Unwritten Laws?

[holdsworth]

Was at the beach yesterday with some friends to go winching for a little bit. We went to the same place last weekend and didn't have any problems and there was nobody around to harm with the rope or riding out in the water a little (it's only a 500' line). There was a couple of people out this time, but still enough that we could/did ask politely to watch the rope that we were stretching out, and we were there and going from that direction before people were in the way. Everyone was cool with it saying they thought it was pretty awesome that we were doing something different at the beach. Well, beach patrol comes along and I was walking the line down, so I go back and see what's going on. He's saying they've had trouble in the past with "these things" and that we couldn't winch there, saying there was a danger to other people, blah blah blah and we explained that the other people liked what we were doing and that they didn't mind. I asked if there was a law in Daytona/Ormond/Volusia County or anywhere else saying that winches weren't allowed. He said no, and I argued with him that if there wasn't a law or postings anywhere saying that we couldn't do it, then it was bullsh*t for him to say he could arrest us and that we had the right to do something that isn't illegal. Then he said he could arrest us for some other crap (something fancy for being a danger to others around) and a couple other things. Arguing further, he said we could talk to the county commissioner and get a law put in saying that we could winch on the beach, which I think is a whole bunch of horse s**t because I enjoy having my freedom and right to do something, not be a harm to anyone around, and have some fun rather than get permission to do something first. My question is, were we the ones in the wrong? Or are we good until something may show up some day?

[AaronATX]

is it a public beach? if it is a public beach then i would have told the officer to piss off. Next time the officer tells you that YOU need to go make a law that makes winching legal, tell him you would rather take legal advice from your lawyer, not beach patrol. the burden is on him to prove that you are doing something illegal, it is not on you to prove that what you are doing is legal. I'm not familiar with laws pertaining to the use of equipment like this, but if you asked the officer and he said it wasn't illegal then i would have asked for his badge number and complained to the higher ups. if they HAVE, in fact, had so much "trouble in the past with 'these things,'" wouldn't a law have been passed to prohibit it? sounds to me like he's lost a girl or two to a wakeboarder.

[slidin_out]

bubb rubb the police!!! as soon as he said it wasn't illegal i would have asked him to get out of the way and told him you were going to report him for harrassment

[hawkster0001]

sow me one accident in which somone has been hurt from a person who was whinching... (not including the person actually behind the winch, becasue thats self inflicted pain )

[Wakeboarder3780]

Sounds like he just didn't like you questioning his authority. I guess it happens once in a while. Lame but not much you can do about it I guess. You should be airing out behind a boat and taking more video for me to drool over anyway holds

Usually the bottom is though - if a cop or any other authority wants you out - they can make up any kind of crap that pertains to general laws such as he said to you. Usually it's all in how willing the point of authority is to change their mind and how nice you are being to them. Politeness goes a long ways but ultimately some people will just have a bug up their a$$ no matter what sometimes.

Kind of sad that other people were ok with it and he wasn't receptive though. I wonder if someone complained and then he was more bugged about it.

[Medina]

Even if youre on your right, police manages to blamage your rirghts, and take you with em... they're realy bastards... even if the constitutions allows you something, police comes and takes it away.

[Wakebrad]

[ridininmd]

Beach patrol? They must not have been able to find any underage girls to have sex with that day.

[GnarShredd]

I've had some experience with this and the best bet (although it's REALLY lame) is to just say 'ok officer, we'll pack it up' and come back another day or to another spot. Arguing with cops and building negative awareness of winching as a sport is what could potentially help laws to be passed specifically making it illegal.

Once it's officially illegal to winch on a beach, EVERY cop will ask you to stop instead of the way it is now where it seems like only the bored/power-trippy ones tell you to cut it out.


We have an advantage right now to build winching up to what we want it to be, unlike skateboarding that basically instantly gets shut down because skate-rat kids are assholes to cops.

[pet575]

Ya, most cops will pretty much come up with any excuse they can to win their argument with you (reckless endangerment, criminal negligence, disturbing the peace, etc.). They could care less if the charge doesn't stick once you argue in court.

Toy cops like beach patrol, hired security, or suburban police are fun. You can have some fun with them by making small talk with them like you're their friend but still abuse them without being blatant. Ask them questions like, "So how come you're not on the police force?" or "How come you're not a cop in [the real city they are a suburb of]?"

I once asked the beach patrol in Florida if they knew my friends Mitch and Hobie. The guy apparently had never seen "Baywatch" (or wouldn't let on), so I was the only one who really got to enjoy that one.

[AaronATX]

yeah, let me rephrase. i would be pissed and would have gotten his badge number.. but i also would have given in and at least packed up and moved somewhere. cops can take you in for just about anything, just because you're in the right doesn't mean they won't F with you. it's more hassle than it's worth to try and deal with it up front.. just take his name, badge number, time and location of the incident, and maybe some witnesses to back you up, and file a complaint after the fact. if you try to take him head on he will eventually lose, but he will have won the time of yours that he wasted.

[ontrider]

What will filing a complaint do. Most cases like this there is someone complaining about what's going on and that's why they ask you to stop. In fairness I could see some idiot getting hurt, so all it takes is one person to complain... yeah it's easy for them to stay out of the way, but some idiot will still complain about it and end the fun. Arguing with the beach patrol won't get you very far, in fact if they recognize you next time you can be sure they will probably try to hassle you even more. Your best bet is to do what they ask you and try and make friends with them, then when the whiners aren't around they will probably let you do what you want to do. Unless it's something serious, getting their 'badge number' isn't going to do anything.

[AaronATX]

i wouldn't argue with them, but i wouldn't suck up either. if it's not illegal, it's not illegal. there's plenty of beach. if it was particularly busy i would understand.. but if not there has to be a spot they can winch where the officer would be ok with it.

[shaggyboarder]

Just keep in mind that you dont want wakeboarding to get an image like skating where many signs are posted prohibiting it. Be respectful to authorities regardless, lets keep winching going and not have one case ruin it for others.

[AaronATX]

i never said be disrespectful, but i'm not one to forfeit my rights because of a power tripping 'authority.' you can stand up for yourself and for wakeboarding, and not be disrespectful about it.