I bought a Fliteboard, here is why

I have been keen to get into using a foil board for kitesurfing for some time. However, good conditions  and locations for learning are hard to find. The best combination is around 15 knots and flat water with some protection from swell (e.g. a breakwater). I find it is too easy to go kitesurfing instead.

I have thought about buying a Fliteboard to get more experience using a foil and for those days when there is no wind.  While there are obviously differences between electric and wind power, I am hoping more experience controlling a foil board will help.

I looked into products and decided that Fliteboard, locally designed and made in Australia, is the market leader for good reason. They are excellent quality and well designed, but they are expensive. I decided to wait and see how electric foil boards developed.

These two things changed my mind.

1. COVID-19 pandemic

Two years of restrictions of lockdowns and restrictions have given me incentive to take on new challenges and get out there as often as I can

2. Fliteboard 2.0 second generation and waves.

Fliteboard 2.0 innovations include a Trueglide prop (like a free wheel bike cluster) that reduces drag. With the prop guard also removed, drag is reduced to make it possible to foil onto a wave under power, then ride the wave on the foil with the power off.

I really like kitesurfing in big waves. This gives me the possibility of  extending flat water e-foiling into waves.

3. Fliteboard demo ride

I did a demo ride a Fliteboard at St Kilda and was able to stand and foil on the standard Fliteboard. Its like a magic carpet ride!

So I decided to get a Fliteboard.

Specifications

• Fliteboard Pro Board - 67 litre board will harder to learn on but better once up and going.
• 75cm mast - to cope with swell
• Flitecell Explore battery - better endurance, more time on the water
• Front Wing: Cruiser 1100, Flite 290 stabiliser - for learning and general use
• Flow S 1300 wing + Flow 245 stabiliser - better turning foil for wave riding
• Trueglide prop + prop duct removal kit - for "Pro Mode" wave riding

Kitesurfing at Beaumaris - SO GOOD to be on the water again #509

Session 509. Back on the water kitesurfing at Beaumaris!  This is session I will remember after months (133 days) of COVID-19 lockdown. The travel restriction from home was lifted to 25km so I am now at last able to get to some bayside beaches.

A good 18 knot southerly was on at 2 pm,.  This was also my first session on the new board I bought yesterday - a North Cross - which was fantastic.  So light, turns fast, goes upwind well and is good to gybe.

I headed up to Ricketts Point to have a look around and was the only one there. My hip has been sore recently and my leg muscles a bit out of whack so the cross winder to Aspendale was not an option.

I surfed the swell and small reef breaks back to the yacht club and had a short break on the beach. Heading out again the wind picked up - I could see another storm front coming so I headed in.  The wind increased by 10 knots and the kiters out on the water had some dramas, I was happy to be on the beach.

So good to catch with the crew too, there was a great turnout and lots of big smiles.

Lockdown impact kitesurfing in Victoria again

The COVID-19 virus continues to have a major impact on kitesurfing activities in Victoria, particularly for people who live in the Greater Melbourne areas. 

Stage 3 lockdown for Greater Melbourne were reimposed on 7 July 2020 with the following impacts:

• Valid reasons for leaving home are shopping for food and essential items, exercise and permitted work.
• Driving to a location (e.g. kitesurfing beach) was not permitted.

Kitesurfing was only possible for people who could walk to their local kitesurfing location.

Stage 4 lockdown for Greater Melbourne were imposed on 2 August 2020 with the following impacts:

• Valid reasons for leaving home are shopping for food and essential items, exercise and permitted work.
• Travel only allowed within 5km of home
• 1 hour permitted for exercise

This has made kitesurfing impossible for everyone except the lucky few who live less than 5km from a local kitesurfing location.

Stage 3 lockdown for the rest of Victoria on 2 August 2020 don't have as much impact - people are able to travel to kitesurfing locations and kitesurf, but not in the Melbourne lockdown area.

I haven't been on the water since our SUP session at Thirteenth Beach on 27 June - that is 78 days off the water now. 

Cabin fever has well and truly set in. I have been doing local bike rides to get out and about to keep fit, but I am really missing kitesurfing. 

