Kitesurfing downwinder from Peggs Beach to Stanley East Inlet

Session 425.  First kitesurfing on our 2017 Tassie trip cured my cabin fever.

Tasmania kitesurfing trip Day 2.

The wind forecast dropped out on the East Coast - a large stationary high pressure system over the Tasman was playing havoc with the wind.  So we drove 4.5 hours to Stanley and scored some wind.  .

Stu and I rigged up and did a nice downwinder from Peggs Beach to the East Inlet at Stanley.  The rest of the crew drove on to the East Inlet.

The water was clear and the scenery stunning.  The waves were not huge but provided some variety.  I had enough power on my 10m kite to enjoy the trip.

We went past the inlet then back in it to join the others.  This was a nice 13km run, a worthwhile tour.

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GPS Log

Coles Bay SUP and kayak tour

Tasmania kitesurfing trip Day 1.

There wasn't any wind for kitesurfing on Friday afternoon so we headed to Coles Bay and hired SUPs and a double kayak from Freycinet Adventures to do a short tour around Honeymoon Bay in Freycinet National Park.  

The water is clear and the granite peaks on the Freycinet Peninsula provide a dramatic back drop.  There was some wind as we paddled across, some on a SUP for the first time. 

The wind dropped for our return journey and a thunderstorm brewed up to the South.

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Kitesurfing Sandy Point surf is a sublime experience

Session 424. Sandy Point delivers again - what a fantastic location for kitesurfing!  I got to the beach around 4 p.m. with the wind building.  There were a couple of other kiters out and 3 windsurfers were enjoying the waves too.

With my 10m kite being repaired, I was lucky that the wind was good for my 8m. I had plenty of power to get out and and around and not too much for surfing in.

The Sandy Point surf is excellent for kitesurfing - the waves don't close out so its easy to get out the back.  You can score some nice rides coming back in.   There is heaps of beach and its not crowded.

If you haven't been there its well worth a visit.

GPS log

Kitesurfing Port Melbourne, Webb Dock, St Kilda tour

Session 423. A later afternoon session at Port Melbourne in a sea breeze. Tarren was leaving as I got there.  Plenty of wind for the 10m Union so I headed out for a tour.  I tacked out past Station Pier then across towards Webb dock then close to the channel.  No big ships about and good wind but its a dicey location, dropping a kite here would not be fun! 

I tacked back and headed to St Kilda, enjoying solitude on the bay.  There were surprisingly few kites out there.  I headed back surfing the bay swells and doing some jumps.

Self landing near the Port Melbourne Yacht club was tricky, the kite drifted then turned the other way. When packing up I noticed the leading edge had a 2cm cut and the bladder was visible, very lucky it didn't burst.  This needs a pro repair due to the tension in the leading edge.

A great session, touring is fun!

 

GPS Log

Kitesurfing Hampton in a light sea breeze, nice to have a big kite

Session 422. A light sea breeze in the afternoon at Hampton so I took out my Oceon Rodeo Flite 14.5, a kite I really like.  The first run out and back was OK but close to marginal wind.  I waited for a while then the wind picked up and headed out again for a better session in good wind.

The large kite is very handy in these conditions, combined with the North Nugget board its a winner.

Kitesurfing a very gusty northerly at Seaford

Session 421. A solid northerly came in around noon.  I arrrived at Seaford at 3:00 p.m. with the wind blowing over 20 knots so I headed out on my Union 8.  I was well powered but able to catch some nice bay surf.  First session with shorty wetsuit and no booties - nice!  

The wind strength was building so I came in and changed to the lower knots to get some more wind range.  It was a good think I did as the wind kept getting stronger, which of course meant the waves were getting bigger.  

I spotted Stu Styles on the beach with his kite downwind and went down to have a look, he was getting ready to walk back.  

I found at after the session that he was struggling with the strong wind and had the kite high when it was yanked in a strong gust and the entire harness was dragged over his head and off him.  Its the first time I have ever heard of that happening.  

The kite sailed into the beach with the harness providing some tension in the lines. Luckily a beach goer secured the kite when it arrived.

I tacked back to our start point but as I arrived the wind got stronger again. I wasn't keen to risk trying to land the kite close to the fence so I deployed the safety and dropped it in the water then retrieved it by following the line in.

Wow, I need a smaller kite.  I wanted to get a 6m kite last year but they sold out, so I think I will grab one early this season.

Really nice to be on the water.  I took it easy in the strong wind and was glad I did.

  

GPS