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.

 

Sandy Point kitesurfing weekend, winter one day summer the next #596 #597

Another fine kitesurfing weekend with the lads, staying at Walkerville.  Its been a poor season so far for kitesurfing but the wind forecast was good for late Saturday and on Sunday.

 

Session 596. Cold winter conditions late in the afternoon with squalls coming through from the west. Solid 30 knots so I used my 6m kite in case it got a lot stronger. I was a bit underpowered at times. Got out the back by picking gaps and had some nice runs in.

 

Dinner at the Fish Creek Hotel was excellent.

No tracklog.

Session 597. Back to Sandy Point but spring conditions now.  

 

Warm and sunny with 15-20 knots of wind. I used my 9m kite which was good for the first half of the session. Some big surf made for exciting runs.

The wind dropped later on. I couldn't get back up wind, eventually dropped the kite and walked back.

 

Cool winter kitesurfing at Rosebud

Session 594. Cold conditions but plenty of wind when we arrived at noon. I pumped up my Wave 6m kite and headed off feeling quite rusty.  Wow, what a blast!  Nice bay waves and even some sunshine.

I followed the surf line down enjoying the waves then headed back when the wind dropped.  I made it back to the main kiting location then walked back to our launch site.

We were chatting on the beach for a while. I took out James' 10m Cabrinha then the wind came back in.

Another short session on my 6m kite. I came in when my hands got too cold. I will wear gloves next time.  So good to be back on the water.  Quite a few other kiters were out too.

Click on photos below to see bigger pictures.

Flinders kitesurfing reef break and waves #593

Session 593. Tired after yesterday's bike ride at South Morang but the good forecast for wind and waves at Flinders beckoned.

There were some good waves to be had.  I dropped the kite a couple of times flying it high waiting to catch a wave, and another time retrieving my board, but thankfully I was able to relaunch it on both occasions.

I body dragged in to get the board, thankfully it wasn't on the rocks.

Some revision: Fly the kite high, don't hang around in the impact zone and pick your wave to ride on the way in.

A challenging fun session.

Hampton kitesurfing in a good sea breeze #591

 Session 591.  A nice strong sea breeze at last!  I rigged my Union 9m to the bottom knots.

There were quite a few people on the beach. Kiters were congregating in the middle.

I launched Anthony then got a launch.  Plenty of power but not too much.  

The bay waves were nice.

I kited between the groynes then tacked up to the marina where the wing foilers hang out. A couple were out in the strong wind enjoying the swell.

I returned to the kitebeach downwind surfing swells, then finished with some tacks in the bay surf.

Rosebud kitesurfing struggling for wind #590

Light wind when we started kitesurfing. I couldn't stay upwind on my Union 12 and walked back along the beach three times until good wind finally arrived.

Surfing the small bay waves was fun. It wasn't too crowded.

A nice way to spend Boxing Day.

Hampton kitesurfing in strong cool wind #589

Session 589. Launched at 2pm on my Union 9m kite.  The wind was around 15-20 knots with some decent bay waves. There was a short lull so I landed my kite until it picked up again.

I did a few tacks onto waves then a short tour up towards the lifesaving club where a windsurfer and a couple of wing foilers were having a good time.

I then went down to Green Point and surfed the waves there. The wind picked up. I was able to get back to Hampton with the kite depowered after two tacks.

The wind was then gusting to 30-35 knots so I came in and Mike landed my kite.

A really good session overall.

Kitesurfing Hampton, a good sea breeze at last #588

 Session 588. A nice sea breeze at last.  First session in spring suit too.

I started in about 22 knots, it dropped to 18 knots for a while then came in hard at 25+ knots.

One guy nearly ended up on Beach Road hanging onto his bar with outstretched arms after his chicken loop detached. Eventually he let go and his kite crashed into shrubs and Anthony secured it.

 

 

Sandy Point Kiteboarding #587

Session #587.  Big surf and good wind made for a great session. I took it easy due to lack of practice.  Self landing was a hassle.

