Kitesurfing Aspendale to Frankston and return crosswinder #598

A cracking crosswind tour from Aspendale to Frankston and back in 25-30 knots. 

  6 of us headed off from Aspendale in nice surf with good wind. Some of the wind swells were breaking a fair way out.  The biggest surf was just past the entrance of the Patterson River.

The wind direction changed when we got to Frankston. I decided to head back without delay cruised back on a good tack.  My right thumb was numb so I didn't dally.

A big seal surfaced right in front of me at the mouth of the Patterson River.

I deployed my safety and put the kite in the water to land as the wind was still quite strong.

After landing the others kites, we realised Anthony had not made it back so I headed down to Bonbeach and Carrum but I didn't see him.  I gave details to the Carrum LSC in case they or another LSC had seen him.  Then Stu said he was back at his van so it was all good.  

He said he cramped up and the wind dropped so he landed and walked back, borrowing a shopping trolley to carry his gear.

Overall, an excellent session enjoyed by all.

 

Sandy Point kitesurfing weekend, winter one day summer the next #596 #597

Another fine kitesurfing weekend with the lads, staying at Walkerville.  Its been a poor season so far for kitesurfing but the wind forecast was good for late Saturday and on Sunday.

 

Session 596. Cold winter conditions late in the afternoon with squalls coming through from the west. Solid 30 knots so I used my 6m kite in case it got a lot stronger. I was a bit underpowered at times. Got out the back by picking gaps and had some nice runs in.

 

Dinner at the Fish Creek Hotel was excellent.

No tracklog.

Session 597. Back to Sandy Point but spring conditions now.  

 

Warm and sunny with 15-20 knots of wind. I used my 9m kite which was good for the first half of the session. Some big surf made for exciting runs.

The wind dropped later on. I couldn't get back up wind, eventually dropped the kite and walked back.

 

Fliteboard Walkerville out to Bird Rock #47

Fliteboard at Walkerville South in calm conditions

 

Red eye paddle to Fawkner Beacon

Paddle out to Fawkner Beacon from Sandringham Harbour with the Victorian Sea Kayak Club. 

Calm conditions made for pleasant paddling. It took a while to get Fawkner Beacon, chatting along the way.  We stopped for a snack at the beacon and watched a container ship coming up the channel.

It was fun surfing the bow waves from the ship after it passed.

I am happy with my Mirage 580 sea kayak, it is fast in the water, stable and easy to paddle. 

We had a coffee and chat afterwards in the Sandy Kiosk.  

Ricketts Point sea kayaking with VSKC

Ricketts Point was my first paddle with the Victorian Sea Kayak Club on a nice calm sunny morning. We paddled around Ricketts Point then down towards Mordialloc and back.

 Techniques I practices were:

• fast turns around marker poles
• low brace
• rudder with elbow in
• fast stop - back paddling
• deep water re-entry to kayak (assisted)

 

 

It was a pleasant trip with experienced kayakers. 

I was happy with my Mirage 580, its a nice fast boat.  We had coffee and pastries at the Ricketss Point Tea House Cafe afterwards.

I fitted a paddle leash after the trip.

 

Aspendale Fliteboard to Mentone and Gnotuk FB#45

A calm morning provided excellent conditions for my Fliteboard tour from Aspendale to Mentone and Gnotuk. Nice riding past Mordialloc Pier up to Mentone then back a bit further out. 

I stayed up on the foil most of the time, enjoying turns.

I got back to Aspendale with more that 50% battery (Explore) so I continued on down the Gnotuk Av and back. 

I swapped out the battery for my Nano battery and did some loop and fast turns up the pier and back. 

 

Cool winter kitesurfing at Rosebud

Session 594. Cold conditions but plenty of wind when we arrived at noon. I pumped up my Wave 6m kite and headed off feeling quite rusty.  Wow, what a blast!  Nice bay waves and even some sunshine.

I followed the surf line down enjoying the waves then headed back when the wind dropped.  I made it back to the main kiting location then walked back to our launch site.

We were chatting on the beach for a while. I took out James' 10m Cabrinha then the wind came back in.

Another short session on my 6m kite. I came in when my hands got too cold. I will wear gloves next time.  So good to be back on the water.  Quite a few other kiters were out too.

Click on photos below to see bigger pictures.

Gillivarri Topptur solo mission

I got an early start, with a weather forecast of snow around noon. I crossed the road and put my skis on in Olderdalen and started following the route in the Outdoor Active app. 

It was a bit tight getting up through some trees to open snow.  Views across Kafjord to the Lyngen Alps opened up as I climbed.

Steady pace with a few stops to de-ice my skins. The snow got progressively colder and softer as I ascended. I looked back down to see several skiers following my tracks.

I passed over several crests until the summit was visible in the distance. 

Excellent summit with great views all around, across to Nordmannviktinden, the Lyngen Alps to the west and snow covered peaks and valleys to the east. 

Some Austrian skiers arrived. I chatted to Sebastian from Salzburg who was interested in Australian skiing. I asked him why they were skiing in Norway - he said the ski season in Austria finished at the end of the February so they were keen to come to where there was plenty of snow.

We were joined by another 15 Austrians on the summit so I headed down before the rush and enjoyed primo snow. It's a great descent, good angle and plenty of room. I descended into the gully near the bottom, which would be a better ascent route to one that I came up. 

Another superb ski tour and very lucky with the weather again.

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