Kitesurfing Brighton in north westerly with several foils out

Session 382. Watched the wind during the day as a northerly came and went.  Later in the afternoon it swung to NW and increased so I headed to Brighton, getting on the water at around 4:30.  There were about six other kiters out, three of them on foil boards and having a good time.

I was well powered on the Nugget and my Union 10 for several runs tacking up towards the Brighton Baths and the marina, dodging the two nasty hard to spot reefs.  I did some nice jumps - the Union likes to fly - and some downloop slalom turns to get back.

The wind softened a little so I swapped my board for the Sector 60 and did some cruising. It was slow going out into the chop which the foils slice through then very fast on the way back.

The water was not too cold and the sunshine was nice, with great views across the bay and back to the city.

Looks like I am going to have to put more time into using my foil board - these conditions were perfect as the swell was small and there was no shorebreak.  Next time . . .

GPS Log

St Kilda to Elwood Kitesurfing tour on Sector 60

Session 370.  It had been a few days since my last session and that desperate urge to kitesurf was again building.  The wind was light all day and into the afternoon but it strengthened around 4pm so I headed to St Kilda. On arrival, it was not too busy and the wind was good.

After launching a beginner (whose kite was under inflated - a common mistake) I got going on the Union 10 and the Sector 60 board. I haven't used the Sector 60 for a while so I was keen to get on it again.

A great session!  My first run was out to the shipping channel. I could see down to the Spirit of Tasmania and could see fumes coming out of its stacks as it prepared to leave the dock.

I then headed for Elwood and saw a kite in the distance.  It was on Ozone Edge 10 and the kiter was on a foil board.  He turned near me then headed on a similar tack.  Nice to watch that foil slicing through the water - its like flying - and I estimated he was going 30%+ faster than I was on my upwind machine.

Coming back I rode some good swells. The Sector 60 turns well, better than I remembered.  All that surfing on the Nugget has improved my turns perhaps.

Back in St Kilda the wind was softer behind the breakwater.  I did some more good runs further out and a few jumps - possibly my biggest ever on the Sector 60.

 

GPS Log

Inlet kitesurfing speed session with the Flite and Sector 60

Session 330.  Our last session for the weekend was a good one.  The forecast wind came in at 5p.m at around 15 knots.  I had a great session on the Flite 14.5 and the Sector 60.  There was enough water to cover the sandbars so I could go fast and not worry about the long fins hitting the sand.

I did some nice jumps, hauling the considerable bulk of the Sector 60 out of the water.  The kite was easy to handle in 15+ knots, I depowered it a bit too.  With the Sector I could bear off down wind to get some deeper water then cut back upwind to get back.  No back rolls though . . .

Overall, a great weekend again.  Inverloch really is a great location for kitesurfing.  Having a range of kite sizes helps too.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing very light wind Andersons Inlet

Session 329.   No wind in the morning so we headed for the Inverloch surf beach where a good swell was rolling in.  I inflated both SUPs - the Starboard 8' and the Naish Nalu 11'.  The Nalu is much easier to paddle but it doesn't turn so well on a wave. Catching waves is tricky - getting the balance forward then back is difficult.

After lunch, there was very light wind in the afternoon so I thought I would try the Flite 14.5 and the Sector 60.  Getting started was tricky but once going the apparent wind was good so I could cruise.  I kited down past the jetty, wondering if I could make it back.

I spotted a beach that I could land at, then turned around.  Surprisingly, I was able to stay upwind but when I reached the pier the wind dropped right out.  I did a self rescue, winding in the lines and swimming to the narrow beach with the current slowly taking me out.

I made it to shore and was greeted by Stuart and Mike who had driven down to pick me up.  Great valet service!

I estimate the wind was around 8 knots while it lasted, so this is now my best light wind combo.  The Sector 60 is easy to handle with the Flite.

I pumped the kite up again back at the Angling Club beach to dry it out and wait for better wind - which came in for the next session.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Aspendale with big kite in 15 knots

Session 326. The forecast looked a bit iffy but around 15 knots came in later in the morning. I met Stuart and Tarren at Gnotuk Ave, they had gone downwind a bit and were walking up the beach.

At last!  Good conditions to try out my Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5 on the water.

It was great.  Good power, but not too much,  I was able to get some good speed, go upwind without difficulty, surf some waves and do some backrolls and kiteloops.

The kite is predictable, stable and turns well for its size.  I did several back rolls and landed a few.  I noticed on a couple the kite ended up pointing in the opposite direction so I must be pulling on the rear of the bar to turn it.

I did some backroll kiteloops too and landed one very nicely.  Its easy to tell when you have done one, the lines are not twisted when you finish.

I find its not good to think about doing the backroll too much. Its best to commit, launch off a kicker and throw your head into the rotation.  Now that I am doing them I need to reverse engineer what is going on to fine tune the manoeuvre.f

I crashed the kite a couple of times and relaunched it with easy.  Then I crashed and jellyfished it (on its back) but got it relaunched, with Tarren assisting by bring my board closer.  The Flite 14.5 is easy to relaunch.

Stuart had a go on my Sector 60 to go better upwind. I had a couple of runs on it to finish too when the wind dropped out.

Overall verdict on the Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5: Recommended.  Turns well, goes upwind well, and is very stable to fly.  

We had a good coffee and lunch at the Peppercorn Cafe in Mordialloc, a favourite after kiting stop for me.

GPS Log