Just finished up my job and have 3 weeks off before i start at the next place. Have to fit in some kiting but not much going on wind-wise down here...

From the wind graphs looks like Cairns is the place to go . Thinking of heading up there for 4 days next week starting Monday. From the various i understand Knobbies is the place to go. Any hotels/apartments people can recommend ? Do i need a car ?

Am going to be going up solo so anyone interested in catching up for dinner or a few post-kiting beers let us know !

Yeah Port is the go, catch the bus up to the kiting spot, kite all afternoon, then do a downwinder (don't take anything that cannot get wet) back to town, pack the kite and walk back to the accomodation. Its also a better spo IMO than knobs, nice and flat at low tide with perfect unbroken waves rolling around the end of the reef - nice booters

May is getting towards the end of the season for box jellyfish, but that doesn't stop some local riders keeping the ole full body lycra suit on during and after sessions up until August.
If there's wind and chop, there's very little chance of boxies as they are quite fragile and swim away to the designated Boxie shelters if there's wind. It's the hot still days when they're lurking.
If you're still worried about being stung, and don't want to reach into your sky-rocket for a deluxe full body lycra number just grab any pair of panty hose you may have hanging around and put those on. (cut the crutch out of one pair and put it over your head and your arms in the legs to protect your top section.) The lifesavers have been using panty hose as alternative protection for years. (from boxies, not other amorous lifesavers).

A normal rashie will protect your top half and for bottom half fashion - maybe dust off those old kite-pants?
Seriously, it doesn't take too long to protect yourself, you only need a thin layer of anything over your skin. Just try not to land face first. Stinger suits are good because they fit well and are great for sun protection. Locals like Capt Gumby also find stinger suits terrific after 5 wear.

As for the crocs... they're there, for sure, but spotted pretty quickly.

I've kited for years at Yorkeys and The mouth of the Barron River and not seen a croc, but then plenty of other people have. I look around for fishermen and dogs, if they're there, they make much softer targets than a kiter. Though it really is a great incentive to stick your landings if you're in the Thomatis creek estuary at the southern end of Yorkeys.

But here's another way to look at it... If there's another kiter there, it already halves your chances of being taken.

omg... i love the sound of the wind. but i think i am a little too pussy for all the crocs and stingers . on the average windy day is there a few kites out. and are the beaches litterd with sticks and ****.

Kadkhah said...

cammck said...

You may also want to have a kite at Green Island while you are here. It costs $50 to get there but you won't regret it. ...

Water is Brownish in Green Island too?

You must have some fairly good water where you kite. If you thought Green Island was brownish than don't come to Yorkies, the water is closer to blackish than brownish.

Camo

Kadkhah said...

cammck said...

You must have some fairly good water where you kite. If you thought Green Island was brownish than don't come to Yorkies, the water is closer to blackish than brownish.

Camo

I have no idea how it is in Green Island, I was just asking.
I'm kiting in Perth and it is lovely but at the moment we don't have any wind at all.

So you think Green Island`s water is Brownish too?

Cheers
Alex

Oh sorry Alex my bad. The water on Green Island is pretty good, whilst its not crystal clear its still good. Port Douglas is not as good as Green Island but its not bad, while Yorkies water is crap. So go to Port, or Green if you want better water conditions.

Camo

Oh sorry Alex my bad. The water on Green Island is pretty good, whilst its not crystal clear its still good. Port Douglas is not as good as Green Island but its not bad, while Yorkies water is crap. So go to Port, or Green if you want better water conditions.

I'm headed up to Cairns tonight for a week of kitesurfing (and to visit the folks).
Last time i was at Yorkies the water didn't look THAT bad, but maybe i'm just far more tolerant of water conditions considering i usually kite at St Kilda & Altona.

Looking forward to some solid green arrows for a change!
Also, if anyones planning a Green Island trip can they give me a shout. I'm quite keen to kite as many beaches as possible in the next 7 days.

i went to green island, and it was perfect kiting conditions.
however landing and launching space seemed very limited, and i was there at high tide..ish.
i expect that if you do kite there - you will definatly need a kite buddy.