My race in the 2017 Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurfing event - stoked to do it!

Session 430. Racing at last!  I was lucky to get a good start on the upwind side of the course. I was very wary as the huge throng of kiters dashed off.  I got upwind and stayed there, keeping out of trouble.

It was quite a spectacle watching the bulk of kites progressing downwind, with those on foil boards soon getting a significant lead.  

I was feeling tired after the "one hour warm up" so I was concentrating on keeping the kite flying well and resting my rear leg occasionally.  It was nice to relax a bit and enjoy the mission.

My Flite 14.5 was providing good power.  Several kiters on twin tips were keeping pace with me, and one passed when I stacked briefly into a wave (one of two stacks).   The water wasn't rough but there were odd waves and peaks so concentration was required.

Heading just left of the cranes on Fremantle Docks two large moored ships eventually came into view.  I steered well downwind to avoid the wind shadow behind one, the other was downwind. Even so, I got a brief lull as I passed the stern of the ship.   A couple of racers that went close would have been scared their kites would fall out of the sky.

Then I picked the final target just left of the Fremantle Life Saving Club. Kiters were converging on the fairly narrow gate between a moored boat and a buoy.   There was almost a traffic jam getting through the gate with a couple of kites just behind me.

I DID IT!  Stoked to finish.

I came into the beach a bit overcooked in a bit of a daze and boosted off my board to land on the sand.  Then it was kite down and time for a drink.  A couple of cans of Red Bull (event sponsor) went down well to replenish my well depleted energy levels.

I finished 43rd overall and 26th in the Male Foil/Race/Surfboard category with a time of 35:59.  Olly Bridge, the winner, did it in 19:34 on a foil!  Here are the provisional results.

Several twin tip riders finished ahead of me including Jordan Girdis (1) Aaron Hadlow (2) and Rou Chater. 

I caught up with Nat, she had a good run and was hoping she got second in the female foil/surfboard class, which was later confirmed.  Well done Natalie.

For more photos of Rottnest Island and my pre-race kitesurfing warm-up see here

Just before the start

The start, just pass the boat.

Getting upwind

Relaxing on the course

Mid point.  Photo: Paul Smith

Coming in to Leighton Beach, my kite is on the right.  Photo: Peta-Ann North

Kent Wright and Peter Campbell, happy finishers

Refreshments. Photo: Daniel De Giosa

Was it worth it? Yes, this race is definitely worth doing. You may not be aiming for a very fast time but its a great accomplishment and has a really good vibe.

A few tips:

• Some training around Leighton Beach is good to get familiar with landmarks and the wind direction.
• Its a crosswinder rather than a downwinder so train for that.
• Have a big kite in your quiver in case the wind is light, my 14.5 was great.
• Use a board that is good in light wind.
• Do a few race starts before you enter so you are familiar with how they work
• Allow a few days to partake in some excellent kitesurfing along Perth's beaches.
• Enjoy yourself!

I would like to thank Tim Turner (the Race Director) for his invitation and support for this great event.

GPS Log

Rottnest Island and a long warm-up session for the Lighthouse to Leighton race

Session 429.  Today was the big day.  Tim Turner, the Race Director, had postponed the event from Saturday due to lack of wind.  I met with Natalie and Dean to get the ferry, leaving a car at the finish near Fremantle Life Saving Club.

There was a good buzz on the boat, carrying mainly kitesurfers, across to Rottnest Island.  We checked out the ships moored in the channel on our way.

Natalie Flintrop-Clarke and Peter Campbell, race tops on

Kent Wright providing some handy local knowledge

Leaving Fremantle

Once on the island there was some free time. Natalia, Dean and I walked to the lighthouse saying hello to a couple of Quokkas along the way.  Crystal clear azure water, bright sunshine and white sand make Rottnest and island paradise.

We then walked to the Kingston Barracks, the base for the race.  Once there we collected and setup our gear, had a race briefing then took our gear to the beach.

I got there early, pumped up my kite then returned the pump to the back that was going back on the ferry.  It was already getting busy when I returned so I launched my kite and headed out into a sea breeze.  Kent had provided some tips on getting ready for start and staying clear of the crowds.

I did a couple of racks but then the wind softened.  Some foil kites were struggling and so was I.  Going out further didn't help and I was losing ground on the return.  The wind dropped futher and I could get planing. I concentrated on keeping the kite flying as I drifted North past the sand spit and a little island, well away from the start line.

All the other kites were on the beach so it looked like I might have to be rescued.  A boat came and asked if I as OK, I replied yes.   Check out my track log and zoom into the start to see the drama . . .

Then the wind picked up and I could hold a bearing to the Fremantle Cranes.  I was tempted to go for it, but that would mean I was riding solo and might be the only kite on the water, so I tacked back a few times.  The wind increased so I was able to tack back past the stern of the race boat - they said there was 7 minutes to go!

I kept tacking aiming to stay upwind as much as possible. I dropped then got my board then the race started.  What a relief!  You can read about my progress here.

Ship in the channel

Approaching Rottnest Island

The spit

Phillip Rock

A Quokka!

Kent's toothpick board, it was fast.

Race briefing. Aaron Hadlow in the front row.

Schlogging it during my warm up session!

Are you OK?  Yes . . . 

WIND!

Just before the start

Track log
The tracks near the start are for this session.  

Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurfing event 2017

I have been invited to participate in the Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurfing event. I have wanted to do this for a while so I jumped at the chance.  Flights and accommodation are now booked.

The event is on Saturday 9 December, with Sunday 10 December a

Kiters are taken over to Rottnest Island by ferry with their gear, then they set up and kitesurf 19km  back to Leighton Beach.  Many do it as a race but I will be there for the experience and aim to have some fund on my Nugget board.

I will have Friday to do a trial run - hopefully meeting up with Natalie Clark who is doing the event for a second time.

Its the eighth year the race has been held and there are over 140 participants so it will be busy on the water.  I am looking forward to it.

2016 Lighthouse to Leighton start.  Source: Ozone

Here are my articles for the trip:

• Kitesurfing Leighton Beach WA, nice wind and water 
• Rottnest Island and a long warm-up session for the Lighthouse to Leighton race 
• My race in the 2017 Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurfing event - stoked to do it! 

Australia's Longest Kitesurfing Race - Lighthouse to Leighton 2012

Australia's longest kitesurfing race - the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton 2012, was held on Saturday 15th December 2012. The race was limited to 100 male competitors and 10 female competitors,


The 19km course starts at Phillip Point Rottnest, off the coast of Perth the continues across the Indian Ocean on the Gage Roads channel and finishing at Leighton Beach, North Fremantle.

The course record for the 19 kilometre channel crossing is 24 minutes, 34 seconds and was established by World Speed Ace Alex Caizergues in 2010.

Jonahthon Keys won the mens with a time of 25:20.

Kiera MacFarlane won the womens with a time of 30:21