The wind kicked in today and mixed results with learned experience's

start the day with nnw aprx what I guess was solid 18 knots with expectation it would climb so rigged my 9,no one around so played power ratio on the safe side, I've been practicing drift launch so thought I would give it a go as gets me well away from shore. Everything done carefully all appeared to be going ok, then about 15 meters up the line a big hunk of weed was tying all my lines together. Pull release and walk All the way back in to sort out.
Whilst fixing lines on beach the wind swung to wsw and came in bit extra. Thought I might pack up and head to another location where I thought others maybe, arrived no one there but wind was coming in solid 25knots so took my time as a bit of a squall moved over, it dropped to about 20 knots and looked like storm moved north, I performed a successful water edge self launch and got going on my 9 sorta being the noob I am.. Then the wind turned back to nnw and squal turned back and absolutely newked, I maybe new to kiting but sailing has given me a fair idea of when it is fn windy and that box is well and truely ticked with water blowing up of the surface water and rain hitting sideways like razor cuts. I would say over 35 plus some. Friggen hell had de power on full, kite low up the eye of the wind walking in waist deep, it was surging hard and almost inverting at times. Too strong for me I decided, bailed and pulled the release. The kite depowered beautifully (phew). Wrapping lines for second time today, but kite although fully depowered and full tension on flag line whilst wrapping would blow up off the water 10 feet or so and resettle, quite an experience but I felt in control and performed self rescue wrap up pretty tidy so good outcome And test of my ability to perform what I have practiced in more docile conditions.

packing up and few guys I've recently met show up with the storm passed and wind settling, I decide to go out again on the 9, dam really need my 12!

sorry if my story too long but in the mood for reflecting and sharing a trying but still a great day all in all.

cheers

weebitbreezy said..
Sounds like you did the correct things. Watching upwind of you for approaching weather fronts is something you get used to doing. The best place to watch storm fronts like that is from the beach (or the bar).

Sometimes you can dislodge weed by giving the lines a good shake. Best to land and sort it out if you can't.

Yeah I took my eyes off it, but it had passed and turned back on me. But I was too busy trying to nail a run in the other direction.

on the weed I tried but the lines had knotted in the weed, would of been a big mistake to try a launch. I think my choice was good on that one.

Where were you kiting at richoa? Went out Sunday arvo and the wind was so on and off dropped my kite out of the sky right into the power zone then powered up when it hit the the ground went for the saftey but could not get it in time got dragged a little but learnt some lessons for sure like don't go out if the conditions are not suitable especially when still learning I really thought a 12m kite should have plenty of power in 12knt of wind ? Maybe a trim issue or maybe that's just the edge of its wind limit ??

Kajo said..
. I'm thinking gear failure whilst you're 2km out at sea...

ha, for sure that's a kitemare, I did say semi kitemare. Just a good headline so people read and get some ZZZZ

weebitbreezy said..
Watching upwind of you for approaching weather fronts is something you get used to doing. The best place to watch storm fronts like that is from the beach (or the bar).

Another thing to watch is the other riders. If there's a mass exodus of people to the shore, have a good long look around to see if there's a danger that they have spotted. Even if there's NO riders out (in this case), treat it as a big red warning sign. You're far more exposed to risk when kiting alone.

VRBones said..

weebitbreezy said..
Watching upwind of you for approaching weather fronts is something you get used to doing. The best place to watch storm fronts like that is from the beach (or the bar).

Another thing to watch is the other riders. If there's a mass exodus of people to the shore, have a good long look around to see if there's a danger that they have spotted. Even if there's NO riders out (in this case), treat it as a big red warning sign. You're far more exposed to risk when kiting alone.

Spot on! Always watch what other kiters are doing, it's a very good telltale sign