Ripping in a late afternoon storm

Session 53: Tuesday 28 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 23+ knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am S 22 km/h 3pm SSE 41 km/h
• Max speed: 32.3
• Trip 16.8
• Logged time: 1:02
• Average: 16.2

The forecast 20 to 30 knots did not eventuate. A few storms were passing out to sea, but not much wind at 4 mile so the downwinder did not eventuate.

I visited the supermarket for more supplies, admiring the fruit bat colony hanging over the bike path on the way there. Stocked up with some friut, crumpets and muffins.

Visited the the beach later in the morning. Brett turned up and went into town so I caught a lift into town. Updated my blog and Facebook and checked my email at the Wicked Ice Cream Internet cafe. The mango and lemon gelati was excellent. We grabbed a coffee then headed back to 4 mile. Brett dropped my at the corner cafe where I finished my Internet activities then headed back to Doug's for a light lunch.

Back to the beach at about 2:30. Chatted to a local about GPS units and software for kiting. He recommended and NAVI GTR.

The wind sprang up so I setup my kite, then it fizzed. Chatted to Tomas about progressions. Brett recommends a downward kite turn. Tomas said it is a more powerful turn and you have to make the turn tight. He also said that a kiteloop when jumping is good, and to pull the loop just after the apex of a jump.

The wind picked up a little so I headed out. Not much power so I had to fly the kite and ended up a few hundred meters down the beach after a few tacks.

Walking back the wind picked up a little and a storm front was approaching so I headed out. The storm hit and the wind lifted to 25+ knots which gave me plenty of power and upwind direction. I was stretching out to hold the bar so I ended up de powering the kite which then made it quite manageable.

I was a bit nervous about having the 14 lit up, but it was good to fly. There were two others out. We were really moving in the wind and rain. I turned on my helmet cam half way through, having now got the hang of using the controls when in motion. Two beeps for on, 1 beep for recording, 2 beeps for stop recording, and 2 beeps for power off.

No problems going up wind, and the jumping was not a problem. I was surprised that I didn't jump higher considering the strength of the wind.

The wind dropped after about an hour so I came in and packed up in the rain then headed back to the unit for a rest and a snack.

Brett called to advise the downwinder from 4 mile to Cape Kimberley was on again for tomorrow with the boat arranged. His father Peter will be the skipper. The forecast is for 30 knots again so I am faced with a dilemma about which kite to take. In theory the 12m Crossbow would be ideal, but the bar pressure is a worry. The 14m Switchblade is much better if the wind drops and is also good for going downwind. De powered, it is quite manageable.

My hands get sore after an hour of kiting, my right hand in particular goes a bit numb. Gloves don't seem to prevent this. This could be a limiting factor for long downwinders.

Cookie said he is going for a bike ride up the hill tomorrow so I may go along if it is not raining.

My stay here is nearly over. It has been worth having enough time to wait for good kiting opportunities and try different options. My kiting has exceeded expectations.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

Downwinder from Pretty Beach to 4 mile beach

Session 52: Monday 27 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 15-22 knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am SW 17 knots 3pm SE 33 knots
• Duration: 2 hours approx
• Max speed: 39.4
• Trip: 41.1
• Logged time: 2:08
• Avg: 19.2

Video of the trip shot with a helmet cam

Track Log map, starting at Pretty Beach in the south

A big downwinder. Fantastic. From Pretty beach to Port Douglas. Got going into around 20 knots with some warm up upwind tacks. Then we headed downwind.

A dramatic backdrop of mountains with the Cairns road visible around the headlands.

Into the beach for some playtime in the small surf. The young fella with us crashed his kite near the beach, we could see him as we rounded a point. The wind dropped. I had to fly the kite hard and could only just keep planing.

Brett headed back into a cove to wait for young fella. I headed out to find more wind. Scanning back I saw him propped. Eventually I decided to keep going while I had the wind. I tacked out a long long way into no mans land. A long way to Port visible in the distance, mangroves along the shore. I came into the shallows for some flatter water, the wind picking up strength. Really nice kiting.

On my furthest reach out I was startled by a large splash nearby - something big and black.

Probably a Dugong as I did not see any fins and it went right under. Bigger than a turtle.

I turned around and headed in towards the Mowbray River mouth.

Wary of the river, I tacked back out. The sandy end of 4 mile beach was visisble so I was near home. I cruised in with a couple of fast tacks and landed at the kitebeach, very glad to have made it without incident.

Brett and the young fella eventually showed up. They travelled closer to the shore kiting on the flat water between an outer reef/sandbank and the shore.

Models doing a photoshoot in swimwear on the beach. Bretto got them to model with one of his kiteboards.

Picked up the car then had lunch. Went out for another session from 4 mile but the wind was not very strong and it was an anticlimax after the downwinder.

Here is a larger scale map of the route showing Cairns and Port Douglas.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

A downwinder along 4 mile to the surf club in good wind

Session 51: Sunday 26 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 18-25 knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am SSE 33 km/h 3pm SSE 41 km/h
• Duration: 2 hours approx
• Max speed: 37.4
• Trip 29.2
• Logged time: 1:17

Dried the kites out after the morning bike ride (to Ellis Beach), then wandered across to the Treetops foyer to get a forecast. There chalkboard is not in use any more but the guy behind the counter looked up Seabreeze. 15-20 knots was forecast for the afternoon.

The palm trees around were waving, so I estimated the wind at above 20knots. I rang Bretto - he said the wind had just dropped - so I took the 12m and 14m kites to the 4 mile park.

