Sunday, November 03, 2013

Upwind kitesurfing tour in raging wind at Inverloch

Session 260.  A big storm came in Saturday night and very strong winds blew during the morning.  Stuart and I had a look at the surf beach - the wind was howling in.  We headed down to the inlet a bit later but the wind was still ferocious.  There were several small 6 to 8 meter kites on the beach and the grass with their owners electing not to go out.  I rigged up my Crossbow 7 but a rainstorm and wind squall came in so I packed up and jumped back in the car.  On hardy soul stayed out kitesurfing, but he look overpowered.

We decided that discretion was the better part of valour so we headed back to the house for lunch.

We returned during the afternoon to find conditions a bit more favourable.  The wind was strong but less gusty.  Stuart took out his Crossbow 7, I took my Lithium 9.  We immediately headed upwind to get away from the crowds. We are able to get up to the surf at the inlet without much trouble.

I didn't make it right out the back however as it was difficult to get out over the large waves, so I settled for some nice kitesurfing in the waves close to the inlet mouth.

Another squall was looming out to see so we decided to head back to the Fishing Club launch location.  On the way in a solid gust hit.  I was screaming downwind fully powered and launching off the small chop. It felt like the fastest I had ever gone and I was getting lofted off the water by the kite too.

The wind backed off a bit as we made our way down the inlet on the flatter water.  We got some nice runs on very flat water next to a sandbar.   I was having a nice time cranking some nice fast giant slalom turns downlooping the kite.

All in a all, a really good session.  One of the best.




















Photo: Stuart Webb
Photo: Stuart Webb
Photo: Stuart Webb
Photo: Stuart Webb





Photo: Stuart Webb
GPS log




No comments: