Some good jumps at Hampton among jellyfish

Session 64, Sunday 29 November 2009

Kite: Switchblade 10m
Location: Hampton
Wind: 25 to 30 knots S
Duration: 2 hours 4:00 to 6:00

Got down to Hampton at about 3:45 and a good wind was blowing at last. There has been a lean spell of good wind over the last fortnight or so.

There were about a dozen kites out and quite a few pole dancers (windsurfers). The vibe was good and everyone was having a good time.

I kited upwind to the marina breakwater in a moderate swell and did some fast runs on the flat water inside, but the Southerly wind dropped out a bit behind the marina, so this was not a great place to be.

I then did some very fast runs back to shore. No GPS but they were definitely quick. I did a few jumps on the left tack and found it quite easy to get some air.

About halfway through this session I dunked the kite attempting a kite down turn and it inverted. I could relaunch it but it flew with a wrap on the leading edge, not generating much power. After a period of dragging back to shore I tried some kiteloops which got me up an going. After putting the kite on the water I successfully sorted out the inversion by pulling in the front lines and got up and going again, with one outer line twisted over a rear line. I returned to shore to sort this out.

I tried carving among the waves both out an in, arcing the board to accommodate peaks and troughs, which worked well.

I was not feeling to confident toe down riding - this needs more practice. No backrolls yet either. But I did get some big air and landed fairly well. Only one thud when the kite flew back too far.

There were plenty of jellyfish about but they were mostly well under the surface. I didn't get stung by any.

I finished the session with some kiting in the 0.3m swell that was breaking onto the shore. All in all a really enjoyable session.

Return to St Kilda for some flat water fun

Session 63, Monday 16 November 2009

Kite: Switchblade 10m

Location: St Kilda

Wind: 25 to 30 knots S

Duration: 1 hour 5:10 to 6:00

The forecast was for a strong southerly all day, and blow it did. I packed my kiting gear in the car and parked near Burnley railway station so I could duck out after work. I got to the beach with the wind blowing at around 25 knots so it was an easy decision to take out the 10m kite.

This was my first return to St Kilda after my earliest learning periods, during which I never really got to kite their properly.

After negotiating some learners close to shore I got out into the largish swell and headed out about 800m. Nice scenery looking back at the shore. After a couple of tacks I was at the breakwater, with a few large jellyfish about. I was able to kite into the flat water behind the rock wall with the wind still pumping over it to power my kite.

Then I scooted just downwind of the permanent moorings, passing a couple of yachts on swing moorings, to the flat water close to shore. There were about 8 other kiters in this fairly confined space but they all knew what they were doing. Even so, it pays to watch your kite closely and make sure you dip your kite down when you pass downwind of another kiter; who should fly their kite high.

There was a small surf where the swell gets under the pier so there is a mix of flat water and some rolling waves. They are big enough to snag your board if you don't watch out. I did a few jumps, but was mainly focussed on keeping the kite flying and not wiping out. It really is a blast coming into shore then fanging back out.

I did a run downwind past the learners, then repeated the circuit out to the breakwater and back in, which is a fun loop. My board snagged a wave and I tumbled off it. Body dragging upwind was not too effective (kite too low?). When I got close to the board I threw the bar than swam a few strokes to get it.

Relaunching the kite I discovered that one side of my spreader bar had released from the harness so the depower lines were pulling me sideways. It was tricky to reconnect the bar while hanging on to the board and contending with the small surf. Eventually I got it sorted and did a few runs then headed back to the beach. The Switchblade 10m kite doesn't seem to want to flatten onto the water and is a dream to relaunch.

Tip: make sure your harness is done up well and the spreader bar is tight - reef in the webbing to do this. It will loosen up a bit when it gets wet too.

The wind strength increased to a powerful 28 to 30 knots, enough to make me consider depowering the kite. I landed and returned to the car, with the wind whipping sand off the beach. After getting changed hastily I proceeded to a Bush Search and Rescue committee meeting and dinner in Williamstown.