All (30) kites on the beach when I got there at about 1:30pm. Pumped up and chatted to some locals. They were complaining about the beach being too popular and talking of kiting elsewhere. It was not crowded by Victorian standards.

The breeze picked up at about 2:30 so I headed out. Fast tacks. Got in a couple of jumps on the right tack. Practising toe down riding. I can do it on the right, but not the left tack. Went a long way out and back. A few beginner riders nearer the shore. I was a bit wary after yesterday's crossed lines so I gave them a wide berth.

Went out to near some 3 cats. Two fish jumped fast out of the water around me. OK if they were scared of me as a potential predator, but not so good if a real predator (such as a shark) was around so I scooted back in.

After about 1 hour I noticed a couple of kites going downwind. Thinking it was Bretto's downwinder I followed. Fast planing. Nice not have to keep edging and have a look around.

I travelled out then back into the waves. Had to be careful jumping as the wind was getting stronger and the water near the beach is shallow. The wind was getting stronger so I depowered the kite about 50%. I went out a bit past the point then returned to the smalll surf. Caught the board in a wave once and had to retrieve it in the shallow water.

Quite a swell building up out further. After a few tacks close to the lifesaving flags I started scoping out a landing. One of the two kiters was way upwind, the other eventually went into the beach where his girlfriend landed his kite. It was too good an opportunity to pass up so I came to shore and he landed my kite.

Here is the GPS track log.



We chatted briefly. He was a Russian, with accommodation just nearby. No wind in Russia this time of year apparently.

Self landing could have been dicey as the wind was nearly onshore and there were people walking on the beach. Flagging the kite with the IDS would work but actually getting it to
land on the sand would be the hard bit. No sign of Bretto, so it looked like I had to find my own way back.

I carried the kite along the beach to the ramp, deflated it and carried it onto the grass where I rolled it up and secured it within the harness. Stopped for a coffee and biscuit then walked into town along Macrossan St. Doug was not in the shop, so I caught a shuttle bus back to Treetops, walked through to leave my gear at the unit, then onto the kite beach to pickup the bike, the other kite and get my key.

A great day kiting in paradise again. My helmet cam attracted quite a bit of attention.

However, the long recording to the end of the card doesn't have a properly terminated file. It seems that turning record of manually is advisable to ensure the recording files are appropriately created.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

An epic session at 4 mile brings up 50

Session 50: Saturday 25 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 15-23 knots (est).
• Low Isles wind 9am SSE 26 km/h 3pm SSE 33 km/h
• Duration: 3 hours approx
• Max speed: 40.2
• Trip 16.4
• Logged time: 1:15

Checked the beach out at about 10:00 and there was wind, so I got my gear and the 14m kite and headed for the kiting location.

The wind was blowing above 20knots so I scooted back on the bicycle to get my 12m kite.

As I was just about to head off from the beach one beginner flew his kite across mine crossing the lines. I pulled my safety. Once flagged I disconnected the leash and threaded it back over his lines then clipped in again. Watch out for beginners,

Once on the water, the wind dropped a little so I went out and back then walked back along the beach.

There was an offshore rainstorm, the wind was perhaps associated with it. I pumped up my 14m kite in anticipation of more wind.

It came it at about 1:30pm so I headed out. Fast cruising, quite a distance offshore. Jumping on a left tack (my strong side) is now fairly easy, but jumping on my right tack is not. I seem to have trouble getting the edge release and much height. The kite tends to wallow a bit and lurch forward.

I practiced some toedown riding - which feels OK on a right tack but quite weird on a left tack. More practice required.

I ran the webcam for and got a little footage, incluing Bretto instructing on the beach. I also had the GPS on for a while too.

Heaps of speed and lots of runs. There would have up to 15 kites on the water when it got busy, and a couple of windsurfers.

The kiting was great for about two hours. I came in feeling tired in the arms and a bit numb in the hands. Love this 14m kite.

I rested on the beach for a while and headed out for another half hour when the wind picked up again. Another squall was coming so I came in and packed up both kites which were wet and sandy, before loading up the bike for the cycle home.

This one day has made the trip worthwhile.

Bretto has a downwinder planned for Sunday, a tour to Low Isles for Monday and a boat trip out to Undine Cay on Tuesday with a possible tour option from their to Daintree Cape Tribulation for an overnight stay.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

Warm water at Port Douglas

Session 49: Thursday 23 July 2009

• Wind SE 15 knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am WSW 13 km/h 3pm SE 31 km/h
• Kite: Switchblade 14m

A good session. Out for about an hour at about 2:30pm. Then the wind dropped.

Great scenery, and warm water.

Not much wind about in the morning, but it seemed to picking up a bit around midday. I returned to my unit for lunch. I noticed the tops of nearby palm trees were swaying in the wind, so I got my gear organised into the backpack and cycled down to the kite beach.

About 3 others were already out and the wind was good. Into the warm water about 2:00pm then off. Good speed. I did one longish run to where I could see around the Port Douglas headland to the distant Thornton Peak. 4 mile beach is a great place to kite. The mountainous backdrop behind the palm tree lined beach is interesting to view from sea. The tide was heading out so the reef was exposed. It is an easy walk out to the water over sand.

But don't launch with kite near the palms - fly the kite over the beach.

I did one good jump. Then on one run the wind died and my kite fell from the sky. I relaunched it without much trouble and elected to get back into shore and stay closer in. A good move as it turned out; the wind lost its strength to I did a few runs drifting downwind and then walked back up the beach. This first session had lasted about 1 hour and my right wrist was a bit sore and in need of a rest.

A few locals had assembled near the beach hut watching proceedings, and one pupil was undergoing instruction with the Windswell kitesurfing school. Until very recently, there has not been much wind about.

