Tuesday, January 08, 2019

Back to the future on a twin tip at St Kilda in 25 knots

Session 468. Arrive at St Kilda with the foilboard at 4:45 pm keen for more practice but the seabreeze was honking at around 25 knots.  The waves looked too big for easy foiling. 

I have had a nasty chest cold for several days but was feeling better today and really keen for some kitesurfing.

Paul from The Zu Boardsports lent me a Airush Switch twin tip board, I pumped up my Union 8 and asked a guy with a harness on to launch my kite.  He didn't know how to with my lines upwind and got them tangled, so I ended up self launching.

Once out past the beginner kites close to the shore I found the board really nice. It edged well and was smooth in the water without sinking in much.  Its been a few years since I used a twin tip so I spent some time getting used to it.

Jumping was weird, I seemed to lose forwards momentum half way though the jump. I tacked out to the channel the Spirit of Tasmania uses then returned.  Surfing the bay swell was strange too, the board turns well but bogs down on waves without the kite pulling.  I rode toeside both directions which was OK but I felt "locked in" to the stance.

I kited past some moored yachts into the Kiddies Pool to play dodgem cars with the 15+ other kiters who were fanging around there.  It takes a bit of concentration with kiters jumping (some close the the pier) and all vying for a fairly small patch of water.

An enjoyable session - something different.





Tuesday, January 01, 2019

Kitesurfing crosswinder tour Ricketts to Aspendale and return

Session 467. First day of the new year and a good seabreeze in the afternoon.  I have got a nasty chest cough and wasn't feeling too well but this was an opportunity to good to miss.



Got out from Ricketts then a few tacks to get around the reefs, following by a long haul to Aspendale, almost as far as Gnotuk Ave.   The bay surf was great all the way down to Mordialloc pier.

A great way to start the new year!

This video shows some of the action - but its not motion stabilised, next time I will use my Quark stabliser!

Having a rest tomorrow, the chest cough has got a hold of me.