Session 320. Our final training session for Across the Bay. We jumped in at the deep end - a long downwinder from Gnotuk Ave Aspendale around Ricketts Point then on to Port Melbourne.
We got on the water after a quick briefing at 1pm. I headed straight out and set a track upwind of Ricketts, keeping my speed low. The wind was a bit light at Aspendale so I took my 12m Lithium and was well powered.
Looking back, lots of kites were following in the distance. Around Ricketts I took a line fairly close to shore. Others went a lot further out.
I did some short toeside riding back towards shore to rest my legs and tracked down past HMS Cerberus wreck - always an impressive sight.
Past Sandringham I spoke to the SYC tower to say hello and kept going. The bay rollers were big. I had a big stack on one and "rag dolled". My radio yanked of from my backpack but luckily I had it on a leash. I reset my gear and kept going.
I tried using my impact vest and a small hydration backpack and found this combination much better than the canoeing PFD as it doesn't ride up.
I scooted past close to Green Point and Brighton then set a course direct to Port Melbourne where a large cruise ship was visible docked. I cranked up my speed for the finish and landed with a couple of others.
We then waited for others to come in and landed their kites. Lots of smiles all around.
Five of us then caught a maxi cab back to Gnotuk Ave to get our cars.
28 started, one self rescued (but lost their board) and one was rescued by the Coast Guard. One kiter on a foil board stopped at Brighton.
Great preparation for the main event - now we watch the wind forecast for next Saturday.
GPS Log
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| We made it! |
Looking back, lots of kites were following in the distance. Around Ricketts I took a line fairly close to shore. Others went a lot further out.
I did some short toeside riding back towards shore to rest my legs and tracked down past HMS Cerberus wreck - always an impressive sight.
Past Sandringham I spoke to the SYC tower to say hello and kept going. The bay rollers were big. I had a big stack on one and "rag dolled". My radio yanked of from my backpack but luckily I had it on a leash. I reset my gear and kept going.
I tried using my impact vest and a small hydration backpack and found this combination much better than the canoeing PFD as it doesn't ride up.
I scooted past close to Green Point and Brighton then set a course direct to Port Melbourne where a large cruise ship was visible docked. I cranked up my speed for the finish and landed with a couple of others.
We then waited for others to come in and landed their kites. Lots of smiles all around.
Five of us then caught a maxi cab back to Gnotuk Ave to get our cars.
28 started, one self rescued (but lost their board) and one was rescued by the Coast Guard. One kiter on a foil board stopped at Brighton.
Great preparation for the main event - now we watch the wind forecast for next Saturday.
GPS Log
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