After a sojourn on the beach the wind picked up a bit so I headed out at about 4pm with a couple of others. Not quite enough wind to stay upwind though, so I did an out and back then walked back along the beach.

A couple of locals did a downwinder to the surf club at the other end the beach and eventually made it.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

A lucky breeze at Gnotuk

Session 48

• Location: Gnotuk Avenue
• Wind: 12 to 15, westerly
• Time: about 1 hour
• Kite: Switchblade 14m

I headed for Gnotuk after today's bike race at Casey Fields near Cranbourne. I was lucky enough to win in A grade by about 10cm.

The Fawkner and South Channel beacons were showing some SSW wind and my kiting gear was still in the car after yesterday. There was not a lot of wind when I arrived, but a few squalls were visible across the bay. Nobody else was there - was this going to be futile? Did the locals know better?

I donned by cold wet wetsuit, set the kite up, and launched it with the help of a bystander (who knew how to launch kites).

After a bit of "shorebreak flailing" the wind picked up and off I went. I did a couple of good runs to the south - about 2km down along the beach - and even managed a jump. Once again that feeling of freedom and speed.

I was a bit tired after the racing and holding the right tack for a while was tough, but coming back was fine. The wind tapered off after about 15 minutes so I walked back a short distance along the beach. Some locals had showed up. They get a free parking pass for the coastal reserves, which would make Gnotuk more attractive as the parking is expensive.

I landed the kite and waited for about 30 minute, then another wind front arrived so I headed out again. This time it was easier to stay upwind heading north. Some good kiting again. The others were quickly pumping up their kites but by the time they were ready the wind eased again. It is best not to travel to far in conditions like these our you might face a long walk back.

Three lads of Indian descent were on the beach taking photos and came up to me for a chat and a photo opportunity. Kiting certainly appeals to onlookers. They were very complementary.

That was it for the day. No more wind fronts followed so I headed home.

Great to kite at a new location. One of the locals said the downwinder from there to St Kilda via Ricketts was good to do. The also go to Frankston and Parkdale. Opportunities abound, but more wind is needed than what winter offers.

Kitesurfing distance records

I have been researching kitesurfing distance records out of interest. I really enjoyed the downwinder we did from Ricketts Point to Hampton. It really piqued my curiosity about how far people have actually travelled with a kite and what may be possible.

So far, the best documented distance record I can find is that of Kirsty Jones who set a distance record for a kiteboard when she travelled 225km (140 miles), crossing from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to Tarfaya, Morocco, in about nine hours on May 13, 2006. Here is a video of Kirsty's feat.





A record combination of distance and speed of 207 km in 5h 30 was set by Raphaël Salles, Marc Blanc and Sylvain Maurain on July 24, 2007 between Saint Tropez and Calvi, beating Manu Bertin's previous record of 6h 30 for the same journey. Their average speed was almost 38 km/h.

I have updated the kitesurfing article in Wikipedia with this information.

Allison Shreeve attempted to windsurf across Bass Strait on 26 March 2009. The planned route was 130 Nautical Miles (250km) between Stanley in Tasmania to Inverloch in Victoria. However, she abandoned the attempt out due to mild hypothermia and cramps around 80 kilometres off the Victorian coast late on Thursday afternoon after leaving Tasmania just after 7.30am (AEDT). She had to contend with strong winds soon after leaving Stanley on Tasmania's northwest coast and suffered cramps early in the crossing.

Only one other person has ever windsurfed across Bass Strait before - Nick Maloney, who took 21 hours to manage the feat in 1998.

References

1. Tampa Bay area kiteboarders take aim at distance record, Terry Tomalin, St. Petersburg Times, February 27, 2009
2. m8kite.com - Long Distance record
3. Allison Shreeve - Bass Strait Challenge 2009
4. Honourable exit for Bass Strait windsurfer

A cool westerly at Hampton

Session 47

• Location: Hampton Beach
• Wind: 12 to 15, westerly
• Time: about 1 hour
• Kite: Switchblade 14m

Some good wind was forecast today, so Stuart and I headed down to Hampton. There wasn't much wind when we arrived at about 10:45 but it looked like some might be coming so we rigged up. There was hardly enough wind to self launch. We got our kites in the air then did some slow and difficult runs in light wind along the shore, then walked back.

I ended up in the surf half beached with the small shorebreak pounding into the back of my head. Light wind really puts the focus on technique. You have to get board speed up to get going, and not try for to much upwind, or you just bog down and stop.

Reminder to learners: it is harder to learn in light winds.

I was contemplating having a go unhooked, but then the wind picked up. We both had several good runs out and back. Not quite enough for jumping. I am really glad I bought the 14m kite for days like this.

A squall was visible out in the bay which could have contained lightning and may have had stronger wind gusts, so we stopped at about 12:45, in time for me to race back and accompany Lena and Chloe to Princess Wishes (Disney on Ice) which was actually pretty good.

Stuart and I spoke about how great it was to get going for even a brief session, and the incredible buzz you get kitesurfing. We both compare it to the joy of skiing powder, and that its much easier and convenient to go kiting frequently than it is to seek out powder.

If you are thinking about taking up kitesurfing I really recommend you give it a try. Book some lessons and go for it.

Altona buzzing in a good easterly - at last

Session 46

• Location: Altona Beach
  
• Wind: 15 to 20 knots, easterly
• Max speed: fast - some flat water behind the sandbars
  
• Time: about 2 hours
  
• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Kitecam: Oregon Scientific ATC 2K
  

At last, some great kiting in a strong easterly at Altona. Stuart and I headed down during afternoon, getting on the water at about 2pm. The wind was consistent and cool. Altona takes the easterly well.

