Magical kitesurfing downwinder Aspendale to Mentone

Session 221.  Another glorious sea breeze and another glorious downwinder!  Stuart, James and I met at Mentone mid afternoon with the breeze just starting to pickup.  We left a two cars then drove the Aspendale (Gnotuk Ave) in my car.  The wind was good and getting stronger at Aspendale, so our downwinder was looking good.

After a few runs out and back in lovely clean water Franz showed up and headed out to join us.  We cruised down the line of good bay surf  downwind.  I did some big jumps on the surfboard and Franz did some huge jumps and a few back rolls.  

I had still plenty of power with my Lithium 12 fully de-powered - the wind was in the range 20 to 25 knots.  The surf was really good. I was able to ride a few good waves along the outer sandbar.  Franz and I tracked in close to the Patterson River, the back out to get around Mordialloc pier, giving the fisherman a wide berth.  

We cruised in on the swell towards the beach and back into the surf, then worked our way down the waves.  Cruising out west upwind the waves provided great ramps for jumps.  Going downwind south-west we could get some good rides.  I was getting in some nice right turns onto the steeper waves then riding them in.

We eventually made it to Mentone where once again there were quite a few kitesurfers about.  I did a run to the cliffs to ride the surf in there, then returned back to the landing spot. 

We all had a ball. Big smiles and happy faces! The car shuffle only took about 15 minutes.  

My forearms are sore again. They have been a bit tender after the marathon downwinder from Rosebud to Port Melbourne. I think a few rest days and some more yoga is in order.

GPS log

Kitesurfing at Brighton - fun in the sun

Session 220. The seabreeze came in stronger than forecast this afternoon, as is often the case.  I met Tony and Stu down at Brighton - a couple of friends who are learning kitesurfing - and gave them some tips as they practiced flying Stu's kite - a Switchblade 10.

They were both going well, taking in turns to fly the kite up and down the edge of the wind window and across it.   They were also trying out short power dives to pull them from a sitting to standing position.   Both are flying the kite well.  Their next lesson is body dragging in the water.

I took the surboard out with my Lithium 12 and it was nice.  Warm clean water and strong sushine.  After a couple of runs I noticed a guy lose his board and end up downwind, so I retrieved it and took it too him.

I find its easiest to grab the handle of the board with my thumbs and pin it up to the bar so that I have both hands free for control.  However, I was not game to try this toeside so I stopped, switched the board, then got going again.

There were about a dozen other kiters about.  One show pony boosted (jumped) just ahead of my as I was in the water about to depart from close to the shore.  I had to fly my kite to take evasive action as he very nearly landed on my lines, then his kite nearly crossed mine.  Its silly to jump so close to shore and its quite unsafe to jump so close to another kiter (or anybody else for that matter).

My right gybe (foot swap after) is now very reliable, and my left gybe (foot swap before) is also good.  I was carving a few turns on the bay swell and did a few downloop turns to show Tony and Stu how you can turn the board like surfing (they are both keen surfers).

I tried out my new GPS today - a Garmin Forerunner 310XT - which you wear like a watch.   It worked well, and has the advantage that you can view data (including the time) while you are on the water.  The casing is sealed so the unit is completely waterproof - there are no gaskets or seals for plugs/usb cables.

The data is downloaded using Garmin's wireless Ant technology which requires an USB Ant dongle that was supplied with the unit.   It downloads automatically when in range, and you can set it to clear the track log after download.

A special clip charges the unit by contacting two metal pins on rear of the GPS.

I rigged up a "safety leash wrist strap" using some cord and a rubber wristband to avoid losing the GPS if the watch band or watch pins break.  Its attached to both sections of the band.

For more information on kitesurfing GPS units see GPS for kitesurfing - Kitesurfing Handbook 

GPS log

Kitesurfing with the madding crowd at Mentone

Session 219. Yet another great sea breeze this afternoon. 

I headed to Mentone Beach were Stuart and James were.  The wind was strong when I arrived so I pumped up my 10m kite and headed out.  A couple of guys were in the shallow water with their kites at 12, which made it difficult to get going.  I asked on guy to lower his kite. He said "I am trying to get going".  

If you are are new kiter, be aware that having your kite parked at 12 o'clock creates a real nuisance to others as it sticks up like a barrage balloon.  You are better of lowering it and only bringing it up high when you are doing a power stroke to get going.

The surf was good, I had quite a few nice runs and rode a few good waves.  It was quite crowded - about 12 other kiters were there, and most of them were in the waves close to shore.  Once out a bit further there was more room to move.  I did a long run over to the cliffs with Stuart, then another long run back towards Parkdale.  Coming back in the surf was good.  

