Flailing at Hampton then redemption

Session 134, Friday 22 April 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 15-20 knots, WSW
Location: Hampton Beach
Time: 9:00 to 1:30p
Board: S-Quad and Naish Haize twin tip

I was really hanging out for a kiting session after a couple of weeks of little or no wind.  Put this in your diary: in mid-April, someone turns the wind-switch off in Melbourne.

There was a good westerly and south westerly forecast today.  When Stuart and arrived at Hampton it was on.

I decided to take out the S-Quad surfboard for a run.  Things didn't go well.  First I crashed the kite on the beach starting my first run.  Overzealous on the power stroke and maybe unused to the wind direction.  I re-rigged it.  Then I got going - sort of - and headed over to towards the marina, where I ran out of wind and came back to shore downwind.

Leaving the beach

A very wet kite

The beach

Spectators on the groyne

The marina

It was one of those days when you needed to get out to get the good wind.  

This session was very frustrating.  I crashed the kite several times and re-rigged it.  A couple of crashes were due to the donkey dick popping out. It is too short on my early version of the Noise - they have lengthened it on the production models.   When re-hooking the chicken loop the kite fell out of the sky.

Once I relaunched with the bridle lines looped and knotted so it crashed promptly.  Memo to self: check your bridle as well as the lines when re-rigging after a crash and tangle.

I was having some trouble with the surfboard too.  Its been a while since I have used it, and I found myself pulled over forwards a few times, and also, surprisingly, bogging in to the water while trying to go upwind.  The leg leash is a pain too.  I might leave it off when in the bay.  I still can't gibe turn so switching feet is frustrating too.   

In short, I felt like a beginner all over again.  Towards midday the wind picked up and I was able to get some good runs in.   Stuart headed home, but I stayed and took the twin tip out to redeem my session.  This went well.  I was well powered and headed down to Green Point through the surf on the reefs and back past the breakwater.  I was certainly tired at the end of this, but satisfied.

Note that the boat wreck is still in the water close to the shore at Hampton, and are very hard to see.  Be careful - there is a nasty piece of timber sticking up.   Apparently someone beached the boat while under the influence on their way into the marina.  It is a significant hazard and should be removed.

Sandy Point in search of wind, we found some surf

We planned a trip to Sandy Point about a month ago and took a punt on the wind.  The forecast almost came good, but the wind certainly didn't on the weekend of 16-17 April.  Around this time of year, somebody flicks the "wind switch" off in Victoria.

We hung out at Shallow Inlet hoping for the wind to get stronger, to no avail.  Stuart cranked up his old Cabrinha 16m C kite but we couldn't get it going well in around 8 knots!

The inlet certainly is shallow, and usually gets very strong wind racing across the large sand bar that separates it from the sea.  Wilsons Promontory looms in the distance.

Grant and Stuart won the "crossing Shallow Inlet" competition gliding along slowly on a windsurfer.

We puttered around in my inflatable dinghy, did a bit of fishing then had a nice counter meal at the Fish Creek Hotel.

Sandy Point is a quiet place to hang out, but there is a good general store and cafe.  The burgers are great.

We had a nice surfing session on Sunday with just the four of us sharing a small break.  I was on by goat boat and having a good time, while the others got some good rides on a variety of larger boards.

Next time, we plan to watch the wind forecast more closely and only make the house booking in the final week.

Watching for the wind

Sandy Point Beach, Wilsons Prom in the distance

Sandy Point beach looking across to Waratah Bay

Shallow Inlet

 Shallow Inlet and the C kite

D'oh!  Not enough wind

Gnotuk and a backroll that went pear-shaped

Session 135, 2 April 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 15 knots, SSW
Location: Gnotuk Avenue, Aspendale
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 (1.5h)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

Did a nice bike ride to Arthurs Seat and back - training for the cycle leg of next weekend's Marysville to Melbourne Multisport Challenge.

I headed to Gnotuk after the ride.  There was some wind and a few kiters out, but I needed some food so I had lunch at the seaside cafe at Edithvale Lifesaving Club.

When I returned to Gnotuk and rigged up the wind dropped. I waited for a while, and eventually it came in.  I did a few tacks, enjoying the coolness of the water after my bike ride.

The wind was coming and going, so a few more waits were required.  Then Stuart showed up, and the wind came in stronger.  I was going well and enjoying the small surf along with tours along the beach.

I did a back roll and things went pear-shaped. I got around the roll but I think I kept going.  The kite downlooped and I got yanked hard and smacked into the water.  The kite inverted and I couldn't relaunch it, so I drifted in, deployed the safety release and secured my kite on the beach.  Trying tricks does entail the risk of big prangs, but all was OK.

Tip: Put your hand in the middle of the bar when doing a backroll.  This reduces the likelihood of turning the kite.

I relaunched after checking my rigging, but the wind dropped and was onshore, so I flailed about in the surf for a while without getting out behind it.  Eventually I gave up, satisfied that I had had enough thrills and exercise for the day.

