Kitesurfing tour upwind from 4 Mile Beach to Mowbray River in good wind

Session 235. The forecast good wind arrived. As a rigged up my kite, a kiter mentioned they were heading upwind past the Mowbray River mouth to a good surf spot.  However, as I headed out the wind dropped so I lost ground, only just making it back to the car park.

After a few more runs the wind picked up and I was able to work my way out past the reef.  I passed close to a turtle who was not perturbed to see me.  Its tricky getting past the reef though, I passed over it a couple of times.

Cruising past a sea turtle!

There was one kite way upwind above the Mowbray River, but I was still tacking in towards the river mouth, which is not a great place to linger as there are crocodiles in the rivers and quite a few rays in the shallow water there.

Then the upwind kite headed back down towards a group of kiters, including Jouko, that had congregated near the creek at the far end of 4 Mile.

I cranked some slalom turns and scooted down there, wary of the sand bars closer to shore.  After a few fast runs in the flat water I continued on back to starting point.  This was a big session.  Lots of great scenery and quite a lot of distance.

I got some chafing above my hips from my harness though my rash vest.  I should have brought my shortie.

After a short break I did a downwinder along 4 Mile Beach to the surf club.  There was a reasonable wave in several places although I found the wind direction odd.  I did a self landing on a quiet section of beach just up from the surf club then carried my kite to the grass and packed it away.  Lena and Chloe were in town so I walked along Macrossan Street to meet them.

This one day made bringing my kite gear well worthwhile.

GPS log - upwind tour

GPS Log - downwinder

Over four hours kiting at 4 Mile Beach

Session 54: Wednesday 29 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 20+ knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am SSE 52 km/h 3pm SSE 43 km/h
• Max speed: 40.3
• Trip: 44.6
• Logged time: 2:00
• Average speed: 22.1

The forecast 20 knots blew most of the day. The others needed for the downwinder to Cape Kimberly bailed so we couldn't do the tour, but 4 mile was on fire. Some headed for Cooktown, but there was plenty of good wind at 4 mile.

Got on the water about 10:30 after resting from the morning bike ride. The wind was strong and consistent. Zee from Melbourne had arrived at 4 mile for the first time so I gave him sone tips and he launched my kite.

The 14m kite was lit up so I de powered it to make the ride easier. There was a turtle feeding behind the reef. I saw it 4 times. Each time as I got closer it dived when it saw me. The last time I was heading straight at it and our eyeballs met.

I got lofted on a direction time and landed on my arse on the reef, but my harness took the impact without me getting injured.

Turning from left tack to right tack is a less fluid than from right to left. I tend to stall the board and then dive the kite to get going. Not good when over the reef. One big jump landed heavily, but my harness and vest cushioned my impact on the water.

Jumping ok on both sides now. I tried my first kite down turn - it generated a lot more power and pulled me forwards. Lee advised letting the board slip downwind to maintain control.

I did some reasonable toe down riding on both right and left (harder) tacks for practice. It is nice to carve a fast turn from the toe down position. I worked upwind behind the surf break into flat water on the shallow reef. The disadvantage is that you end up over the reef and have to be careful. It is also where the turtle was hanging out.

I got right upwind towards the Mowbray River mouth too, then wakestyled downwind back to the main beach. I had a break after an hour or so and grabbed some food and my SLR camera from the flat. Took some photos of the kiting and around 4 mile beach.

I kited for another 1.5 hours after lunch but my GPS batteries gave out so I did not get the full log. My numbness in the hands was not so bad today. I varied the grip a bit and shook it out while riding.

I finished around 4:00pm which coincided with the wind dropping below 20 knots and packed away the kite on the grass. The fabric of the kite now has a crazed appearance - I will check this out when I get back.

All in all a very consistent wind day and excelling kiting, with some skills progression and good jumping. 4 mile at its best.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip