Kitesurfing upwind tour from Rescue Point on the Sector 60

Session 300! Light wind so time for the Sector 60 - the conditions were great for some long runs and an upwind tour.  I tacked upwind and could see a small jetty in the distance.  I came close to a sandy beach on the other side dotted with pelicans, cormorants and seagulls.

Lake Victoria is a very quiet location. No boats or other people about.

I headed back down wind at maximum speed to return, nice!

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Rescue Point self rescue!

Session 299.  We arrived at Banksia Peninsula around midday. I headed out on my Lithium 12 and the North Nugget (strapless).  I had a couple of good runs then the wind conked out.  I was heading to the shore slowly when my kite fell out of the sky, so I wound my lines in and started sailing the kite to shore.

Grant and Stu rescued James with the boat, he was floating further out with his kite also down.  They came and took my board after which I kept going eventually reaching shallow water and startling a few swans. I was wary of stingrays in the murky water though, especially after a windsurfer was stung last week at Beaumaris.

I packed the kite away and walked back to the point.   Next session will be on the Sector 60!

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Paynesville main beach on the Sector 60

Session 298. Bonus session - there wind was blowing at around 20 knots later in the afternoon so had a session at the main Paynesville beach.  Its a sketchy place to launch though as the beach is narrow and the small pier presents an obstacle and there is a no boating zone.  I got out past the pier in on tack on my Sector 60 board though using my 9m kite.

I did some nice speed runs over towards Newlands Arm, wary of running out of wind, then I got out past Raymond Island for a short tour.  The Sector 60 gives you options that other boards don't - its an upwind machine.

Fast runs took me back to the beach then we landed our kites and ran to assist Amelia who had drifted down into the channel.

The main Paynesville beach is not a good place for beginners particularly with the wind onshore but its a lovely location.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing at Eagle Point Bay on the Gippsland Lakes

Session 173 - 12 March 2012

We had a family holiday over the long weekend at Marlo, East Gippsland, where we attended the 50th birthday party of Andrew Barnes, and old skiing buddy.  There was a large number of outdoors folks there - it was great to catch up with so many people who are still loving the outdoors.

Alas, there was very little wind, so my plans to kitesurf either the Snow River at Marlo (which was in flood) or the surf near Cape Conran came to nothing.  Mike, a local ranger and friend of Andrew, said the kiting in the Snowy River can be great, and that Point Ricardo is the best beach location in the area.

On the way home, we drove to the Mitchell River "silt jetties" which are an amazing sight.  There was a breeze blowing, but it didn't seem like quite enough for kitesurfing and there was only one narrow grassy launch location.  

On the way out out Lena spotted a kite at a location known as "The Old Schoolyard" in Eagle Point Bay.  I drove in there and chatted to Clint Brocchi, a local kiter who gave me some information about the local spot.  The wind was a bit light, but I setup and headed out on my Sector 60.  I got going OK and headed across to the other side.

I did a gybe turn, but the wind was lower over the other side and my kite lost power and landed on the water.  I relaunched it once, but couldn't keep it aloft.  Clint came across on his 14m kite and helped me relaunch the kite but I still could keep in flying.  I washed into shore, secured the kite, then started paddling back.  There was a shallow reef close to the shore with some barnacles about, so I cut my feet a few times, but the rest of the Eagle bay has a sandy or muddy bottom.

The Sector 60 was OK to paddle, but the foot straps do get in the way a bit.  About half way across, Clint came back with a rope and towed me most of the way back, for which I was grateful.

Back at the Old Schoolyards after I retrieved the kite, the wind had picked up so I headed out again.  This time it was good.  I managed several right turn gybes and one left turn too.  The water was quite muddy from the floods and freshwater rather than salt.  

It was quite a nice spot, but there is potential to get into trouble too, as I found out.  

It was really nice to get some advice and assistance from the friendly locals Clint Brocchi and Bruce Bowden.

Session stats

• Kite: Noise 12m
• Board: Airush Sector 60
• Wind strength: 12 - 17 knots
• Duration: 2 hours
• Location: Eagle Point Bay, Gippsland Lakes