Kitesurfing downwinder Aspendale to Port Melbourne #522

Session 522. Headed to Aspendale with a nice southerly over 20 knots coming down the bay.  I headed off on my Union 8m kite and North Cross board.  The surf at Aspendale and down towards the Mordialloc pier was great.

I tacked past the end of the pier and headed towards Ricketts Point.  The aquatic farm that was off Ricketts Point doesn't seem to be operating any more.  Coming into Beaumaris there was a few other kites out.

Good wind past the wreck of the Cerberus, its nearly submerged now.  

I noticed a disturbance in the water off Red Bluff lookout - there were two swimmers in the water some distance off shore. They were not easy to see in the swell but I was able to keep well clear.

There were a couple of guys on a wind wings and foils off  Sandringham. 

I tacked into Hampton then caught some nice rollers along to reef break and Green Point.

There were some kiters out at Brighton. The wind stayed good past Elwood with some good rolling swell and a few reef breaks to St Kilda Marina, then a tack past St Kilda Breakwater and a nice finish across to Port Melbourne. 

Caught the tram back to Southern Cross station, walked across Spencer Street, then caught the train back to Aspendale.  I got a few of the usual curious glances on the tram and train  and walking through the city with my wetsuit on and board under my arm. 

This is an epic downwinder in 25 knots!

Kitesurf downwinder Hampton to Port Melbourne #511

Session 511. There was good southerly wind today so a downwinder was on. I left Hampton on my 8m kite and surfed some bay rollers down to Green Point where the reef break was working with some good waves.

On to Brighton past a couple of windsurfers and only 2 kite on the beach.  Past Brighton Marina then onto Elwood finding some good swells along the way.

The surf at Elwood was good and the reefs a bit further along were working too - although one was very shallow.  I kited into the St Kilda Marina where there were a couple of kites out then continued on past Middle Park to Port Melbourne.

Really good to get in a downwinder - I am not very kite fit yet so this was a good workout and a scenic tour.  Anthony met me in Port Melbourne and drove me back to Hampton which was greatly appreciated and saved me a tram and train trip back. We had a good coffee and some lunch.

The North Cross board was great for fast turns but its lighter in the chop - I will hang onto the Nugget as a weapon of choice for big downwinders.

Here is a really cool animation of the trip using ayvri.com: 

Kitesurfing Port Melbourne, Webb Dock, St Kilda tour

Session 423. A later afternoon session at Port Melbourne in a sea breeze. Tarren was leaving as I got there.  Plenty of wind for the 10m Union so I headed out for a tour.  I tacked out past Station Pier then across towards Webb dock then close to the channel.  No big ships about and good wind but its a dicey location, dropping a kite here would not be fun! 

I tacked back and headed to St Kilda, enjoying solitude on the bay.  There were surprisingly few kites out there.  I headed back surfing the bay swells and doing some jumps.

Self landing near the Port Melbourne Yacht club was tricky, the kite drifted then turned the other way. When packing up I noticed the leading edge had a 2cm cut and the bladder was visible, very lucky it didn't burst.  This needs a pro repair due to the tension in the leading edge.

A great session, touring is fun!

 

GPS Log

Hampton to Port Melbourne downwinder kitesurfing bonus tour

Session 414.  Another good downwinder.  We left a car in Port Melbourne then drove up to Hampton and launched in a solid 25 knots.  I took my 8m kite and hoped the wind would stay strong all the way to Port Melbourne.

Green Point

After a few tacks four of us headed off past Green Point were we surfed some waves before continuing.  There was a good swell and the wind was good so I was making good time.  I was a bit leery of losing wind so I cranked up the speed and did some fast runs, slowing down occasionally to surf some of the bigger swells.  The others were following in the distance.

The wind softened off Elwood as it often does there, so I set a tack for the Spirit of Tasmania and concentrated on keeping my speed up.  I made it easily, passing the last pier with room to spare.  Elapsed time was about 48 minutes.

Its always a great feeling completing a downwinder.  I waited for the others who came in about 20 minutes later, all very happy with the run.

GPS Log