Mentone to Aspendale return kitesurfing tour

Session 271.  An epic session - 34km of fun. We were considering doing a downwinder from Frankston to Mentone. However, when we arrived at Mentone there was plenty of wind onshore so we decided to do a return tour up Aspendale.

The wind was solid onshore 20+ knots so I took my Lithium 9.  Getting off the beach though the bay surf at Mentone was a bit of a challenge, but once behind the waves the going got easier.  The wind was stronger too - there is a bit of a wind hole at Mentone.

Stuart was ahead in the distance.  I got around the pier about 50m out, we continued on up to Gnotuk Ave Aspendale.  There were about 10+ kiters out there and the waves were good.  We kited and surfed the waves there for a while then headed back.

I had some myotherapy in the morning, including some dry needles in my back and glutes so I was feeling a bit sore and tired after cranking upwind to Aspendale.

Downwind was great.  There was the good occasional wave and downloop turns kept me motoring along.  I did one big boost off a wave heading out and had a big crash, happy to be wearing my shorty, vest and helmet!

There is a big rolling swell on the West side of the pier which is nice to surf, then I cruised back along the surf line to Mentone.

An epic session.  I am a spent force now, and very happy!

GPS log

Kitesurfing Mentone in light wind trying duck tacks

Session 270. Stu and I got down to Mentone after work. The strong winds had dropped off by the time we get there. I headed out for on my Lithium 12 and Flexwire Firewire (strapless).

I like riding strapless, it feels more natural and it feels you are in closer contact with the board and water with freedom to move around.

There was just enough wind to stay upwind so I was cruised out and back into the small surf.  I got some nice rides on the big rollers further out too.

Tried some more duck tacks.  I can rotate around the lines but still lose contact with the board and end up downwind.  The wind dropped further so I walked out into the waves and tried the rotation a few times to practice.

GPS log

Fast cruising on the Sector 60 in light winds

Session 269. The wind was building a bit late in the afternoon so I headed down to Hampton. SSE at Hampton is light on the beach so I took out my Sector 60 and Lithium 12 and was immediately cruising fast. The wind was 10-12 knots close to shore and 15 knots out past the breakwater.

I was doing some small jumps off the swell on the way out, and surfing down the big rolling swells on the way back in.  The Sector 60 board makes lighter wind conditions like this lots of fun.

I attempted a couple of Duck Tacks and succeeded in rotating around under the kite, but I came right off the board and ended up downwind on both occasions.  The kite lines were crossed afterwards too.  

There was nobody else on the water.  Solitude in Melbourne!

Its been a couple of weeks since my last session so it was great to get out.

Kitesurfing Across the Bay to Conquer Cancer 2014

I am part of a dedicated team of kitesurfers lead be Cesar Aldea that will attempt to kitesurf across Port Phillip Bay for the second time.

This year, 35 kitesurfers will attempt the full crossing from Rosebud to Port Melbourne and 15 will tackle the half crossing from Aspendale to Port Melbourne.

At the finish in Port Melbourne in 2013

This is a short documentary is about the event and Cesar's reasons for founding the event following the death of his mother from cancer in 2012.   Cesar, Peter Sexton and myself are in the video, made by Ignat Starcev.

We are doing this to raise more funds for the Cancer Council, so please consider donating to the cause.

The crossing is scheduled for the second (11-12) or third (18-19) weekend in January 2014, depending on the wind.

Links

• Donations: Across the Bay fundraiser Cancer Council Victoria
• Facebook: Across the Bay to Conquer Cancer 

New world speed sailing record set by kitesurfer Alex Caizergues

Alex Caizergues set a new world sailing speed record kitesurfing of 56.62 knots in November 2013 at in Salin-de-Giraud, France.  That is 104.8 km/h!

The record was made in a north wind blowing between 45 and 50 knots. Alex made at least 15 runs, each over 50 knots.

Caizergues has beaten the previous kitesurfing speed world record holder, American rider Rob Douglas, who had set the outright speed record of 55.65 knots in 2010.

The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) is yet to confirm the official record.

New Kite Speed World Record!!! Alex Caizergues - 104.8 km/h from Alexandre Caizergues on Vimeo.