Hampton with my kitecam and not much wind

Session 135, 2 April 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 15 knots, SSW
Location: Hampton Beach
Time: 10:30 to 11:45 (1h)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

Its getting cooler in Melbourne now.  I arrived at Hampton just after 10:00am.  There were a couple of kites on the beach and lots of yachts out past the breakwater.  One kiter went out and downwind and walked back up the beach.

I rigged up as I was keen to try out my new kite camera - the Casio Exilim EX-G1 - and to get out if the wind picked up a little.

I headed out some distance on my first tack to get the better wind that was blowing well clear of the breakwater.  The Noise 12m kite handles light wind well - this was about 15 knots - so I was able to get in a few tacks.  It then dropped out a bit so I did some kiteloops to get back to the beach (downwind) then walked back to my gear on the beach.

I got out for some more runs about 10 minutes later.  Once again, the wind was better further out, but it certainly wasn't strong.  Here are some of the kitecam shots.

Scooting past the groyne (just)

Back to the marina

Looking out across Port Phillip Bay

Hampton Beach looking towards Middle Brighton

The Walk of Shame

Missed the wind at Port Melbourne

Session 134, 1 April 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 13 knots, SSW
Location: Port Melbourne
Time: 6:10 to 6:20 (10 minutes)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

The wind conked out, so this wasn't really as session, although I did get wet.  The wind came in strong at 5:00pm but I was not on the water until just after 6:00pm.  I was heading out on my first tack and was going very close to the end of the small pier just east of Port Melbourne Yacht Club.

The return tack took me slightly downwind so I ended up on the beach just near the pier, walked back and landed my kite.

Somebody turned off the wind switch.

But I did get these photos from my new kitecam - a Casio Exilim EX-G1.

 

Hampton sea breeze far from the madding crowds

Session 133, 26 March 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 15 knots, SSW
Location: Hampton Beach
Time: 4:00 to 5:30 (1.5h)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

The forecast sea breeze arrived a little later at Hampton - around 4pm.  I just bought a new wetsuit from SHQ - an NPX 3/2 for not-so-cold conditions.  It is a kitesurfing suit with "drains" at the bottom of the legs to stop water bags forming above your ankles when water jets up the legs under speed.  

The wind was not strong, but I decided to try out the new wetsuit and the Noise 12m in the lighter winds.   It was a nice session.  I flew the kite to create apparent wind and was going well and keeping upwind a little.  Its  strange how the run out against the waves is a much slower than the tack back it.  It just doesn't feel like the same wind!

The new wetsuit performed well.  It was warm but not too hot.  The water drains in the legs worked in a fashion, but the bottom of the legs still got "folded in" by water pressure jetting up them.  The water could work its way out though.  The wetsuit came with veclo straps and has webbing loops for them at the end of the legs.  I will try out the velcro straps next time.

I did one backroll and made it 75% around, as the wind did not boost me much off the small wave.

It was a nice day to focus on technique - flying the kite up and down to generate apparent wind and edging the board.  The wind picked up occasionally so I did few small jumps to.

The Noise 12m handled these conditions well.  It is very predictable and turns well and generated plenty of power.   The depower cleat below the bar can get a bit stuck, but once the cord is wet it easy to sort it out.

It certainly wasn't crowded today.  There was only 2 other kiters out, and for quite a while I was alone.  I enjoyed the sesssion.  You don't have to be always ripping in strong winds to have fun.

Object hazard at Hampton

There is an object hazard in the water close to the shore. Its timber and has a metal object attached to it. Presumably it drifted to shore and is now stuck there in the sand. It is marked by a small buoy. Watch out for it.

Mentone then downwinder to Dalgety Road

Session 132, 19 March 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 20 knots, E
Location: Mentone to Watkins Bay (Dalgety Road)
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 (1h)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

A nice easterly sprang up at 6pm as forecast.  Rather than driving to Altona, we decided to try Mentone.  The wind has arrived by the time we got there.  We had some nice kiting for about 30 minutes.  The bay swell does not get big here in an easterly.  Going out there are nice small waves which are great for launching a jump off or doing a backroll.  Coming back in is very fast.

I decided to try some backrolls.  I made it around on the first one, but stopped moving with the kite flying in the opposite direction.  I made it around on a second attempt.  This is the first good backroll I think I have done.  It is daunting committing to the move.  I flung my head to the left and launched off a small wave.  The landing was a bit flat, sort of on my bum.  Its a great feeling completing one, and in my case a bit overdue.

I did a third backroll as Stuart whizzed past, he was able to provide independent confirmation that I had succeeded.

I did some toeside riding in the brisk wind.  I had to depower the kite a bit too as the stronger gusts were a bit overpowering.

I did some big jumps too; the biggest to date I think.  I landed most well but swung like a pendulum under one and landed half on my vest.