There were a lot of kites on the water and on the beach when we arrived. The wind was coming it at about 15 knots so I pumped up the 14m Switchblade. Stuart provided the following good tip for rigging up the IDS bar:

TIP: Attach the safety leash to the ring on the depower line where it connects to the chicken loop, rather than the main assembly. This way, if you pull the main safety and the velcro fitting that holds the depower line gives way (as Stuart's did recently at Sandy Point), then you are still attached to the kite.

No shortage of power as I cruised out in the small surf.

I did some amazing long runs up to the beach heading west. The small surf provided good jumping and coming closer to shore there was some great flat water behind the sandbanks where fast carving was easy. Some very shallow sections loom up occasionally though so you have to pay attention and flatten the board out if when it gets too shallow. Hitting a sandbank at 30km would not be much fun.

One young kiter did a very impressive jump with some flips and a handle pass then landed on his chest on a shallow sandbank. I asked him if he was OK as I went past. He said he was, but was lucky not to be injured. Jumping in shallow water is not a good idea.

Enjoy the kitecam footage I took



Here is the wind map.


And the location map (approximate, no GPS today)


Kitecam (helmet mounted) video footage to follow.

The winter doldrums

When April came this year, someone high above flicked off the wind switch. The sea breezes vanish and are replaced with erratic northerlies, the very occasional strong westerly, errating north westerlies and the odd easterly.

Rather frustrating for us kitesurfers. I need to get out!

Today I went down to Rye hoping that the forecast 20knot north easterly would be still blowing, but on arrival things were rather quiet. One guys had his kite up (just) but was not going anywhere while another watched with his kite on the beach.

The wind chart showed some reasonable wind in the morning though - so those who got there in time for it may have been rewarded.

The winter winds are fickle, infrequent and transient. My friend Stuart had a good day last Saturday off Hampton, but I was in Castlemaine of the day.

My solution is to keep on watching Baywinds and Seabreeze, and I have booked a ticket to Port Douglas for end July to catch some trade winds actions, and maybe even kite out to the Low Isles and back. Let me know if you will be up there too. We could arrange a downwinder from Ellis Beach with Brett from Windswell, and maybe a kiting trip or two to the Outer Reef.

Hampton after work and some big air

Session 45

• Wind: 20 to 25 knots, southerly
• Max speed: 37.5 km/h
• Trip: 27.9 km
• Time: 01:20
• Kite: Crossbow 12m
  

Headed down to Hampton after work as the wind had sprung up late in the afternoon. It seemed a bit to strong for the 14m kite so I took out the 12. Heading out into the waves, there were some good ones to launch off. I got some big air this session. It felt like 3 to 4 meters. Up up and away! Reasonable control for the descent and a fairly gentle touch down. A couple of jumps at speed which landed with speed too.

Sore forearms afterwards - I really noticed the bar pressure of the Crossbow today.



I had my camera mounted to my helmet but it seems to have played up and not recorded. Overall, a great session. Skills progressions I am working on are toe down riding - which feels quite weird, controlled kiteloops, and jumping. Stuart recommended doing backflips too, which he says are easy.

Hampton on my new Naish Haze 144 board

Session 44

• Wind: 17 to 20knots, southerly
• Max speed: 37.5 km/h
• Trip: 27.9 km
• Time: 01:20
• Kite: Switchblade 14m
  

The southerlies have dropped off over the last couple of weeks, so it was great to get out in the afternoon in a reasonable wind. This was my first time on my new Naish Haze 144 board which I just bought on eBay from a guy who had bought it in Hawaii but not got around to learning kitesurfing.

It was superb. Great upwind ability - very stable and a positive edge. It is wider than my Cabrinha board, has positive foot straps and pads, and fantastic speed.

My 14m kite had heaps of power. I did my biggest ever jump lauching off a 1m wave with the power on. It felt like I was plucked up with great power by the hand of another being. Floating, flying, followed by a gentle touch down. A bit scary too - so much speed and so much height.

I got upwind behind the breakwater to crank some high speeds in the flatwater, then back out into the stiff breeze. A few jellyfish about too.

Jumping then landing and keeping going is a real buzz. The trick is to not forget the kite. I am learning to bring it down from overhead so that it keeps flying and some momentum is retained. With the excitement of jumping, it is easy to forget the kite, like the problem I had when learning and the kite would dive back down and hit the water.

On a reach now I fly the kite on autopilot, not needing to look at it. It is a bit like learning to change gears in manual car without thnking about it.

Jumping introduces a new movement of the kite - overhead, then back into the power zone.

A downwinder from Ricketts Point to Hampton

Session 43

• Wind: 20knots, southerly
• Max speed: 32.4 km/h
• Trip: 25.8 km
• Time: 58:21
• Note: GPS was not working correctly, so the above information is not accurate.
  

Stuart contacted me on Saturday morning about doing a downwinder from Ricketts Point Beaumaris to Hampton Beach. The wind picked up during the afternoon, so we met at Hampton to leave a vehicle there then drove to Ricketts Point. The wind wasn't strong so I took out my 14m kite. We got on the water just after 4pm and headed out. Stuart had a couple of mates with windsurfers, but we weren't sure there would be enough wind for them so we took off after a few tacks.

My first downwinder of note. It was fantastic. Cruising at speed and time for a good look around. We headed out a way. It felt great to be out so far in the elements, travelling with the good grace of the wind.


