Winter kitesurfing dawn patrol at Seaford, chilly but rewarding

Session 445. Dark, chilly and windy morning at Seaford.  I started with my Wave 6m kite in case the wind got stronger.  I was able to stay upwind for a couple of tacks but was a bit underpowered.  The wind dropped further so I landed the kite and setup my Union 8m which was the right kite for the conditions.

Good waves and some nice winter sunshine.  I used my drysuit which was a bit too warm until a bit of water leaked in through the chest zip - I noticed later that I hadn't closed it properly.   The dry suit is a bit like being inside a car - it really does separate you from the element.  A wetsuit has a better feel and their is basically no chance of operator error with zips etc.

Every winter kitesurfing session is a bonus, its great to get out.

Coffee at the Beach Cafe Seaford (looking down the pier and across the bay) afterwards was excellent too.

Winter kitesurfing at Aspendale with good wind and waves

Session 380. Aspendale delivered today!  A good westerly that was gusty in the morning moderated during the afternoon.

It was cold and raining when I arrived so I sat in the car for a while checking out the wind and weather on my phone.

The crew all converged on Aspendale - Mike, Anthony, Stu W, Stu S and James.

I use my Union 8m kite as it looked like more strong winds were on the way.  It was the right choice as I well powered most of the time and could ride the waves well, some of which were a reasonable size.  My drysuit was nice and warm.

I dropped my kite close to shore and didn't relaunch it quick enough, so I swam in, untangle the lines and relaunched.  There was still plenty of wind so I made it back to Gnotuk.

Another group of kitesurfers came through doing a downwinder - which I was also thinking of doing.

Smiles all round after this session.  Lot of kitesurfing and some nice waves.  I was quite pumped at the end and stopped for a great coffee and snack at the Siesta Cafe in Mordialloc.

GPS log

Winter kitesurfing at Brighton in my drysuit

Session 336. After a couple of weeks off the water I was in the grip of cabin fever.  Storms and cold weather were forecast today across Victoria but I was keen to go kitesurfing if conditions were OK.

Headed to Brighton with Stu Styles.  Just as we got there and pumped up the northerly wind dropped off and some very dark clouds were looming out to the west.  

I donned my bunny suit then my dry suit and headed out on my Lithium 9 just after a couple of kiters left the water.  There wasn't enough wind to stay upwind for a couple of runs but then it picked up a bit and I got some good runs in along the beach.

Stu got some great pictures from the shore with my Nikon.  Conditions were cold but I was toasty warm, even sweating, in my Ocean Rodeo drysuit.

I came in before the looming squall hit then we headed to the White Rabbit cafe in Brighton for a great coffee and muffin.

GPS Log

Aspendale delivers great winter wind kitesurfing

Session 333.  Stuart, Eric, James and I met at Aspendale at 7 a.m with some good wind blowing and squalls on the way.  It had backed off a bit so I headed out on my Lithium 12, but I was overpowered when the stronger gusts came through so I swapped it for my 9 which was much nicer in the waves.

I have just re-mounted the rear screw of my rear footstrap on the nugget after the screw was turn out when the board was towed recently.  I visited OKE surfboards for advice - they said to plug the old hole with 5 minute araldite and use the next hole for the screw.  

I also wore by Ocean Rodeo drysuit with the bunny suit under it.  It was nice when I got going but got quite hot and sweaty as the session progressed.  Dunking into the water doesn't really cool you off in a drysuit and it wasn't really that cold.

The waves were good and the wind quite punchy, it was just great to be on the water and in the air occasionally.  No tricks today, just enjoying the wild weather. 

  

Kitesurfing Hampton in just enough wind

Session 191. Saturday 13 October 2012

A westerly came through on Saturday morning after an amazing cold snap of weather.  I suited up in my Ocean Rodeo Soul drysuit again.  Tarren and Stuart were first on the water and having a nice time.  Tarren came in and helped me launch my kite as I was having a bit of trouble self launching.

There was "just enough" wind to hold a line, but Stuart was going better upwind with his new Cabrinha Switchblade 12.  Kites just keep on getting better.

Its an amazing feeling kiting and staying dry. Well almost - I did get a little bit of water up one leg toward the end of the session.  

Here are some shots (linemount and kitecam) of me kiting with the drysuit. 

The wind was about 20 knots but dropped to 15 or less when we stopped.

Here is a gybe turn sequence

 

 

GPS log