Hampton to Port Melbourne downwinder kitesurfing bonus tour

Session 414.  Another good downwinder.  We left a car in Port Melbourne then drove up to Hampton and launched in a solid 25 knots.  I took my 8m kite and hoped the wind would stay strong all the way to Port Melbourne.

Green Point

After a few tacks four of us headed off past Green Point were we surfed some waves before continuing.  There was a good swell and the wind was good so I was making good time.  I was a bit leery of losing wind so I cranked up the speed and did some fast runs, slowing down occasionally to surf some of the bigger swells.  The others were following in the distance.

The wind softened off Elwood as it often does there, so I set a tack for the Spirit of Tasmania and concentrated on keeping my speed up.  I made it easily, passing the last pier with room to spare.  Elapsed time was about 48 minutes.

Its always a great feeling completing a downwinder.  I waited for the others who came in about 20 minutes later, all very happy with the run.

GPS Log

Nice kitesurfing with some big yachts about at Brighton, watching out for fronts

Session 413. A nice northerly at Hampton today. Very consistent and not gusty.  Did an upwind tour past Brighton Marina up as far as Elwood, passing a few large yachts racing along the way.  My speed was good and going upwind easy.  A couple of smaller yachts capsized near me but were able to get going again without assistance.

I passed a couple of guys on SUPs who were having some trouble with their balance and were on their knees padding.  I kept an eye on them but they eventually made it around the Brighton Marina breakwater and were able to get to shore.

Speed runs downwind, surfing a few bay rollers and some biggish jumps added variety to this session.

The wind was very consistent for a northerly when I was out from 10:30 to 11: 30 but look at the  gusts the came through with the south westerly change later in the day!

I drove down to Dromana to bike up a folding bike I bought from Ben Goodall, who makes really cool Human Powered Vehicles - bikes with fairing enclosures.

I had a look at Rosebud. There were kiters out on the fairly flat water with the tide in and a few small waves further out, but the south westerly wind change was imminent so I didn't go out.

When it did come through there were some bike spikes gusting up to 35 knots which would not have been pleasant with a bigger kite.

Strong winds forecast for tomorrow - 30 knots or more.  Could be good!

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Hampton, some wind at last!

Session 412.  After a long period with almost no wind, some wind at last!  Hampton was great once again.  I first did a short tour to have a look around and enjoy the scenery.  I went to Green Point first and peered down to Brighton, then I got a nice tack past the Sandringham Yacht Club up to Black Rock.

I like cruising, getting the kite set nicely, then enjoying the scenery and the solitude.  Some speed runs back add variety too.

After a short rest the wind picked up again so I went out again for a few nice runs up to the SYC breakwater.

GPS logs

Kitesurfing downwinder Chelsea to Frankston

Session 411.  We arrived at Frankston at 7am but there was no wind - the northerly was not coming in there.  Stopped for a coffee and chat at Cafe Moto, then I had a look at Paterson River.  The wind was picking up.  I drove to Aspendale and could see wind action on the waves but it was a bit offshore so I drove down the Chelsea where the wind was cross-shore.  It was good so I rigged up and set off.

No other kites were out but there were some windsurfers.  I took my waterproof backpack hoping to do a downwinder.  I did a long run out then back to check out the wind.  There was a lot of wind further out and less close to shore.

I alternated between surfing the swell with my kite lightly powered with speed runs and big jumps.  Its really nice trying out different techniques and mixing up the styles.

I saw some kites on the beach next to Seaford pier and went in for a look. The wind was light so a I tacked out again then surfed the swell into Frankston with some download turns as the wind strength dropped.

Every downwinder is a good one!  I packed my gear away then walked to the Frankston train station through the central area.  A quick train ride took me back to Chelsea.

Here is the movie!

GPS log

Kitesurfing at Hampton, some good wind at last

Session 408. Some welcome wind made for a good session at Hampton. There was a good bay swell and some nice rollers to ride in.  I did some longer tacks out and some nice jumps to get upwind then surfed the big swell back to the beach.

There was about 8 kiters out so it wasn't crowded.  Paul and Greg appeared on their foil boards coming back from a tour up towards Black Rock.  Its easy and apparently effortless to cover huge distances on them.

I was a bit rusty after a couple of weeks of the water but my gybes are now almost effortless. I can switch my feet together now without the one-two motion.  Just thinking about a Duck Tack still does my head in though.  

Its getting colder so it was my first session in a full length wetsuit for a while.  Daylight saving ends tonight so some Dawn Patrol sessions could be coming and possible even a Kite to Work!

Its a lean time of year for wind as the sea breezes are dropping out.

GPS log