Kitesurfing Tasmania 2017 - trip summary

This is summary of our late spring kitesurfing trip to Tasmania.

The wind forecasts shifted a lot during the preceding week.  Initially Marrawah looked good but closer to the date a large high pressure system in the Tasman resulted in a northerly air stream along the East coast so we booked a large house in Stanley to sleep eight.

Day 1. Friday 24 Nov

Flying over the Tamar, looking back to Port Sorrell in the distance where we kitesurfed last year.

On arrival, we found the Kia Carnival seat configuration did not fit us and our gear well, so we were lucky to swap it for a Hyundai iMax.

There was no wind so we drove to Coles Bay and hired a double kayak and a SUP and paddled across Honeymoon.[link]

We checked out the Friendly Beaches on our way back to Swansea - looks promising for kitesurfing!

We had a great house in Swansea that slept all eight of us and had plenty of room and good views across to the Hazards.

Kiters & boards - Taz, Mike, James, Anthony, Peter, Dan, Stu S, Stu W.

Lots of kangaroos and wallabies close to roads

Day 2. Sat 25 Nov.

Session 425 [link] - First kitesurfing on our 2017 Tassie trip cured my cabin fever - a nice downwinder from Peggs Beach to Stanley East Inlet

Session 426 [link] - East Inlet speed runs

Day 3. Sun 26 Nov.   

Session 427 [link] - Douglas River surf then a downwinder to Bicheno.

Five had another session at the wonderful Friendly Beaches, while three or us returned to Bicheno to order pizzas.

Day 4. Mon 27 Nov

There were some storms about in the morning

We scored some nice pancakes and jam at Kates Berry Farm near Swansea.

We drove to Coles Bay then walked to the Wineglass Bay lookout in Freycinet National Park, some continued to the beach and back.  Its a very popular walk for tourists.

Wineglass Bay

Then it was a quick dash to the airport with a 5 minute lunch stop on the way.  A final bag pack and we were on our way home.

Wilsons Prom and Shallow Inlet look great from the plane on the way home, its good to have a window seat.

Map

Kitesurfing Stanley East Inlet, flat water speed runs

Session 426.  Tasmania kitesurfing trip Day 2, second session.

The wind dropped soon after we arrived at the East Inlet so I swapped to my big Ocean Rodeo Flite kite. We all waited on the shore for a while until it picked up a bit, then we took some turns doing runs with my kite.  When it got stronger everyone headed out again on their own kites.

The tide was coming in so getting around got easier.  I did a run a long way up the inlet to the South then returned out through the mouth towards Stanley.  When I turned the wind dropped out again!  I ended up walking back along the beach then crossing a sand isthmus to get back to the lagoon and kite back to our base location.

It was really good to get some solid kitesurfing in.  Stanley is a good location for kitesurfing in Tasmania as most wind directions are possible within a short driving distance.

We stopped at Fish Frenzy in Burnie on the foreshore for a good feed on the drive back to Swansea.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing downwinder from Peggs Beach to Stanley East Inlet

Session 425.  First kitesurfing on our 2017 Tassie trip cured my cabin fever.

Tasmania kitesurfing trip Day 2.

The wind forecast dropped out on the East Coast - a large stationary high pressure system over the Tasman was playing havoc with the wind.  So we drove 4.5 hours to Stanley and scored some wind.  .

Stu and I rigged up and did a nice downwinder from Peggs Beach to the East Inlet at Stanley.  The rest of the crew drove on to the East Inlet.

The water was clear and the scenery stunning.  The waves were not huge but provided some variety.  I had enough power on my 10m kite to enjoy the trip.

We went past the inlet then back in it to join the others.  This was a nice 13km run, a worthwhile tour.

More photos

GPS Log

Around Stanley and speed runs in the East Inlet channel

We drove to Stanley after the morning's big session at Marrawah.  Peter took us into the delightful town where time stands still for a great coffee.  The he took us on a short tour over Green Hills Road to the huge beach where the West Inlet downwinder finishes.  There views along the coast and backl to "The Nut" are dramatic.

Then Peter took us down onto the beach at the East Inlet and gave instructions on how to kite in the channel of water (it was low tide) with the westerly still blowing.  Its an unlikely combination of wind and terrain that we wouldn't have figured out ourselves.

A couple of windsurfers were doing speed runs out there.  Tarren, Stuart W and James set up and walked their kites across the windswept sand to the channel and had a long session on the flat water.

Stu S and I headed into town to look for the anchor (or rudder?) of the tall ship Defender that Stu's father worked on restoring at Stanley.  The ship was recently sunk in the Townsville harbour but may be refloated.

Stanley is a very neat town with original cottages and buildings intact. It is a great place to mooch around and take in the scenery.

We found an anchor, but Stu checked with his father who said the part of the ship was a rudder and it was in the small museum.

Stanley Hotel

 

We drove back and picked up the others after their session.  The water was flat and they clocked some good speeds.  I'm not sure it would have been as much fun on a surfboard though.

Map of trip locations