Kitesurfing Aspendale to Frankston and return crosswinder #598

A cracking crosswind tour from Aspendale to Frankston and back in 25-30 knots. 

  6 of us headed off from Aspendale in nice surf with good wind. Some of the wind swells were breaking a fair way out.  The biggest surf was just past the entrance of the Patterson River.

The wind direction changed when we got to Frankston. I decided to head back without delay cruised back on a good tack.  My right thumb was numb so I didn't dally.

A big seal surfaced right in front of me at the mouth of the Patterson River.

I deployed my safety and put the kite in the water to land as the wind was still quite strong.

After landing the others kites, we realised Anthony had not made it back so I headed down to Bonbeach and Carrum but I didn't see him.  I gave details to the Carrum LSC in case they or another LSC had seen him.  Then Stu said he was back at his van so it was all good.  

He said he cramped up and the wind dropped so he landed and walked back, borrowing a shopping trolley to carry his gear.

Overall, an excellent session enjoyed by all.

 

Sandy Point kitesurfing weekend, winter one day summer the next #596 #597

Another fine kitesurfing weekend with the lads, staying at Walkerville.  Its been a poor season so far for kitesurfing but the wind forecast was good for late Saturday and on Sunday.

 

Session 596. Cold winter conditions late in the afternoon with squalls coming through from the west. Solid 30 knots so I used my 6m kite in case it got a lot stronger. I was a bit underpowered at times. Got out the back by picking gaps and had some nice runs in.

 

Dinner at the Fish Creek Hotel was excellent.

No tracklog.

Session 597. Back to Sandy Point but spring conditions now.  

 

Warm and sunny with 15-20 knots of wind. I used my 9m kite which was good for the first half of the session. Some big surf made for exciting runs.

The wind dropped later on. I couldn't get back up wind, eventually dropped the kite and walked back.

 

Flinders kitesurfing reef break and waves #593

Session 593. Tired after yesterday's bike ride at South Morang but the good forecast for wind and waves at Flinders beckoned.

There were some good waves to be had.  I dropped the kite a couple of times flying it high waiting to catch a wave, and another time retrieving my board, but thankfully I was able to relaunch it on both occasions.

I body dragged in to get the board, thankfully it wasn't on the rocks.

Some revision: Fly the kite high, don't hang around in the impact zone and pick your wave to ride on the way in.

A challenging fun session.

Hampton kitesurfing in a good sea breeze #591

 Session 591.  A nice strong sea breeze at last!  I rigged my Union 9m to the bottom knots.

There were quite a few people on the beach. Kiters were congregating in the middle.

I launched Anthony then got a launch.  Plenty of power but not too much.  

The bay waves were nice.

I kited between the groynes then tacked up to the marina where the wing foilers hang out. A couple were out in the strong wind enjoying the swell.

I returned to the kitebeach downwind surfing swells, then finished with some tacks in the bay surf.

Hampton kitesurfing in strong cool wind #589

Session 589. Launched at 2pm on my Union 9m kite.  The wind was around 15-20 knots with some decent bay waves. There was a short lull so I landed my kite until it picked up again.

I did a few tacks onto waves then a short tour up towards the lifesaving club where a windsurfer and a couple of wing foilers were having a good time.

I then went down to Green Point and surfed the waves there. The wind picked up. I was able to get back to Hampton with the kite depowered after two tacks.

The wind was then gusting to 30-35 knots so I came in and Mike landed my kite.

A really good session overall.

Kitesurfing Hampton, a good sea breeze at last #588

 Session 588. A nice sea breeze at last.  First session in spring suit too.

I started in about 22 knots, it dropped to 18 knots for a while then came in hard at 25+ knots.

One guy nearly ended up on Beach Road hanging onto his bar with outstretched arms after his chicken loop detached. Eventually he let go and his kite crashed into shrubs and Anthony secured it.

 

 

Sandy Point Kiteboarding #587

Session #587.  Big surf and good wind made for a great session. I took it easy due to lack of practice.  Self landing was a hassle.

 

 

Kitesurfing good Northerly at Brighton

Session 585. Strong winds forecast for Port Phillip Bay arrived mid-afternoon. On the water at 3:30 pm and shared the session with three other kiters.

Northerlies at Brighton can be dicey if you have equipment failure or get your kite tangled - its a long hard swim back to shore against cross-offshore wind. I kite conservatively in offshore winds.

The wind was good further out but not as strong as the 30 knot forecast. The Union 9m kite was nicely powered.

I tacked up to near the Brighton Marina breakwater then surfed the back on the bay swell.  The wind was gusty closer to shore.

A kiter jumped and crashed his kite. He was having a lot of trouble relaunching it and looking like he might need to swim a longish way back in.

I kited past slowly and grabbed and dragged one tip of his kite that was jellyfishing (full of water).  That was enough for him to relaunch it. It was nice to help out.

I got back to beach easily, very happy with the outing. Nice light, good wind, not crowded and not too cold.  Smiles all round.

Kitesurfing Rosebud chilly but fun

Session 584. Kitesurfing again at last! There has been a remarkable lack of wind this year. The Westerlies and North Westerlies we usually get during Winter have been largely absent.  There was a good Northerly forecast today so Rosebud was on.

On the water and 09:10 with 15-20 knots wind from the North, not as strong as forecast. I used my Union 9 kite in case it came in stronger.

One other kiter was out in the distance and two others launched just before me. 

I got going a bit underpowered so I kept going out hoping to pick up more wind. Returning in the wind got stronger close to shore so I was able to keep tacking, then it got stronger enabling me to go up wind and do some nice bay surf runs on the outer sandbank.

Really got to be kiting again, a most enjoyable session.

Kitesurfing Hampton to Green Point with good wind #583

Some good wind again late in the afternoon! 

I kited on the bay swell down to Green Point to catch some waves, then back upwind to the Marina and downwind slalom back the beach.

Very happy with the new Union 9m kite.

Kitesurfing Hampton with the Union 9 and some good wind #582

First session on a new Airush Union 9m kite  I was able to buy a discounted for a good price. Airush have discontinued the Union model so it was my last chance to get one.

I have changed my quiver from 6, 8, 10, 12 to 6, 9 and 12. This will be better for travelling and take up less room in the car.

The kite flew well and there was plenty of wind. Had some fun in the bay surf at the beach and slalom turns on the rollers going downwind.