Very good, asking the question on the forum. Exactly what everyone should be doing, finding out about local restrictions before kiting. Unfortunately I don't have the answer for you, so there's not much point me posting here, but I thought I should remind you (and any other newbies etc.) that asking a local shop is an encouraged method of finding out these things as well.

Beck Nicholson has a list of kiteboard shops in Australia at her site www.traqua.com, but it seems quite sad. I know of quite a few shops that aren't there. She was pushing support for local shops a few months ago. Hey - kiteboard shops out there - list your shop on Beck's site.

Another option to find out this information is www.kitebeaches.com. It has a database of beaches worldwide and includes restrictions in place for kiteboarding at these beaches. Again the list isn't the most comprehensive as it relies on public submissions, I had a quick look and there doesn't seem to have anything about Kurnell.

So in response to your question, sorry don't know. I'll be getting off my soapbox now...

The Green Baron

I'll get you yet Von Richtofen, you fiend.

Hey Arlo2004,

Alan is pretty close to the truth, however, it's not all as doom and gloom as that. It can be a bit nasty with the Rock groynes, and the catsa can be a problem, but only when they race which is usually a Sunday from memory.

I think the best spot for newbies is the area further west down in the space between the toilet block and the cat club. This is easily the widest groyne and has a large area of constant depth water. The groyne where all the other kiters go is small and severely congested.

I would be more concerned about standing on a ray rather than an urchin, but I have windsurfed and kited there for almost 20 years and have stood on neither, although lucky a few times with the rays!

Best winds are NE. The NE winds at Kurnell are usually 5 knots stronger than the other side of the Bay and are definately less gusty making it ideal. It has good fun chop out the back and smooth patches in the lee of the groynes. NW is OK but can be gusty and for you will be onshore. W can be good but extremely gusty. Southerly is good in the bay behind Bonna Point at the most western tip of the peninsula but beware as you cross the mouth of the bay it is open water downwind into the bay and it is nearly 5 km to the other side at Brighton le Sands.

I have taught newbies to kite at Kurnell from time to time and it is safe as long as you are well aware of your position in relation to the groynes and drop your kite before you get too close rather than when too close.

If you took away the groynes, kurnell would be the best kite teaching location in the whole bay.

Have fun and show respect to the locals.

Happy New Year.