Kitesurfing Hampton strapless after the front

Session 279.  A big front ripped through after midday. We waited for the wind to calm down a bit and arrived at Hampton around 4pm.  The wind was about 20 knots but their was stronger wind at South Channel and Point Henry to I took out my Lithium 9 and my Firewire strapless board with the intention of brushing up my strapless skills.

I didn't make it out through the break however, losing my board in a wave. I walked over the first groyne to the new "windsports area" but there were more people on the beach and in the water there than on the north end of the new "swimmers only" zone.

Its tricky getting going in the shore break when strapless.   Broken waves pluck the board from your feet just before the water start.  I dropped my kite and had to then untwist the lines.  Eventually I got going and out to sea.  There was some reasonable swell.  My back held up well, although using the seat harness was not so good - I found it very restrictive compared to my waist harness.

I got some nice runs out and in and rode a few good swells.  Once again, it was just fantastic to be back on the water.

There were quite a few kiters and some windsurfers enjoying the wind and bay surf, but there were some big holes in the wind.

The newly announced "swimming and watersports" zones seem to be ignored by the majority of beach goers and kitesurfers.  There were kiters on the main beach and swimmers in the windsports zone.  Another kiter said that the Police had been down on the beach earlier.

If you go to Hampton PLEASE keep well north of the Lifesaving club and marked swimming area (yellow buoys) and keep well out of the way of anyone in the water or on the beach.

GPS Log

Nice early evening kitesurfing session at St Kilda with a tour over to Hobsons Bay

Session 274.  A nice sea breeze came in late in the afternoon at St Kilda. Stuart and I headed down and found it surprisingly quiet. The boats in the marina now come right past the sand spit so the "kiddies pool" is quite hard to get to now.

Once on the water we took off for a tour over to Hobsons Bay.  The Spirit of Tasmania was turning to enter its channel when we scooted across. We nearly made it to Webb Dock but the wind was a bit lighter over there so we came straight back, with the Spirit of Tasmania now departed and some distance down the bay.

Riding strapless seems to require more leg effort to control the board, there is no "lazy option".  I did notice I was leaning back more on my natural (left) tack compared to my goofy (right) tack, so I made an effort to relax my legs a bit on the right tack and use my body weight more.

The wind was consistent but not strong. I had plenty of power on my Lithium 12.  Downloop turns were the go on the swells to keep some board speed up.

I tried one duck tack and nearly looped the kite.

We did quite a few runs closer to St Kilda West before coming in.  A nice session - back to where I started from and challenging in its own way.

GPS log 

Kitesurfing Mentone in light wind trying duck tacks

Session 270. Stu and I got down to Mentone after work. The strong winds had dropped off by the time we get there. I headed out for on my Lithium 12 and Flexwire Firewire (strapless).

I like riding strapless, it feels more natural and it feels you are in closer contact with the board and water with freedom to move around.

There was just enough wind to stay upwind so I was cruised out and back into the small surf.  I got some nice rides on the big rollers further out too.

Tried some more duck tacks.  I can rotate around the lines but still lose contact with the board and end up downwind.  The wind dropped further so I walked out into the waves and tried the rotation a few times to practice.

GPS log

Kitesurfing Hampton to Green point strapless in a good sea breeze

Session 268. Scored a nice kitesufing session at Hampton in a solid sea breeze on my Firewire board strapless.  Its certainly a good feeling having the freedom to place your feet wherever you like on the board without straps. Its nice to fly the fast turning 9m Lithium kite too.

 After a couple of runs out and back I headed down between the rock groynes for some wave action, then continued on down to Green Point.  There are some nice reef breaks on the way there, and the break of Green Point was working too.

Gybing the board without straps feels a bit odd for some reason but its not difficult. The Firewire board turns well and feels very secure in the swell. I like it.

Going upwind to get back was no problem either, I made it in one tack to complete a nice short tour.

I am still getting my head around how to do a duck tack!

GPS Log

The log also shows a short session at Gnotuk that I forgot to clear.

Airush Lithium Zero 18m kite and Firewire Flexfire board

I called in to The ZU Boardsports today to pick up my new Airush Lithium Zero kite.  Its designed for light wind in the range 5 to 12 knots and has no struts!

It is a big kite at 18m, yet it weighs as much as a 10m kite with struts.

The bar seems to be identical to my other Lithiums (9 and 12) but I will check it out carefully to make sure the line lengths are the same.

It is about $1,000 cheaper than an Ozone Edge 19 so I think its a bargain.

I can't wait to give it a go, but the wind was too strong today!

I also bought a second hand 6' 2" Firewire Flexwire board that I intend to use for strapless kitesurfing and possible for downwinders too.  It is nice and light and has deck grip on it.  I rang Franz to get his opinion on the board.  He said it was a great board, I should buy it and it was in fact his!

I am looking forward to trying it out soon.

I will post a full review of the Lithium Zero kite here: Airush Lithium Zero 18m - Kitesurfing Handbook