The 5km zone and travel restrictions will only be removed on 26 October, and only if the COVID-19 case threshold is met.

 

COVID-19 restrictions eased in Victoria, kitesurfing is now permitted - follow the rules

Some COVID-19 restrictions were eased in Victoria, taking effect at midnight on Tuesday 12 May.

Kitesurfing is now permitted for sport and exercise, along with recreational boating, subject to the following principles:

• you can keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart)
• the maximum is 10 people in a group.

Travelling to a kitesurfing location is also allowed.

Recreational boating and fishing are also now permitted, subject to the same rules.

I am looking forward to getting back on the water.

Melbourne beach closures due to COVID-19 virus - impact on kitesurfing

NOTE: This article is being updated as directions change

Kiteboarding Victoria advised on 9 April that kitesurfers follow government rules and restrictions and stay at home to ensure they don't receive fines of up to $1652 or put others at risk such as emergency and rescue services during the stage 3 restrictions.

"A kitesurfer on the water is considered to be vessel and as such must adhere to all applicable rules and regulations". Maritime Safety Victoria.

The current ban on recreational boating therefore applies to kitesurfing.

15 April 2020. Some sources on social media claimed that kitesurfing (while adhering to social distancing) is no longer banned. There has been nothing issued in writing from the Police or the CHO to confirm this.

Background

Increasing measures to keep people at home and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus have resulted in closures of beaches in and around Melbourne.

Most beaches close to Melbourne have been closed by local councils (list below). Signs at some beaches specify "Visitors are permitted to surf, swim, run, walk or exercise if you strictly follow social distancing requirements”. (Hampton beach 2 April).

Beach closed notice, Inverloch inlet, 1 April 2020

Police have been asking some people to leave beach areas.

Check current local council and directions from Chief Health Officer (Victoria) and Australian Government Dept of Health.

Park Victoria is the government authority that manages recreational activities on Port Phillip Bay. See Park Victoria COVID-19 page for updates.

On 31 March Parks Vic status was:

Some beaches remain accessible for exercise if social distancing requirements are strictly followed, but the message is clear – if you can stay home, you must stay home.

Commencing on the weekend of 3-4 April 2020 all recreational activities beyond basic exercise are not allowed.  This includes fishing, hunting, boating, camping and golf.

All kiters have a responsibility to follow the rules so we don't jeopardise the recreation that we all love.

Victoria Police have the power to issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses who don’t follow the directives of the Chief Health Officer.

There is a prohibition on social sport gatherings.

Non-essential travel is restricted across Australia

People who ignore government advice to stay at home need to consider:

• Travel by car to go kitesurfing is non-essential domestic travel
• If you get injured or require a rescue you will expose emergency services and medical workers to risk of COVID-19 infection from you
• If you are taken to a hospital you expose medical staff and patients to COVID-19 risk too

The key message is STAY AT HOME to avoid transmission.

As at 31 March 2020, limited exercise such as going for a walk from your home is OK.


List of beach closures

City of Port Phillip, including

• St Kilda
• Elwood
• Sandridge
• Brighton

City of Bayside (30 Mar 2020 update), including

• Brighton
• Ricketts Point
• Hampton

Frankston City Council: closed its beaches from midnight tonight until midnight on Sunday 29 March.

Mornington Peninsula Shire: all beaches (includes Rye, Rosebud)

Hobsons Bay City: all beaches (includes Altona, Williamstown)

City of Kingson: all beaches until 30 March (including Aspendale, Mentone)

Bass Coast Shire: beaches are closed, but people still allowed to people to surf, swim, run or walk as long as they did not congregate in groups.

Links:

• Coronavirus COVID-19 daily update - DHHS Victoria 
• Mornington Peninsula beaches closed until further notice - MP News
• Victoria Police to issue fines for breaking coronavirus social distancing rules as cases climb to 685 - ABC News
• Community Information - COVID-19 - Kingston City Council
• About coronavirus (COVID-19) – Department of Health and Human Services Victoria
• 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Health.vic
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public – World Health Organisation
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Australia | Data 
• Victorian COVID-19 data