windermere

[Tower_boy]

Would it not make clear sense for the LDNPA to set up a facility on the lake (based at ferry nab which they already own).. which offers mandatory courses to anyone wanting to navigate the lake by power or sail - lessons for those who need ot tune up their knowledge and tests for those that already have it.

It'd guarantee that all users were properly tooled up. They could offer lessons on basic mechanics, navigation (inc lake specifics) etc.. and then a test to pass in order to be allowed on the lake.

Once you have the basic skills; you could simply pass the test and use the lake freely.

Point being that it needn't be expensive but it would be a source of income for the LDNPA (lessons and tests chargable but fairly priced), it'd limit the numbers, be good press for them and for the users of the lake.

Seems that if this were implemented then safety goes up, revenue goes up, relataions with wardens and Lake patrols goes up.. it seems pretty win win win from my view point.. only down fall would be that one could argue that it'd be ruling out those with tight pockets - but lets be fair... if you can't afford £200.00 to get trained up and licensed for the lake.. whats the chances of you being able to afford a boat suitable for use on the lake?

[northernmonkey]

the problem is that if you can turn up and get qualified for say £200 at the lake then you get idiots with a piece of paper to say that they are a qualified idiot. the problem with boating on windermere isn't related to the cost. you are more likely to find an idiot driving a big Formula or some other sort of speed needle than one driving a 15ft Fletcher or an old stars and stripes mastercraft. rich idiots are as much if not more of a problem than poor ones because they tend to think that the rules don't apply to them.
if only you could have an attitude exam.........

[Tower_boy]

If you can turn up and qualify (regardless of costs) the point is that you shouldn't be an idiot... thats the point of the test. The tests should be hard enough (including practical on the water testing) to ensure that those that pass are qualified to navigate the lake. Those that aren't can be trained... once everyone has been given correct instruction they have NO excuse for piss people off. If they break bye laws, are un seaworthy or are reported for being twats then they can be punsihed by ban of the lake or limited use etc..

It's not about the money... There's as many idiots in flash boats as there are in cheaper ones.. (This coming from the bloke once swamped by the 35 foot Sealine doing power turns outside the Marina Village) but there is a strong argument that suggests that the older boats are the more unreliable and need more looking after on top of allt he other problems associated with lake use. Regardless of this ALL people on the lake should have a basic understanding of their boat with teaching and testing to this end. Thus reliability and maintenance will go up (and break downs wil hopefully go.. excuse pun.. down).

Educate, give opportunity and get people back on the the lake.. and if people choose to disobey then remove them... simple as!

[IhateLDNP]

Anybody heard whether Furber is going to get prosecuted for the blind man skiing incident?

Was up last Sunday and it's definitely getting busier and people are getting braver - saw a few biggish cruisers giving some. I fear a crackdown is on the way, but didn't see the fuzz all day.

BTW sorry to anyone else who was up there and experienced the rollers from my other half's power turns - I have had words!

[wakeupwindermere]

Doubt there will be a prosecution against a disabled skier who has a team ready to fight behind him - if they are going to make prosecutions they will pick easier targets - if anyone has heard different let us know. I have been pulled half a dozen times since the ban and as far as i go nothing has been done prosecution wise - and i think everyone else pulled only has warnings - after the warning we just set of riding again. We are up again this week for a long weekend - hope the weather improves!!

[DBJTS]

We got our first telling off from the wardens in 3 years today. We were being a bit blatant and didn’t notice the stealth boat until it was upon us. That aside best day out on Windermere in living memory, flat as a pancake from 8 till 4.