Upwind from Hampton to Ricketts Point on Sector 60 raceboard

Session 165, 18 January 2012
Good wind this afternoon, so I headed to Hampton for my keenly awaited for session with the Airush Sector 90.  I was thinking of maybe doing a downwinder to St Kilda where Stuart was kiting after work.

I fitted the fins and headed for the water.  Nobody else about, but a lot of yachts further out in the distance.  A good sea breeze was on.

I got up and going without any problems on the Sector 60.  It felt a bit like the surfboard (S-Quad) but with more buoyancy.   It bobs around a lot more than the twin-tip like a surfboard does, but it much more stable than both.

I was immediately going upwind fast - these board are incredible for that.  Twice as good as a twin tip.

It took me six tacks to get to Half Moon Bay, then three to Ricketts Point!  No problems with speed, control or balance.

I rode the board flat and twisted it like I had my feet on a manhole cover.  I switched feet for the direction changes, not willing to try a gibe until I got a bit familiar with the board.

It was nice to cruise past the HMS Cerberus wreck, but terrible to see it disappearing under the waves.

I went past Ricketts Point until I could see right into Beaumaris Bay.  I could have kept going to Frankston.  Stoked!  A whole new experience, and a great one.

Turning around and heading downwind it was game on!  Heaps of speed and quite stable.  I was flying the kite high on the left tack to depower.  Its weird to feel the wind speed drop as you go downwind even though the board speed is so high.

I tentatively tried going to toeside which felt a bit weird but was OK.  There boards are smooth and not difficult to control.  Super stable at speed too.

I stacked a couple of times, misjudging the speed and fanging down a roller without leaning forward enough.  Tacking in past the Cerberus I got yanked over toeside.  Shit! Board getting washed toward the wreck.  But it surfed downwind on the swell and I body dragged to it without difficulty and cleared off.

Back at Hampton, it what seemed like no time at all, I did a couple of speed runs then cranked upwind and into the flat water behind the breakwater.  About 10 kites were out, and a couple of windsurfers.

I tried a few jibes too and got around onto toeside, which felt a bit weird, and once reversed my feet but still fell in.  Its hard, but the extra buoyancy of this board will help I think.

I was still tired after Sunday's epic bay crossing, so I came in after about 2 hours.

The Airush Sector 60 is fantastic!  I can see lots of potential for varied sessions and some great tours - both upwind and downwind.

Session stats

Summary

Distance:	34.35 km
Time:	2:11:03
Avg Speed:	15.7 km/h
Elevation Gain:	10,075 m
Calories:	1,516 C

Details

Timing

Time:	2:11:03
Moving Time:	1:39:51
Elapsed Time:	2:11:03

Avg Speed:	15.7 km/h
Avg Moving Speed:	20.6 km/h
Max Speed:	149.6 km/h

Notes

• Actual max speed 44.9 (149.6 is anomaly)
• Distance 34.35 km

First session at Frankson in a hot northerly

Session 164, 17 January 2012

Its taken about 4 years but I finally scored a session at Frankston.  So often the wind speed reads lower there (maybe its partly where the anemometer is located).  Hot strong northerlies blew all day, so later in the afternoon I headed to Frankston.  Franz gave me the tip to go to Gould St. I was lucky to score a park - there were quite a few people at the beach.

There was one kite out further towards the pier and enough wind.  Game on!

I rigged up, chatting to a lady very interested in learning kitesurfing, then attempted to launch.  The kite flipped on its trailing edge so I did a hot launch which worked well.  The beach was not too crowded where I launched so I had plenty of room.

I didn't try my new Airush Sector 60 board as I figured one new factor (location) was enough, and a northerly might not be ideal for its first outing. 

The wind was good.  I was staying upwind and getting some good speed in what felt like about 16 - 18 knots.  Bay Winds showed Frankston with 12 knots gusting to 15 over this period, which I think was a bit lower than the actual wind.  The wind was consistent - not gusty like northerlies often are at Brighton, and it was side onshore.

Nice clean water.  I kept clear of the few jet skis that were about and they kept away from me.  One chap came off and was in the water.  I offered some assistance but he was just getting sand out of his shoes.

I was feeling a bit tired in the legs so a short session late in the afternoon was ideal.   I did a few good jumps when I was powered up too.

The Contour Roam camera was turned on this time - I double checked the record light was on - but it kept taking photos after I turned it off on the beach!  Not sure what is going on there.

Look!  no poo stance!

Session stats

Summary

Distance:	20.90 km
Time:	1:11:24
Avg Speed:	17.6 km/h
Elevation Gain:	2,617 m
Calories:	1,141 C

Details

Timing

Time:	1:11:24
Moving Time:	54:46
Elapsed Time:	1:11:24

Avg Speed:	17.6 km/h
Avg Moving Speed:	22.9 km/h
Max Speed:	43.4 km/h

Airush Sector 60 race board unboxed

After some consideration, research and some advice from Ivan Salmon, I ordered an Airush Sector 60 V2 race board (2012 model) from The Zu Boardsports.   I have just picked it up.

