YOOHOO... anyone from port hedland???

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nonikkers
nonikkers
WA
221 posts
WA, 221 posts
26 Feb 2007 7:13pm
URGENT
does anyone have any info on kiting in port hedland... wondering whether to take my kites up
what graph would be the closest to see what the wind is like?
going up this long weekend and we are staying right on the beach
ta

Simon.
Simon.
WA
66 posts
WA, 66 posts
27 Feb 2007 8:33am
Take your kites.

Best spot is right out the front of the hospital, a place called the spoilbank which is a huge sand spit.

Have a kite and then you can go check out the skimpies at the Pier Hotel.

Gavatron
Gavatron
WA
15 posts
WA, 15 posts
27 Feb 2007 12:18pm
Just watch out for the noah's. Have heard some stories about some big tiger sharks. And of course the bulk iron ore carriers. I am starting a job up there next week so let me know how you go. Not that i'll get much time to kite working a 12hr day. Good luck happy kiting.
nonikkers
nonikkers
WA
221 posts
WA, 221 posts
28 Feb 2007 11:11am
thanks all
im going up with my family... will take my kites becasue i couldnt think of anything worse than staring at the water if there is good wind... even though i have a feeling there will be none
we arent planning on doing anything up there apart from hanging around the beach house...
a bit nervous becasue no one else will be kiting and i have absolutely no idea how to self launch... BUT will give it a go never the less
28 Feb 2007 12:04pm
beach house in Port Hedland
Indi
Indi
WA
11 posts
WA, 11 posts
28 Feb 2007 12:09pm
There's windguru.com however the closest detailed town I think would be Exmouth (and that's still a fair distance). I'd phone the PH tourist beauru and ask them for the 4 day boating weather look-ahead.

I recently went to Exmouth and found the 4-day lookahead posted on the noticeboard to be more accurate than anything else I could find.

Great kiting up north although the winds may now be dropping. Love the warm water. Don't worry about the sharks - they're well feed. Although it's often shallow kiting, it's still a bit of a worry if you can't re-launch the kite. Have fun.
Indi
Indi
WA
11 posts
WA, 11 posts
28 Feb 2007 12:22pm
Sorry nonikkers. Re-read your post and saw you said self launch (not re-launch). Had the same issue when I went kiting in the Exm nat park. I found that there were always euro kiters/sailboarders coming through.
kitebored
kitebored
NSW
593 posts
NSW, 593 posts
28 Feb 2007 3:09pm
self launch is super easy, for my c kites i:

  • put kite in normal launch position like someone is holding it

  • fold bottom edge over about 40cm up(normally a strut there) and weigh down with sand (or something else heavy enough so you can let go and be confident the kites not going anywhere)

  • Go to your bar like a normal launch and pull the lines tight (which will flip the bottom edge out pushing the sand/heavy object off)

  • The kite will now launch like a normal launch


all the sand does is hold it like a person.. sorta ;)

check out http://www.kiteboardingschool.com.au/tips_&_tricks.htm#Self%20Launch%20Bow for sle/bow kites

Of course your angle to the kite when launching will effect the outcome and you shouldn't waste anytime from leaving the kite weighed down to getting your safety on and being at the bar end.
feel free to add to this anyone, i taught myself, these are the steps i follow and it works for me.
nonikkers
nonikkers
WA
221 posts
WA, 221 posts
28 Feb 2007 3:04pm
yes... 80 mile beach or something like that i have heard???
i have absolutely no idea what it is like...our family friend owns it and has promised we are right on the beach...
will let you know they could be telling lies

will try the tourist centre and see if they can give me a better idea... i am planning on only taking my 9m...
i am hoping it is fairly shallow... i feel safer that i can see whats under me

thanks for the self launch info... i have seen it done but havent actually done it myself...
i guess there is a first time for everything... i have a c kite but with the curved wing tips... should i do it the same as you described?...
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