Plonking in the water briefly I felt some stings when I came out. Looking in the water, there were heaps of large jellyfish around so I guess I one got me! I could feel some stings on my back through my one mm wetsuit and around my face, but they didn't hurt much and dissipated quickly.

We tacked back in several times to balance out the work on the legs. It is nice to come back into shore for a closer look. We came right in close the wreck of the Cerberus. Surely it should be salvaged and restored. It has mostly collapsed into the water now. In my youth we swam out to it and snorkelled inside it and clambered around the decks. It has greatly deteriorated over the last 30 years.

We had some great views all the way to Melbourne. We passed the Sandringham Yacht club, then rounded corner to Hampton. After a few tacks near the breakwater we came to shore, both stoked by the experience. Going touring on a kiteboard is fast, efficient and fun. I wanted to keep going to St Kilda.

No kitecam this time. Next downwinder I will fit it to my helmet.

Hampton in 30 knots with bushfires burning

Session 41.

• Wind: 25 to 30 knots
• Kite: 7m Crossbow
• Max 36.4km/h
• Trip: 22.6
• Time: 2:32
• Dist 8.7

The wind was blowing hard when I got home from work so I headed off for some kiting. The strong southerly was playing havoc with the bushfires still burning, including some near the Dandenongs, but I thought I would make the most of it.

A couple of kiters were coming in when I arrived and looked a bit overpowered, so I decided to take out the 7m Crossbow. It flew well and delivered heaps of power. Very agile in the sky too. I was tempted to try some kiteloops, but I think I will practice first in a lighter wind.

I was able to keep up wind and do some jumps off the growing swell. Good to get some use out of the 7m kite, it is only the third time I have used it.

Altona for the first time in 24 knots

Session 41. Speed, waves and jumping

• Wind 25 knots southerly
• Fine weather
• Fairly busy

I finally made it to Altona Beach. After the tragic bushfires, some of which are still burning in Melbourne's water catchments and spreading smoke across the water, and a friend crashing badly in the A Grade bicycle race at Casey fields in the morning, it was great to get out on the water.

The wind speed was about 20 knots when I started, but I took out my Crossbow 12m as the forecast was for it to rise to 25-30 knots later in the afternoon.

Lot of people kiting on the water - 20 kites or more. But people all knew what they were doing, so it was good.

Closer to the shore, sandbanks create smooth water, so you can really get some speed up. However, the depth of the water varies, and depending on the tide you can suddenly find your board actually hitting sand. If you have a lot of speed, this could cause a big crash.

I took it easy for a while and then got out in the surf, kiting up to the end of the pier then back. The 1m surf provided some excitement and challenges. My board stopped in a couple of broken waves, but kiting between waves is a real blast.

I got one good jump in, landed it and kept going, which felt great.

Eventually I lost my board and was waiting for it to get washed in, but a friendly kiter brought it in for me.

I finished with some more fast flat water runs close to shore, then we hit the local pizza parlour before heading home.

Altona Beach feels like a small country seaside town. It is well worth a visit, the kiting is excellent, but as recommended, high and rising tide is best.

Kitecam at Hampton

Session 40.

I took out the 14m Switchblade out in 18 knots, with the kitecam fitted. I got some good speed and few jumps in. I crashed the kite a couple of times and relaunched it as you can see in the video.

I was also tried out a new Cabrinha board with the lace up foot straps (sync bindings). Ivan suggested that my old long Cabrinha board is too narrow and too stiff, while my newer Litewave board is to small for my size, so a board sized between them would be ideal.

I had a bit of difficulty staying upwind, but then the wind speed increased.

Looking out to the breakwater

Wind chart

Surfing the waves at Hampton

Session 39.

A strong southerly change came through in the afternoon cooling off another hot day. Checking the Bay Winds site on my phone (via WAP) showed wind around 30 knots, so I headed down to Hampton after work, rather than going bike racing at Sandown (the rot has set in . . . fancy goofing of a bike race!)

Got on the water through the large shore break just after 6pm straight out into big waves - but the wind had dropped. I swapped to my 14m kite, and was rewarded with more wind and heaps more power. The 14m Switchblade flys very smoothly. I depowered to get better control. I was able to get some fast runs in behind the marina wall, further up the beach than I had before.

Then the wind dropped again, despite what looked like a front in the distance. I continued working the surf area with Ivan and few others, finishing about 8pm.

Cape Paterson - not enough wind

Session 38.

I visited my friend Simon staying at the Cape Paterson caravan park. I took my kite gear hoping for to kitesurf either at Inverloch or at the Cape itself.

The main beach has a gently surf and a nice reef at the western end. The breeze seemed OK on Saturday afternoon so Simon helped me launch my 14m kite.

But there was not enough wind. I was able to get out a bit and come back, but could not go upwind. After a couple of walks back along the beach, with bemused lifesavers peering down from their club house, I packed up.

I had a similar session on Sunday, but this time the promising breeze vanished as I got on the water, so I blew in to the beach just short of the rocky reef section to the east.

It is a nice spot, but not really suitable for beginnners.

Here is the satellite location map:

Jumping and speed at Hampton

Session 37 stats:

• Max speed 45.9 km/h, distance 24.74km, duration 1h50 approx.
  
• Wind 20-23 knots, southerly

I was going for a bike race at Sandown this evening, but the wind was good. Racing into a strong wind can be frustrating. Particularly if you are in a bunch that won't chase. So I decided to go kiting at Hampton. I got on the water at about 6pm. Not much of a summer so far - it was really quite cool. My 1mm wetsuit kept me just warm enough.

The wind was good and strong. Easy to go upwind so I headed up to the breakwater in search of some flat water. About 5 or 6 other kiters about and a couple of windsurfers. Everybody was proficient.