I had been considering kiting across to Williamstown, but was glad I didn't. The swell was even bigger when the wind strength increased and it would be a long tack over big waves to get over there. The landing sites along the Williamstown foreshore are very limited so I was considering heading for one of the beaches on the southern side of the promontory.

This trip is on the list of things to do - but with a buddy, a phone and a PLB.

Overall a good session - quite challenging but very rewarding.

Afternoon session at Inverloch in 35+ knots

Session 62, Tuesday 3 November 2009

Kite: Crossbow 7m

Location: Inverloch, Inlet.

Wind: 35+ knots W

Duration: 1 hours 1:30 to 2:30

Returning to the inlet, the wind was stronger than when we had left. White capped waver were prominent and the wind right on the launch site was gusting up to 42km/h. Stuart and Tarren helped me launch the Crossbow 7m kite for another trial run.

I depowered the kite a little as there was too much power at times. The kite flew very fast in the strong wind which was still very gusty. Crossign to a sandbar I was tempted to go right across, but the waves on the sandbar were very choppy and there was only one windsurfer about and no kites.

I did several runs back to the beach and managed a few reasonable jumps. I also attempted a few transition turns, finishing the jumps and entering into the turn. It was not a day to be too adventurous however, as a crash would mean a wrecked kite, a long swim, or both.

Just after Stuart caught my kite, the wind appeared to increase by another 5 knots, so I was happy to stop. This left one keen windsurfer on the water who was also struggling with the conditions.

Overall, a really good session for honing skills for coping with extreme conditions and having a bit of fun. However, it was difficult to get much speed due to the chop in the water.

Here is the wind observations at Wilson Promontory around the time of this sesion, which would be more exposed than Inverloch.

Date Time	Temp	Direction	Wind speed (knots)	Gust (knots)	Pressure
03/04:30pm	14.5	W	30	51	1007.4	-
03/04:15pm	14.8	W	28	50	1007.4	-
03/04:00pm	14.7	W	40	58	1006.9	-
03/03:30pm	15.1	W	43	61	1005.3	-
03/03:00pm	14.9	W	47	65	1004.7	-
03/02:30pm	15.7	W	47	66	1004.1	-
03/02:00pm	16.2	W	46	67	1003.9	-
03/01:30pm	16.0	W	44	59	1003.3	-
03/01:00pm	15.6	W	44	63	1002.9	-
03/12:51pm	15.7	W	46	63	1002.5	-

A roaring westerly at Inverloch

Session 61, Tuesday 3 November 2009

Kite: Crossbow 7m
Location: Inverloch, Pensioners Point.
Wind: 30+ knots W
Duration: 1 hours 9:00 to 10:00

The forecast was for good wind today, and it was blowing in the morning. Stuart, Tarren and I went down to Pensioners Point in Anderson Inlet and checked out the surf beach too. We decided to give Pensioners a try as there were more options there.

Rigging up, the wind was coming from the west (off the land) and swirling about dramatically. It was also gusting up to over 30 knots at times.

I decided to give the Crossbow 7m a go due to the high wind speed. Stuart and Tarren looked on. The channel was not flowing very quickly. There was more than enough wind to power the 7m kite. I did several runs to a sandbar across the channel and back, managing to stay a little upwind. I was very wary of crashing the kite as once over the other side, it would be very difficult to get back.

The wind gusts were dramatic, but the superb de-power of the Crossbow enabled me to handle them.

Then the wind dropped, so I did some runs downwind across the channel up into the inlet. I passed the jetty and was over the other side, sizing up a run back to the kite beach when my kite inverted on a turn and crashed. I think there was a hole in the wind right when I was turning the kite which contributed to the problem.

The kite crashed and flopped like a jellyfish, with me drifting towards a large sandbar in the middle of the inlet. I kept reefing in the lines and eventually relaunched it with the front and rear lines crossed once. I walked along the sandbar then kited back to the beach on the town side, relieved that a major epic was avoided.

Stuart and Tarren arrived in the car, with the bad news that my kite bag had disappeared from the launch site, presumable blown into the inlet. This was a problem as it had my car keys in it. Tip for the day - always weigh down gear with a lot of sand.

