Fast runs kitesurfing gusty south easterly at Mentone

Session 359. Scored a strong late afternoon south easterly at Mentone with Stu Styles. The wind was very punchy about 200m out.  Some jumps were quite high.  One attempted back roll went pear shaped with a big stack.

The runs back in were really fast.  I almost beat my PB speed, clocking a maximum of 48.5 km/h.  There were a few other kites and some windsurfers out too.

My newly repaired Lithium 9 performed very well (thanks Ivan) and was ideal for the conditions.

Close to shore the wind dropped out a bit but I got yanked by some gusts downwind a couple of times.  Good fun, but some concentration was required to handle the gusts.

 

GPS log

Kitesurfing Hampton and Green Point tour in a welcome sea breeze

Session 352.  A good sea breeze!  What a great way to start the New Year.  The kite beach at Hampton was busy - quite a few beach goers and kiters.  I did some nice runs out and back enjoying the swell, then headed down to Green Point for some more waves.

Green Point

The wind picked up a bit on the way back, it only took me 3 tacks to return.  A few more tacks among the other kiters and a couple of back roll kiteloops, then I came in.

GPS log

Sea breeze at Hampton with some back rolls

Session 348.  Scored a good sea breeze after work. Not enough time to rig up the foil board so I took my Nugget out with the Lithium 9.  The breeze was steady and not too strong.  I did a back roll kiteloop on me left tack and landed it well and repeated this on a right tack too.  Yay! Full commitment is the secret.

Passed close by a yacht - the only other craft on the water.  

There were a few sea urchins on the beach so I was wary about stepping on one.

I can't wait to try out the Double Agent foil board.

GPS Log

Dawn patrol kitesurfing at Hampton with some big jumps

Session 334.  I got down to Hampton early in the morning in the dark.  I donned my Ripcurl 4/3 wetsuit and headed for the beach.  Setting up in the morning twilight is strange. At one point it seemed like a light was turned on.

The wind was consistent at just under 20 knots and the weather looked reasonably clear. I took out my Lithium 9 in case stronger winds came in.  I was quite warm on the water wearing neoprene gloves and booties along with the wetsuit and helmet.  James joined me on the water then Stuart arrived.

The sun rose and shone briefly on the water as Melbourne's lights went out in the daylight.  Nice!

Some jumps went really high. It seemed the wind was stronger about 20m up and added extra boost!  I did landed a backroll kiteloops than crashed a few.  There was a short stretch of flat water behind the short groyne which was perfect for fast carved turns.

Stu #2 arrived and joined us and was enjoying surfing the rolling swells.

A good time was had by all.  We dodged the squalls that came later. . . 

We stopped for an excellent coffee and muffin in Hampton on the way home.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing again at Hampton with a self rescue

Session 331.  Back on the water the day after we returned from Europe, I missed kitesurfing!  The wind was light, around 15 knots, so I took out the Flite 14.5. Once again it did not disappoint.

I did several backrolls, most combined with a backloop, and landed a couple elegantly.  Getting enough rotation is tricky and handling the pull of the loop is too.

I was very happy to be on the water soaking up some sun to help me re-adjust to Eastern Standard Time (sunshine stimulates melatonin production which can help with jetlag)

I was doing some downwind slalom turns as Stuart approached. On my last turn our kite nearly tangled so  I dropped mine on the water. Unfortunately a bridle looped over a wing tip so I could not relaunch it.  I released the safety to try and get it to untangle, but this only resulted in my lines getting tangled close to the bar.

Another kiter flipped the snagged bridle over as I reset the bar, but the tangle meant I couldn't really fly the kite. I eventually got it launched and was able to control it with only one line and body drag back to shore at Middle Brighton.

Close to the shore I turned the kite around and attempted to land it but it kept flying. I released the safety and still it kept flying and pulling me horizontal to the shore, so I released it completely.

I swam in and grabbed the kite as it blew into the shore.  The other kiter towed by board in which was much appreaciated. I wasn't looking forward to searching for it.

All's well that ends well!

Great powered up kitesurfing session Andersons Inlet

Session 328.  When the picked up around 4 p.m, I swapped to the Flite 14.5 and the Nugget for a really good session. Well powered, but really easy to stay upwind.  The kite turns really well and delivers good power but not too much.  It has really good de-power range too.

I did several backrolls, some with kite loops, and landed most of them. I am really enjoying these as they add to the challenge.  I must be pulling on the back hand to get the backloop, so now I need to try pulling more on the front hand.  Landing a back roll kiteloop is a lot of fun.

Everyone was whizzing around, the travails of earlier light wind forgotten.  Trent was down with a large crew from SHQ too but there was plenty of room for us all.

We were all really pumped at the end of the day. The counter tea at the pub went down really well afterwards.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Aspendale with big kite in 15 knots

Session 326. The forecast looked a bit iffy but around 15 knots came in later in the morning. I met Stuart and Tarren at Gnotuk Ave, they had gone downwind a bit and were walking up the beach.

At last!  Good conditions to try out my Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5 on the water.

It was great.  Good power, but not too much,  I was able to get some good speed, go upwind without difficulty, surf some waves and do some backrolls and kiteloops.

The kite is predictable, stable and turns well for its size.  I did several back rolls and landed a few.  I noticed on a couple the kite ended up pointing in the opposite direction so I must be pulling on the rear of the bar to turn it.

I did some backroll kiteloops too and landed one very nicely.  Its easy to tell when you have done one, the lines are not twisted when you finish.

I find its not good to think about doing the backroll too much. Its best to commit, launch off a kicker and throw your head into the rotation.  Now that I am doing them I need to reverse engineer what is going on to fine tune the manoeuvre.f

I crashed the kite a couple of times and relaunched it with easy.  Then I crashed and jellyfished it (on its back) but got it relaunched, with Tarren assisting by bring my board closer.  The Flite 14.5 is easy to relaunch.

Stuart had a go on my Sector 60 to go better upwind. I had a couple of runs on it to finish too when the wind dropped out.

Overall verdict on the Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5: Recommended.  Turns well, goes upwind well, and is very stable to fly.  

We had a good coffee and lunch at the Peppercorn Cafe in Mordialloc, a favourite after kiting stop for me.

GPS Log