I concentrated on going upwind for a while and kept my speed down. I then did some faster runs chasing onto the back of then over the surprisingly large swells that were rolling in.

I did my best ever jump launching off a wave and flying the kite high. Hangtime! It seemed like a long time, but I didn't go too high. The kite tends to stall when you pendulum under it, so the next progressing will be to fly it somewhere, or maybe even kiteloop it.

I did some toe down riding too - which feels quite wierd. A lot more practice required on this. There are heaps of progressions in this sport.

I finished with a longer run out looking back down to Brighton and the city. What a blast. It brought back memories of my first successful long run - which was in the same location and about to the same place. The wind dropped off a bit so I made it back just above the rock groyne then got to the beach.

Ivan was setting up his kite after a hard day at the SHQ office, but the wind picked up for him when he got on the water.

My hands and fingers got quite sore from the cold and bar pressure. I am considering trying some neoprene diving gloves. I think I will also get a 4/3 surfing wetsuit for when it gets cooler.

I had fitted the kitecam, but it had no batteries so no footage this time. At the end of the session the screw mount was a little loose and it had shifted direction. Next time . . . there will be some video action!

Mounting a kitecam

I am setting up a kitecam to take video while kiting. The model of the camera is an Oregon Scientific ATC-2K which can take about 1h of footage (VGA 640 X 480 30 frames per second) on a 2 gig SD card. The device uses 2 AA batteries. It is a bit tricky to navigate the menu using the small LCD screen, but once set up it doesn't need adusting.

Side view

Top view

I may get lucky and get some footage like this amazing still photo from a kite-mounted camera taken by Dave Sheridan of him kiting over a whale! [link]


I have had the camera for a while and have been "too busy" to set it up. But a light wind day at Gnotuk Ave was a good opportunity to rig it.

After a bit of research on the Internet, it seems the best place for the camera is mounted on the main central spar. This puts it out of harms way and points it at the rider.

I also rigged up a nylon safety line to secure the camera in case the main mount system fails.

Camera mounting, kite leading edge down on beach

Camera mounting, kite upside down on beach

Camera mounting detail, note safety line to kite securing loop (used while inflating)

Now I just need another windy outing to shoot some footage. The camera will only be "right way up" for one tack - for the other one it will be upside down.

Links

• Kiteboarder sails over whale - Telegraph
• CamRig - KiteCam
• Kitesurfing caloundra passage with kite camera, YouTube
• Oregon Scientific ATC2K (ATC-2000) Helmet Camera | Helmet Camera Centra
  
  

An unexpected southerly at Hampton

Session 36. No stats. No buoyancy vest, no GPS. Naked this time!

In the middle of the afternoon the wind picked up to a good southerly at about 20 knots, which would not help the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in progress. I got down to the beach with Lena and my daughter Chloe at about 5pm with the wind still coming in strong. About eight other kiters out and several windsurfers.

I was intending to trial my kite cam, but was in too much of a rush to rig up the attachment to the kite spar. More on this later.

I took out the Crossbow 12 and got plenty of power. Several fast runs out into the waves to the buoy, then back surfing down onto the waves on the return leg.

I wore the surf socks again, but they are a little tight in the footstraps of my Litewave board.

I was inspired to try a few jumps and succeeded. Not a lot of height, but I got a bit of distance on at least 3 occasions. Dunked the kite too, but I was able to relaunch it, albeit a bit soggy.

I met Rick there just when I finished after about 1.5 hours of kiting.

We were having a chat on the beach when we noticed a fellow with his kite in the water heading for the rock groyne so we trotted over to help him out.

Previously Rick had his kite tangled with another one on the beach and had to use the safety release to get out of trouble. Watch out for others when you kite! Remember the beach is the most dangerous place, and please don't endanger others.

Here is the wind graph for the afternoon.

Inverloch kiting with a strong south westerly.

Session 35 stats:

• Max speed 44.5 km/h, distance 21.1km, duration 1h40
• Wind 35-45 km/h, south westerly

I spent three days with the family at Inverloch from Tue 16/12 to Friday 19/12. Very light winds on Tuesday and Wednesday so we visted the penguin parade at Phillip Island and I tried my hand at some fishing.

On Friday a strong south westerly arrived. It was blowing during the night and continued all day. I got to the inlet launch site near the angling club and scoped the conditions out carefully. Nobody else about. My wind meter showed a steady 35 km/h gusting up to 45km/h. I was tempted to give the 7m kite a go, but decided to try the 12m first.

I launched about 8am off the beach, a little of which was revealed by the receding tide. Heaps of power in the kite. I overcooked my first water start, so backed off the power for my next attempt and got up and going.

In a word: fantastic!

Great fast runs across the inlet across water with a slight chop. This first map shows the high level view of my tracks. The second one shows the detail.




Good variety on the run. Strong wind while exposed to the prevailing wind, then a bit of a whole about halfway across, then strong wind again. Over near the other side the wind dropped close to the shore due to rotor effect from the headland. I had to fly the kite around to get going and back out into the wind.

It was a bit hard to hold the board edge due to the strength of the wind and the strong gusts. The really cool feature of this area is when you get close to the sandbars, just down wind, the water is flat so I could really crank up the speed. I clocked 44.5 km/h which is my fastest to date.

This satellite image shows location of the bars - which are completely exposed as sandbanks when the tide goes out further.


After 1.5 hours I was tired enough to stop. The wind kept blowing all day. A couple of other kiters and sail boarders were out later enjoying the good wind too.