Then a huge stroke of luck. A French kiter came up with the bag, saying a windsurfer had found it floating nearby in the inlet, about 2km from our launch site. Amazingly, the keys were not wet.

Stuart then had a go of the 7m kite, followed by Tarren. Both enjoyed the session but remarked on how variable the wind was. At least we got some use from the 7m kite, which most of the time sits in my "quiver" idle. There were about another 6 kiters out at this time, going right across the inlet, mostly on 9m kites. The wind had backed off a little in strength but was still very gusty.

We decided a break for lunch was in order so we returned to the house.

Here is the wind chart for South Channel to illustrate how gusty the wind was there.

Struggling for wind at Inverloch

Session 60: Saturday 31 October 2009

Kite: Switchblade 14m
Location: Inverloch inlet
Wind: 12 knots SW
Duration: 1 hours 4:00 to 5:00

The first day of a 4 day stay at Inverloch. We headed down to Anderson Inlet when the breeze came in during the afternoon. It looked promising as we rigged up and hit the water hoping for the wind to pick up.

It blew at around 12 knots. I could get up and going on the 14m Switchblade but could not quite stay up wind. The tide was out which made it interesting as I kited into some very shallow water and ended up skidding on sand a few times.

There were about 15 kiters all scratching around for some wind, to no avail. After about an hour the wind dropped right off so we walked/headed back in.

Sandridge beach in 20 knots for a blast

Session 59: Sunday 25 October 2009

Kite: Switchblade 10m
Location: Port Melbourne
Wind: 20 knots SSE
Duration: 1 hours 3:00 to 4:00

After a bike race in the morning, some good wind was blowing SSE in the afternoon, so I headed down to Sandridge Beach in Port Melbourne on Stuart's advice.

There were quite a few kiters out at St Kilda where I stopped for a look. I haven't kited there since my learner days (e.g. Session 6 - 8) so I was tempted to go out, but decided to visit Port Melbourne instead.

Sandridge beach is small and tucked away past the Tasmania ferry terminal. The parking is free and there is a nice beach. A few signs get in the way for launching though.


Link to Google map

There were four other kiters in having a ball in the strong wind and the small surf. I took out my new 10m Switchblade for the first time. It had heaps of power in the 20+ knots and turns very fast. Wayne, another kiter, helped me launch then it was on.

The surf was really good fun. Cranking speed on the flatwater between waves, popping off them, then surfing in on them. With only 5 of us it was not too crowded. I did a tack right over to the old pier. Another kiter tacked upwind then disappeared around the headland to the West heading towards the main Yarra channel. Next time.

After an hour we all came in for a rest and some biscuits. I had some chores for the afternoon so I departed after launching their kites.

This beach is best kited in a SSE wind to avoid the industrial headland disturbing the breeze. Not a ideal place for beginners either due to the rock groynes and the surf.

As an aside, this morning I listened to some fools on talkback radio saying they hated wind farms and how they were "terrible" things that were not effective. What a load of nonsense. Wind power is an amazing resource, and is produced the majority of renewable energy in Australia at this time.

First good session for the season at Hampton Beach

Session 58: Saturday 24 October 2009

Kite: Switchblade 14m
Location: Hampton Beach
Wind: 15 knots SSE
Duration: 1 hours 5:30 to 6:30

The wind was light on for most of Saturday but was picking up later in the afternoon, so Stuart and I decided to give it a go. No other kites about when we arrived, and the Fawkner beacon wind reading was 15 knots SSE so we decided to have a go.

Once out a bit and clear of the sea wall and boat harbour, the wind did lift. I did some really nice runs out a long way, with marvellous views of Melbourne's CBD in the distance. I could see some kiters out at Brighton too.

Once again, the 14m kite proved its worth. I was able to stay upwind with a bit of effort, and a few stronger gusts of wind got me moving nicely.

Surprisingly, there were quite a few jelly fish about in the water - something Stuart said you usually see in March. Is climate change (and/or overfishing of pelagic fish) causing a change in the Bay's ecology? I don't fancy floating around with these beasties.

After about an hour the wind dropped off so I came back in. It was an excellent session - good revision for the upcoming season.

