Flinders kitesurfing reef break and waves #593

Session 593. Tired after yesterday's bike ride at South Morang but the good forecast for wind and waves at Flinders beckoned.

There were some good waves to be had.  I dropped the kite a couple of times flying it high waiting to catch a wave, and another time retrieving my board, but thankfully I was able to relaunch it on both occasions.

I body dragged in to get the board, thankfully it wasn't on the rocks.

Some revision: Fly the kite high, don't hang around in the impact zone and pick your wave to ride on the way in.

A challenging fun session.

Kitesurfing good Northerly at Brighton

Session 585. Strong winds forecast for Port Phillip Bay arrived mid-afternoon. On the water at 3:30 pm and shared the session with three other kiters.

Northerlies at Brighton can be dicey if you have equipment failure or get your kite tangled - its a long hard swim back to shore against cross-offshore wind. I kite conservatively in offshore winds.

The wind was good further out but not as strong as the 30 knot forecast. The Union 9m kite was nicely powered.

I tacked up to near the Brighton Marina breakwater then surfed the back on the bay swell.  The wind was gusty closer to shore.

A kiter jumped and crashed his kite. He was having a lot of trouble relaunching it and looking like he might need to swim a longish way back in.

I kited past slowly and grabbed and dragged one tip of his kite that was jellyfishing (full of water).  That was enough for him to relaunch it. It was nice to help out.

I got back to beach easily, very happy with the outing. Nice light, good wind, not crowded and not too cold.  Smiles all round.

Kitesurfing Seaford in winter #567

Session 567.  Cool conditions but nice sunshine.  I was just powered on my 8m kite and enjoying the small bay waves with a nice run down towards Frankston then some tacks to get back.

The wind got stronger until my kite was fully depowered.  I was a bit rusty - a few big stacks and missed quite a few gybes, but a great session.

Pulled the safety to self land on the narrow beach.  Quite a few people walking on the beach with dogs.

Kitesurfing Seaford in winter #566

Session 566. Kitesurfing after an extended break due to sore tendons in my left elbow.  It seems to be a form of Tennis Elbow that has lingered for 6 months.  My elbows felt better after the session!

Nice kitesurfing in small bay waves and cold conditions.  Light wind so I used my 12m kite.

Kitesurfing Mackay Cay on the Great Barrier Reef and overnight on the Cay #557

Session 557. We packed up, had a hearty breakfast, left the Daintree Rainforest Lodge, got the gear onto the boat and cruised out to Mackay Cay, another Sandy Cay to the north of Undine Cay. There was some tour boats at the Cay when we arrived - the big 25m Sailaway cat and the RIB that brings people out from the Daintree on day tours.

We setup the beach shelter again and rigged up with good wind blowing.

The kitesurfing was fantastic again. Plenty of water over the reef and a nice sandy bottom around the Cay.  There were a few turtles in the water, fish darting about and even whales breaching far out to the north.

There was some small swell on the windward side of the reef that was fun to crank some turns in.

I kited all around the Cay again. I did one long run surfing the small waves along the windward side of the Cay along the edge of the reef. When I tacked at the end of the reef I was downwind of the Cay and a fair way out so I headed back to the Cay towards where boats were moored on the leeward side.

There were no snorkelers in the water as I passed downwind of the moored Sailaway cat and kept going on a port tack out to sea.

On my return starboard tack a motorboat was approaching me upwind also on a port tack but not giving way so I tacked and went out to sea again.

Returning on a starboard tack I was surprised to see the Sailaway cat had lifted anchor and was motoring directly towards me! He didn't give way so I passed downwind again. On my returning port tack, still downwind of the cay, I was surprised that Sailaway had stopped moving to put up sails and was in my way again. The skipper could have easily motored away upwind from me but chose to stop in my path. This was annoying and could have been dangerous. 

The Sailaway skipper even "complained" to Brett via SMS about me "passing too close to his boat and getting in his way". He is apparently oblivious of right of way rules. Tour boats should follow marine protocols.

I passed downwind of the cat and continued out to sea again for a considerable distance to get away from all the boats and succeeded in getting back to the cay.

Once the boats were gone we had the Cay to ourselves and the freedom to kite everywhere and solitude. 

We setup our swags then had a final kitesurfing session late in the afternoon. Vanessa crashed her kite then I dropped mine trying to retrieve her board. Brett came out in the RIB to retrieve us.

And excellent dinner during sunset and a warm fire on the sand made for a very pleasant evening.

The swags were very cosy and no crocs visited or were sighted!

The clouds parted during the night to reveal the stars. It was a great night's sleep.

Leaving Cape Tribulation

Kitesurfing Undine Cay to Cape Tribulation downwinder #556

Session 556. I was very keen for a downwinder and Brett was happy to provide boat support to get back to Cape Tribulation.

After a quick feast of delicious local prawns I headed off towards Cape Tribulation. The wind was strong direction was good. After a short distance I waited for the RIB then kited next to it. The surface was uneven with some chop.

It was much smoother in the wake of the boat - I was able to crank up the speed and keep up with the boat. 

About 1km off the cape I dropped my kite in clear blue water then Brett manoeuvred to get my board and kite then we headed into the beach.

This fast and scenic downwinder was a highlight of the trip for me and capped off a wonderful day of kitesurfing.

Photo and video credit: Vanessa Carey

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!

Ripping kitesurfing session in the surf at Sandy Point

Session 548. Strong wind and a huge surf - Sandy Point once again confirmed as one of the best kitesurfing locations in Victoria.

The waves were so big I didn't make it out the back.  It was difficult to get a good shoulder in the middle of the waves but perseverance paid off.

Video to follow.

Kitesurfing at Seaford in Winter sun

Session 547. A good northerly at Seaford made for some good kitesurfing. Mike and I got on the water just after 11am. 

The wind was around 20 knots so I used my Union 8m kite. It's been a while since I kited so I took it easy.

There was small but enjoyable bay surf in the Winter sun. Nice to crank out some turns.

The wind dropped for a bit then came back in with gusto.

James, Stu S and Stu W rolled up and joined us on the water.

I was glad I was wearing booties to keep my feet warm.

We had a good coffee at the Beach Cafe Seaford near the pier.