 

 

Seaford Kiteboarding with a rookie error #586

 Session #586. The beach at Seaford is very narrow now at high tide.  I rigged my 12m kite upwind and launched but one of the lines was crossed. I lost control and it looped into a tree. It took a while to get it down.  

Rigging up downwind is much safer. You can inspect the lines before the kite is powered up and abort a self launch safely.

I rigged up my 9m kite and has a short session before the wind konked out.

This season is another bad one for kitesurfing so far.  Fickle winds and long lulls.

Kitesurfing good Northerly at Brighton

Session 585. Strong winds forecast for Port Phillip Bay arrived mid-afternoon. On the water at 3:30 pm and shared the session with three other kiters.

Northerlies at Brighton can be dicey if you have equipment failure or get your kite tangled - its a long hard swim back to shore against cross-offshore wind. I kite conservatively in offshore winds.

The wind was good further out but not as strong as the 30 knot forecast. The Union 9m kite was nicely powered.

I tacked up to near the Brighton Marina breakwater then surfed the back on the bay swell.  The wind was gusty closer to shore.

A kiter jumped and crashed his kite. He was having a lot of trouble relaunching it and looking like he might need to swim a longish way back in.

I kited past slowly and grabbed and dragged one tip of his kite that was jellyfishing (full of water).  That was enough for him to relaunch it. It was nice to help out.

I got back to beach easily, very happy with the outing. Nice light, good wind, not crowded and not too cold.  Smiles all round.

Kitesurfing Rosebud chilly but fun

Session 584. Kitesurfing again at last! There has been a remarkable lack of wind this year. The Westerlies and North Westerlies we usually get during Winter have been largely absent.  There was a good Northerly forecast today so Rosebud was on.

On the water and 09:10 with 15-20 knots wind from the North, not as strong as forecast. I used my Union 9 kite in case it came in stronger.

One other kiter was out in the distance and two others launched just before me. 

I got going a bit underpowered so I kept going out hoping to pick up more wind. Returning in the wind got stronger close to shore so I was able to keep tacking, then it got stronger enabling me to go up wind and do some nice bay surf runs on the outer sandbank.

Really got to be kiting again, a most enjoyable session.

Kitesurfing Hampton to Green Point with good wind #583

Some good wind again late in the afternoon! 

I kited on the bay swell down to Green Point to catch some waves, then back upwind to the Marina and downwind slalom back the beach.

Very happy with the new Union 9m kite.

Kitesurfing Hampton with the Union 9 and some good wind #582

First session on a new Airush Union 9m kite  I was able to buy a discounted for a good price. Airush have discontinued the Union model so it was my last chance to get one.

I have changed my quiver from 6, 8, 10, 12 to 6, 9 and 12. This will be better for travelling and take up less room in the car.

The kite flew well and there was plenty of wind. Had some fun in the bay surf at the beach and slalom turns on the rollers going downwind.

Kitesurfing Hampton - first session with new Lithium 9 #581

Session 581. I tried out a Lithium 9m V3 kite that I have just bought second hand.

It had good power but the kite was flying strangely when powered up - the canopy was folding a bit on the wing tips. I will check the line attachment points on the kite.

Kitesurfing Hampton with the 12m kite #580

Session 580. There was better wind for this one, no problems staying upwind.

Hampton kitesurfing not enough wind! #579

The wind seemed a bit light when I was getting ready on the beach but I thought it was worth a try.

There wasn't enough wind to get going properly. I went downwind and made it into the beach dodging some reef on the way in - very glad I was wearing booties.

There wasn't much beach to land the kite either but the light wind helped.

Sandy Point kitesurfing with good wind and waves #577, 578

Sandy Point delivered again!

First session

Second session

Kitesurfing Augusta, Parry Beach and Albany in South West WA - trip summary

We booked flights, vehicles and accommodation at Geraldton for a kitesurfing trip. Six people came from Victoria (Dan, Mike, Garry, Tony, Anthony, Lee, Taz and myself) are three were WA locals (Gaz, Adam, Neil).

