Kitesurfer Brian Kiss von Soly completes epic kitesurfing journey down the Australian coast to Aspendale

Brian Kiss von Soly completed the final leg of his epic kitesurfing journey down the east coast of Australia today. 

Photo: Brian Kiss von Soly

Brian started his trip from near Brunswick Heads in Northern New South Wales on 28 December.  Brian completed his journey (and a world record attempt) on Sunday 4 April 2021 at Aspendale in Port Phillip Bay.

Brian on the beach at Aspendale. Photo: Brian Kiss von Soly 

The long kitesurfing journey is over, Aspendale. Photo: Brian Kiss von Soly

Here is Brian's track log

The voyage took 86 days (26 days kiting) and Brian covered more that 1,700 kilometres to reach Melbourne.

Brian has a camp marked on the 90 Mile Beach but it looks like he did in one go.

Check out his route around Wilsons Promontory - that was a big day.

Brian Kiss von Soly kitesurfer, credit: Jonathon Carroll

Brian carried lightweight camping gear in a waterproof backpack and a Personal Locater Beacon for emergency communications.

External links

• Brian aims for kite surfing record – The Echo, 7 Jan 2021
• How a North Coast kite-surfer landed on Newcastle shores during world record attempt - Drive - ABC Radio, 1 Feb 2021 
• Coast pit-stop as Brian kitesurfs to Melbourne - Central Coast Community News, 8 Feb 2021
• Kitesurfer leaves Sydney to set world distance record, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 Feb 2021
• Brian Kiss von Soly - World Record Kite Surfing Journey Attempt 

Kitesurfing Hampton to the channel and return, a nice tour #525

Session 525. Another late afternoon session. I did a long tack out to the shipping channel and back.  Some sea birds were flying with me very close the kite for some the distance. There was nobody around out there, its a good feeling of solitude.  

I tacked back towards the Sandringham Marina then surfed the bay swell into the beach. Its nice to mix up the format sometimes.

Kitesurfing Hampton and Green Point in 30 knots #524

Session 524. 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. 

Kitesurfing late afternoon at Hampton, should have tried the foil board #523

Session 523. I was hoping to get out on the foil board again on a late afternoon sea breeze, but the wind was around 15 knots and there was some swell so I used my surfboard.  After a few tacks the wind dropped a bit, so I headed in.  A kiter on a foil board appeared in the distance and was really moving.  It was ideal conditions for the foil, when I was struggling to stay upwind.

I need to get a few more sessions in on flatter water to get the my foiling technique sorted.

Kitesurfing downwinder Aspendale to Port Melbourne #522

Session 522. Headed to Aspendale with a nice southerly over 20 knots coming down the bay.  I headed off on my Union 8m kite and North Cross board.  The surf at Aspendale and down towards the Mordialloc pier was great.

I tacked past the end of the pier and headed towards Ricketts Point.  The aquatic farm that was off Ricketts Point doesn't seem to be operating any more.  Coming into Beaumaris there was a few other kites out.

Good wind past the wreck of the Cerberus, its nearly submerged now.  

I noticed a disturbance in the water off Red Bluff lookout - there were two swimmers in the water some distance off shore. They were not easy to see in the swell but I was able to keep well clear.

There were a couple of guys on a wind wings and foils off  Sandringham. 

I tacked into Hampton then caught some nice rollers along to reef break and Green Point.

There were some kiters out at Brighton. The wind stayed good past Elwood with some good rolling swell and a few reef breaks to St Kilda Marina, then a tack past St Kilda Breakwater and a nice finish across to Port Melbourne. 

Caught the tram back to Southern Cross station, walked across Spencer Street, then caught the train back to Aspendale.  I got a few of the usual curious glances on the tram and train  and walking through the city with my wetsuit on and board under my arm. 

This is an epic downwinder in 25 knots!

Video with highlights to follow. 

Kitesurfing Hampton with some kiteloops #521

Session 521. Tried a few kiteloops today. The Union 10m kite turns nicely and is fairly easy to loop.  I initiated the loops on the way down to reduce the power.  I landed a couple, it was not too scary.  

Committing to the loop and getting the board pointed downwind are key points.

These were powered kiteloops, not heli-loops.

Kitesurfing Hampton in frontal wind, relief from the heat #520

 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.