Kitesurfing Aspendale to Frankston and return crosswinder #598

A cracking crosswind tour from Aspendale to Frankston and back in 25-30 knots. 

  6 of us headed off from Aspendale in nice surf with good wind. Some of the wind swells were breaking a fair way out.  The biggest surf was just past the entrance of the Patterson River.

The wind direction changed when we got to Frankston. I decided to head back without delay cruised back on a good tack.  My right thumb was numb so I didn't dally.

A big seal surfaced right in front of me at the mouth of the Patterson River.

I deployed my safety and put the kite in the water to land as the wind was still quite strong.

After landing the others kites, we realised Anthony had not made it back so I headed down to Bonbeach and Carrum but I didn't see him.  I gave details to the Carrum LSC in case they or another LSC had seen him.  Then Stu said he was back at his van so it was all good.  

He said he cramped up and the wind dropped so he landed and walked back, borrowing a shopping trolley to carry his gear.

Overall, an excellent session enjoyed by all.

 

Frankston to Mentone kitesurfing downwinder #569

Session 569. The wind and weather was good for a downwinder so we took the opportunity to kitesurf from Frankston to Mentone and weren't disappointed.

The bay surf was good, the sun was shining and the wind was solid.

Kitesurfing Undine Cay to Cape Tribulation downwinder #556

Session 556. I was very keen for a downwinder and Brett was happy to provide boat support to get back to Cape Tribulation.

After a quick feast of delicious local prawns I headed off towards Cape Tribulation. The wind was strong direction was good. After a short distance I waited for the RIB then kited next to it. The surface was uneven with some chop.

It was much smoother in the wake of the boat - I was able to crank up the speed and keep up with the boat. 

About 1km off the cape I dropped my kite in clear blue water then Brett manoeuvred to get my board and kite then we headed into the beach.

This fast and scenic downwinder was a highlight of the trip for me and capped off a wonderful day of kitesurfing.

Photo and video credit: Vanessa Carey

Kitesurfing downwinder armada Ricketts to Hampton #539

Fantastic downwinder in a solid sea breeze today with a veritable armada of buddies.  We left my car at Hampton then I got a lift to Ricketts Point. 

I did a few tacks waiting for everyone to get on the water then headed off riding the swell and some reef breaks close to the shore.

Going past the HMS Cerberus wreck is always interesting but its sad to see it collapsing into the water.

I almost contacted some reefy rocks lurking in the shore break on a beach.  Past the Hampton Marina and then some nice speed runs behind the breakwater.  Lots of Wing Foils out there now. 

I got to the beach very happy with the tour. My wrist and right arm is getting stronger and were fine for the journey. 

This is probably the best short downwinder in Port Phillip Bay with great scenery, some nice reefs and excellent beaches.

Kitesurfing downwinder Aspendale to Frankston #533

Session 533. After the session at Aspendale I headed off on one my favourite downwinders, enjoying bay surf all the way from Aspendale to Frankston. 

The train at Frankston wasn't running though due to work on new railway stations. I was lucky to get on the replacement bus for the return trip (they normally don't allow surfboards).

Kitesurfing Torquay Point Danger to Point Impossible #527

Session 527. Another epic session kitesurfing in some more nice waves and good wind off Point Danger again.

Then we headed north east for a tour to Point Impossible. We got there after several tacks to find huge surf across to Breamlea. The run back was sensational with some really nice waves followed by a tack back to Torquay.

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!

Kitesurfing downwinder Aspendale to Frankston on the Wave 6 #514

Session 514. My sore hip is feeling much better and the MRI last week didn't show any major problems (despite the pain!) so it was time for some more kitesurfing with a solid westerly blowing. 

I got to Aspendale at 11:00, James and Stuart were on the water. I got on the water after a squall passed on my Airush Wave 6 aiming to enjoy the bay surf.  After a couple of tacks I headed downwind enjoying the waves without the need to tack back.  There was good surf.  

There is now more yellow poles along the way with large sections marked as "no boating" so I stayed out past them. The Wave 6m kite is good for surfing - the last time I did this trip I was overpowered on my 8.  

Down past Seaford there were some other kiters out, then more down at Frankston.  I kiter on the beach landed my kite saving me the hassle of releasing the safety.  He had access to a kiters bathing box right on the beach that is owned by a local kiter. That's the first time I have seen one used for kiting and its a great setup.

I stopped for lunch in Frankston then boarded the train back to Aspendale.  There is a now a bonus view on the train trip back with the new elevated Carrum station providing a great view across the bay.

My hip was fine afterwards which was a relief.

Here is a cool 3D animation of the trip

Video to follow.

Kitesurfing downwinder Waratah Bay in good surf #513

Session 513.  A strong easterly was blowing so we headed to the section of beach at Waratah Bay  that I scope out yesterday - there was plenty of wind and it was cross shore.  We left some cars at Waratah Bay then drove back to the start.  I was on the water quickly and enjoying some great waves.

The surf was nice - easy to get out with occasional bigger wave to ride back in.  The water was lovely green colour and very clean.  It took a while for everyone to get on the water then I headed down going out and catching waves back in.  I scored three great waves, with the North Cross board turning on them fast and smooth.

It would have been possible to kite all the way to Walkerville with that wind direction, but I was tired and a bit sore by the time we got to Waratah Bay and the wind picked up to 30 knots.

We headed to Inverloch for lunch then the gang had a good session in Andersen Inlet with about 20 knots of wind. I took some photos from the beach, resting my hip.

Back to the kite cabin for another restful night.

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: