The launch is near the corner of Sargood and Esplanade.

The water is shallow on low tide so be weary of that. Stay away from the pier and try to avoid the powerlines when you launch. I.e. launch with your kite away from them. You want to kite on the Geelong side of the pier, not the city side.

Wear gear that you don't mind getting all silty and stinky. Just below the sand there is black silt which seems to permanently stain boardies. Get a clothes peg for your nose.

I have only been there once but also in a South Easterly consider Parkdale or Mentone Beaches. Downside to these beaches is it can be gusty, but it is still shallow for quite a way out.

Article from The Australian that may assist. It must be a good spot.

Beach contaminated by faecal matter

SWIMMERS have been advised to stay out of the water at a Melbourne beach which has become contaminated with faecal matter. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) warned against swimming at Altona Beach on Port Philip Bay in Melbourne's western suburbs after finding high levels of faeces in the water.

The EPA said it was investigating the source but could not determine yet whether it was human or animal faeces.

"There's a range of sources it could have come from," said EPA director Stuart McConnell.

"It could be a leak or spill of sewage, or could be from septic, it could be animal faeces."

Ingestion of the faecal matter could result in severe gastro illness.

Mr McConnell said the affected area was restricted to Altona Beach with other beaches in the bay having good water quality.

He expected Altona Beach would be back to normal "within a couple of days".

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24859937-12377,00.html

Benny G said...

Don't bother the beach stinks and the water is carcenagenic it has also been known to make kiters sterile. My advice would be to stay on the other side of the bridge and let all your friends know how bad this beach can be for your health.

You've just convinced me to come over the bridge for a kite at Altona Benny

See you soon mate

Story was from the 31st December.

They havn't re-routed the **** since then. It still gets pumped out into the bay at the same old spot.

sneakybutche said...

Story was from the 31st December.

They havn't re-routed the **** since then. It still gets pumped out into the bay at the same old spot.

Its got nothing to do with that. Its all the kiters taking a piss in the water while they kite.

indeed, the locals were right. had a simply terrible afternoon at altona today. lost three cabrinhas in the trees (left them up there flapping of course), couldn't get a decent latte, my wetsuit reeks, and worst of all i was mercilessly mocked by some brutish locals as i applied my apres-kite moisturiser. as for the kiting itself, vast expanses of flat water and steady breezes, where's the fun in that. honestly the only reason i'll be going back is that it is 20 minutes closer for me than the east side.