The Sector 60 is claimed to handles more easily than a specialised race board, and has great upwind and light wind characteristics.

Ivan removing the extensive packaging

The first step was to remove the extensive packaging.  The board would be unlikely to get damaged during shipping

First sight of the board, what a beauty!

The first sight of the board is impressive.  Clean lines, nice finish, solid yet not too heavy.

Awaiting straps

The front view reveals as carefully shaped nose and not too aggressive rails

Large fins for the front and smaller ones for the rear

The larger fins (24cm) are for the front, while the smaller ones (22cm) are for the rear.  Each fin has its own slot as they are angled out.

4 fins and three footstraps

The sum total of parts is 4 fins (with screws and washers) and three footstraps (with screws and plates)

Positioning the screw attachments and plate for the footstraps

There are three rows of screw holes in the end of each foot straps.  Ivan recommended going for the middle row.

Footstraps laid out

Holes for rear footstrap

Carefully screwing in the self tapping screws.

The screws for the footstraps are self-tapping.  Ivan was careful to get the screw going vertically as it cuts its own thread.  They can be removed and rescrewed.  Care is required to avoid over tightening them and stripping the thread (which can be repaired with a screw insert if this happens).

Footstraps on

Starting with the rear footstrap forward.  It can be moved further rear once the rider is experienced with the board.

Bottom of board

The bottom of the board looks built for speed.

Fins in position

 The big fins provide the great upwind capability.

And it fits in the rear of my X-Trail - bonus!

And is surprise bonus - the board fits in the rear of my X-Trail.

Some further tips from Ivan:

• Use a kite 1 size smaller than you would for a twin tip or surfboard
• Be careful to keep the kite in the sky in light winds when turning.  The board can function in 10 knots or less, but when you stop, the apparent wind reduces and your kite could fall into the water.  Keep it flying.
• Don't edge the board. Ride it flat and steer by "twisting" your feet.
• Be careful of the sharp fins when doing a water start. Approach the board with your feet on the rail to avoid getting cut by the fins.  They are sharp.

Some additional factors I considered for getting the Airush Sector 90 are:

• Good for downwinders - you can keep going when the wind drops and you can paddle the board if the wind dies completely stops.
• Speed. More speed!
• Upwind tours - going upwind then back downwind to the same place - less logistics than pure downwinders
• I might have a go at course racing
• I will be able to kite on lighter wind days of 8-14 knots  (hopefully) 

I am really looking forward to going kitesurfing on this board . . .

See also: Airush Sector 60 V2 race board - Kitesurfing Handbook 

Port Phillip Bay crossing Hampton to Altona and return

Session 163, 15 January 2012
We finally did it!  After a couple of years speculating today was the day we made it across the bay!

We kited and Hampton for a while in a good consistent southerly.  We got some nice runs up to and behind the breakwater.  Several sail and motor boats were coming into the marina so some caution was in order.

I took off past a large launch just dowwind of it.  It then sped up and past me, even though I was hooting.  I slipped into its wake, which was quite smooth and gave chase.  I was gaining on the boat for a while and cloced 48km/h before pulling off its wake.

I then did a run out to have a look past Green Point.  Stuart was with me.  We kept going.  And going.

A container ship headed down the shipping channel towards Port Melbourne, some distance away.  We got over the wake easily, then crossed the channel well behind the ship.  It was fast and not too tiring on the tack.  Tarren came up behind and joined us.  We kept going.

Not much happening out there other than some big bay swells.  Then we got close to some land, uncertain about where we would make landfall.  We came to shore south of Altona Beach with kites visible there in the distance.  It was great to make it.

After a short rest we headed back.  My left thigh was burning almost straight away so I was wondering if I would make it.  I stretched the legs out and tried to keep them straight, which fixed the problem.  It was a long way back to the channel but the wind kept blowing.  The Spirit of Tasmania headed out down the channel well in front of us.

I got into a zone and just kept going.  As fatigue set in I rested my arms and hands, moved me feet around and stretched my legs.  The Red Bluff was visible as a landmark, and the Sandringham Marina next to it so we headed there.  We came right back in to Hampton, tired but ecstatic.  An epic journey was over.


Stats

Summary

Distance:	52.84 km
Time:	2:24:47
Avg Speed:	21.9 km/h
Elevation Gain:	3,661 m
Calories:	2,262 C

Details

Timing

Time:	2:24:47
Moving Time:	2:09:12
Elapsed Time:	2:24:47

Avg Speed:	21.9 km/h
Avg Moving Speed:	24.5 km/h
Max Speed:	86.3 km/h

Note the max speed is wrong - the fastest I have on the time log is 43.3 km/h - most likely when I was chasing the motor launch.

The crossing distance is around 17km as the crow flies.

