Early evening kitesurfing in strong winds at Hampton

Session 358. The strong winds forecast came in during the afternoon. I got to Hampton late after attending to a chore.  About four kites were out and the wind was around 25 knots with a good swell.  I pumped up my Crossbow 7 (my Lithium 9 is not repaired yet) and headed out.

Plenty of power and some nice waves.  The bigger ones were breaking out past the end of the groynes at a reef. I was able to time it so I could a few there which was really nice.  

A few jumps then just riding as many waves as I could.  There were a couple of surfers close to the groynes too.  

25 knots or more generates some reasonable waves in the bay.  The wind dropped a little so I came in.  The sunset was dramatic with ships out in the bay including the Spirit of Tasmania heading out.

Shorebreak!

Nice swell

  

 
GPS Log

Another cracking northerly at Frankston, small kite day

Session 336.  Great winter kitesurfing today in a strong northerly wind today at Frankson.  It was well over 20 knots when we setup at about 8:00am.  With stronger winds forecast, I opted for my Crossbow 7 and was glad that I did.  I had plenty of power and was able to ride some nice bay surf that increased in size as the session progressed.

Stuart took out his 7 too and was also having a great time.  You don't use a small kite often, but when you do the sessions are rewarding.  Stu and Eric both had bigger kites that they sensibly elected not to fly.  They both had turns on ours when we came in for short spells.

It wasn't too cold, but I was wearing gloves, booties and my helmet.

My chin injury from the previous weekend was fully healed thanks to medical super glue.  No dramas today.  I did a few cautious jumps as the Crossbow 7 turns like a gnat.

Surfing bay waves was the order of the day.  Its fantastic to have this kitesurfing so close by.

GPS log

Strong winds at small kites at Gnotuk

Session 334. Gnotuk delivered again.  I pumped up my 12m kite in about 15 knots then the wind increased just as I was about to connect the lines, so I put it away and got my 9.  I was well powered on the water - the wind was solid and dense.

A backroll kiteloop went wrong again and I crashed hard.  Talking to Stuart afterwards, maybe I'm not placing my hands together on the bar to minimise turning the kite . . .

I was able to manage the wind strength, but I was getting pulled off waves as I couldn't get depower the kite enough to surf them.  I swapped the Lithium 9 for my Crossbow 7 which was much better. Combined with the marvellous North Nugget board I could still go upwind with ease, but I was able to ride and enjoy the waves.

Mike was having some good runs too but was also feeling overpowered.  Stu and Grant came a bit later for some windsurfing.

I was watching another kiter who was stationary a fair way out, then he started body dragging in.  I kited over to him - he said he had lost his board.  I did a couple of runs out and back looking for it but the big swells prevented me seeing it.  Memo to less experienced kiters: don't go too far offshore until you are confident you can hang on to or recover your gear.

The strong winds provided a surprisingly good bay surf.  Another excellent session. 

GPS Log

A demo kitesurfing run at Cape Paterson

Session 317. A very short one. There was some interest in kitesurfing among my relatives and friends while we were camping at Cape Paterson so I showed them my 7m Crossbow kite and the rest of the kitesurfing gear at the campsite.

Late the following day there was some wind on the main surf beach so I took the gear down and did a short demo run out on the 7 and back into the beach then some body dragging in the surf.

There wasn't enough wind to stay upwind but if  I was on my 9m Lithium I think I would have been going fairly well.  Its not a great place to get into difficulties though as the beach is fairly small and elsewhere there is mostly reefs and rocks.

Everyone got to hold the bar and briefly try flying the kite.