Kitesurfing Beaumaris on the Wainman Passport in light wind

Session 459. It seemed like a good sea breeze at Ricketts Point but it conked out, I made it back to shore on the Wainman Passport and walked back to the yacht club beach.   I borrowed Stu's Lithium 12 which had more power for a short second outing.

I have to re-splice the damaged lines on my Ocean Rodeo 14.5 Flite, until then its out of action.

My car was recently ransacked outside my home in Surrey Hills and some lowlife stole my kite gear bag and yellow kite camera case. I am replacing the equipment lost. Be careful about leaving gear in your car between sessions . . .

Kitesurfing backrolls in Hampton sea breeze

Session 361. I headed down to Hampton to catch the late sea breeze.  Heavy traffic now so it took a while to get there.  I considering using the foil board but there wasn't much time, so I used my Lithium 12 and trusty Nugget.

I resolved to work on my erratic back rolls. Given I often loop the kite I concentrated on keeping my hands together.  This worked.  I completed a roll in good control, but the kite ended up flying the other way, so I am still pulling on the back hand a bit.

I did about 6 on the left tack, landing one back roll kiteloop which feels really good when it works.  On the right tack I couldn't even get one to work.  About 4 other kiters were out and one windsurfer.  The breeze dropped right off when I finished.

Next time I will try some back rolls with my front hand pulling down and also try an agressive back roll kiteloop with the rear hand pulling down.

A nice way to finish the week.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing downwinder Aspendale to Mentone with some nice waves

Session 360.  Another great downwinder!  Aspendale to Mentone is a really good run with some great bay waves along the way.  Grant even did it on his windsurfer! Stu and Job were well ahead by the time I started so I kept catching waves following the beach along.

It was a warm day and the 15 knot wind was not deterring swimmers - there were a lot out most of the way along.  I did some nice jumps for variety using waves as kickers.

I had a go at kiting back and got up close to the pier when the wind dropped so I headed back to Mentone direct.  This downwind run was quite different as I had to keep my board speed and kite speed up to generate maximum power.

I caught the others just before they drove off then waited for Grant to take me back to my car.

Great fun was had by all, in my case for 21 km!  So good!

GPS Log

Kitesurfing strong easterly at Mentone, over powered at times

Session 356.   A strong easterly came in mid afternoon, we headed to Mentone.  With my Lithium 9 out of action it was a toss up between my Lithium 12 or Crossbow 7. The wind was lighter on the beach so I took out the 12 and was overpowered most of the time.

It was very easy to get big air and good speed. The wind swung around to full east so there was a lull close to shore.  Heaps of wind further out. I was rigged on the bottom knots and fully de-powered but still on the limit at times.  I was missing my 9m kite which needs a repair and new bladder.

Some windsurfers were having a great time.  I raced them a couple of times but the swell was not conducive to full speed for me.

Tarren, and the two Stus had a good time too.

Fast turns

Good speed

Racing polies

Big jump

GPS Log

Nice kitesurfing at Aspendale after some time off the water

Session 354. Great to be back on the water after 2 weeks skiing in Japan and 1 week camping at Cape Paterson.  The afternoon sea breeze was a bit patchy but I had plenty of power with my Lithium 12.  

I did a long run out past the Mordialloc pier then back up towards Gnotuk Ave, then returned surfing the bay waves all the way back to the pier.  I was focusing on fast turns on the waves and had a ball.

After a few runs close to shore I headed back past Gnotuk for a longer run down the waves along the outer sandbar.  

I used my new Patagonia wetsuit that has long arms and short legs - it was very comfortable and snug.

A really nice session.  Nothing beats kitesurfing.  It is the best sport in the world.