Rottnest Island and a long warm-up session for the Lighthouse to Leighton race

Session 429.  Today was the big day.  Tim Turner, the Race Director, had postponed the event from Saturday due to lack of wind.  I met with Natalie and Dean to get the ferry, leaving a car at the finish near Fremantle Life Saving Club.

There was a good buzz on the boat, carrying mainly kitesurfers, across to Rottnest Island.  We checked out the ships moored in the channel on our way.

Natalie Flintrop-Clarke and Peter Campbell, race tops on

Kent Wright providing some handy local knowledge

Leaving Fremantle

Once on the island there was some free time. Natalia, Dean and I walked to the lighthouse saying hello to a couple of Quokkas along the way.  Crystal clear azure water, bright sunshine and white sand make Rottnest and island paradise.

We then walked to the Kingston Barracks, the base for the race.  Once there we collected and setup our gear, had a race briefing then took our gear to the beach.

I got there early, pumped up my kite then returned the pump to the back that was going back on the ferry.  It was already getting busy when I returned so I launched my kite and headed out into a sea breeze.  Kent had provided some tips on getting ready for start and staying clear of the crowds.

I did a couple of racks but then the wind softened.  Some foil kites were struggling and so was I.  Going out further didn't help and I was losing ground on the return.  The wind dropped futher and I could get planing. I concentrated on keeping the kite flying as I drifted North past the sand spit and a little island, well away from the start line.

All the other kites were on the beach so it looked like I might have to be rescued.  A boat came and asked if I as OK, I replied yes.   Check out my track log and zoom into the start to see the drama . . .

Then the wind picked up and I could hold a bearing to the Fremantle Cranes.  I was tempted to go for it, but that would mean I was riding solo and might be the only kite on the water, so I tacked back a few times.  The wind increased so I was able to tack back past the stern of the race boat - they said there was 7 minutes to go!

I kept tacking aiming to stay upwind as much as possible. I dropped then got my board then the race started.  What a relief!  You can read about my progress here.

Ship in the channel

Approaching Rottnest Island

The spit

Phillip Rock

A Quokka!

Kent's toothpick board, it was fast.

Race briefing. Aaron Hadlow in the front row.

Schlogging it during my warm up session!

Are you OK?  Yes . . . 

WIND!

Just before the start

Track log
The tracks near the start are for this session.  

Kitesurfing Leighton Beach WA, nice wind and water

Session 428. First every kitesurfing session in Western Australia and it did not disappoint!  I headed out at Leightons Beach after having a drive around.  Lovely water and excellent wind but very small waves.  I kited down wind over a reef towards Cottesloe then back up wind. 

I did a couple of runs out to further to familiarise myself with the landmarks for finishing the Lighthouse to Leighton race.  The big cranes at the Fremantle docks are the most prominent.  Leighton beach is just to the north of them.

Quite a few friendly kiters were around enjoying the condition.  The guy in the Ocean Style surf shop provided me with a map and some good local advice.  The dowwinder from Leightons to Trigg Point looks like and epic trip.

There were kitesurfers out at several locations along this section of coast, including just north of South Cott Groyne (nice grass rigging area and a shower) and Swanbourne Beach.  There are lots of spots and the wind kept cranking until about 7 pm.  This is kitesurfing heaven!

Natalie arrived later and did one run out on her foil but was stung by some jellyfish as she returned to shore - ouch!  Apparently there have arrived early this year.  I plan to use my 3/2 wetsuit for the race which would provide good protection, but today I was fine in my shorty. 

The race has been rescheduled for Sunday as the weather forecast for Saturday is no good.  We still have to load our gear for transport via ferry today by 4 p.m. so I am not sure I will fit in another session.

GPS log

Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurfing event 2017

I have been invited to participate in the Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurfing event. I have wanted to do this for a while so I jumped at the chance.  Flights and accommodation are now booked.

The event is on Saturday 9 December, with Sunday 10 December a

Kiters are taken over to Rottnest Island by ferry with their gear, then they set up and kitesurf 19km  back to Leighton Beach.  Many do it as a race but I will be there for the experience and aim to have some fund on my Nugget board.

I will have Friday to do a trial run - hopefully meeting up with Natalie Clark who is doing the event for a second time.

Its the eighth year the race has been held and there are over 140 participants so it will be busy on the water.  I am looking forward to it.

2016 Lighthouse to Leighton start.  Source: Ozone

Here are my articles for the trip:

• Kitesurfing Leighton Beach WA, nice wind and water 
• Rottnest Island and a long warm-up session for the Lighthouse to Leighton race 
• My race in the 2017 Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurfing event - stoked to do it! 

Kitesurfing Tasmania 2017 - trip summary

This is summary of our late spring kitesurfing trip to Tasmania.

The wind forecasts shifted a lot during the preceding week.  Initially Marrawah looked good but closer to the date a large high pressure system in the Tasman resulted in a northerly air stream along the East coast so we booked a large house in Stanley to sleep eight.

Day 1. Friday 24 Nov

Flying over the Tamar, looking back to Port Sorrell in the distance where we kitesurfed last year.

On arrival, we found the Kia Carnival seat configuration did not fit us and our gear well, so we were lucky to swap it for a Hyundai iMax.

There was no wind so we drove to Coles Bay and hired a double kayak and a SUP and paddled across Honeymoon.[link]

We checked out the Friendly Beaches on our way back to Swansea - looks promising for kitesurfing!

We had a great house in Swansea that slept all eight of us and had plenty of room and good views across to the Hazards.

Kiters & boards - Taz, Mike, James, Anthony, Peter, Dan, Stu S, Stu W.

Lots of kangaroos and wallabies close to roads

Day 2. Sat 25 Nov.

Session 425 [link] - First kitesurfing on our 2017 Tassie trip cured my cabin fever - a nice downwinder from Peggs Beach to Stanley East Inlet

Session 426 [link] - East Inlet speed runs

Day 3. Sun 26 Nov.   

Session 427 [link] - Douglas River surf then a downwinder to Bicheno.

Five had another session at the wonderful Friendly Beaches, while three or us returned to Bicheno to order pizzas.

Day 4. Mon 27 Nov

There were some storms about in the morning

We scored some nice pancakes and jam at Kates Berry Farm near Swansea.

We drove to Coles Bay then walked to the Wineglass Bay lookout in Freycinet National Park, some continued to the beach and back.  Its a very popular walk for tourists.

Wineglass Bay

Then it was a quick dash to the airport with a 5 minute lunch stop on the way.  A final bag pack and we were on our way home.

Wilsons Prom and Shallow Inlet look great from the plane on the way home, its good to have a window seat.

Map