Not quite enough wind but a good outing anyway

Session 57: Saturday 17 October 2009

Kite: Switchblade 14m
Location: Hampton Beach
Wind: Less than 14 knots South Westerley
Duration: 1 hours 2:00 to 3:45

Back from overseas and really keen to do some kitesurfing. Stuart and I headed down to Hampton Beach with the wind on the up. When we arrived mid afternoon there were no kites out but a lot of yachts and some good wind.

We got onto the water but the wind dropped, or maybe it was not as strong as we thought. Lovely to be out just the same. The 14m kite was working, but I couldn't go upwind. So I did some tacks and came into Middle Brighton Beach.

The wind was stronger right next to the beach - it was being boosted by the proximity of the ridge behind the beach I think.

A boisterous Rhodesian Ridgeback dog was chasing me as I tacked parallel to the beach and was barking frantically when I came in. I thought he might chomp me but he backed off.

After the hordes of Europe, this outing felt like a wilderness experience.

Kitesurfing GPS

I have had a few questions about the GPS I use for logging my kiting sessions. Currently, I am using a Garmin Foretrex 101 pictured below.

I don't quite trust the waterproofing, so I have taken the wrist band off and put in it a waterproof pouch, which I then put in the front pocket of my buoyancy vest. If I don't wear my vest I cannot use it, so I have also purchased a Pacqua waterproof arm pouch.

If you want to get serious and try for a speed record, you can read about which GPS units to use the Navi GT31 or Navi GT11 ) is recommended, at GPS-kitesurfing.com. You can also upload your track logs to this site and compare with others how you are going.

For more information see GPS for kitesurfing - Kitesurfing Handbook

Bass Strait crossed by kitesurfing - a world first

Bass Straight, the stretch of water that separates Tasmania from the Australian mainland, has been crossed by kitesurfing for the first time.

Ben Morrison-Jack and James Weight, both aged 33, completed the 260km journey from Stanley, landing at Apollo Bay in Victoria's southwest early on Wednesday night. The trip took just under 12 hours,

Details

• Departure: leaving Stanley in Tasmania's north at 7am (AEST).
• Arrival: Apollo Bay, Victoria
• Duration: 12 hours (approx)
• Distance: 260km (approx)
• Support boat was used

Links

• Local daredevils cross Bass Strait - by kite, The Age, September 9, 2009

Video

Brighton in a gusty strong northerly

Session 56: Saturday 22 August 2009

Kite: Switchblade 14m
Location: Brighton Beach
Wind: 25+ knots Westerley
Duration: 2 hours 2:00 to 3:45

A brisk northerly was blowing so Stuart and I headed down to Brighton Beach for some winter kitesurfing. There were about a dozen kiters out when we arrived just before 2pm, and the wind looked strong. I was tossing up between using my new 10m kite or the 14, but the wind then dropped so I took the 14 down to the beach.

First time at Brighton for kitesurfing. On the water, nice and warm in my new Ripcurl Ebomb 4/3 GB Steamer seam sealed wetsuit. The wind was a bit light on for the first 15 minutes. I was able to keep the 14 going, while others with smaller kites ended up downwind.

Then it picked up to 25+ and things got very exciting. The swell increased and the wind had some real punch, with gusts coming through. I depowered the kite using the centerline adjustment strap about 50%, then up to 100%, and concentrated on keeping the kite high and going upwind. I was able to head north up towards the Brighton Baths, then came back to the beach on some very fast runs.

I did some high jumps, and was concentrating on keeping control and not getting boosted too high. One jump on a right tack saw me really take off, then pendulum under the kite and land on my back with a thump. This happens when you let the kite reverse direction, so for a cleaner landing, fly it back in the direction of travel.

No kite down powered turns today. I was keen not to loose control of the 14 in the strong wind. I crashed and relaunched it a couple of times while trying jumps.

Brighton is a nice place to kite. Heading west I was on a line to the You Yangs in the distance. The view to the city and back to the beach is good.

The wetsuit gloves kept my hands quite warm, so I was able to stay out for about 2 hours. A few large yachts came into shore on a tack, a bit too close to the Brighton Reef I thought. I kited near a couple but kept a wary distance.

