Coles Bay Freycinet to Hazards Beach Fliteboard tour FB#39

Fliteboard session #39. A scenic drive brought us to Coles Bay next to Freycinet National Park. We setup on the boat ramp and launched for our second tour - out to Hazards Beach and back.

The water was clear and smooth with a backdrop of the The Hazards mountains.

Hazards Beach was a nice place to stop for a rest and to take in the scenery. The famous Wineglass Bay is on the opposite side of the small penninsula.

The water was so clear its hard to judge the depth.  Michael hit a reef and put a dent on the underside of his fuselage but he was still able to ride.

The run back to Coles Bay was great.  

Finished with 22% of the Explore battery remaining. 

The Gardens to Binalong Bay Fliteboarding tour FB#36, 37, 38

Fliteboard session #36. Our first tour on the Fliteboards, We left from The Gardens boat ramp and headed south towards Binalong Bay after a few circuits close to Koala Rock. 

The wind picked up to create a tricky sea state with swells rolling through and some surface chop.  It was difficult to get going on the board at times.

We headed to Sloop Rock and regrouped there before proceeding past Jeanneret Beach to Binalong Bay where there was some shelter from the wind.  The tour went well, I enjoyed the run and was feeling comfortable with the conditions.

Fliteboard Session 37. At Binalong Bay we swapped batteries for a second session in the crystal clear water and small surf.

Fliteboard session #38. We finished the day with an evening Fliteboard session at Binalong Bay enjoying the sunset before great pizzas for dinner at The Hub - Seaside.  

The Bay of Fires region is beautiful and the small waves were fun.

Fliteboarding The Bay of Fires - The Gardens and Binalong Bay FB#35

Fliteboard session 35. First session of our Tasmanian East coast Fliteboard tour organised by Robert Bell.

Mark from Tailored Trails drove us from Launceston to launch at Honeymoon beach where we enjoyed clear blue water, nice waves, brilliant white sand and some reefs.

A great way for our group of 10 Fliteboard riders to start our trip!

Hampton kitesurfing in a good sea breeze #591

 Session 591.  A nice strong sea breeze at last!  I rigged my Union 9m to the bottom knots.

There were quite a few people on the beach. Kiters were congregating in the middle.

I launched Anthony then got a launch.  Plenty of power but not too much.  

The bay waves were nice.

I kited between the groynes then tacked up to the marina where the wing foilers hang out. A couple were out in the strong wind enjoying the swell.

I returned to the kitebeach downwind surfing swells, then finished with some tacks in the bay surf.

Walkerville Fliteboard tour to near Cooks Creek #33

Fliteboard session #33.  A longer run to prepare for the upcoming Fliteboard tour of the East Coast of Tasmania. I headed north following the reef past the camping ground and came in through surf at a beach just before Cooks Creek.

There was some wind from the South. Heading downwind riding the swells was not difficult.

I got into the beach without much trouble and had a short rest.

Getting back out through the surf was more challenging with the board getting tossed around by the waves. I got out between sets.  

The next challenge was standing up!  Pushing out over the week and some surface chop made it difficult to stand up and get on the foil.

I rode the board on my knees for a while until I could stand up in calmer water. 

I saw a seal lolling in the water when I passed back by the campground.

I did a couple of loops up to bird rock and rode the swell back.

It was a nice change to do a tour.

40% of the Explore battery remaining after 1h 10m and 14 km

Walkerville South Fliteboard slalom turns #32

Fliteboard session #32.  Another nice session in Walkerville South cranking turns with the nice light Nano battery.  Its  like swapping a Commodore (Explore battery) for a sports car (Nano).

50% remaining after 18 minutes and 6.2km

Walkerville Fliteboard with Nano battery #31

Fliteboard session #31.  A sweet session in the sheltered waters for Walkerville South enjoying the Nano battery.  

Much lighter, easier to get the board off the water and much easier to turn the board.

28% left in the battery after 31 minutes.

Rosebud kitesurfing struggling for wind #590

Light wind when we started kitesurfing. I couldn't stay upwind on my Union 12 and walked back along the beach three times until good wind finally arrived.

Surfing the small bay waves was fun. It wasn't too crowded.

A nice way to spend Boxing Day.

Hampton kitesurfing in strong cool wind #589

Session 589. Launched at 2pm on my Union 9m kite.  The wind was around 15-20 knots with some decent bay waves. There was a short lull so I landed my kite until it picked up again.

I did a few tacks onto waves then a short tour up towards the lifesaving club where a windsurfer and a couple of wing foilers were having a good time.

I then went down to Green Point and surfed the waves there. The wind picked up. I was able to get back to Hampton with the kite depowered after two tacks.

The wind was then gusting to 30-35 knots so I came in and Mike landed my kite.

A really good session overall.

Kitesurfing Hampton, a good sea breeze at last #588

 Session 588. A nice sea breeze at last.  First session in spring suit too.

I started in about 22 knots, it dropped to 18 knots for a while then came in hard at 25+ knots.

One guy nearly ended up on Beach Road hanging onto his bar with outstretched arms after his chicken loop detached. Eventually he let go and his kite crashed into shrubs and Anthony secured it.

 

 

Aspendale fliteboard with Nano battery in choppy water #30

 Fliteboard session #30.  Used my new Nano battery.  The wind sprang up late in the afternoon creating small choppy bay waves.  It was difficult to get planing and on the foil.  I spent most of the time on my knees.  

The Nano battery makes the board much more sensitive - I got bounced off a few times hitting swells.

I need to practice more for our upcoming "Flite tour" down the east coast of Tasmania.