Kitesurfing Low Isles and a tour of the mangroves on SUPs #552, 553

 Sessions 552 & 553. We headed to Low Isles after breakfast in Port Douglas. First up Vanessa took us for a SUP session into the mangroves on Woody Island. We spotted cuttlefish, some rays, a small shark, fish and some turtles on the way back to the RIB.

Brett had pumped up some wings so we had a go and wing boarding on the SUPs. I was able to stand but couldn't get up wind.  Its a different feel to kitesurfing.

The wind was light. Brett tested it out with his 17m kite, I had a go with my 12m Union and was only able to hold ground so I came in for an early lunch after a short session.

The second session was better with some stronger wind. So glad I have the 12m kite!

The lagoon was getting shallow. There is deeper water in the channel between the two islands.

Last activity for the day was snorkelling on the reef. There were lots of very colourful fish, coral. some big fish, a 1.5m Black Tip Reef Shark and some huge giant clams.

It was great to finally get a kite in at Low Isles after 2 previous attempts. Its not a good spot for beginners though.

FNQ kitesurfing - 4 Mile Beach session #551

Session 551. Back in Far North Queensland at last!  Good flight up with Virgin to Cairns then a coach to Port Douglas. Met up with Rob, James and Brett for lunch at a cafe then had a some nice kitesurfing along 4 mile beach in good wind and some surf.

My new Airush Union 12m kites was great - easy to go up wind and plenty of power in less dense tropical wind/

A great session was had by all on the first day of our kitesurfing adventure trip with Brett and Vanessa from Windswell. 

There was good wind forecast for our next days off Low Isles, Undine Cay and the Daintree coast.

Flying into Cairns

Kitesurfing Rosebud in 30+ knots and good bay surf #550

Session 550.  Strong wind at Rosebud - 30 knots gusting up to 40 - made for epic kitesurfing in a decent bay surf.  I was well powered on my Airush Wave 6m kite.  Assistance launching and landing was mandatory. 

Riding the waves to the West along the outer sandbank was nice, then looping back in flatter water close to shore.

We got some welcome Winter sun but it wasn't warm. My hands got quite cold - I will wear gloves next time.

Chilly, but great fun!

Seaford kitesurfing - a slow cold start then better wind and some sun

Session 549. Stuart got out ahead of me then the wind dropped. I couldn't get going on my Ultra 12m kite so I waited on the shore. James decided conditions were too marginal so he headed home. 

Stuart dropped his kite and drifted in to the shore about 500m down the beach. I was thinking about going back to the car and driving down to get him, then the wind sprang up. Stuart got going again and I was well powered on the 12. 

The sun came out so things were good!  It turned out to be a good session.

I find it difficult to go upwind with the Ultra 12m kite though even when I have plenty of power.

Maybe I am just so used to smaller kites (10m & 8m) with a slimmer leading edge.  

Ripping kitesurfing session in the surf at Sandy Point

Session 548. Strong wind and a huge surf - Sandy Point once again confirmed as one of the best kitesurfing locations in Victoria.

The waves were so big I didn't make it out the back.  It was difficult to get a good shoulder in the middle of the waves but perseverance paid off.

Video to follow.

Kitesurfing at Seaford in Winter sun

Session 547. A good northerly at Seaford made for some good kitesurfing. Mike and I got on the water just after 11am. 

The wind was around 20 knots so I used my Union 8m kite. It's been a while since I kited so I took it easy.

There was small but enjoyable bay surf in the Winter sun. Nice to crank out some turns.

The wind dropped for a bit then came back in with gusto.

James, Stu S and Stu W rolled up and joined us on the water.

I was glad I was wearing booties to keep my feet warm.

We had a good coffee at the Beach Cafe Seaford near the pier.

Apollo Bay Fliteboard session #6

Session 6. Launched off the beach next to the harbour breakwater pier. There were some good swells rolling through. Up on the foil going into the wind (northerly) then touching down when going down wind.

There was some surface chop that made planing a bit tricky.

Getting the hang of this.

Great session, but a bit chilly.

Riding some swell on the Fliteboard at Walkerville South - Session 5

Session 5. I took the Fliteboard out after catching some nice waves on my SUP at Walkerville South. 

The beach is good to launch from. There is a good sandy bottom.

There was a decent swell rolling in which added excitement. 

I kept well away for the surfers and got the feel for riding the swell, it adds a new dynamic to the experience.

I was able to stay up on the foil for 20+ seconds and crank out some turns. It was fun!

Fliteboard at Walkerville carving turns - session 4

Session 4. Making progress. I stayed up on the foil and carving some nice turns off Walkerville North. 

Getting out past the reef and back in again is a bit tricky.

I bought a Fliteboard, here is why

I have been keen to get into using a foil board for kitesurfing for some time. However, good conditions  and locations for learning are hard to find. The best combination is around 15 knots and flat water with some protection from swell (e.g. a breakwater). I find it is too easy to go kitesurfing instead.

I have thought about buying a Fliteboard to get more experience using a foil and for those days when there is no wind.  While there are obviously differences between electric and wind power, I am hoping more experience controlling a foil board will help.

I looked into products and decided that Fliteboard, locally designed and made in Australia, is the market leader for good reason. They are excellent quality and well designed, but they are expensive. I decided to wait and see how electric foil boards developed.

These two things changed my mind.

1. COVID-19 pandemic

Two years of restrictions of lockdowns and restrictions have given me incentive to take on new challenges and get out there as often as I can

2. Fliteboard 2.0 second generation and waves.

Fliteboard 2.0 innovations include a Trueglide prop (like a free wheel bike cluster) that reduces drag. With the prop guard also removed, drag is reduced to make it possible to foil onto a wave under power, then ride the wave on the foil with the power off.

