Kitesurfing Frankston with a tour and a strong northerly

Session 232.  A great northerly was on so we headed for Frankston and setup on the beach. One other kiter was there so it certainly wasn't crowded. Stuart took out his Crossbow 7 while I used my Lithium 9. The waves were great fun. There was a nice swell rolling in. The wind was strong and not too gusty.

We spend some time enjoying the waves, then took off on a tour down towards Mornington. It was great to go for an explore.  We cruised out past Mount Eliza, about half way to Mornington.  There were some big swell rolling past and the coastal scenery here is nice.  Lot of bluffs and cliffs with very few beaches.

We turned and headed back then did some tacks to get around the Frankston pier and back to our start point.  The picked up in strength to around 30 knots as we finished.  Four other kiters were out at Seaford.

Overall, a really nice session.

That's my kite!  Photo: Stuart Webb

See also: Kiteventure: 27 April - Perfect northerly at Frankston - glorious day 

Kitesurfing Port Melbourne in a late sea breeze

Session 192. Friday 20 October 2012

Stuart, Tarren and I had our gear ready for a kitesurfing session after work as Predictwind forecast showed a sea breeze during the afternoon.

We met at Port Melbourne in balmy conditions with no wind.  Tarren eventually left as he was going out. After thinking nothing would happen, the wind picked up, so Stuart and I headed out.  

I was flying on the Sector 60 with my 12m Noise kite, I made it to St Kilda on a single tack (!) then returned. I even depowered the kite.  I had plenty of power and speed, but doing a pre-turn gybe on the Sector 60 proved tricky.  Its been a while since I have been on this board.  No problems gybing left to right though.  

I came close to the Spirit of Tasmania a couple of times and could see people on the deck watching, as well as cars loading via the bow.

It was great to get this session in after work.  The advantages of the Sector 60 board are clear - I had a fast upwind session when Stuart was having trouble going upwind at all on his twin tip.

Kitesurfing at Mentone with the water to ourselves

Session 171 - 28 February 2012
Stuart and I headed to Mentone early in the afternoon to check out the south easterly.  On arrival, the wind looked OK but not strong.  Once on the water we had a ball!  The wind was around 15 knots and quite smooth.  The water was warm and clean.  And we had the place to ourselves.  Sweet!

Stuart was focusing on more aerial tricks, while I took out the Sector 60 again to keep practising gybes.

The Sector 60 was well powered by the Noise 12m kite, so much so that I depowered the kite for most of the session.  I completed several "right turn" gybes successfully, but still think I need to speed up the foot switch and do it a bit earlier.

I am still amazed by how much speed, power and upwind ability I get using the Sector 60 in lighter winds.

I completed only one "left turn" gybe, but was feeling more confident riding toeside on the left tack.  Pushing the bar out during the turn helps regulate the kite and board speed too.  

I tested out the Contour Surf Mount (the old model) I had just fitted to the Sector 60 board.  I found it tended to flop down as the board gets whacked by waves and chop under speed.  The thumb screw for tightening it is hard to do up tight.  Also, the waterproof housing slides around in the mount. 

Contour are not selling this original surf mount and have replaced it with a new model - I suspect its function will be improved.  I did get some interesting shots however.

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