Kitesurfing Hampton with some kiteloops #521

Session 521. Tried a few kiteloops today. The Union 10m kite turns nicely and is fairly easy to loop.  I initiated the loops on the way down to reduce the power.  I landed a couple, it was not too scary.  

Committing to the loop and getting the board pointed downwind are key points.

These were powered kiteloops, not heli-loops.

Kitesurfing a fading sea breeze at Hampton

Session 464.  A promising sea breeze looked good at Hampton.  Headed out on my Union 10m kite and tried a few small kiteloops and a long run out towards the channel.  

The wind dropped out though with kiters returning to the beach, except for the guys on foil board who kept going.  Greg said the did a run up to Black Rock and back.

The water wasn't too bad after the recent very heavy rains and water quality warnings.

I need to get going on my foil board . . . 

Dawn patrol kitesurfing to Hampton to Green Point in good southwesterly

Session 384. The early wind forecast delivered!  We started kiting at around 7:00 am in a refreshing strong south westerly.   I used my 8m Union to get a better ride on the bay waves.

I kited the waves rolling in between the groynes then did a run with Stuart down to Green Point.  The surf there wasn't much better.  The wind dropped a little so I headed back - thankful again I was on a Nugget with its great upwind capability.

I did some jumps and popped a kiteloop on a jump for an instant power surge.  I finished the session with some speed runs in near the marina breakwater and surfed back some rollers in the middle of the bay.

A great session overall - this is kitesurfing!

GPS log

Hampton sea breeze and the end of daylight saving

Session 373. Hampton delivered again!  Late afternoon sea breeze of around 17 knots provided some good kitesurfing for myself, Stu and James.  I did my first kiteloop in the air!  It was an anti climax though as I just seem to float down like a normal jump.  I will try one with more wind next time.

The Nugget really is great for these lighter winds.

Daylight saving is now over so evening kitesurfing will be more restricted now.

  

GPS Log

Some kiteloops at Hampton in lighter wind

Session 78, Thursday 14 January 2010

Kite: Switchblade 14m

Location: Hampton Beach

Wind: 15+ knots S

Duration: 7:15pm to 8:00pm - 45 minutes

Stayed at work until 5 so I missed out on the bike race at Sandown. A 20 knot Southerly was on though, so I headed for Hampton when I got home arriving at the beach at 7pm. A few kites were out, but the wind was dropping to around 16 knots so I rigged up the Switchblade 14 and headed out.

It was nice carving and kiting into the sun sinking towards the horizon. I was able to go crosswind for a couple of tacks, dodging a couple of large sailboats heading into the Hampton marina. A few jellyfish were about but they seemed to be about a metre under.

It was nice coming back in and carving some turns down the big swell humps rolling towards shore. The wind dropped a bit further so I did some "kite down" power turns and also some kite loops, including two in sequence (one right followed by one left). Lots of power in a kiteloop even in light wind. You just have to let the board run downwind a bit when the power kicks in.

I played a bit in the surf on tacks watching out for a couple of shallow reef sections. Eventually I landed at Middle Brighton then helped Rick land his kite. I ran back to get my car while Rick stayed with the gear.

My right arm was feeling OK. It was a bit sore around the elbow but no sharp pain during or after the kiting. It seems to be stabilising but it was good to have a light session.

I got an SMS from Stuart on the way home saying he was in accident & emergency with Tarren who had hurt his ankle and possibly broken it when they were kiting. No update on the outcome yet. Fingers crossed Tarren . . .

Update Friday 15/1/2010
Tarren's ankle is broken. He landed a jump badly in shallow water. Tip from Stuart: Don't jump in shallow water or near the shore.