Wait a minute, you went to Point Walter Today? On a Southerly wind ?!?

Pauly,

Firstly, credit to you for asking the question here. A lot of others wouldn't.

In short, especially at your level, don't do it. I have read a couple of your posts so I know you have stated you are a beginner. Again, credit to you for coming here and asking this and other questions you have in other posts, instead of just hacking away blindly like so many do.

I have seen some people try to kite down there in a southerly. Today, you were overpowered - but even at the best of times it will be very gusty for you.

What happened to you today could have resulted in you being blown right out into the main boating channel. You really do not want to be out there without the powered means of getting out of the way of something very quickly.

Save Point Walter for the easterlies and unless you are very proficient, stay on the windward side. I have even witnessed experienced kiters get into trouble with equipment failure on the leeward side in an easterly. A couple of them ended up on the other side of the river. Luckily no ferries or other traffic were coming but anyway, it's an expensive taxi fare back..

To answer your question, you should not be kiting in offshore or even cross-offshore conditions. Stick to cross onshore whenever possible until you are confident in your ability to ride upwind easily (you will know when that time comes). As a safety measure, always think 'worst case scenario' e.g. equipment failure or even body failure

Fortunately, the sea breeze here in Perth is cross-on, so it is as friendly as it could be. Stick to the WAKSA recommended beaches and their supplied guidelines.

www.waksa.org.au/locations/

Also, just for your information, there have been a few people caught out in the evening kiting offshore in a SW which swings (as it often does) SE as the daylight fades. Just be aware of that possibility.

Finally, even in direct onshore winds, people can get into serious trouble.

I hope this helps as intended and does not intimidate. An accomplished wind sports person is always a part time meteorologist!

It's good to hear you made it back to the spit in time.

Stay safe


BTW, I was able to cancel a red thumb you'd already been given, with a green.

We shouldn't criticise someone new to the sport because they did the wrong thing (wrong location in this case) because of a lack of knowledge. I appreciate those who do come to a forum and ask the 'hard to ask' questions. At least someone gets the chance to supply the safety information/education left out by so many of the fly-by-night 'schools' that are operating around the place..

When someone asks a question, you can be pretty sure they are ready to listen. I'm sure you've all met plenty of the other type.. I know what I prefer.

The end

Subculture said..
Pauly,

Firstly, credit to you for asking the question here. A lot of others wouldn't.

In short, especially at your level, don't do it. I have read a couple of your posts so I know you have stated you are a beginner. Again, credit to you for coming here and asking this and other questions you have in other posts, instead of just hacking away blindly like so many do.

I have seen some people try to kite down there in a southerly. Today, you were overpowered - but even at the best of times it will be very gusty for you.

What happened to you today could have resulted in you being blown right out into the main boating channel. You really do not want to be out there without the powered means of getting out of the way of something very quickly.

Save Point Walter for the easterlies and unless you are very proficient, stay on the windward side. I have even witnessed experienced kiters get into trouble with equipment failure on the leeward side in an easterly. A couple of them ended up on the other side of the river. Luckily no ferries or other traffic were coming but anyway, it's an expensive taxi fare back..

To answer your question, you should not be kiting in offshore or even cross-offshore conditions. Stick to cross onshore whenever possible until you are confident in your ability to ride upwind easily (you will know when that time comes). As a safety measure, always think 'worst case scenario' e.g. equipment failure or even body failure

Fortunately, the sea breeze here in Perth is cross-on, so it is as friendly as it could be. Stick to the WAKSA recommended beaches and their supplied guidelines.

www.waksa.org.au/locations/

Also, just for your information, there have been a few people caught out in the evening kiting offshore in a SW which swings (as it often does) SE as the daylight fades. Just be aware of that possibility.

Finally, even in direct onshore winds, people can get into serious trouble.

I hope this helps as intended and does not intimidate. An accomplished wind sports person is always a part time meteorologist!

It's good to hear you made it back to the spit in time.

Stay safe


BTW, I was able to cancel a red thumb you'd already been given, with a green.

We shouldn't criticise someone new to the sport because they did the wrong thing (wrong location in this case) because of a lack of knowledge. I appreciate those who do come to a forum and ask the 'hard to ask' questions. At least someone gets the chance to supply the safety information/education left out by so many of the fly-by-night 'schools' that are operating around the place..

When someone asks a question, you can be pretty sure they are ready to listen. I'm sure you've all met plenty of the other type.. I know what I prefer.

The end

Thanks man! Awesome advice

Basically you don't kite in offshore winds unless

- you have a recovery boat, or
- you are willing to be blown to the closest downwind land mass, if any, or
- you are willing to lose your gear and swim back in the event of emergency

Get some kite smart spray n cover yourself in it. Also get the appropriate size kite for the conditions unless you'd like to make the news and kitting in offshore winds... Well that's just not the done thing especially as someone who's not really competent.

All good but the main point is to always assess the spot and conditions.
Why would you kite at Point Walter in a seabreeze? So many other spots around Perth Keep that location for easterlies.
Was there anyone else out? That should have been your first clue.

You should be looking at a few things when you are new to a kite spot:
- Look upwind to see if there are any obstacles (for wind shadow and gusty wind). At Point Walter in S/SW you can see trees, buildings and high land only 500m from the sand spit . I never kited there in S/SW so I can only imagine...must be pretty GUSTY!
- Look downwind. You never know where you might end up...
- Unless you're ready to drop your gear and swim...ALWAYS kite in cross/cross-onshore conditions.
- Choose the right kite size. Don't go out overpowered when you're not confident enough with your kite (and when you are not experienced!).

To answer your question. You should be able to body drag upwind if you lost your board and want to go back to shore. But again this gets harder if you are overpowered.
Last resort would be to release everything and swim back or perform a pack down (pack your kite and swim).

Best piece of advice...never hesitate to ask more experienced kiters or locals for advice when in doubt before going out!!!!