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.

Kitesurfing Seaford in Winter #568

Session 568. Managed to get this session on a busy Saturday. My first session after the Pyrenees trip with a good 20 to 25 knots of wind.

It is always great to get on the water! 

Kitesurfing Seaford in winter #567

Session 567.  Cool conditions but nice sunshine.  I was just powered on my 8m kite and enjoying the small bay waves with a nice run down towards Frankston then some tacks to get back.

The wind got stronger until my kite was fully depowered.  I was a bit rusty - a few big stacks and missed quite a few gybes, but a great session.

Pulled the safety to self land on the narrow beach.  Quite a few people walking on the beach with dogs.

Kitesurfing Seaford in winter #566

Session 566. Kitesurfing after an extended break due to sore tendons in my left elbow.  It seems to be a form of Tennis Elbow that has lingered for 6 months.  My elbows felt better after the session!

Nice kitesurfing in small bay waves and cold conditions.  Light wind so I used my 12m kite.

Kitesurfing Rosebud in 30+ knots and good bay surf #550

Session 550.  Strong wind at Rosebud - 30 knots gusting up to 40 - made for epic kitesurfing in a decent bay surf.  I was well powered on my Airush Wave 6m kite.  Assistance launching and landing was mandatory. 

Riding the waves to the West along the outer sandbank was nice, then looping back in flatter water close to shore.

We got some welcome Winter sun but it wasn't warm. My hands got quite cold - I will wear gloves next time.

Chilly, but great fun!

Seaford kitesurfing - a slow cold start then better wind and some sun

Session 549. Stuart got out ahead of me then the wind dropped. I couldn't get going on my Ultra 12m kite so I waited on the shore. James decided conditions were too marginal so he headed home. 

Stuart dropped his kite and drifted in to the shore about 500m down the beach. I was thinking about going back to the car and driving down to get him, then the wind sprang up. Stuart got going again and I was well powered on the 12. 

The sun came out so things were good!  It turned out to be a good session.

I find it difficult to go upwind with the Ultra 12m kite though even when I have plenty of power.

Maybe I am just so used to smaller kites (10m & 8m) with a slimmer leading edge.  

Kitesurfing Aspendale after another COVID layoff #531

Great to be kitesurfing again after another COVID-19 lockdown was lifted.  It as just nice to be out there. The wind was light so I took out the Airush Ultra 12. The kite has a lot of power for its size so I kept the depower on. It also turns a lot more slowly than the Union 10. 

Great to catch up with the kiting buddies too.

Kitesurfing downwinder from Aspendale to Frankston

Session 476. Always stoked to do a downwinder!  Another sunny day and 20 knots of NNW wind so the downwinder from Aspendale to Frankston was a great option.  Good waves all the way down, then a coffee and the train back.

Video

Leaving Aspendale

Patterson River

Seaford Pier

Note: GPS was paused for most of this trip!

Kitesurfing at Frankston after the storm

Session 475. Sunny kitesurfing session at Frankston after the storm passed. It was gloomy, raining and windy when I arrived. What a difference 20 minutes makes!

Coffee and pastry afterwards at Cafe Moto is always great.

Kitesurfing Seaford to Daveys Bay

Session 451.  Warmer weather and smooth wind made for nice kitesurfing at Seaford.  After some tacks I headed south for a tour and got to Daveys Bay on one tack.  It was nice cruising and having a look around.

Coming close to the shore at Daveys Bay I found that there was a lot of reef under the waves.  I came to shore and picked a good location to start my trip back heading towards Seaford Pier.

I finished with a nice run down surfing waves back.  The waves were not very big due as the wind was not strong.

The water and scenery was beautiful and it was a nice kitesurfing tour.

Davey Bay

Very cold kitesurfing at Aspendale in flukey wind

Session 450. A very cold for an early morning session.  The wind was flukey so I headed out on my Ocean Rodeo 14.5.  Plenty of power for a while but it was dropping right off closer to shore.  I had a break and chatted for a while until it picked up again and headed out for a second go.

The wind was better further out was good but I was wary of a long swim in. The waves were not huge, but it was cold and refreshing.

My 2mm Ripcurl Rubber Soul booties both have splits from the top and are not keeping my feet warm.

Tarren and I had a great coffee and chilli eggs with avocado at the Two Farm Girls cafe nearby, they have an excellent menu.

Then I bought some Ripcurl Flashbomb 3mm booties from Mordys Surf.  The thicker neoprene and flash fabric lining should make them nice and warm and the sole is not too thick.

Short winter kitesurfing session and flukey wind at Frankston

Session 447. Another chilly morning and a northerly.  Some of the crew head for Rosebud.  Stu S, Jop, Luca and I decided to have a go at Frankston. The wind was sideshore at Seaford so we drove down to the car park next to Waves on The Beach cafe/restaurant.  There is also a lot of sand on this beach.

We had some nice runs for about 30 minutes but the wind was getting weaker closer to shore - I think it had some east in it.  I stayed out for a couple of more tacks and noticed that the other three were all on the shore with their kites down, so I thought it prudent to head in to avoid a long swim from offshore.

Getting closer to shore the wind dropped right off. Looping the kite got me in a bit closer until it dropped and I walked to the shore. Luca grabbed my kite.

We packed up and went to Cafe Moto for coffee and muffins.

Winter wind can be very fickle, so it pays to be cautious. It picked up gain after an hour.  The guys at Rosebud had good consistent wind.