When then the wind dropped a bit I was wishing I had my 12m kite, then it dropped some more so I came in and packed up.

After the Bay Crossing it was nice to just cruise about, go upwind and enjoy the waves again.

Kitesurfing across the bay from Rosebud to Port Melbourne

Session 219. Today was the big day.  After all the preparation and training, we kitesurfed Across the Bay to Conquer Cancer!

Cesar, Rick and I provided a briefing at Rosebud at 11 am covering the rules and details of the event which went well, then rigged our kites.

I got on the water at midday - there was more wind than last time - and did a few warm up runs out and back while the others got ready.  Cesar and I stopped and waited until everyone was on the water, which took a while.

Peter Campbell launching at Rosebud 

Then we headed off.  The wind was a tad light at first so we got well ahead and were requested by Rick to wait over the radio.  I was finding the radio difficult to use in its waterproof case but it was good to have.

The wind picked up and we were motoring.  We head around Hovells Pile then tracked directly towards Melbourne's skyscrapers visible over the horizon.  Then we tacked back towards the shore for some better scenery.

Peter Campbell behind support boat

I had a few lapse of concentration and came of the Sector 60 a few times.  Its certainly difficult to handle comms, route finding, buddy tracking and kitesurfing at the same time.

We tacked back in towards Frankston which was a welcome site, then headed directly towards Ricketts Point.  This was a fast run with some nice swell to surf down.  We waited for 5 minutes with our kites parked to regroup then kept going.

After another stack I my radio sling gave way.  I could see it bobbing upwind in the water but couldn't get to it. After a brief look around I kept going.  If you find a marine VHF radio washed up on the beach it could well be mine!

After Ricketts we were on the home run, but fatigue was building in.  I did some gybes, backed off speed and straightened my legs.  I took a while to work my way back to the front with Cesar. Everyone was handling the wind and swell great - it really was a sight to see.

The Coast Guard escort boat was nice to see too!

Across the Bay kitsurfers passing St Kilda

We came in close at Brighton and waited a short while before tackling the final run.  It was amazing how fast we passed Elwood and St Kilda on a straight tack towards Port Melbourne, then into the beach at last!

Across the Bay kitesurfers bayside

There were a lot of happy faces and tired bodies on the beach.  24 kiters started and 21 finished, which was a great effort.

Peter Campbell and Tim Nanninga at finish. Photo: Athol Hill

The event wouldn't have happened without our Cross Director Rick the support crew and boats, so big thanks to all of them.

The BBQ and drinks at the Port Melbourne Yacht Club was a great way to end the day.

Across the Bay Kitesurfers at Port Melbourne - Photo: Athol Hill

Donations are still open for Across the Bay to Conquer Cancer. Please consider contributing to this worthy cause.

GPS Log

Across the Bay to Conquer Cancer

After lots of training and preparation, tomorrow I and 24 other kitesurfers will attempt cross Port Phillip Bay from Rosebud to Port Melbourne on Australia Day.  The journey will be around 90km, we hope to complete it in around 3 to 4 hours.

The wind forecast is good so we are all set to go.

We are carrying safety equipment including PFDs, PLB/EPIRBs and SPOT tracking devices. We also have boat support.

You can follow @KiteAcrossBay to get live updates

You can donate to this worthy cause Across the Bay to Conquer Cancer

This will be a marathon trip - please wish us luck!

Kitesurfing the waves at Green Point

Session 218. What a summer for kitesurfing!  Got down to Hampton after work and straight out into 23 knots of glorious sea breeze.  There was a reasonable swell so I headed down to Green Point to enjoy the waves.  I am really enjoying the surfboard now and quite confident throwing in quick turns and also "parking the kite" while I ride them.  What a buzz!

Franz was out at Green Point and Cesar was enjoying the surf around the point too.  I did a massive boost on the surfboard and landed it - the key is to point the board downwind and bring the kite back to the direction of travel.

I did an even bigger boost - I am guessing around 5 meters - but came down with a thud.  Its great to get some good strong wind.

I did quite a few runs up to the point then down the reef break, then out and back up to Brighton.

I tried a few duck tacks by pointing the board upwind. I am not sure what to do next, the body rotation puzzles me.

The Spirit of Tasmania was heading down the channel out in the Bay as I headed back to Hampton. The wind dropped just as I got to the beach.

Green Point

Green Point

Geting brave - jumping the surfboard

Going back to Hampton, Spirit of Tasmania on horizon

GPS Log