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.

 

Cool winter kitesurfing at Rosebud

Session 594. Cold conditions but plenty of wind when we arrived at noon. I pumped up my Wave 6m kite and headed off feeling quite rusty.  Wow, what a blast!  Nice bay waves and even some sunshine.

I followed the surf line down enjoying the waves then headed back when the wind dropped.  I made it back to the main kiting location then walked back to our launch site.

We were chatting on the beach for a while. I took out James' 10m Cabrinha then the wind came back in.

Another short session on my 6m kite. I came in when my hands got too cold. I will wear gloves next time.  So good to be back on the water.  Quite a few other kiters were out too.

Click on photos below to see bigger pictures.

Kitesurfing Rosebud in 30+ knots and good bay surf #550

Session 550.  Strong wind at Rosebud - 30 knots gusting up to 40 - made for epic kitesurfing in a decent bay surf.  I was well powered on my Airush Wave 6m kite.  Assistance launching and landing was mandatory. 

Riding the waves to the West along the outer sandbank was nice, then looping back in flatter water close to shore.

We got some welcome Winter sun but it wasn't warm. My hands got quite cold - I will wear gloves next time.

Chilly, but great fun!

Kitesurfing Aspendale in big bay surf #530

Session 530. Strong winds whipped up some big surf in Port Phillip Bay.  The 6m kite is great in these conditions - its fun surfing the waves without getting dragged off them.  I don't get to use it often but I enjoy it when I do.

Kitesurfing Hampton in solid 30 knots #529

Session 529. A solid 30 knots whipped up some good waves at Hampton. Anthony and I decided to give it a go. Getting out through the shore break was challenging. I was considering stepping off the groyne but the rocks in the water were slippery. I was able to get out from the main Hampton beach. 

The bay swells were breaking over the reef between the two groynes and further out. The Union 6m kites was very stable. I even depowered it for a while. 

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 downwinder Aspendale to Frankston on the Wave 6 #514

Session 514. My sore hip is feeling much better and the MRI last week didn't show any major problems (despite the pain!) so it was time for some more kitesurfing with a solid westerly blowing. 

I got to Aspendale at 11:00, James and Stuart were on the water. I got on the water after a squall passed on my Airush Wave 6 aiming to enjoy the bay surf.  After a couple of tacks I headed downwind enjoying the waves without the need to tack back.  There was good surf.  

There is now more yellow poles along the way with large sections marked as "no boating" so I stayed out past them. The Wave 6m kite is good for surfing - the last time I did this trip I was overpowered on my 8.  

Down past Seaford there were some other kiters out, then more down at Frankston.  I kiter on the beach landed my kite saving me the hassle of releasing the safety.  He had access to a kiters bathing box right on the beach that is owned by a local kiter. That's the first time I have seen one used for kiting and its a great setup.

I stopped for lunch in Frankston then boarded the train back to Aspendale.  There is a now a bonus view on the train trip back with the new elevated Carrum station providing a great view across the bay.

My hip was fine afterwards which was a relief.

Here is a cool 3D animation of the trip

Video to follow.

Kitesurfing weekend with howling wind and giant surf at Sandy Point

Session 471. Eight keen kitesurfers converged at Sandy Point for another kitesurfing weekend.  Stu W, Stu S, Tarren, James, Dobbo, Adam, Anthony and myself.

Very strong 30+ knot wind on Saturday provided epic surf conditions. I did a couple of  sessions on my 8m Union kite.  It was good having plenty of power as the waves were huge, so big that I didn't make it right out the back.

I swapped to my 6m Wave for the third session, it had plenty of power and was better for riding the waves.  Definitely a small kite day!

The wind was around 23 knots on Sunday and the surf a bit more manageable, I got out the back and rode some big waves several times.  Traversing out the back I thought I was past the break, then a monster loomed up.  There was no way I could over or behind it so I rode it in.  Massive power in the wave then I got munched but I kept my kite flying.

Lots of tired and happy faces over lunch, then I headed home.

In my estimation Sandy Point is the best kitesurfing beach in Victoria.  Its wide and has nice shallow flat sections before the surf and you can pick your way out in big surf then catch some big waves.

More video footage to follow . . .

Saturday Session 1

Saturday Session 2

Saturday Session 3

Sunday Session 1

Sunday Session 2

Kitesurfing bay waves Rosebud to Rye with good wind

Session 449. Good solid wind at Rosebud, enough for my Wave 6 kite.  The waves on the outer sandbank were a good size for surfing and the tide was high so it was easy to get out.

After several tacks out and surfing down the line I followed the others for an extended downwinder towards Rye Pier, enjoying the bay surf all the way down. 

It took several tacks to get back, tired but stoked after a great session.