So, today I got to the beach and knew the swell and certanly the wind was up....WOW, and all those downed trees and roofs in streets of Perth today.....howling wind...finally

, and swell to boot
Got the 6 and 10, expecting to only use the 6 of course, but the charts did say the wind was coming down. So, I pack the 10 just in case...right?
I get to the beach, all the time thinking...I hope I'm not the only kiter today...wife says I'm crazy. Get to the beach..... and yippee

, two riders out. I get there and watch, they ARE having fun....but they are very good , I've still got a long way to go, but always like a challenge. They are both on small kites....(9 and 8 I think).....wind is howling and the two guys are having a blast


....but with the swell, I knew it was going to be pretty tough for me, but cool

I love being in the ocean when it is wild

Put up the 6...pump pump pump....wind dropping. One of the riders tells me to put up the 10m..I don't listen...wind still howling, but dropping fast. OK, I capitulate.....run up the bank, get the 10....pump pump pump.
Self launch....I did this well I thought...I look around and both riders have come in....no wind

Drop kite and move up to beach where riders landed. Next thing I look up and they are out again


, they are having a blast as there was another front coming in (a small one though, but you never really know). By the time I got my ten up again (after spending about 40min dicking around), the two riders came in because of guesse what? Yep...wind dropping again. Anyhow, put the kite up once more .....you know "escallating committement."
I stood on the beach for the next hour flying the kite with board in my hand, trying to get going; but I was beaten time and time again either by a wave, lack of wind, lack of skill or a combination of all three........so sad.
So what's the lesson in all of this, you may ask?
You got to love kiting

, I stuffed up, but got wet, saw fantastic surf and scenery, and I actually felt wind and saw how kiting in surf can be done. I could have been there too, but was too chicken **** and inexperienced to put up the right size kite at the right time....live and learn.
But at least I didn't sacrifice a kite today.......ummmmm because I was ready to.