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 
• Local kite surfer smashes long distance world record – The Echo, 5 May 2021

Light wind at Jan Juc and Point Addis in the morning

We went for a walk down to the beach and reef at Jan Juc, hoping there would be enough wind for a downwinder towards Anglesea, but there was very little wind. 

We then drove down to Point Addis for a look. Some guys headed to the beach there and set up.  The rest of us drove to Anglesea for a coffee and some donuts. It was busy there. A lot of people are getting out and about after the COVID-19 lockdowns. 

Coming back to Point Addis the guys had given up and come back to their cars - the wind on the point did not get around the corner to the beach.  There were some good waves for the surfers though.

Steps down to Jan Juc beach and rock platforms

Point Addis

The view from Point Addis towards Point Roadnight

The house

Back in Jan Juc the wind was building so we headed down to Point Danger for an afternoon session.

Big waves and plenty of wind kitesurfing at Point Danger #526

Session 526. Epic session in big waves, one of the best. The wind was light when we arrive at Point Danger at around 2:00. I had a good session on my SUP with some good waves right into the beach.

The wind picked up to 12 knots at around 3 coming from the south. I took out my Ultra 12m kite and had plenty of power, a bit too much actually. With the forecast for stronger wind coming from the south east, I landed the 12 and swapped to my Union 8.

Heading out from the beach one of the front lines detached and the kite started looping.  First time that has happened to me.  Memo: double check line attachments (larks head knots).

It took a while to untangle the lines, then I was on the water again. Got around Point Danger and into some very big waves, big enough to be scary. 

There was a nice left going in to the shore, tacking back out there were some big broken waves, then further out a deeper channel. There were a few surfers closer in to the beach.

At least 10 kiters were out enjoying the waves.

This was one of best wave kiting sessions I have ever had.  Big waves, clean wind and no shallow reef to worry about.

 

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!