NSW
147 posts
I am a newb to this great pasttime, am an old windsurfer.
Can anyone help in regards to fresh water kiting, I live in the blue mtns and we are lucky enough to have a few fresh water lakes nearby, predominant wind is westerly with good northerly blows here and there.
To overcome boyancy issues etc what sized kite would an experienced kiter use in a moderate to fresh breeze.
Any and all info greatly appreciated
cheers
NSW
341 posts
Hmm, not sure about kiting on those lakes. You'd need a pretty constant and stable 15+ knots to be able to even kite at all and learning in gusty conditions is VERY dangerous. I've not seen the lakes but people have tried at Narrabeen on the lake and its hell dangerous.
Are you learning to kite or can you kite? I see a LOT of very experienced kiters fall foul to gusty conditions, also its hard to say a kite size when the size of person/board/wind strength/experience comes into play.
NSW
147 posts
thanks for that advice, winds out this way can be very flukey, as a boardsailor if you couldnt handle gusty conditions you would be in major problems.
In the summer we sometimes get a good noreaster when it clicks in on the coast
NSW
341 posts
have you starting kiting yet? kiting is radically different that windsurfing with the gusts. its way more dangerous, your kite will fall back in the lulls into the power zone and then if a 20+ knot gust comes through you'll be airborn and heading downwind before you know it! this is most dangerous when close to the shore and you'll probably hit it!
just so you know.
NSW
147 posts
Thanks for the info, may have to shelve plans for kiting on this particular lake after seriosly looking and thinking, too many big pines on foreshores, which cause big wind shadows and when gusts do come thru things can get wild.
This lake would be ideal for kiting as the lake has been designated sail power only, that is now motor powered craft of any kind, and has lots of space for launching.
