Kitesurfing backrolls in Hampton sea breeze

Session 361. I headed down to Hampton to catch the late sea breeze.  Heavy traffic now so it took a while to get there.  I considering using the foil board but there wasn't much time, so I used my Lithium 12 and trusty Nugget.

I resolved to work on my erratic back rolls. Given I often loop the kite I concentrated on keeping my hands together.  This worked.  I completed a roll in good control, but the kite ended up flying the other way, so I am still pulling on the back hand a bit.

I did about 6 on the left tack, landing one back roll kiteloop which feels really good when it works.  On the right tack I couldn't even get one to work.  About 4 other kiters were out and one windsurfer.  The breeze dropped right off when I finished.

Next time I will try some back rolls with my front hand pulling down and also try an agressive back roll kiteloop with the rear hand pulling down.

A nice way to finish the week.

GPS Log

Kitesurfing downwinder Aspendale to Mentone with some nice waves

Session 360.  Another great downwinder!  Aspendale to Mentone is a really good run with some great bay waves along the way.  Grant even did it on his windsurfer! Stu and Job were well ahead by the time I started so I kept catching waves following the beach along.

It was a warm day and the 15 knot wind was not deterring swimmers - there were a lot out most of the way along.  I did some nice jumps for variety using waves as kickers.

I had a go at kiting back and got up close to the pier when the wind dropped so I headed back to Mentone direct.  This downwind run was quite different as I had to keep my board speed and kite speed up to generate maximum power.

I caught the others just before they drove off then waited for Grant to take me back to my car.

Great fun was had by all, in my case for 21 km!  So good!

GPS Log

Fast runs kitesurfing gusty south easterly at Mentone

Session 359. Scored a strong late afternoon south easterly at Mentone with Stu Styles. The wind was very punchy about 200m out.  Some jumps were quite high.  One attempted back roll went pear shaped with a big stack.

The runs back in were really fast.  I almost beat my PB speed, clocking a maximum of 48.5 km/h.  There were a few other kites and some windsurfers out too.

My newly repaired Lithium 9 performed very well (thanks Ivan) and was ideal for the conditions.

Close to shore the wind dropped out a bit but I got yanked by some gusts downwind a couple of times.  Good fun, but some concentration was required to handle the gusts.

 

GPS log

Early evening kitesurfing in strong winds at Hampton

Session 358. The strong winds forecast came in during the afternoon. I got to Hampton late after attending to a chore.  About four kites were out and the wind was around 25 knots with a good swell.  I pumped up my Crossbow 7 (my Lithium 9 is not repaired yet) and headed out.

Plenty of power and some nice waves.  The bigger ones were breaking out past the end of the groynes at a reef. I was able to time it so I could a few there which was really nice.  

A few jumps then just riding as many waves as I could.  There were a couple of surfers close to the groynes too.  

25 knots or more generates some reasonable waves in the bay.  The wind dropped a little so I came in.  The sunset was dramatic with ships out in the bay including the Spirit of Tasmania heading out.

Shorebreak!

Nice swell

  

 
GPS Log

Northerly at Frankston with Airush Union kite

Session 357.  A northerly was blowing most of the day. I called by The Zu Boardsports to pick up their Airush Union 10m demo kite, then checked at Brighton at about 2 p.m.  Three kites and five windsurfers were out.

Stu S and I then headed down to Frankston for some cleaner less fickle wind.  I unpacked the Union and was immediately stumped by the huge oversize single valve. It seemed I was missing a fitting for the air hose from the pump until I realised the large fitting on the hose pushes into the valve for a snug fit.  There is now only one valve instead of the two older inflate and deflate valves.

The kite inflates very quickly and deflates extremely quickly. The single oversize valve is definitely an improvement.

The Union 10m was stable and very responsive. It goes upwind very well and its easy to park and ride it on waves.   Airush say the designed the Union as an all new kite for 2016

"to unite the key freestyle characteristics of the razor, with the key characteristics of our industry leading wave kite and the freeride abilities of the lithium."

I think they have achieved this very well.

Wind speed for this session ranged from 15 to about 23 knots.

What  I liked:

• Great turning, very responsive (on high bar pressure wing attachment points)
• Very good depower (better than the Lithium)
• Good boosting and landings (need to "fly it" more than the Lithium)
• Great down the line drifting on waves
• The inflate/deflate valve is huge and very effective to use. 
• Smooth power on downloops and kiteloops - no big yanks 
• The narrow leading edge and wing design provides great upwind ability
• The Dyneema Load Frame looks good and may improve durability of the kite

Other observations:

• The Union seems to have a bit less low end power than the equivalent size Lithium
• The middle strut has limited free area for attaching a kitecam mount
• The bridle is big and the rear attachment lines are long (not a big issue)

I swapped kites with Stu so he could try it out.  It has been a while since I used a Switchblade 10m (2009 model) and was surprised by its power and the sluggish turns.  I crashed and tangled it on a turn and floated in.  

Stu like the Union a lot. So did I.

Kitesurfing strong easterly at Mentone, over powered at times

Session 356.   A strong easterly came in mid afternoon, we headed to Mentone.  With my Lithium 9 out of action it was a toss up between my Lithium 12 or Crossbow 7. The wind was lighter on the beach so I took out the 12 and was overpowered most of the time.

It was very easy to get big air and good speed. The wind swung around to full east so there was a lull close to shore.  Heaps of wind further out. I was rigged on the bottom knots and fully de-powered but still on the limit at times.  I was missing my 9m kite which needs a repair and new bladder.

Some windsurfers were having a great time.  I raced them a couple of times but the swell was not conducive to full speed for me.

Tarren, and the two Stus had a good time too.

Fast turns

Good speed

Racing polies

Big jump

GPS Log

First kitesurfing foil board session - its as hard as they say

Session 355. Foil session 1. I got down the Hampton at around 4:30 and helped Tony with a refresher on kite rigging and flying - he went well.

I was very keen to have ago on my foil board (Cabrinha Double Agent) so today was the day.  There was about 18 knots at Hampton and some swell so conditions were not ideal for learning but I decided to give it ago.

Carrying the foil sideways was not too difficult.  However, once in the water its a beast.  The foil protudes a long way under the board and has a mind of its own.  I walked out as far as I could and attempted to body drag out further, to no avail.  I tried keeping the board sideways with my foot in the front straps and dragging out, that didn't work well either. 

The foil acts as a massive lever under the board. When it catches it spins the board around.  It was like being a rank beginner again, unable to get off the beach!  Those that say learning to use a foil board is hard are correct.

Further along the beach the board was a real handful in the breaking waves.  I dropped the kite a couple of times while wrestling/juggling the board.  The second time I decided to come in.  There was a bang then a limp kite.  I think it was folded by a wave and the leading edge tore then the bladder burst.  Not good.

I packed up with my tail between my legs and pondered the next foil board session with Eric and Anthony.

Its hard to learn but another kiter was out on a foil board and going well.  As he said, you don't believe its possible until you see someone doing it.

Next session I think I will go for:

• Less wind and a bigger kite (flatter water, much smaller waves)
• A location where there are no reefs and groynes to worry about
• Taking off the four board - they are not necessary and not good to contact with feet or hands while handling the board

See also: Kitesurfing a foil board - Kitesurfing Handbook