In summary, a great spot when the wind is blowing. You can also kite out at the entrance, but an incoming tide is recommended for this. Another kiter said that you get great clean smooth water between the incoming waves. Next time maybe, with a companion. . .

New 14m kite in lighter wind off Hampton

After a long break - too long - due to work and other commitments, I got back on the water with my new 14m Cabrinha Switchblade. I bought the kite for those fairly frequent lighter wind days, and today was one of those. The wind was blowing SW at about 15 knots.

Here is a photo of the kite on the nature strip.



After scratching my head a little to rig the kite (the front and rear lines were connected, and they are a bit different from my older Crossbows), I got the kite up and was immediately kiting.

For a large kite, the new 14 turned well. As I got out a bit the wind increased and I was able to get going better. Not quite enough wind to stay right upwind though, so I continued with some runs further out, tacking back in towards Brighton Beach. There were a couple of guys a bit further out, but it turned out they were on a long downwinder to St Kilda. Good job I didn't follow them, or maybe they would have given me a lift back . . .

It was great to be out on the water again. Quite a lot of speed. My smaller board (the Litewave Tsunami) seemed a little hard to keep going - I was wondering if my larger one would have been better - most likely it would be for lighter wind conditions.

The new IDS control system was interesting to land. Pop the quick release and the kite just falls out of the sky slowly. But you can't control it, so I pulled in on the line to get to the front bridles and gently flip the kite so it landed edge down into the wind.

Maybe this quick release landing method is really on good for extreme conditions and beginners. You still have to secure the kite when it lands.

Here are my GPS logs for this session.

Session 33: Jumping!

Hampton beach at about 20 knots was on again at about 5pm today (Tue 12/2/08) after a couple of out and backs to get going I tried some jumps. This time I succeeded. Initially I was carried in the air for about 3 - 4 meters just off the water.


It definately helps when you get airborne first off a wave, then fly the kite back to vertical and pull the power on. It was a bit daunting to do this right out from shore as a wipeout and tangled kite would mean probably a half hour swim in, so I kept my jumping moves closer to the shore.

I got one really good jump in (probably not very high, but it felt fantastic) when I launched off a wave and swung the kite back to vertical quickly with the power on. The touch down was not too rough, but it is easy to lose the board. Ivan advised me afterwards to turn both feet out in the loops to lock them into the board when in the air.

I augured in on one fast return leg chasing a speedy windsurfer and nearly stopped another kiter coming towards me in his tracks. He jumped over my horizontal lines though without too much trouble, then I retrieved my board and got going again.

I took my GPS out again and logged 29.4km for this session. I didn't reset the maximum speed though. Here is the track log.

I was out for about 1.5 hours. There were about 10 to 15 other kiters out too.

Session 32: Good wind and some jumping practice

Got on the water at Hampton Beach just after 5 pm with a good wind blowing at around 20 knots. Cranked a lot of speed leaning right out and carving upwind with the power on.

There were about 15 kites out. I did a reach out past the Middle Brighton headland and enjoyed the view. Not a good place to ditch the kite or lose your board though. It would be a hell of a swim in.

There is something really cool about having that kite flying and boosting you across the water.

I kept the power on going over a few large waves and was plucked airborne for a short distance which was a great feeling.

I also tried a couple of edge releases and was lifted just off the water too. Jumping is much harder than it looks. There is some real skill involved in setting up the jump and executing it, which surprises me as I thought all you had to do was "send the kite back" and up you went.

I lost my board a couple of times augering into waves. Upwind body dragging is not hugely successful, so I let the kite touch the water at the edge of the wind window and swam some strokes to get the board. Relaunching the kite from this position was easy. I also saw another kitesurfer swimming back for his board with his kite parked directly overhead, which is better than landing it on the water.

Tired after about 1.5 hours so I came in and landed the kite on the near empty beach and headed home.

Kitesurfer in Geraldton WA rescues father and two sons

Here is a remarkable story of kiteboarder Matty Kalajzich's brave rescue of a father swept offshore holding on to two kids who couldn't swim at Geraldton in 30 knot winds.

In an act of great bravery, Matt used his kite to body drag one of the kids to shore, then the Dad and remaining child.




Source: Kitesurfer saves drowning family, via Seabreeze.com.au

Session 31: Another great day at Hampton

With a good southerly forecast for the day and blowing late in the morning, I headed to Hampton beach and got on the water at about 11am. The wind was consistent and in the range 20 to 25 knots, so conditions were really good.

After a goofy launch when I downed the kite I was up and going hard. Good speed and upwind tacks. The tightened footstraps were an improvement. I kited for about an hour then came in for a rest.

The wind kept on blowing and more kiters arrived and got going too, but it wasn't too crowded. I headed out for another session. I got hoiked off my board when doing a turn and couldn't really get back up wind to retrieve it, so I came in to shore waited for my board to wash in. A lapse of concentration saw me dive the kite into the beach too - yuk. Luckily there was no damage, they really are quite tough.

After untangling the lines I did a finals session getting upwind to the breakwater to get some real speed on the flatter water then came back downwind slalom to the beach. I tried a few more jumps without much success. I think I am starting with the kite too low. It is harder than it looks. I did get a little bit of air though.

I am finding "toe down riding" a bit disconcerting too so I intend to practice it some more.

Ivan showed up with his "surf style" board and departed to do a downwinder from Ricketts Point back to Hampton Beach, which he said would take about 2 hours.

I dropped my kite into SHQ to get the bridle lines checked for wear. After a couple of years use they may well need to be replaced.

I will try out a surf style board as they seem have advantages in a biggish swell and on light wind days.

