Kitesurfing Rescue Point self rescue!

Session 299.  We arrived at Banksia Peninsula around midday. I headed out on my Lithium 12 and the North Nugget (strapless).  I had a couple of good runs then the wind conked out.  I was heading to the shore slowly when my kite fell out of the sky, so I wound my lines in and started sailing the kite to shore.

Grant and Stu rescued James with the boat, he was floating further out with his kite also down.  They came and took my board after which I kept going eventually reaching shallow water and startling a few swans. I was wary of stingrays in the murky water though, especially after a windsurfer was stung last week at Beaumaris.

I packed the kite away and walked back to the point.   Next session will be on the Sector 60!

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Paynesville main beach on the Sector 60

Session 298. Bonus session - there wind was blowing at around 20 knots later in the afternoon so had a session at the main Paynesville beach.  Its a sketchy place to launch though as the beach is narrow and the small pier presents an obstacle and there is a no boating zone.  I got out past the pier in on tack on my Sector 60 board though using my 9m kite.

I did some nice speed runs over towards Newlands Arm, wary of running out of wind, then I got out past Raymond Island for a short tour.  The Sector 60 gives you options that other boards don't - its an upwind machine.

Fast runs took me back to the beach then we landed our kites and ran to assist Amelia who had drifted down into the channel.

The main Paynesville beach is not a good place for beginners particularly with the wind onshore but its a lovely location.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Newlands Arm in raging 30+ knots

Session 297.  First session on our long awaited four day kitesurfing long weekend, and what a cracker.  A 30+ knot south westerly was blowing at Paynesville. We launched off the headland south of Newlands Arm following the advice of a helpful local.  Rigged on grass then launched from the stony beach (watch out for oysters!). I was well powered on my 7m Crossbow out from the shore. Coming back in I dropped my kite during a turn in the lee. Luckily I relaunched it and got back to shore to sort out crossed lines.

The wind was stronger further out and was whipping up some nice waves.  It was gusting close to 40 knots. A few times I was almost overpowered with the kite fully depowered so jumping was easy!  Stuart, Tarren, James and I all had a good session here with our kites while Grant and Stu had a crack with their windsurfers.

A couple of boats came out pushing into the swell but otherwise it was very quiet.  As we packed up another kiter (local) came out from Paynesville beach and did some nice jumps.

What a way to start the trip - we hit the jackpot!

GPS log

North Nugget board for light wind, downwinders and messy surf

Session 296.  After reading several online recomendations and reviews of the North Nugget board I decided to get one.  It will fill a place between my Sector 60 and S-Quad and should be good for downwinders and light wind conditions.

The board is solid and well made - its shaped by Sky Solbach.  It comes with fins, full deckpads and footstraps. I decided to try it out strapless.  The first session was at Hampton in lighter wind.  I found it really easy to get going on and was immediately going upwind well.  The board does bounce around a bit at the nose but its not a problem.

I couldn't find one in Melbourne but was able to get one from SurfFX in Queensland.  The guy I spoke to on the phone was helpful and delivery by courier was very fast.

The board goes upwind so well you can use a size smaller kite.  Its like the Sector 60 without the bulk and weight.

It turns well on waves and is really stable for gybing.  I can now recommend it too!

GPS log

Kitesurfing downwinder training Aspendale to Frankston

Session 295.  This was a downwinder training session for the 2015 Across The Bay kitesurfing event. A northerly was blowing at Aspendale which was perfect for emulating the sketchy launch in offshore wind at Rosebud for the main event.

At Frankston and all happy!

We had a quick briefing on technique and safety.  The downwinder from Aspendale to Frankston is great because there is beach the whole way and no major obstacles.

I took my Sector 60 board in case I need to go upwind.  My Lithium 9 was flying and pulling well.  The wind was lower and gusty closer to shore, so anyone overpowered further out had the option of kiting closer to shore.

I kept an eye on everyone leaving the beach - once all kites were on the water and everyone was going downwind I did some speed runs out and back keeping an eye on progress.  The wind was much better about 300m offshore.

One kite came down and stayed down - the kiter had a twisted ankle. I headed over to render assistance and slowly tow him in. We were making slow progress but then a helpful jetski showed up and took him back to shore.

This highlighted the need for everyone to practice full self rescue technique, including winding the lines, getting to the kite and sailing it in.  Some tips are are here [Self Rescue]

One other kiter pulled out at Chelsea after inverting their kite - a hazard in the patchy wind closer to shore.  

The rest pushed on enjoying nice wind and some small bay rollers.  Its been a while since I have done a downwinder on the Sector 60 so I was practicing carving some turns and came off a few times. A surfboard is much easier to turn  and surf the waves.

There were a lot of happy faces at Frankston - some had completed their first ever downwinder, and commented how different it is from normal upwind kitesurfing.  Thirteen completed the tour.

I spoke about doing slalom turns and using downloops to keep the speed up in lighter winds, and how varying your posture is important for long distance trips to avoid cramps and reduce fatigue.  Some tips on techniques are here [Going downwind].

We stopped for some refreshments at the BP servo on Beach Road (popular with cyclists) then walked through Frankston to the railway station and then caught the train back to Aspendale, getting the usual bemused looks from locals on the streets and train.

I estimate that the effort involved in doing the full Rosebud to Port Melbourne event would be about 10 times that required for this trip taking into account the extra endurance required and fatigue.  Heaps of kitesurfing will help and maybe some gym work too.

If you are keen to enter Across The Bay next year make sure you come on the training events listed [here].

GPS log