Monday, October 29, 2018

Noosa kitesurfing - downwinder from Peregian Beach to Castaways Beach

Session 454. We very keen to do a downwinder along the Sunshine Coast so we setup a car shuffle from Peregian Beach to Castaways.  The wind and Peregian was light and the surf was big.  I was dubious about whether we could make it.  Stu Styles and Mike headed off; Stu disappeared into the distance but Mike ended up on the beach.



I decided to go to test the wind for the others.  I got going and was able to get my speed up but the broken waves were constantly pushing me in and I didn't have enough power to make it out the back.

I stayed on the same tack making ground on the flat water between waves then getting washed in by broken ones rolling in.  I had to sine the kite and concentrate, but I made it.  A couple of others followed and made it but several made the good choice to not attempt it.

With better wind the downwinders here would be sensational.


Those returning to Melbourne packed their bags for the flight home and we got a group shot to celebrate the trip.

Adam and I dropped a couple of guys at the airport, said farewell then picked up a smaller car for the next week in Noosa - hoping to get more wind and some good kitesurfing.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Noosa kitesurfing - hit the jackpot at the Gold Coast!

Session 453. We drove the the Gold Coast to catch a good Predictwind forecast.  Our kitesurfing buddy Franz who now lives in Brisbane advised us to kite at Narrowneck which is north of Main Beach.  The 2.5 hour drive was well worth it.




We arrived at 11 with over 15 knots of wind.  I have a great session on my Union 10 enjoying the scenery and cruising around.  It wasn't difficult keeping away from the flagged swimming areas.

Everyone got on the water with only one other kiter there.  The wind picked up at 1:00 so we had a break for food and drink then got our smaller kites to continue.  The wind speed increased over 30 knots and the waves got bigger too.  

I was well powered on my Union 8m kites tied on the lower knots.  Some webbing on my bar broke so I swapped to my spare bar (good to have a spare, check your gear!) and went out again with the wind up to and over 35 knots which was a blast.

We didn't get organised to do the downwinder to the Spit.  One guy cruised past on a foil surfboard, pumping it to get out then surfing in one a wave.  Looked really cool.

We drove back very tired and had a good pizza dinner at the Cinque Terra restaurant at Sunshine Beach then an early night.




Saturday, October 27, 2018

Noosa kitesurfing - Sunshine Beach dawn patrol

Session 452. First kitesurfing session of our Noosa trip, a very early start on Saturday morning paid off with some wind at Sunshine Beach.  The Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5 was great in the light wind conditions with the Nugget board.




Walking to the beach from our apartment was nice too.

There were some good sized waves and getting out through the break was not too difficult.

A whale breached just behind Adam when he was just off the rocks out from the "dog exercise area" of the beach!  

Mike also saw a couple of dolphins leaping out of the water.  

I took it easy and enjoyed the surf - my finger was fine, the nerves and are getting better and the sensation is improving.  

Everyone was keen and happy to get on the water for our first session.










 


Friday, October 26, 2018

Noosa kitesurfing - arrival, body surfing and visit to Kitethrills

The kitesurfing crew for this year's spring kitesurfing trip to Noosa all converged on the Sunshine Coast on Friday.  I flew into the Sunshine Coast with Dobbo, Mike and Stuart.  Others flew into Brisbane and drove up. 

Its an interesting flight into the airport with the canals and houses below and the surf beaches rolling in the distance. 



 It was hot and sunny at around 34C.   We got the hire car - a Hyundai iMax van - but the rear seats did not fold forward which was not ideal.

We drove to the beach at the southern side of the Maroochy River to check it out.  The wind was light, less than 10 knots and the mouth of the river was flowing fast.



We drove onto Currumundi Creek to visit Mike Walker at Kitethrills to hello and get some local advice.

Mike also runs trips to Mauritius which is on my list of places to go kitesurfing.  We had a great lunch and coffee at his cafe, then took our kite gear to the nearby beach.  There wasn't enough wind to kite so we surfed and body surfed.

It was a 50 minute drive up to our lodgings at Sunshine Beach.  The townhouse was excellent with just enough beds and lots of space for kite gear in the garage.  The lap pool was a bonus and we were in walking distance to the local shops and the beach.

We had dinner at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club which is a popular spot for a pub meal.

Some wind is coming in early tomorrow to it will be a dawn start.