, especially the Bowie tribute outfit, little trouble in the evenings, and a terrific family atmosphere during the days.Well done to the organisers)
Oh yes - lets NOT have waterski's in the Esturary.............. far too noisy!!
Great festival - much better than I thought it would be - can't wait for the next one - and I also loved the Bowie tribute band!!
I'd be horrified if waterskiing was allowed in the estuary. Its definitely not the right place.
So where is the right place?
Especially considering that the Harbour Authority are now enforcing the entrance of the harbour and not Bar Lodge (where people have enjoyed safe uninterrupted waterskiing for decades) as the 8 knot speed limit.
With reference to Liz's post..you need to understand that the modern 4 stroke engines can hardly be heard when running as times have changed with the noise and exhaust emission laws so if the only boats allowed had to have quiet four stroke engines on and a fee was paid to the council then everybody would be happy.
With reference to salcombebloke's post I agree that South Pool creek is definitely a wrong place to even attempt waterskiing although it has been done but a certain area of Widegates would be possible without causing any damage. Referring to 6/8 knots.........there is more of a wash that comes off of a boat doing 6/8 knots than there is one doing 20 knots so there is a lost arguement there.
It also needs to be noted that their is a very small slot where the tides and weather are right to allow for waterskiing.
Unfortunately the decision has once again been made by people who really do not grasp todays technology, knowledge and common sense.
I agree with anonymous:
1) Modern outboards much quitter and more efficient
2) Storm wash at wide gates much higher than any wake issues
3) Speeding to Kingsbridge and Crabshell is rife anyway
4) No one to be really disturbed (I agree Southpool Creek is not the right place for this)
5) Widegates could given a "trial". Lets suck it and see. Maybe a limited number of boats allowed, possibly with time restrictions. Under the control of SKEWA..
It's time for something to happen here - especially as the harbour limits have been extended over the best area for skiing on the bar...
Thanks,
James x
Being realistic-
Most modern boats have much bigger outboards relative to boat size and are required to be a certain size to lift the skier / wakeboarder out of the water and continue, so these are not tiny engines and regardless engine noise carries uniterrupted and very clearly and loudly over water.
Storm wash is higher due to wind in The Widegates area but also there are many boats breaking the knot rule limit and this needs to be observed and enforced. To suggest that the wake from all boats is less than that created by wind is not true.
The fact that people speed here is not really a good reason to have more boats speeding!
The storm damage to the foreshore last winter was severe. Do we want to further damage this AONB?
Is the peaceful beauty of the Salcombe / Kingsbridge estuary needing more traffic? It is busy enough with powerboats in the summer months anyway. There needs to be respect and awareness of the often delicate habitat underneath, in and out of the water as well as birds nesting etc.
There are now many more non motorised craft paddleboearders / Kayakers / sailors all using that area. Kayakers and paddleboarders are particularly looking for the same high tide / low wind / flat water conditions.
I question the safety of even 5 boats towing skiers/ boarders?
And then there is the Ferry....
SYC boats in large fleets often race to the Gerston mark and The Egremont beginner sailors specifically use this as a safer more sheltered area for learning.
Collapit and Gerston residents (like those in East Portlemouth) understandably will not welcome the noise of speed boats early and late (when conditions are best) concentrated in the Widegates area and not passing through.
The Solution - Logically the waterski / wakeboard area should be returned back by The Bar as it all worked well before. It is definitely no safer at Widegates or less intrusive.
As stated, there is a small slot of tide and weather for the waterskiing to work and that is when this stretch of water is busiest, as that is when the other Estuary users can use it, making it more dangerous and questionable as a proposal.
We travel outside of The Bar to ski and it is frustrating but the best area for the waterskiing to take place.
Maybe like on The Avon, some limited numbers of Bantham locals get to have permits to ski a few times a year on the river. Not sure how this would be enforced though?
Allowing waterskiing at Widegates would be a very retrograde step in a peaceful SSSI area. Plenty of opportunity to waterski outside the harbour. Waterskiing means: fast boats, wake, noise and general chaos to what is still a peaceful environment. Sailing? Yes. Waterskiing? No inside the estuary. What happens at Starehole and elsewhere (ouitside of the estuary) is their affair.
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