I got a fair few fun sessions over last summer, but that was a lot of light wind kiting with a skimboard. I remember some excellent sessions in Feb with plenty of wind, and there was a kitable day at least once or twice a week in the "off" season.
The cable park at least offsets total no wind days.
While donning a stinger suit does make you look a little gimp-like, it's much better than not kiting at all, (and avoiding excruciating death inducing neurotoxin fuelled paroxisms from the jellyfish). However nothing is 100% certain to keep you safe, and Box Jellyfish are deadly, so there's certainly an element of risk.
The crocs in the river mouths are excellent motivation to stick your landings, so you'll progress quite quickly. There was 1 spotted at the Thomatis River Mouth (southern end of Yorkeys) last year - but there are many more recreational fisherman, dog walkers, peverts etc on the beach at more risk of being taken than kiters so we still enjoy a 100% safety record and at last check it's still Crocs nil - kiters nil.
While there are plenty of kiteable beaches, it always seems that Yorkeys has a few extra knots, and all the kiters tend to be there. Bees around a honeypot, or tossers in a jerkle, I still haven't worked it out; But, a better crew would be hard to find. Maybe it's because we are a tourist and hospitality town that we welcome other kiters. We're always keen to assist with a launch or a landing because we get to rifle through the stuff in visitor's motor homes while they are out on the water.
There's even a North Qld Kitesurfing social club here
http://haffner.pdcwa.com.au Other pictures, video and assorted kiting related stuff in Cairns can be found here
homepage.mac.com/boxburg/kitesurfing/Menu71.html Rob Smallwood's gallery of photographs from Cairns Kiteweek is a cracker, and the video of the guys kiting on the reef is spectacular
www.kitesurfing.com.au/Kiteweek_2005/KITEWEEK_ENTRY_PAGE.htm Check out the DVD that comes with the subscriber's copy of KBM for more Cairns action.
Cairns in general is a great place to live. Houses are still relatively affordable, cost of living is quite low, but so are wages in general. Lifestyle is a big selling point of the region, and you'll save a fortune on winter clothes. We can generally get by in the coldest months with not much more than sheepskin lined speedos.
In terms of nightlife, restaurants, clubs etc, you will be spoiled for choice, and if you're single, there's a constant stream of Euro, English, Canadian and American travellers just wishing to meet their own personal Steve Irwin. Most of the locals can't match Steve's articulate and inteligent style, so pick up lines are limited to 3 tones of grunt. If you can drink your bodyweight and drink it again just in case, you'll fit right in.
Another great thing about Cairns is that kiting and diving are best in opposite conditions. I.E, today, when there's no wind it's a cracker out there on the reef. And vise versa. If you like anything outdoors, there's something to do all the time, no matter the weather.
Like today for example. It's glassy smooth. Not a breath of air. Kind of explains this long and information poor post really...