Then we decided to do a downwinder to Ricketts point.  It was a bit weird getting going downwind and out of the "upwind tacking" groove.  All the more reasons to do downwinders!  I was able to practice carved turns to toeside, ride toeside, the fast carve back to heelside.  Turning the kite quickly seems to help, as long as you turn it before you turn the board.  I lost my board a couple of times when I got pulled off it while turning, but was able to body drag upwind to get it.

Its a nice little tour.  We arrived at South Ricketts (also known as Dalgety Road) to find several kiters and windsurfers all on fast tacks having a good time.  The reef to the west looms large however.

All in all, a great session.  9 out of 10.  We were in the right place at the right time.

We walked to a nearby friend's house after we packed our kites and loaded them in his car with our other gear.  He then gave us a lift back to Stuart's car - a distance of about 2.5km.

Beaumaris beach dodging reefs and then some rain

Session 131, 13 March 2011

Kite: Switchblade 10
Wind: 25 knots, S
Location: Beaumaris beach
Time: 4:00 to 5:00 (1h)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

Predictwind was spot on again.  A strong southerly whipped in at 3pm, breaking the spell of humid weather we have just had.  At initially 30+ knots and some thunderstorms on the radar we waited a while before going out.

Once out, it was good.  The reefs at Beaumaris can be tricky, care is needed to avoid an impact.  However, the surf they generate is good fun.  I did some "re-entry wave starts" going out - a fast turn on the face of the wave going out, then ride it back in toeside.

There were only three kiters including myself and Stuart, but there were about six windsurfers out too.  

After 45 minutes the wind dropped a bit, so I made my way back upwind and returned to the beach.  I had a lot of trouble landing my kite - I couldn't get the leading edge to drop on the sand in the gusty conditions on the shore.  It whipped around behind a bush - very close to the cars - when one of the windsurfers grabbed it for me.

The rain storms out west arrived about this time and the wind dropped too.

Having someone to both launch and land your kite in these conditions is recommended.   Beaumaris is definitely not a good place for beginners - the surf club looms large on the beach and the reef is unforgiving. However, it gets clear wind for the south and southwest.

Kitesurfing until dusk at Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island

Session 130, 5 March 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 18-20 knots, E
Location: Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island
Time: 7:30 to 8:30 (1h)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

Stuart and I headed down to Cleeland Bight on Phillip Island to check it out for kitesurfing.  We rigged up on the beach near Seaspray Avenue.  However, there are some large pine trees there, and there is also some gnarly reef in the shallow water just off the beach.  The wind dropped, so we really didn't get going.

After dinner at Cowes, a strong easterly had arrived, so after bedding down the kids at Cape Woolami we headed back down to Cleeland Bight and found a better launch site with good beach access near Cottosloe Avenue.  The sandy bottom was much nicer for launching too.

We scored a great session.  The wind was consistent and the flat water was nice.  We kept fairly close to the launch site and didn't go near the channel that separates Phillip Island from the mainland at San Remo.

Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island bridge in background

Self launching, San Remo in background

Onshore light wind, Cape Woolmai in background

Heading out, Cleeland bight

Evening session, Cleeland Bight, Phillip Island bridge in background

A word of warning.  Damien McKay, an experience local kitesurfer, died at this location in November 2005.  He was lofted on the beach after a kitesurfing session when returning to land his kite, and was unlucky to collide headfirst with some rocks on the beach.   There were not many rocks about that I could see. Rest in peace Damien.

This highlights the need to always consider safety.  I still wear my helmet when kitesurfing.

External links

• Man in hospital after kite surfing accident - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
• Kiteboarding on Phillip Island Victoria - Kitesurfing - Seabreeze Forums

Scored a hat trick with another session at Hampton

Session 129, 19 February 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 20 knots, W
Location: Hampton
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 (2h)
Board: Naish Haize twin tip

I scored a hat trick today - 3 days kiting in a row.  Not bad for such a poor season.

Stuart and I headed to Hampton after a family birthday party.  The wind was blowing above 20 knots when we arrived but dropped a bit as I was getting ready, so I took out the Noise 12m kite.

I got out for some good riding and was going upwind well when my kite fell out of the sky unexpectedly during a routine turn.  I was having trouble relaunching it when I realised the donkey dick (attachment that secures the chicken loop) had slipped out and I was unhooked, so I carefully rehooked the bar and relaunched the kite.  I have sent a note to Dano See, the kite designer, suggesting they make the DD a tad longer.

Memo to all: It is very difficult, maybe impossible, to relaunch an unhooked kite.

The wind was lulling quite a bit, so it was hard to get in a good rythym, and difficult to keep practicing jump transitions, though I did manage some good jumps when the wind picked up.

I had another go after a wait on the beach during and an extended lull.  The wind direction had changed to full onshore (west) and the shorebreak was big enough to dump you on the sand.  Three other guys were trying to get out, along with a couple of windsurfers, and several hotshot riders were riding quite close to the shore.  It was difficult and frustrating for a while.

For those that don't know, the rule is that riders heading out have the right of way.

Once out, I finished with a good fast session.

Full photo album