Kitesurfing Altona in light wind

Session 281.  Very keen for some more kitesurfing so I headed down to Altona to check out the easterly.  The wind had backed off from around 20 knots to about 15 when I arrived, so I took my Lithium 12 and surfboard out from Apex Park.  Once on the water, a few other kiters came out too, but there was only about 4 of us on the water.

I did some nice long runs up towards the pier catching some small waves along the way.  The tide was heading out so the lagoon area close to shore was too shallow to kitesurf in.

The wind dropped after a few runs so I landed my kite and swapped my board for the Sector 60 - but was rewarded with only one more run as the wind dropped below 10 knots.

There were two groups of people getting instruction at beach area out from Apex Park - there is plenty of room there and its a long way from the shore.

There are some gnarly pieces of driftwood on the beach however and I stood on something sharp in some weed.

Other than that, it was really good to get out.  My leg was fine, but I notice an ache in my shoulder now (which took some impact during my recent collision with the car).

The blood thinning medication is sapping me of energy a bit too - I flake out for a snooze after some exertion.

GPS Log 

Session 28: A downwinder in light wind at Hampton

Very keen to get out so I headed for Hampton with the wind speed showing around 15 knots in the afternoon and the forecast saying it could reach 20 knots. It was a very hot day so I wore board shorts and a rashvest rather than my 1mm wetsuit.

I rigged up and had a go but I struggled for wind again. The Crossbow 12m kite is rated for this wind strength but I struggle to go upwind and 15 knots. Maybe I am a bit too heavy at 82kg?

The wind didn't pickup above 15 knots, but it was so good to get the kite flying and into the water I elected to do a downwinder to Brighton which went quite well. I was again frustrated to see others whizzing along upwind off Hampton - maybe on bigger kites, or just with better technique.

Coming into the beach I picked a spot with some sand and not too many bathers. However, there was a nasty little reef exactly where I floated in on my back with my kite still flying. When I stood up my leg went right into a "rock hole" and I grazed my shin. If you were not careful or were unlucky you could even break your leg at ths spot.

I walked the kite back inflated, but struggled a bit to get past the first main groyne. Deflate next time, it is not worth the hassle.