Nice surf break on the island but not enough wind for kiting

Session 223. I met Franz, Tim and Wayne at a nice surf break for some kitesurfing.  There was not wind so we headed out for some surfing.  I used my mini mal and caught a couple of waves which was a real hoot.  Not very stylish surfing though!  While I can bodysurf and ride a waveski (goat boat) well, I haven't put enough time into surfing to progress.  Its the leaping to your feet on the board while going down the face of the wave bit that is a challenge.

It wasn't too crowded in the lineup and its a nice location.  I swapped boards with Tim then paddled in his toothpick.  

Surfing is hard!  Lots of paddling and hard work for the arms, shoulders and neck.

The wind had picked up a little so I took my kite down to the water, launched it and headed out.  Not quite enough wind. I got out past the waves, then came back in away from the break and the surfers.  I had a good run back out, but was very wary of dropping the kite out the back.  

Coming back in I decided to head for the beach downwind and got there without any dramas. 

A nice spot, but we needed more wind on this occasion.

Kitesurfing until dusk at Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island

Session 130, 5 March 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 18-20 knots, E
Location: Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island
Time: 7:30 to 8:30 (1h)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

Stuart and I headed down to Cleeland Bight on Phillip Island to check it out for kitesurfing.  We rigged up on the beach near Seaspray Avenue.  However, there are some large pine trees there, and there is also some gnarly reef in the shallow water just off the beach.  The wind dropped, so we really didn't get going.

After dinner at Cowes, a strong easterly had arrived, so after bedding down the kids at Cape Woolami we headed back down to Cleeland Bight and found a better launch site with good beach access near Cottosloe Avenue.  The sandy bottom was much nicer for launching too.

We scored a great session.  The wind was consistent and the flat water was nice.  We kept fairly close to the launch site and didn't go near the channel that separates Phillip Island from the mainland at San Remo.

Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island bridge in background

Self launching, San Remo in background

Onshore light wind, Cape Woolmai in background

Heading out, Cleeland bight

Evening session, Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island bridge in background

A word of warning.  Damien McKay, an experience local kitesurfer, died at this location in November 2005.  He was lofted on the beach after a kitesurfing session when returning to land his kite, and was unlucky to collide headfirst with some rocks on the beach.   There were not many rocks about that I could see. Rest in peace Damien.

This highlights the need to always consider safety.  I still wear my helmet when kitesurfing.

External links

• Man in hospital after kite surfing accident - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
• Kiteboarding on Phillip Island Victoria - Kitesurfing - Seabreeze Forums