Then a small boat under power came chugging in and tossed a kiteboard in the water. I headed over to it and attempted to take it to shore, but picking it up and doing a water start proved very difficult. It is hard to control the bar and hang on to a board. I body dragged it in for a while. Then the boat returned and picked it up, heading off toward Sandringham pointing in that direction.

There was a kiter on the beach waiting for it, but it would have taken a while to wash in.

Overall, a really good session. Brisk, invigorating and heaps of speed. No GPS though as I left by vest behind. I am going to get a waterproof pouch with an arm mount.

Photos and videos of Port Douglas kiting

Here are links to more photos and videos of my 2009 kiting trip to Port Douglas.

Photos

2009-07 Kitesurfing at Port Douglas

2009-07 Kitejumps at 4 Mile Beach

2009-07 Devil's thumb bushwalk

Videos

** To be added

Upwind to flat water near the Mowbray River mouth

Session 55: Thursday 30 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 20+ knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am SSE 35 km/h 3pm SE 48 km/h
• Duration: 2 hours 12:00 to 2:00pm

Last day in paradise. Did a 75km bike ride up past Mossman through Miallo.

Visited 4 Mile Park on the way home. There was wind but not kiters on the water. Lee had his kite inflated and was getting ready to go out. Mal was there too, tossing up between his windsurfer and his kite.

Had some food and a nap then headed down to the water. Lightly equipped this time. Board shorts and rash vest - "almost naked". No wetsuit, vest or surf socks. The aim was to keep most of my kit dry so I could post it home later in the afternoon.

I headed out on the 14m kite. The wind was initially enough to get the kite going. I did a few runs and completed by first kite down turn (to the left, not the right) which went well. Certainly generates more power and keeps the board going fast. Just need to spin the bar half a turn to uncross the lines.

The wind picked up to about 20 so I depowered the kite and concentrated on going upwind as much as possible. It is certainly easy to go upwind without too much speed. I decided to head up towards the Mowbray Mouth as I saw some kites up there in the distance.

Here is the wind chart for the Low Isles from Seabreaze.



It was good fun getting into the small surf, running down and across it on a left tack and heading straight out against it on the right tack.

Eventually I was close to some flat water and decided to head to it over some shallow water. However, it was a bit too shallow, the board stopped and I fell off and into the sand. I wasn't going very fast so I did not get hurt. I did a few more tacks then slowed right down and found a section where there was enough water to cross, then I was in the lagoon.

By now the other kites had arrived. They were on a downwinder and were all good kiters. I found out later they were from Cairns. They were getting good speed and doing some good jumps on the flat water. I avoided jumping due to the shallowness of the water.

I did some really nice fast runs once I had scoped out the water. Some large fish about, possible some rays, so not a good place to wallow about. I did not get up as far as the Mowbray River mouth so crocs were not a major concern.

Towards 2pm I started heading back. Trying more wakestyle downwind riding. It is quite different from normal upwind riding. More edge changes, more upright, rapid direction changes of both board and kite. More progressions to practice.

Then I did some very fast skimming reaches to get back to the beach. A wonderful session and a great way to finish the trip.

I chatted to Mal, a grey nomad from Traralgon up north for the winter, while my gear dried in the wind. He said there was virtually no wind in June for 3 weeks, and only 1 good kiting day a week for the first half of July so it seems I have been lucky this time with the weather.

Later in the afternoon I loaded a lot of the heavier gear into my wheelie luggage and caught the bus into Port Douglas where I found a couple of boxes, borrowed some packing tape from Something Tropical, packed the gear and posted it. The total prices was about $70, which is much better than the $240 excess I was charged on the way up.

Out of the 8.5 days available for kiting, I kited on 7 of them, all good sessions, and went bush walking on one. Five good bike rides on different todays. An outstanding success. Great variety from downwinders to flat water riding and small surf, all with very good wind. A good way to consolidate skills and work on progressions.