The out-of-season heatwave with very strong hot easterly winds over Perth and up as far as Geraldton (our planned destination) resulted in a very poor wind forecast for Geraldton so we changed our location to South West WA where the wind forecast was much better.

Day 1. Kitesurfing Augusta WA in surf and flatwater

We drove to Augusta, arriving mid afternoon and setup for kiting.  The wind was a bit soft but the location was great - good waves and flatwater.

Day 2. Parry Beach kitesurfing with good wind and surf

Two excellent kitesurfing sessions today Parry Beach.  There is ramp down to the beach so we drove on onto the beach and parked near the inlet mouth. The wind and waves were good. I was a bit overpowered on my 8m kite and was wishing I had brought my 6.

The section of off rock and reef in places added some interest!

Day 3. Parry Beach kitesurf in bigger waves and blue water

We scoped out Ocean Beach an Hillier Beach but decided that Parry Beach would be the best location. Bigger surf was more challenging.

Gaz cooked a super lunch on the beach.

I finished the day with a short downwinder back to the beach entry ramp.

Day 4. Albany - Shoal Bay kitesurfing flatwater speed runs and boosting

The wind direction changed to have some North in it so we headed to Albany to check out some better locations for kitesurfing.

Middleton Beach and Goode Beach both had 30+ knots onshore and dumping waves. Christian from Kitebud was in the area and advised that Albany Shoal Bay Kite Spot was worth a go.

He was right - the flatwater kiting was superb.

As a bonus he checked out my bar and tuned it - adjusting the front lines and the safety line.  I hadn't done that for a while so it was great to get it sorted.

After a solid day we drove back to Denmark and had a good dinner in the Denmark Tavern.

The next day we did the 4.5 hour drive back to Perth Airport, passing through only one town on the way.

Overall, an epic trip.  

Next time for WA we will leave bookings to the last few days so we can go where the wind is.

Locations

Albany - Shoal Bay kitesurfing flatwater #575 & 576

Session 575, 576A &B.  The wind was stronger at 30+ knots and with some North in it so we headed to Albany to check out suitable locations.

Albany Shoal Bay flatwater kite spot

First stop was Middleton Beach. The wind was over 30 knots and onshore with waves closing out. Nobody was keen.

Middleton Beach SLSC

Middleton Beach 

Second stop was Vancouver Beach. It was a hike out over sand flats and the wind direction was not good either.

 

Vancouver Beach

Third stop was Goode Beach with similar conditions to Middleton Beach.  Too much wind!

Goode Beach

Goode Beach

Christian from Kitebud was in the area and tipped us off about the Albany Shoal Bay Kite spot so we headed there.  The wind was good and the water was flat so we rigged up on the narrow sand beach and headed out.

Albany Shoal Bay flatwater kite spot

It was great kitesurfing. Good speed, long runs and great boosting. The water was shallow with weed close to the surface.  I tacked out looking for deeper water but I didn't find any.  

I caught my fins a few times in the weed and fell off.  Coming back in I header over to the butter smooth water where a couple of wind surfers were.  There was weed there too. I asked one how they could manage the weed with their big fins - they are using special smaller weed fins.

Gaz was doing some great boosts!

Christian he checked out my bar and tuned it - adjusting the front lines and the safety line.  I hadn't done that for a while so it was great to get it sorted.

He also lent me a demo kite - the Airush Lift 9m.  It has 5 struts and was nice to fly. Its designed for big air, boosting and kiteloops.

We drove back to Denmark and had a good final dinner in the Denmark Tavern. 

Albany Shoal Bay flatwater kite spot

Albany Shoal Bay flatwater kite spot

Albany Shoal Bay flatwater kite spot

The crew - Albany Shoal Bay flatwater kite spot

First session - Union 10m #575

Second session - Airush Lift #576A

Third session - Airush Lift  #576B

For a trip summary and map of see Kitesurfing Augusta, Parry Beach and Albany in South West WA - trip summary