More epic kitesurfing in big surf at Marrawah - Tasmania trip day 2

Session 395. Another epic day of kitesurfing at Marrawah.  We cooked some bacon and eggs for a hearty breakfast in the shelter enjoying the great view.

There was a bit less wind today so I used my Union 10 which was ideal for the conditions.  Peter drove again from Wynyard to kitesurf with us.

We took turns lining up for the big waves and scored some beauties.   The wind direction was better too.

The waves didn't close out and there were gaps between sets so getting out was usually not too difficult.  Ideal kitesurfing conditions and another excellent surf session.

Towards the end of the session Tarren's kite burst a strut and James caught his kite in a wave and ripped it, so there was some gear damage but still big smiles all round.

We cooked up some snags for lunch then drove to Stanley for a bonus session in the afternoon.

GPS Log

Map of trip locations

Epic kitesurfing at Marrawah - Tasmania trip day 1

Session 394. First day of our four day kitesurfing trip to Tasmania and it was epic!

The five amigos, Stu Webb, Stu Styles, Tarren, James and I flew into Launceston in on Friday morning, loaded our gear into the 7 seater van and headed west.  We stopped for a coffee and early lunch at Andy's Bakery Cafe in Westbury then continued along the Bass Highway.  It is a scenic drive  through green rolling hills passing inland from Devonport, down to the coast near Burnie, past Smithton then across to Marrawah.

I had made contact with some keen Tasmanian kitesurfers, Chris, Sam and Peter, who met us at Green Point Beach near Marrawah and gave us some good local advice.  There was good wind but it was a touch off shore and the waves got bigger further down Ann Bay.

I started with some tacks near the carpark then headed down to the bigger swells.  Wow, this was to be my best ever surf session.  There were some big sets coming in.  I picked good waves some distance out then followed them in as they built in size then broke.  Fantastic kitesurfing! Everyone was loving it.

The wind picked up towards the end of the session and I was finding it difficult to get out through the increasing surf so Stu S and I walked back.

We all chatted back at the excellent beach shelter on the foreshore then we drove on to our lodging in the picturesque seaside village of Arthur River.  We drove back for a great meal the Marrawah Tavern and checked out another good kitesurfing beach location down Bluff Hill Road some friendly locals at the pub mentioned.

GPS log

Map of trip locations

Kitesurfing my first sea breeze at Ricketts Point

Session 393.  A nice sea breeze came in mid afternoon. I met the two Stus and Grant (on his windsurfer) at Ricketts.  The breeze was light - around 15 knots - so I flew my Flite 14.5.

My new North Nugget is identical to the one I lost at Point Lonsdale, I was lucky to get one from Kite Republic.

There were heaps of fishing boats about 800m out. I kept an eye out as I passed a few keeping a safe distance.  The Flite and the Nugget provided plenty of speed and power, enough even for some jumps.

A couple of guys came past going fast upwind on foil boards.

The water is warmer and it was quite sunny. Its starting to feel like summer.  

It was nice to have mellow session free from gusty and gale force winds.

GPS Log

Massive waves but not much wind at Ocean Grove for kitesurfing

Session 392.  Stonker is only shop in Torquay that sells kitesurfing gear so I headed there in the morning to check out a new board. They were one of the first manufactures of kiteboards but don't make them now.  Alex showed me a very nice Wainman Passport 5.8 with quad fins, fairly wide with a swallow tail.  It looked like a nice board for bigger waves so I bought it.

 

Later that afternoon Stuart and I headed for the Ocean Grove beach near the caravan park.  There was not quite enough wind.  Stuart got out the back once through massive surf but tracked downwind on his return.  I got going but only for a short distance then we tossed it in.

I was happy not to push my luck after yesterday's epic.

Kitesurfing Point Lonsdale - 55 knot gusts lead to epic self rescue

Session 391. A salutary lesson on wind and weather.

There was a strong northerly in the morning followed by a westerly change in the afternoon. Stuart and I, on our traditional annual family weekend with some kitesurfing, checked out Ocean Grove then decided on heading out at Point Lonsdale.

We launched near the surf club in around 30 knots. I set my Union 8 on the low knot (more depower) then headed out into the good sized surf.

Point Lonsdale is and interesting place with views to the Point Lonsdale lighthouse and across the infamous rip to Point Nepean.

I was well powered but not overpowered and caught some good size waves. In the distance some dark clouds were coming. So far so good.

Out to sea about to turn around (gybe) then all hell broke loose. A very strong gust hoiked me along at great speed then into the air. I crashed and lost my board. I body dragged to get back to it as it was close but the wind was too strong and dragged me away.

Then suddenly it got MUCH stronger - up to 55 knots - which was far too much to handle.

I wasn't going to get my board and I was about 300 m off the beach with Rip not far away so I started body dragging to shore. The wind was so strong it was yanking me along very fast, too fast for comfort.

As I approached the shore I was wary of some rock reefs I knew were there. I saw some white water but continued over it, with some rocks visible to my left. If I hit anything body dragging at 15+ km/h I was worried about a serious injury, but I made it to the beach.

I deployed my safety and secured my kite then stashed it just off the beach away from the roaring wind.

I walked back to tell Stuart I was OK- he was happy to see me alive, and had similar problems with the gust but was much closer to shore.

I spend a while looking for my board but I think the westerly would have blown it out into the rip and possibly across to Point Nepean. It could end up on Peninsula surf beaches (or rocks) or get carried into the Bay by the rip.

Very sorry to lose my trusty Nugget, but very happy to retain my life.

I live to kite another day. Stay safe folks.

Nice wave

Wind getting stronger

Self rescue, rapidmont!

GPS Log
You can see when the 55 knots hit - lost my board, tried to retrieve it body dragging upwind, then bailed and body dragged to shore.