Kitesurfing "Support" group :) started on the sunny coast for all levels of kiting from beginners to advanced. We just use it to stay in contact with each other, help newbies to the sport, find people to go kiting with midweek, try out new spots on the coast, sink some coffee and a few cold beers occasionally.

So far 5 of us in the group who get together regularly (my girlfriend is getting her first kite tomorrow and doing her second lesson on Sat; I am just getting into jumping and able to get out into the waves) but all welcome to join us.

Also, if there are any potential sponsors looking to promote their gear on the sunny coast or help us out with subsidised kit to help get more people into the sport then drop me a line. Anyone keen to start some in other areas also let me know as I am down the Goldie and in Sydney occasionally but never know where to kite there. Also, anyone in Brisbane and surrounding areas welcome to join if you ever come up the coast.

Contact me at [email protected] if you are interested in joining us.
Cheers
Orb

We run our group here: www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=sportingconnections&e=com

Hey Fitzy - long time no see. I'll put that date in my calendar. I think I still have your number somewhere. I'll give you a call when you get up.

All hanging very well thanks Rooey - haven't seen you either for a while - I haven't strayed far from Mudjimba in a long time. Have a good one up at the lake, I'll hopefully be tearing some waves to shreds and pulling some nice airs tomorrow.

Any advice for kitesurfing in big shorebreaks would be appreciated, especially after the tragedy at Caloundra yesterday (I know it was a windsurfer).

The problem I had is that I lost my board just behind the shorebreak but I was getting blown in faster than my board and couldn't get back to it yesterday (winds about 25-30knots on a 12m kite). About a 4-5ft set came through and broke top to bottom and as I couldn't just dive under it like I do if I have lost my surfboard, I ended up copping it on my head. What should I have done?

I had put the kite straight up over my head but it meant I got held in place as the lip hit me and I got held under and then dragged about 20m under water as the kite loaded up low to the water... had to release my chicken loop safety which was jammed for a while... a good 25 second hold down for you surfers who know about hold downs.... as someone said in the other articles, if I had panicked I would have drowned for sure, it is just fortunate that I have surfed some much larger waves and had long hold downs so just relaxed to save oxygen while I was trying to get my emergency release unjammed! Just remember, relax and you will get to the surface, panic and your chances diminish rapidly.

So, what do I do if I get caught in a big shorey in future, where should the kite be, what do I do about getting back to my board etc?
Thanks
Oscar

Yeah, surf is going to be good but the points are going to be crowded - what can you do - maybe see you up at Carties.

Twin tips are for girls, so are straps on surfboards. Harden up and go strapless, waxless and boardless.....

ok so seriously:

Use the smallest possible kite you can get away with and try to use a surfboard(or something with a bit of volume or rocker). If you ask one of your mates he may have an old learner board with "giraffe" patterns on it, they are sick.....

Oscar

You bought akoon's right?

Were they screwed before u used them?

Who sold them mate...name and shame!

Parf

orb74 said...

By the way, got screwed over by that guy selling me and paige our kites the other day... 3 of the struts on the 12 meter had holes in when it arrived and he won't take it back. what a joker!

thats bullsh!t, name and shame and complain. Did you buy them on seabreeze? surely there is some sort of kudos code to sort out the cheating farkers... Laurie are you reading this post?

orb74 said...

Aaron was awesome and talked me through how to repair it and really helped me out over the phone and i would recommend him to anyone.

I bought a bunch of kites from Aaron last year, i think he is the only ozzie takoon dealer? i could be wrong though. But yeah he was awesome to deal with and i will buy from him again and recommend him. Think they make their own boards?

Good news Orb74,kiteing equipment appears to be a great commodity for thieves from W.A to QLD,being of great resale value to the lowlifes that are targeting our cars,takeing advantage of opportunities at every popular kiteing location.Lets all keep a strong vigillance on our own equipment as well as our fellow kiters gear as this problem will only get worse as the kiteing population expands......dissappointing conditions for all those wanting to practice there kiteing skills on the Sunny coast again today,hope the weather improves for all of us as the conditions of late have been downright depressing....Roo

Damn! Almost had myself a new board there . Glad to hear things worked out in the end Oscar.

Just come back from a hectic session at Weyba, the wind was gusting up to 30 for a while there but my 10 handled it easily - just couldn't stand not kiting in my holiday. Ended up busting my board though after some hectic jumps - damn, I need a new board now...

He's still in hospital but should be home by the weekend I think - there was talk of a bbq for him on the following weekend but we'll wait an see - I'll be sure to do a post to the Sunshine Coast guys when it happens.

sunseeker said...

Just come back from a hectic session at Weyba, the wind was gusting up to 30 for a while there but my 10 handled it easily - just couldn't stand not kiting in my holiday. Ended up busting my board though after some hectic jumps - damn, I need a new board now...

not surprised! isn't weeee-bar like ankle deep? last time i was over there we walked out into the middle, me and my mates jack russel(he didn't even have to stand on his tip toes, me mate not the jack russel :)

There are also stone fish boys an girls so get up an riding an wear booties
Lake Cootharabah is probably a lot safer as far as rays an stone fish goes,it has a better launch spot also.