I used the 12m Crossbow once, not particularly successfully, the 14m Switchblade all the other times. I did not use the 7m kite once.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

Over four hours kiting at 4 Mile Beach

Session 54: Wednesday 29 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 20+ knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am SSE 52 km/h 3pm SSE 43 km/h
• Max speed: 40.3
• Trip: 44.6
• Logged time: 2:00
• Average speed: 22.1

The forecast 20 knots blew most of the day. The others needed for the downwinder to Cape Kimberly bailed so we couldn't do the tour, but 4 mile was on fire. Some headed for Cooktown, but there was plenty of good wind at 4 mile.

Got on the water about 10:30 after resting from the morning bike ride. The wind was strong and consistent. Zee from Melbourne had arrived at 4 mile for the first time so I gave him sone tips and he launched my kite.

The 14m kite was lit up so I de powered it to make the ride easier. There was a turtle feeding behind the reef. I saw it 4 times. Each time as I got closer it dived when it saw me. The last time I was heading straight at it and our eyeballs met.

I got lofted on a direction time and landed on my arse on the reef, but my harness took the impact without me getting injured.

Turning from left tack to right tack is a less fluid than from right to left. I tend to stall the board and then dive the kite to get going. Not good when over the reef. One big jump landed heavily, but my harness and vest cushioned my impact on the water.

Jumping ok on both sides now. I tried my first kite down turn - it generated a lot more power and pulled me forwards. Lee advised letting the board slip downwind to maintain control.

I did some reasonable toe down riding on both right and left (harder) tacks for practice. It is nice to carve a fast turn from the toe down position. I worked upwind behind the surf break into flat water on the shallow reef. The disadvantage is that you end up over the reef and have to be careful. It is also where the turtle was hanging out.

I got right upwind towards the Mowbray River mouth too, then wakestyled downwind back to the main beach. I had a break after an hour or so and grabbed some food and my SLR camera from the flat. Took some photos of the kiting and around 4 mile beach.

I kited for another 1.5 hours after lunch but my GPS batteries gave out so I did not get the full log. My numbness in the hands was not so bad today. I varied the grip a bit and shook it out while riding.

I finished around 4:00pm which coincided with the wind dropping below 20 knots and packed away the kite on the grass. The fabric of the kite now has a crazed appearance - I will check this out when I get back.

All in all a very consistent wind day and excelling kiting, with some skills progression and good jumping. 4 mile at its best.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

Ripping in a late afternoon storm

Session 53: Tuesday 28 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 23+ knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am S 22 km/h 3pm SSE 41 km/h
• Max speed: 32.3
• Trip 16.8
• Logged time: 1:02
• Average: 16.2

The forecast 20 to 30 knots did not eventuate. A few storms were passing out to sea, but not much wind at 4 mile so the downwinder did not eventuate.

I visited the supermarket for more supplies, admiring the fruit bat colony hanging over the bike path on the way there. Stocked up with some friut, crumpets and muffins.

Visited the the beach later in the morning. Brett turned up and went into town so I caught a lift into town. Updated my blog and Facebook and checked my email at the Wicked Ice Cream Internet cafe. The mango and lemon gelati was excellent. We grabbed a coffee then headed back to 4 mile. Brett dropped my at the corner cafe where I finished my Internet activities then headed back to Doug's for a light lunch.

Back to the beach at about 2:30. Chatted to a local about GPS units and software for kiting. He recommended and NAVI GTR.

The wind sprang up so I setup my kite, then it fizzed. Chatted to Tomas about progressions. Brett recommends a downward kite turn. Tomas said it is a more powerful turn and you have to make the turn tight. He also said that a kiteloop when jumping is good, and to pull the loop just after the apex of a jump.

The wind picked up a little so I headed out. Not much power so I had to fly the kite and ended up a few hundred meters down the beach after a few tacks.

Walking back the wind picked up a little and a storm front was approaching so I headed out. The storm hit and the wind lifted to 25+ knots which gave me plenty of power and upwind direction. I was stretching out to hold the bar so I ended up de powering the kite which then made it quite manageable.

I was a bit nervous about having the 14 lit up, but it was good to fly. There were two others out. We were really moving in the wind and rain. I turned on my helmet cam half way through, having now got the hang of using the controls when in motion. Two beeps for on, 1 beep for recording, 2 beeps for stop recording, and 2 beeps for power off.