I really like kitesurfing in big waves. This gives me the possibility of  extending flat water e-foiling into waves.

3. Fliteboard demo ride

I did a demo ride a Fliteboard at St Kilda and was able to stand and foil on the standard Fliteboard. Its like a magic carpet ride!

So I decided to get a Fliteboard.

Specifications

• Fliteboard Pro Board - 67 litre board will harder to learn on but better once up and going.
• 75cm mast - to cope with swell
• Flitecell Explore battery - better endurance, more time on the water
• Front Wing: Cruiser 1100, Flite 290 stabiliser - for learning and general use
• Flow S 1300 wing + Flow 245 stabiliser - better turning foil for wave riding
• Trueglide prop + prop duct removal kit - for "Pro Mode" wave riding

Fliteboard Aspendale - session 3, standing up, carving and going fast

I stood up early in the session while planing. One leg forward, then step up to stance like the yoga "warrior 2"pose.  

Once up I felt stable and was able to keep planing with out trouble. I was then able to easy back slightly and get up on the foil using gear #7.  

Touching down from the foil was good, I had no big stacks. I was able to stay on the foil for around 6 to l8 seconds each time. Its fast! 

No footage today due to a camera malfunction.

Fliteboard at Aspendale kneeling and foiling! Session 2

I got planing and on my knees quite quickly and felt very stable. I tried standing up once and fell off so I decided to focus on getting some speed up while kneeling. This went well, I was able to get on a fast plane then some short sections on the foil then touching down. 

Letting go of the trigger brought me to a rapid stop - its better to adjust "gears" to regulate speed.

#5: I can get planing prone and on my knees

#6: Faster planing and short sections on the foil

#7. Faster again and longer sections on the foil.

Turning was fun. I made good progress during this session.  Standing up is next.

Sandy Point kitesurfing in good wind and small surf #543

Session 543. Nice session at Sandy Point, I was the only kite out.  The wind was solid and the small waves were nice.

Kitesurfing Walkerville South in gusty strong easterly #542

Session 542. A good south easterly was coming into Walkerville South. A kitesurfing was out, and another (Owen) was launching too.  I launched off the beach with my 8m kite but the wind wasn't strong enough close to the shore.  I ended up across the beach and decided to put up my 10m kite.

I got out on the 10m kite OK, but was a bit overpowered further out where the wind was much stronger.

Scored a few small waves along the reef.  Kiting further out was difficult due to the stronger wind two way swell - ocean swell wrapping around from the south and south east wind swell. 

The beach is good for launching when the wind gets in as long as its not too crowded.

Fliteboard at Aspendale - session 1

First session on my new Fliteboard Pro. 8 knots wind, there was a bit too much chop, its better to have flat water to make starting easier when learning.

I have the smaller Pro model board (67 litres) which is harder to learn on than the regular board (100 litres).  Once you are up and going the smaller board is better though.

I got going in prone position, then up on the foil which was very fast!

Kneeling was less scary and I had good control.

I lost Bluetooth control when the board nose dipped under the water, everything stops.

I had to get weight well forward on the board when prone to get planing.

The board stopped when I bailing off it.

First impressions - a bit tricky to get on the plane on the smaller board, then a lot of speed when on the foil.

Kitesurfing Flinders West Head reef #541

Session 541. Kited the reef brake at Flinders West Head, enjoying some good waves. Stu S's kite detached when he dropped it and his safety broke (check your lines!). He wound in his bar and tried to sail it in, but lost it. I got the kite and dragged it in while Stu W took my board in.

It was hard work as the kite was partly powered. When winding in for a self rescue make sure you wrap the front lines for 3 meters first before you included the rear lines in the wrap.

I crashed my kite while dragging the other one and lost my GoPro, so there is no video footage.

I returned later and snorkelled around but couldn't find it.  There is a lot of weed on the bottom.  

Its a great location to kite but not too good if have to self rescue.

Kitesurfing Hampton out to the channel #540

Nice steady wind so I did a downwind tour at to the shipping channel, enjoying solitude out on the bay. 

Returned to the Sandringham breakwater and the surfed the rolling swell back to the beach.

Kitesurfing downwinder armada Ricketts to Hampton #539

Fantastic downwinder in a solid sea breeze today with a veritable armada of buddies.  We left my car at Hampton then I got a lift to Ricketts Point. 

I did a few tacks waiting for everyone to get on the water then headed off riding the swell and some reef breaks close to the shore.

Going past the HMS Cerberus wreck is always interesting but its sad to see it collapsing into the water.

I almost contacted some reefy rocks lurking in the shore break on a beach.  Past the Hampton Marina and then some nice speed runs behind the breakwater.  Lots of Wing Foils out there now. 

I got to the beach very happy with the tour. My wrist and right arm is getting stronger and were fine for the journey. 

This is probably the best short downwinder in Port Phillip Bay with great scenery, some nice reefs and excellent beaches.

Kitesurfing Flinders to Point Leo and return #538

 Another excellent session and tour from Flinders.  We headed out to the reef break first and rode some waves in variable swell then headed on a long tour coming in at Zappas then the Pines to surf the reef brakes there. 

We continued on to the Point Leo main beach and scored some flat water behind the main reef

I made it back on a single tack - the wind direction and strength was perfect.

I came in ahead of the others to avoid stressing my right arm too much. I am getting some numbness in the fingers and hand at times, including while typing!  

So good to do a tour again.

We are eyeing off a kitesurfing trip across the channel to Phillip Island but its a serious undertaking - boat support would be a good idea.

Kitesurfing Hampton in a seabreeze, back on the water at last #535

Session 535. A long time since my last session, recovering from broken metacarpal in my right wrist (from a bike crash in a local park). Nice sea breeze at Hampton but not very strong. Warm weather. Great to be back on the water again.