Session 30: Fast upwind at 25 knots

The wind stayed less than 20 knots most of the day, but then picked up above 20 at 4pm, so it was time to have another go. It was blowing fairly hard at Hampton Beach and quite a few kites were out enjoying the wind.

I was on the water at about 6pm and immediately going places. Good wind makes it easier to kitesurf, as long as you keep control.

I used my shorter Litewave Tsunami board, but the straps were adjusted wide so I could use wetsuit booties during winter. Consequently, I was having a little trouble keeping my feet in the loops. I hit a wave crest and had the board plucked off my feet. I retrieved it by upwind body draggging, which was tricky in the strong wind. You need to keep power in the kite flying low above the water and really work the keel with you free hand, which is quite tiring.

Locking the kite in and going upwind was no problem in the 25 knot wind. No real danger of the board stalling. Some gusts tend to soak up most of the depower of the kite though.

Going out in the big swell was fun. The swell near the offshore reefs marked by buoys really stands up.

Turns were going well. With so much power in the wind I could almost stall and then get going again.

I got upwind as far as the breakwater, hoping to get some flat water behind it. However, at the flat water you lose the wind, so I did some wakeboard slaloms to go downwind.

I tried jumping for the first time by edging the board and sending the kite back to 90 degrees. I succeeded in getting lifted a bit, but not a lot. It seems I have developed some "anti lofting reflexes" which I will have to unlearn in order to get bigger air.

Lost my board again while cranking turns, but another kiter brought it over to me, which was most appreciated.

I finished after 7pm, feeling pumped. One of the best days ever.

I met Rick and Oz at Hampton - both had a great day out too. Ivan and the boys for SHQ were out kiting with their surfboards too.

Now I will tighten up my footstraps.

Session 29: Ripping at Hampton

A strong wind forecast of 30 knots came through at about 1pm, breaking the recent three day opressive heatwave of 40 degrees plus. I got down to Hampton at about 3pm. The wind was strong but perhaps not 30. I elected to give the 7m kite a go in case the wind picked up or big gusts came through.

I got up and going, but the kite was a bit underpowered. Also, it flys so fast compared to the 12m kite. I had to fly it to generate more power and also go downwind a bit. Great to get going though. Unfortunately I dunked the kite a coulple of times, then couldn't relaunch it off Brighton.

Speaking to Ivan from SHQ, he advises putting in as much pressure as the pump will allow to make sure the leading edge keeps its shape.

Another drift in to the beach. This time I tried he self rescue techique and wound one of the rear leaders around the bar and eventually got to the kite. I managed to get through some keen surfers in the swell at the beach, but then found alarmingly that I had heaps of line wrapped around my right ankle! The amazing thing was there were so many loops it was like I had attempted to do this. I thought about cutting the lines, but the kite was under control with me holding he tip and I was able to secure it on the beach immediately.

I then set about dealing with huge tangle - which took me about half an hour to resolve. Back at the car, the wind was still strong so I took out the 12m kite. Finally, some good wind! Great to get some speed up, go upwind and get some turns happening in the swell. Interestingly, the wind was 20 knots but a Southerly, which seemed to be easier to get out from behind the breakwater.

No dunkings, no swimming and some slowish turns. I tried the "one hand technique" briefly but found that I wanted to keep both hands on the bar to allow up and down direction for the kite. I was contemplating trying some small jumps - or at least board edging - but was a bit hesitant.

I would have finished at about 7:30pm, very happy and pumped.

It was sensational to feel the power of the wind and the kite and really lean against it. I think the larger board helped in the chop too.

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.

Holidays at Sorrento, strong winds but sideshore

With the new year just arrived we headed down to Sorrento, Victoria for a short family beach holiday. I took the kite gear hoping for some wind.

Last year there was virtually no wind so I left my 7m kite behind. Space in our Suburu Liberty wagon was at a premium with baby gear for our daughter Chloe, the sea kayak and fishing gear on board too. It was a mistake to only take the 12m kite - heaps of wind this year and the 7m kite could have been used.

I saw a couple of kiters out in the strong Easterly, I think they launch at Sullivans Bay just east of the Sorrento sailing club. They were heading way out to the North and looked expert. They would need to be. If you dunked your kite and had to "float in" it would be a long way to the shore and you would be blown onto cliffs, boats and possibly the Sorrento pier!

Wind map for Thursday 3 Jan

View Larger Map

Sullivans Bay

There was only one other kiter out off Blairgowrie. However, the wind was basically sideshore, the beach was crowded and I thought the wind was a bit too strong for the 12m kite. Nobody was kiting at Rye. Frustrating . . .

Session 27: Desperately seeking wind

I injured my shoulder skiing in September and was forced to rest from kitesurfing until late December. I have been really hanging out for some wind and to get back out.

Finally, I was able to get down to Hampton on New Year's day with favourable conditions.

Fawkner Beacon wind graph - 1 January 2008

However, although the wind was reasonable out past the breakwater, there was a lull behind it on the beach. I launched the kite but couldn't really get going. Eventually near the rock groyne I started to get it together but there was another kite pfaffing around where I was headed so I turned around. Dunking the kite I drifted into shore and was assisted by another kiter who grabbed the kite.

There were heaps of kites on the beach and quite a few on the water. It seems like Hampton is getting more crowded. Quite a few people sunbathing and swimming too.

Frustrating. It seem that sheeting the kite in too much in an effort to get power sends you upwind and you lose too much power. I was on my small board too - which is harder to get going in lighter wind.

Saw some snazzy beach launches and many new kites. The Switchblade 12m kite is reputed to have as much power as the 2006 16m kite, and less bar pressure. I am holding off buying a bigger or newer kite for now.