No problems going up wind, and the jumping was not a problem. I was surprised that I didn't jump higher considering the strength of the wind.

The wind dropped after about an hour so I came in and packed up in the rain then headed back to the unit for a rest and a snack.

Brett called to advise the downwinder from 4 mile to Cape Kimberley was on again for tomorrow with the boat arranged. His father Peter will be the skipper. The forecast is for 30 knots again so I am faced with a dilemma about which kite to take. In theory the 12m Crossbow would be ideal, but the bar pressure is a worry. The 14m Switchblade is much better if the wind drops and is also good for going downwind. De powered, it is quite manageable.

My hands get sore after an hour of kiting, my right hand in particular goes a bit numb. Gloves don't seem to prevent this. This could be a limiting factor for long downwinders.

Cookie said he is going for a bike ride up the hill tomorrow so I may go along if it is not raining.

My stay here is nearly over. It has been worth having enough time to wait for good kiting opportunities and try different options. My kiting has exceeded expectations.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

Downwinder from Pretty Beach to 4 mile beach

Session 52: Monday 27 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 15-22 knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am SW 17 knots 3pm SE 33 knots
• Duration: 2 hours approx
• Max speed: 39.4
• Trip: 41.1
• Logged time: 2:08
• Avg: 19.2

Video of the trip shot with a helmet cam

Track Log map, starting at Pretty Beach in the south

A big downwinder. Fantastic. From Pretty beach to Port Douglas. Got going into around 20 knots with some warm up upwind tacks. Then we headed downwind.

A dramatic backdrop of mountains with the Cairns road visible around the headlands.

Into the beach for some playtime in the small surf. The young fella with us crashed his kite near the beach, we could see him as we rounded a point. The wind dropped. I had to fly the kite hard and could only just keep planing.

Brett headed back into a cove to wait for young fella. I headed out to find more wind. Scanning back I saw him propped. Eventually I decided to keep going while I had the wind. I tacked out a long long way into no mans land. A long way to Port visible in the distance, mangroves along the shore. I came into the shallows for some flatter water, the wind picking up strength. Really nice kiting.

On my furthest reach out I was startled by a large splash nearby - something big and black.

Probably a Dugong as I did not see any fins and it went right under. Bigger than a turtle.

I turned around and headed in towards the Mowbray River mouth.

Wary of the river, I tacked back out. The sandy end of 4 mile beach was visisble so I was near home. I cruised in with a couple of fast tacks and landed at the kitebeach, very glad to have made it without incident.

Brett and the young fella eventually showed up. They travelled closer to the shore kiting on the flat water between an outer reef/sandbank and the shore.

Models doing a photoshoot in swimwear on the beach. Bretto got them to model with one of his kiteboards.

Picked up the car then had lunch. Went out for another session from 4 mile but the wind was not very strong and it was an anticlimax after the downwinder.

Here is a larger scale map of the route showing Cairns and Port Douglas.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

A downwinder along 4 mile to the surf club in good wind

Session 51: Sunday 26 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 18-25 knots (est)
• Low Isles wind: 9am SSE 33 km/h 3pm SSE 41 km/h
• Duration: 2 hours approx
• Max speed: 37.4
• Trip 29.2
• Logged time: 1:17

Dried the kites out after the morning bike ride (to Ellis Beach), then wandered across to the Treetops foyer to get a forecast. There chalkboard is not in use any more but the guy behind the counter looked up Seabreeze. 15-20 knots was forecast for the afternoon.

The palm trees around were waving, so I estimated the wind at above 20knots. I rang Bretto - he said the wind had just dropped - so I took the 12m and 14m kites to the 4 mile park.

All (30) kites on the beach when I got there at about 1:30pm. Pumped up and chatted to some locals. They were complaining about the beach being too popular and talking of kiting elsewhere. It was not crowded by Victorian standards.

The breeze picked up at about 2:30 so I headed out. Fast tacks. Got in a couple of jumps on the right tack. Practising toe down riding. I can do it on the right, but not the left tack. Went a long way out and back. A few beginner riders nearer the shore. I was a bit wary after yesterday's crossed lines so I gave them a wide berth.

