Hey Keith,

I spent the best part of a winter in PD and found the wind that year to be usually gusty, a bit frontal with rain and generally lightish. You will need big kites, I'd take an 18, 15 and 12 if I were you.

I believe they are having a pretty crap winter there this year and haven't had many good trades. It's definately the luck of the draw, "You pays your money and ya takes ya chances" and in PD's case you pay craploads of money!

Much better kiting just north of PD and Wonga Beach, way cheap and faux surf conditions. Stay at the lovely Wonga Beach Caravan Park and be on the beach itself. Cheap and Friendly!

Have fun

Thanks Guys
Hey Johnny what kites/boards are you using ?? I'll Probably only take one kite and one board next week.
Keith

I was there for a couple of weeks from start of June (seems like forever ago now - sigh). I agree with the frontal assertion - a couple of days if you werent rigged and ready to go for when the front and rain came through, you wouldnt get a kite at all. With each front it would last 10-30mins tops.

Got about 3 good days while I was there - but great spot, friendly kiters etc. I took 10,14,18 and generally could get away with the 14 - the 10 never got a look in. Had to ride my bigger board most of the time too.

I was up there a few seasons back and there was a hole of 6 weeks in the middle of the trades. The rest was pretty good.

oh, and for Presto...
Bring your big kites. 16m for sure, then it will depends on your weight... If you enjoy big kites, bring the 18 too, if you're fairly light, you may want to bring your 12m -and pray to get lucky-. I'd advise you to bring a big board on top of your regular one, it might save your session...
Besides, if my last post sounded a bit pessimistic, the crew up there is really nice: very friendly people, all very laid back and helpful, no ego, very very nice spot to hang around...
The spot itself is great -but forget about it if you like waves, it's flat, flat, flat (perfect if you've got bad knees!!!)-, side shore wind, most of riders, during the 10 past days, were out on 16/17m. I've still managed to get some rides on 12m, but most of them underpowered...
I was told by the locals that the weather we had wasn't quite usual...
Hope this help.
I might meet you up here if it kicks in!
Regards!

Hate to say it, but the way things have been I wouldn't bother. I can't remember he last time I had a powered session. We have been heading to port from yorkies in hope but it has been extemely ordinary. According to the met things arn't likely to change in the near future.

Damn frustrating considering this is the about the peak of our season!!!

trades are where the heart is..............etc

The best place we kited on the whole Queensland coast was Archer Point just south of Cooktown. You will need your own wheels to get there. There is absolutely NOTHING there so ANYthing you need you will need to bring yourself.

You can stay in Cooktown, plenty of reasonably priced accomodation and it is only a 30-40 minute drive to the beach. It can be a bit crocky by the river mouth and a bit tidery out near the island, but highly recommend this place as it friggen blows like mad, generally 15 knots stronger than anything you'll find in PD or Cairns due to the absence of the Great Dividing Range. Coktown is way friendly and a cool spot, great museums and stuff too.

You'll need a 15, 12 and maybe a 10 for Archer Point. It has super flat water behing the bar and also nice rolling chop that you can carve up near the rocky point. The water is clear and warm and grassy rigging area which is good for camping. Check it out if you wanna ride in NQLD, it is the bollocks!

Any winds,

D