The wind was around 20 knots and a southerly.  We were lucky with the wind window - it dropped soon after we got back.

From the track log, I estimate the time from Hampton to Altona was 40 minutes, the return trip took 43.  It is remarkable how close the out and back tracks are.  Its a long way to go on one tack, but it was certainly worth it.

A cool sea breeze at Mentone

Session 162, 14 January 2012 

Back from a week up at Charlottes Pass walking on the Main Range and enjoying some summer snow!

Stuart, Tarren and I met at Mentone for a late afternoon kiting session.  Once we got out a bit the wind was good. We did several long runs along the beach towards Morabbin and back to the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron.

It was quite chilly in the water and out of it, but it was great to get out again and carve some swells.  There were not many others about.

I got some shots with the Contour Roam in the linemount setup which worked well.

After 1.5 hours I was quite tired so I came in, and very soon after the wind dropped so my timing was good.   Stuart, Jeremy and I had a beer at The Beaumaris (hotel) before heading home which was a nice way to end the day.  There was a helicopter hovering just offshore apparently looking for someone of something, but we couldn't see what.

The GPS log showed 27km and a maximum speed of 38.3 km/h, so it was a good long and fast session.  Wonderful!

Slideshow

Session stats

Distance:	27.45 km
Time:	1:33:52
Avg Speed:	17.6 km/h
Elevation Gain:	884 m
Calories:	1,140 C

Details

Timing

Time:	1:33:52
Moving Time:	1:16:01
Elapsed Time:	1:33:52

Avg Speed:	17.6 km/h
Avg Moving Speed:	21.7 km/h
Max Speed:	38.3 km/h

Kite: Noise 12m
Board: Naish Haize

Short but sweet at St Kilda

Session 161, 6 January 2012

I got caught up with chores during the afternoon so I made it down to the beach quite late, and was on the water at St Kilda at about 6pm.  There was a good south easterly sea breeze so I headed out past the breakwater, picking my way through the learners with their kites parked at 12 o'clock.

Being late in the day, it was not too crowded.  I got a couple of good runs in out from the breakwater, but there wasn't enough wind to jump.  Then the wind dropped so I headed to the beach and walked back.  It picked up a bit while I waited, so I headed out again and was the only one out apart from the beginners. 

After a couple of more good runs I headed back in and walked back.  Short but sweet

Rinsed at Rye Back Beach

Session 160, 4 January 2012 

Down on the Mornington Pennisula, the hot weather was chased away by a raging southerly. It blew hard at over 30 knots most of the morning and backed off a bit during the afternoon.

Stuart and I headed down to the ocean (back) beaches for a look.  The wind looked good at Rye Back Beach so we decided to give it a go.  Stuart took his 7 out while I used my 10.  The wind was not quite so strong on the water; we were both a bit underpowered.

Rinsed!

The large surf was pushing us in to shore to.  I got a couple of tacks in then got rinsed by a big wave. The water pushing you in to shore works to drop the wind speed, then my kite was down, so I swam in.

We then changed our kites to the Noise 12m (me) and Switchblade 10m (Stuart).  It was good to have some more power to crank over the large broken waves.  Conditions were very unpredictable though.  There were small nasty reefs lurking under the waves and some sharp rocks studding the shoreline in places.  The water was often chopped and variable.

I lost my board in a stack and saw it heading out in a rip, so I landed my kite and headed out to get it.  Back on the water I got rinsed again and dropped the kite for another swim.  Conditions were really tricky. Stuart helped get my kite on the beach, then untangle my lines.  I was lucky to not get it shredded on the sharp rocks.

It was just as well I had my camera on the linemount clipped with a carabiner to the line - it was the only thing keeping it secured after the kite was dunked.

Overall it was a pleasant if humbling session.  Kiting in the surf certainly is more difficult.  Neither of us made it out the back.

Slideshow

2011 kitesurfing in summary and things to do in 2012

2011 was a great year for kitesurfing.  I logged 40 sessions. It would have been nice to log 40 more though!

I consolidated my skills and feel confident in most wind conditions.  I did my first backroll and boosted my highest jump.

Some highlights have been writing the Kitesurfing Handbook, our trips to Inverloch, some nice downwinder tours and some surprisingly good sessions at Brighton over winter.

My list for 2012:

• my surf riding has slipped a bit, I will aim to get in more surf sessions

• Gybe a board 

• I intend to try the Sector 60 race board for some downwinders

• I am still contemplating the first powered kiteloop.  Watching some videos of people breaking ribs smacking into the water attempting kiteloops is not too inspiring. 

• Another trip to Port Douglas in the winter would be great too.

• My daughter Chloe tells me I want to kitesurf across Bass Straight.  I would like to, but its a serious undertaking.

• I am keen to finally get a session at Cape Patterson - and possibly do the downwinder from there to Inverloch.  

• I am also keen to tackle some big downwinders along the 90 mile beach.

All the best for the New Year and your 2012 kitesurfing.