Went out to near some 3 cats. Two fish jumped fast out of the water around me. OK if they were scared of me as a potential predator, but not so good if a real predator (such as a shark) was around so I scooted back in.

After about 1 hour I noticed a couple of kites going downwind. Thinking it was Bretto's downwinder I followed. Fast planing. Nice not have to keep edging and have a look around.

I travelled out then back into the waves. Had to be careful jumping as the wind was getting stronger and the water near the beach is shallow. The wind was getting stronger so I depowered the kite about 50%. I went out a bit past the point then returned to the smalll surf. Caught the board in a wave once and had to retrieve it in the shallow water.

Quite a swell building up out further. After a few tacks close to the lifesaving flags I started scoping out a landing. One of the two kiters was way upwind, the other eventually went into the beach where his girlfriend landed his kite. It was too good an opportunity to pass up so I came to shore and he landed my kite.

Here is the GPS track log.



We chatted briefly. He was a Russian, with accommodation just nearby. No wind in Russia this time of year apparently.

Self landing could have been dicey as the wind was nearly onshore and there were people walking on the beach. Flagging the kite with the IDS would work but actually getting it to
land on the sand would be the hard bit. No sign of Bretto, so it looked like I had to find my own way back.

I carried the kite along the beach to the ramp, deflated it and carried it onto the grass where I rolled it up and secured it within the harness. Stopped for a coffee and biscuit then walked into town along Macrossan St. Doug was not in the shop, so I caught a shuttle bus back to Treetops, walked through to leave my gear at the unit, then onto the kite beach to pickup the bike, the other kite and get my key.

A great day kiting in paradise again. My helmet cam attracted quite a bit of attention.

However, the long recording to the end of the card doesn't have a properly terminated file. It seems that turning record of manually is advisable to ensure the recording files are appropriately created.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip
  

An epic session at 4 mile brings up 50

Session 50: Saturday 25 July 2009

• Kite: Switchblade 14m
• Wind: 15-23 knots (est).
• Low Isles wind 9am SSE 26 km/h 3pm SSE 33 km/h
• Duration: 3 hours approx
• Max speed: 40.2
• Trip 16.4
• Logged time: 1:15

Checked the beach out at about 10:00 and there was wind, so I got my gear and the 14m kite and headed for the kiting location.

The wind was blowing above 20knots so I scooted back on the bicycle to get my 12m kite.

As I was just about to head off from the beach one beginner flew his kite across mine crossing the lines. I pulled my safety. Once flagged I disconnected the leash and threaded it back over his lines then clipped in again. Watch out for beginners,

Once on the water, the wind dropped a little so I went out and back then walked back along the beach.

There was an offshore rainstorm, the wind was perhaps associated with it. I pumped up my 14m kite in anticipation of more wind.

It came it at about 1:30pm so I headed out. Fast cruising, quite a distance offshore. Jumping on a left tack (my strong side) is now fairly easy, but jumping on my right tack is not. I seem to have trouble getting the edge release and much height. The kite tends to wallow a bit and lurch forward.

I practiced some toedown riding - which feels OK on a right tack but quite weird on a left tack. More practice required.

I ran the webcam for and got a little footage, incluing Bretto instructing on the beach. I also had the GPS on for a while too.

Heaps of speed and lots of runs. There would have up to 15 kites on the water when it got busy, and a couple of windsurfers.

The kiting was great for about two hours. I came in feeling tired in the arms and a bit numb in the hands. Love this 14m kite.

I rested on the beach for a while and headed out for another half hour when the wind picked up again. Another squall was coming so I came in and packed up both kites which were wet and sandy, before loading up the bike for the cycle home.

This one day has made the trip worthwhile.

Bretto has a downwinder planned for Sunday, a tour to Low Isles for Monday and a boat trip out to Undine Cay on Tuesday with a possible tour option from their to Daintree Cape Tribulation for an overnight stay.

Links

• Photos and videos of 2009 Port Douglas kiting trip