Kitesurfing Hampton to Green point strapless in a good sea breeze

Session 268. Scored a nice kitesufing session at Hampton in a solid sea breeze on my Firewire board strapless.  Its certainly a good feeling having the freedom to place your feet wherever you like on the board without straps. Its nice to fly the fast turning 9m Lithium kite too.

 After a couple of runs out and back I headed down between the rock groynes for some wave action, then continued on down to Green Point.  There are some nice reef breaks on the way there, and the break of Green Point was working too.

Gybing the board without straps feels a bit odd for some reason but its not difficult. The Firewire board turns well and feels very secure in the swell. I like it.

Going upwind to get back was no problem either, I made it in one tack to complete a nice short tour.

I am still getting my head around how to do a duck tack!

GPS Log

The log also shows a short session at Gnotuk that I forgot to clear.

Kitesurfing downwinder from Aspendale to Sandringham

Session 267. This was a downwinder training session for the 2104 Across the Bay. However, the forecast wind did not arrive.  There was only about 15 knots at Aspendale, which made it difficult to go upwind and get around Ricketts Point.

After a few runs on the surfboard I headed back in and swapped it for my Sector 60.  No problems going upwind on it!  After about 4 tacks I made it around Ricketts Point, intending to continue on to at least Brighton.

I was on my own however so I decided to stay close to shore.

I was travelling quite well up to Half Moon Bay, but just as I was passing the Cerberus wreck the wind started to putter a bit.  Half way to  Sandringham it dropped out completely.  I floated in to shore behind my kite and waited a while on the beach.

No more wind came so I packed up and Stu graciously gave me a lift back to my car at Aspendale.

Its not possible to do a downwinder without wind!  If the wind seems dodgy, don't go too far out.

Kitesurfing Ricketts Point dodging the reefs

Session 266.  We called in at Ricketts Point to find a nice southerly blowing.  Grant and Stu were there on their windsurfers.  I headed out on my Lithium 12 and the S-quad, threading the gap between the reefs.  I chased both Grant and Stu and was able to pace them on their windsurfers.

One big jump went wrong and my kite fell from the air but was easy enough to relaunch.

There is not much room on the beach to launch and land here though.  There are also lots of dog walkers and few dog turds on the beach so beware.

Its a nice place to kitesurf for a change.  I saw Lucas rig up and head off on a downwinder for Across the Bay training.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Gnotuk Ave Aspendale with Lithium Zero

Session 265.  Tarren and I made it to Gnotuk Ave Aspendale where Cesar and a group of fellow kiters training for the 2014 Across the Bay to Conquer Cancer were assembled for a training downwinder.  There was very little wind and nobody on the water.  I decided to give the Lithium Zero another go.

Once again there was not enough wind to go upwind (less than 5 knots?), and this time the wingtips of the kite were folding in.  The bridle attachment on the leading edge seemed to crease the leading edge in. Pulling the rear lines (bar ends) popped it back out but it kept happening.   I think the air pressure in the bladder was too low - this may have caused the problem.

I swapped over to the Sector 60 board and was immediately screaming along with the kite depowered, but still unable to wrestle it around to point upwind.  The northern out and back track log shows this run out and back.

The Lithium Zero shows some promise but the wind range of the kite is quite narrow and its not easy to go upwind.  I don't think its a suitable kite for beginners.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Inverloch Andersons Inlet on Lithium Zero

Session 264.  After a relaxed breakfast in Inverloch at the Beach Hut cafe, Tarren and I decided to try to the Lithium Zero out in the 5-8 knots of wind in the inlet. It is certainly strange setting up to kitesurf with people pottering about on SUPs and out fishing in canoes.

There was enough wind to fly the kite but not really enough to stay upwind.  Looking at the water you can see flat glassy sections where there was virtually no wind.  The kite flies well but turns quite slowly. Tarren did a couple of runs out and back then I had a go.

It was nice to be on the water, but not really what you would call a "cracking session".

I tried a relaunch in the light wind and eventually succeeded.  Without struts, the leading edge of the kite can trap water which is then difficult to dislodge.  I was standing too, relaunching would be much harder if you were floating in the water.  In light winds it is best not drop the kite.

Tarren was impressed by having a kite in such light wind conditions.  We headed back to Melbourne to check out bayside conditions where some stronger wind was forecast.

GPS log