Kitesurfing Hampton and Green Point in 30 knots

Session 523. Strong winds in the afternoon up to 30 knots. There was a good bay surf at Hampton and several kiters out enjoying it. The reef between the two groynes at the kitesurfing area was working too.  

I headed to Green Point surfing some big swells on the way there. There were some good sized waves on the reef break, after three runs I headed back.  My 6m Airush Wave kite was a good kite for the day, good on the waves and still able to get up wind.

The waves back to Hampton were good too.  I was surprised by how many other kiters for out - they were using 7, 8 and even 9m kites. 

The map rendering for Garmin Connect (below) isn't currently working.  Here is a link to the session details.

Kitesurfing Hampton in frontal wind, relief from the heat

 Session 520. Nice to get some frontal wind on Port Phillip Bay after a very hot day yesterday.  

The first half of the session I was powered up for some big jumps and the waves were building in size. For the second half the wind dropped a few knots and the waves got smaller.  

A good turnout from the lads and a good time was had by all. 

Great kitesurfing in classic Hampton sea breeze with a tour to Green Point

Session 519. A classic Hampton sea breeze and tour to Green Point made for a great session. After a few tacks in nice bay waves between the rock groynes Anthony and I headed across to Green Point for some good wave action. There was plenty of water so the reefs were well covered.

I was well powered on my Union 8 so it was easy to tack back to Hampton where more kiters were on the water.  Nice sunny warm weather, warm water and a good stiff sea breeze - summer is here! 

Kitesurfing at Waratah Bay in some nice waves

Session 518. Nice session in the surf at Waratah Bay with three windsurfers.  The easterly was a bit gusty on the beach but nice and consistent on the water.  There were some good waves to surf. 

A downwinder to Walkerville North would have been on but a car shuffle would be needed.

The waves at the beach close to Waratah Bay township are more regular and predictable than those at Sandy Point.

Very happy to get this session in before thunderstorms and 100mm of rain arrived over the following 2 days.

Kitesurfing the inlet at Inverloch - flat water

Session 517. I got a small piece of vegetation in my eye when we got up to see the first sunrise of 2021 at Walkerville. I couldn't get it out so went to Foster Hospital where a doctor was able to remove the small piece that was stuck to my eyeball. We were late getting to Inverloch where Stu, Tarren and James were out kiting.  

I got on the water about the time they were finishing up and had a nice flat water session on the inlet. The tide was going out so it was getting shallower. I didn't bother going across to the surf as I was the water might be too shallow in places.

Lots of kiters and people about having a good time in the sun. A fun session but I prefer some waves.

Kitesurfing Walkerville past Digger Island

Session 516. Second session at Walkerville and last kitesurfing for 2020. The wind was light at the beach, it took me a few tacks to get out past the reef into a nice 20 knot easterly.

I cruised past Bird Island an on past Digger Island, noticing another limestone kiln ruin.  I rounded the corner to look along the coast towards Bear Gully.  The wind was a bit lighter there so I turned and headed back.  A very rocky shoreline along this section of coast with nowhere to land.

The swell was building and he wind got stronger as I approached Bird Island. I saw another kiter there which was a surprise.  I surfed some rollers then did a long tack past the campground to the sandy beach towards Waratah Bay.

The swell coming back was nice and the wind direction was perfect for the return tack along the shore. The distant squall offshore toward the Prom I was keeping on didn't arrive. The other kiter was kiting just along from Bird Island.

I landed at the beach access ramp without drama and the kite dropped in a lull.  This was a memorable session - good waves and wind and great tour.

I chatted to Mick, another kiter staying in Walkerville who was keen to get out for a kite, he had a look at Sandy Point today and said there were 10 kiters in Shallow Inlet and it was very gusty.

Kitesurfing Walkerville down along reef to the beach and back past Bird Island

Session 515. Scored my first session at Walkerville in a good easterly.  There was sand to launch from with the tide receding from high. Once on the water I tacked north coming in close to the reef.  After a few tacks I got down as far as the sandy beach north of the camping ground, dodging a few section of reef that occur further out. 

My right leg was holding up OK with the effort although it was still not 100% and pain in my hip and thighs caused by a disk bulge in my bag compressing a nerve causing radiating pain.

I was able to tack upwind past Walkerville South and Bird Island enjoying the scenery, then on towards Diggers Island. The coast is very rocky in this section so its definitely not a good place to drop your kite or swim in.  Walkerville South has a nice beach that would be suitable for launching and landing kites but its in a cove so the wind would not often get in there.

Coming back past Bird Island I surfed some swells then continued on in towards the beach and Walkerville North. In close to shore I carefully stepped my way through the reef (booties are essential) to get to the sand where the boat vehicle access track descends to the beach. then landed the kite on the sand.

This was a very scenic tour and good kiting once clear of the reefs, but its definitely not a place for beginners.  The reef is gnarly and there are very limited launching and landing options.

Here's the video