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 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 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 Aspendale to Frankston in a raging north westerly

Session 490. Got to Aspendale around 9 a.m. with Stu S and Stu W already out.  The wind was strong, around 25 knots. I setup my 8m Union, rear lines on the low power knots, and my downwinder backpack then got on the water. Wow, plenty of power.  I did a couple of tacks and the kite was fully lit on full depower. 

I headed downwind and saw the two Stu's walking up the beach with their kites in hand.  The wave were a good size but the wind made catching them difficult.  I got the hauled downwind with the kite high and stacked on a few waves so I stopped trying to catch them out the back and moved behind the first sandbar to get some smoother water.

It became an exercise in survival.  My 6m kite would have been perfect, but I was committed.  I saw one windsurfer out crashing over waves.  I more or less straight lined and kept my speed low, going fast meant rapid acceleration and a big stack.  It was a relief to get around Seaford pier then down Frankston.  I pulled the safety with the kite in the shore break and was able to secure it.

I packed the kite and untangled the lines up on the grass in a blissfully sheltered location.  Another squall came it, the weather was seriously gnarly.  

Great coffee and muffin at the Coffee Club then the train back to Aspendale.

The wind chart at Fawkner shows the wind got to 30 knots, gusting to 40, which explains why I was overpowered for the trip.  

Kitesurfing downwinder from Aspendale to Frankston

Session 476. Always stoked to do a downwinder!  Another sunny day and 20 knots of NNW wind so the downwinder from Aspendale to Frankston was a great option.  Good waves all the way down, then a coffee and the train back.

Video

Leaving Aspendale

Patterson River

Seaford Pier

Note: GPS was paused for most of this trip!

Kitesurfing at Frankston after the storm

Session 475. Sunny kitesurfing session at Frankston after the storm passed. It was gloomy, raining and windy when I arrived. What a difference 20 minutes makes!

Coffee and pastry afterwards at Cafe Moto is always great.

Kitesurfing a northerly on a hot summer day at Frankston

Session 470. Kitesurfing again after a long break, feeling better after a protracted chest cough.  A nice session in a northerly at Frankston. Rode some big swells and tested out my GoPro with the Quark stabiliser.  Check out the video.

 So nice to be on the water again!

Kitesurfing downwinder from Frankston to Mordialloc, lucky with the wind

Session 465. Five of us converged on Frankston after setting up a car shuffle at Mordialloc.  There was wind when we arrived, Stuart and I did a couple of runs, then it died completely when a small rain shower came through.

The steady 15+ knots that was forecast had disappeared.  We waited for a while, thinking that the southerly at South Channel was not getting into Frankston.  Immediately after I deflated my kite the wind sprang up.

Stu W was on the water and off downwind, I got going soon after and was pleased to get some nice fast downwind cruising then some small bay surf closer to the beach.  The water was clear and the sun was shining.

Near Gnotuk I headed out towards Ricketts Point until I was off Mordialloc Pier than tacked backed and finished with a run down the surf to the beach just south of the Mordialloc Creek.

James and Stu S were on the beach and said they got less wind, while Stu W and I lucky to ride a good patch of wind all the way down.