Noosa kitesurfing - downwinder from Peregian Beach to Castaways Beach

Session 454. We very keen to do a downwinder along the Sunshine Coast so we setup a car shuffle from Peregian Beach to Castaways.  The wind and Peregian was light and the surf was big.  I was dubious about whether we could make it.  Stu Styles and Mike headed off; Stu disappeared into the distance but Mike ended up on the beach.

I decided to go to test the wind for the others.  I got going and was able to get my speed up but the broken waves were constantly pushing me in and I didn't have enough power to make it out the back.

I stayed on the same tack making ground on the flat water between waves then getting washed in by broken ones rolling in.  I had to sine the kite and concentrate, but I made it.  A couple of others followed and made it but several made the good choice to not attempt it.

With better wind the downwinders here would be sensational.

Those returning to Melbourne packed their bags for the flight home and we got a group shot to celebrate the trip.

Adam and I dropped a couple of guys at the airport, said farewell then picked up a smaller car for the next week in Noosa - hoping to get more wind and some good kitesurfing.

Noosa kitesurfing - hit the jackpot at the Gold Coast!

Session 453. We drove the the Gold Coast to catch a good Predictwind forecast.  Our kitesurfing buddy Franz who now lives in Brisbane advised us to kite at Narrowneck which is north of Main Beach.  The 2.5 hour drive was well worth it.

We arrived at 11 with over 15 knots of wind.  I have a great session on my Union 10 enjoying the scenery and cruising around.  It wasn't difficult keeping away from the flagged swimming areas.

Everyone got on the water with only one other kiter there.  The wind picked up at 1:00 so we had a break for food and drink then got our smaller kites to continue.  The wind speed increased over 30 knots and the waves got bigger too.  

I was well powered on my Union 8m kites tied on the lower knots.  Some webbing on my bar broke so I swapped to my spare bar (good to have a spare, check your gear!) and went out again with the wind up to and over 35 knots which was a blast.

We didn't get organised to do the downwinder to the Spit.  One guy cruised past on a foil surfboard, pumping it to get out then surfing in one a wave.  Looked really cool.

We drove back very tired and had a good pizza dinner at the Cinque Terra restaurant at Sunshine Beach then an early night.

Noosa kitesurfing - Sunshine Beach dawn patrol

Session 452. First kitesurfing session of our Noosa trip, a very early start on Saturday morning paid off with some wind at Sunshine Beach.  The Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5 was great in the light wind conditions with the Nugget board.

Walking to the beach from our apartment was nice too.

There were some good sized waves and getting out through the break was not too difficult.

A whale breached just behind Adam when he was just off the rocks out from the "dog exercise area" of the beach!  

Mike also saw a couple of dolphins leaping out of the water.  

I took it easy and enjoyed the surf - my finger was fine, the nerves and are getting better and the sensation is improving.  

Everyone was keen and happy to get on the water for our first session.

 

Noosa kitesurfing - arrival, body surfing and visit to Kitethrills

The kitesurfing crew for this year's spring kitesurfing trip to Noosa all converged on the Sunshine Coast on Friday.  I flew into the Sunshine Coast with Dobbo, Mike and Stuart.  Others flew into Brisbane and drove up. 

Its an interesting flight into the airport with the canals and houses below and the surf beaches rolling in the distance. 

 It was hot and sunny at around 34C.   We got the hire car - a Hyundai iMax van - but the rear seats did not fold forward which was not ideal.

We drove to the beach at the southern side of the Maroochy River to check it out.  The wind was light, less than 10 knots and the mouth of the river was flowing fast.

We drove onto Currumundi Creek to visit Mike Walker at Kitethrills to hello and get some local advice.

Mike also runs trips to Mauritius which is on my list of places to go kitesurfing.  We had a great lunch and coffee at his cafe, then took our kite gear to the nearby beach.  There wasn't enough wind to kite so we surfed and body surfed.

It was a 50 minute drive up to our lodgings at Sunshine Beach.  The townhouse was excellent with just enough beds and lots of space for kite gear in the garage.  The lap pool was a bonus and we were in walking distance to the local shops and the beach.

We had dinner at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club which is a popular spot for a pub meal.

Some wind is coming in early tomorrow to it will be a dawn start.

Kitesurfing Seaford to Daveys Bay

Session 451.  Warmer weather and smooth wind made for nice kitesurfing at Seaford.  After some tacks I headed south for a tour and got to Daveys Bay on one tack.  It was nice cruising and having a look around.

Coming close to the shore at Daveys Bay I found that there was a lot of reef under the waves.  I came to shore and picked a good location to start my trip back heading towards Seaford Pier.

I finished with a nice run down surfing waves back.  The waves were not very big due as the wind was not strong.

The water and scenery was beautiful and it was a nice kitesurfing tour.

Davey Bay

Very cold kitesurfing at Aspendale in flukey wind

Session 450. A very cold for an early morning session.  The wind was flukey so I headed out on my Ocean Rodeo 14.5.  Plenty of power for a while but it was dropping right off closer to shore.  I had a break and chatted for a while until it picked up again and headed out for a second go.

The wind was better further out was good but I was wary of a long swim in. The waves were not huge, but it was cold and refreshing.

My 2mm Ripcurl Rubber Soul booties both have splits from the top and are not keeping my feet warm.

Tarren and I had a great coffee and chilli eggs with avocado at the Two Farm Girls cafe nearby, they have an excellent menu.

Then I bought some Ripcurl Flashbomb 3mm booties from Mordys Surf.  The thicker neoprene and flash fabric lining should make them nice and warm and the sole is not too thick.

Kitesurfing bay waves Rosebud to Rye with good wind

Session 449. Good solid wind at Rosebud, enough for my Wave 6 kite.  The waves on the outer sandbank were a good size for surfing and the tide was high so it was easy to get out.

After several tacks out and surfing down the line I followed the others for an extended downwinder towards Rye Pier, enjoying the bay surf all the way down. 

It took several tacks to get back, tired but stoked after a great session. 

 

Cracking winter kitesurfing at Rosebud in "tropical" weather

Session 448.  A cracking winter kitesurfing at Rosebud in "tropical" weather - one of my best there.  Got down there at 9 with James, Stu S, Jop, Luca, Mike and Richard with the wind blowing a steady 20 knots and a high tide.

It was easy to get out to the first sandbar where some good waves were breaking.  Azure green water, sunshine and good wind were a magic combination.  It felt tropical, except for the chilled water.

I did some nice speed runs on the flat water lagoon close to shore with the sandbars all covered.

The waves were so good I did a downwinder towards Rye and got back with a few tacks.

There were lots of smiles on dials after this session! 

Stu S, Jop, Luca and I had a relaxing lunch and coffee in the warmth of The Corner Cafe