What's happening with the downwinder this Sunday - is it still on or is everyone buggering off for the long weekend (I know there's a fair chance I will be)?

Also, as it's going to be a long weekend how flexible is the day it will occur on as the SeaBreeze graphs are indicating the wind'll be better on Monday?

Probably shouldn't be asking this seeing as I've still got a lot of improvement to make in my kitesurfing before tackling another downwinder, but hey, you never know; I'm hoping to pick up my Waroo 12m this weekend and spend most of the long weekend playing/practicing with it, and it just may make a huge difference to my ability by Monday.

Speaking of such; bondo, has your Waroo landed yet and if so, what do you think of it?

from the BOM

Sunday
Northerly wind increasing 15 to 25 knots, reaching 30 knots ahead of a
southwesterly change of similar strength late in the day.

which to me would indicate an early session at point henry is on the cards. at least thats my plan.

waterboy - the 12 waroo arrived on tuesday, had a quick sesh at st kilda. first impressions were that it is more powerful that my current 12, rides and turns fast, bar is better than old best bars, leash is crap (I removed and used my SS leash instead). Need some more water time to properly judge it but happy so far.

maybe a downwinder from Pt Henry to stingray bay.

OK. This Sunday looks like a non-event. If anyone thinks of anything for Monday please post here or start an SMS... if we get enough followers from the SMS's we could hold a riot at the beach... and, at least, we could get our photos in the papers.

Possible causes to riot on the beach:
- Kiters vs Polies. (this could be hard; only the wind speed separates some)
- Bows vs C's. (this one will bring the pimps in)
- Fins vs No-Fins. (now we're talking personal choice)
- Bindings vs Straps. (this'll get the hardcore nutters going)
- AzzA is too good lookin. (this one's moot, no argument there)

No go for me this Sunday - moving house, didn't realise just how much crap I could accumulate within 3 years in the current place.

Oh, and I need to fix my 12m, It sort of twisted inside out, powered up and the trailing edge of one of the struts managed to tear the canopy -

Welcome back Snowman, I'm not in the least bit jealous of your trip to Cananda.

well, tommorow arvo is looking good. how is access to st kilda given the boring-wealth games? will beaconsfield pde be closed off tommorow?

The PDF for "Community Update: Cycling Time Trial (cities of Kingston and Bayside)" shows the closure for the 20th-21st. Hope it don't blow then; that'd suck!

Hi Snowie,welcome back, any sign of snow kites on the big hill. You were at Whistler weren't you?
Not sure how the snowkite scene is emerging over there. I know its taking supposed to be taking off at Reno.

I'm keen to get a bit of wind this weekend (I might try eggs, they seem to work.)but not sure where and when I can fit it in.In between cycling Fri night, Triathlon Sat. Lion King Sat. Marathon Sun.
I guess Altona sounds promising, is it ok in a SW.Thought Altona to Port might have been an option but the predictions are not very strong.Might just have to lug my gear down to Port Melb beach for a play which is a boating zone so should be ok.

Azza, Brighton has proved itself once again. I say again I HATE BRIGHTON!!!!
Lost my Board. My chicken loop punched out as I was putting my board back on, must have been about 1km out.
Fully powered and can't hook back in until I managed to put itback together. After quite a bit of FULLY powered body dragging I did get it back together but board was LONG GONE and nowhere to be seen.

THanks to Brighton SLSC as they picked it up in a rubber duckie and I got it back before I left.

Nah - Altona sucks - its probably the worst kiting spot in Melb and totally crap for beginners...

...It doesnt work in ANY wind direction...especially NOT South-Easterly...if you see a South-Easterly on a high tide - stay well away...

...did I mention the sewage and the man-eating locals...

...you have been warned - STAY AWAY

AND I forgot the toothless bourbon swilling locals...

...and the beached whales who "rescue" your kiteboard off the sandbank so that they can shake their dugs in your face...

...and it seriously stinks - after a kite you have to burn your wetty and fumigate the car...

...oh - and sometimes azza kites there.....BE WARNED

Is anyone anxiously watching the graphs today? Wondering what to do?

The Waroo has landed.

Didn't manage to score the hot pink and black colour combo, but ended up with something in acceptably poor taste (fluoro yellow and black), so at least you'll be able to tell bondo (black and blue 12m Waroo) and I apart.

Took it out for a sesh on Saturday - about 10 knots and was comfortably powered on my big ol' Stonker 182 kiteboard/surfski/QE2.

When the wind picked up a couple of knots the kite had so much power it was actually blowing my edge out of the water.

STOKED!!

Have been working on my transitions and flying in and around other kiters to get used to dealing with traffic. So hopefully after a few more practice sessions I should be up for a downwinder.

Incidentally, did one happen on Sunday, or did the street closures for the 'Games down at St Kilda make life too much of a hassle for it?

Hope y'all had as much fun as I did over the weekend (my smile was a mile wide coming off KiteBeach on Saturday arvo).

Cheers!

Hi, We went to Big White in Canada and didn't see a single kite I would have thought there we to many trees to really have it work well...

Sunday came up ok in the end - though my session didn't end to well (see the thank you thread )

fingures crossed for some more wind before the end of the season, the water is still warm it can't be over yet!

hey im relativly new so im not confedent enough to do it but if u guys need a hand... im not sure what i could provide apart from my driving skills, pump ect, i live 5min from st kilda .....................
let me know [email protected]

Ah Azza it must be that patch work quilt your flying. I know I've had a few close calls when your near by!

So the winds on its way out for winter?