HotPies said..
Hi all

I'm coming up to Port Douglas between the 9th and 15th of May. What are my chances of getting a few good days of wind? Also, do you need a full body stinger suit at this time of year? I've read the stingers are only around in the summer months. Anything else to be wary of kiting at four mile beach?

You should be in for up to 25knots last time I was there At that time. Yeah stingers mate. Take a suit. Not worth the risk or even a wetty as waters may be coldish. PD is a great spot and 4mile beach IS the only place to kite there anyway. Just head down to the southern most car park and say hi to windswell (what's their name?). They usually set up on the beach as a front shop, so if you need lessons, gear, accessories it's right on the beach! Don't worry about crocs, very rarely seen at PD as it's an open beach for miles. You'll love it.

HotPies said..
25kts you beauty! Sick of all this 13kts crap. Will hopefully be a great week up there. Thanks mate.

Yeah but still take your biggest kite just in case. This year's winds are shonky

Taurus said..
gkawo's advice is inaccurate...

1) You won't need a stinger suit, theres heaps of information on this site as to why you won't need one, but I suggest don't take anyone's word for it, give PD lifesavers a call, they sweep the waters daily for stingers and I think you'll find they haven't detected anything since about Feb.
2) South 4 mile is NOT the only place to kite, there is no reason that I'm aware of that you can't kite on the north side or anywhere along the line, with the exception of between the flags. Additionally, places such as yule point and cape trib offer ausome kiting in the area.
3) Be aware of very high tide conditions as it makes launch/landing tricky due to the lack of beach and trees on the waters edge.
4) 25 knots....not sure about that, you'll find excellent 17-20 knot conditions there the majority of the time.

1) Yes you do. Stingers are an ALL YEAR round risk. They are more prevailant between Nov and Mar, but it is highly recommended you wear a stinger suit (ask the rangers and life savers since you know the place so much). I know personally of a lady that got stung in Palm Cove last month and she's barely alive today still recovering. The lifesavers do not sweep the entire 4-mile beach stretch. They only sweep the swimmer net. I admit, I used to not wear one all the time, but after I've seen what the poison did to this lady, it scared the beegeesus out of me.

2) Yule point and Cape Trib are excellent spots, I agree, but be careful with the guys in leather suits! There is a resident croc at Cape Trip near the boat ramps, and there are ACHTUNG beware sings in all those beaches - so each to their own.

3) I agree with that

4) You obviously do not know the guys at Windswell. They'll be very happy to tell you how many times it peaks around 30knots. I agree it's not an everyday occurrence, but generally PD is a great kite spot due to the prevailing trade winds around the 17-20knots, as you said.

5) You're in VIC, I am in North QLD most of the time. You decide who knows this place more.

6) Yes I am back!

Taurus said..
gkawo's advice is inaccurate...

1) You won't need a stinger suit, theres heaps of information on this site as to why you won't need one, but I suggest don't take anyone's word for it, give PD lifesavers a call, they sweep the waters daily for stingers and I think you'll find they haven't detected anything since about Feb.
2) South 4 mile is NOT the only place to kite, there is no reason that I'm aware of that you can't kite on the north side or anywhere along the line, with the exception of between the flags. Additionally, places such as yule point and cape trib offer ausome kiting in the area.
3) Be aware of very high tide conditions as it makes launch/landing tricky due to the lack of beach and trees on the waters edge.
4) 25 knots....not sure about that, you'll find excellent 17-20 knot conditions there the majority of the time.

Thanks mate. Seems like there are different views out there about the stingers so might take a suit just in case. Those other spots look amazing as well so will definitely give them a try. Yeah haven't seen too many 25kt days up there lately or in the forecast but 17-20 would be perfect.

UnderMyUmbrella said...

HotPies said..

Thanks mate. Seems like there are different views out there about the stingers so might take a suit just in case. Those other spots look amazing as well so will definitely give them a try. Yeah haven't seen too many 25kt days up there lately or in the forecast but 17-20 would be perfect.

Forecast for is looking good:



Hopefully taking Friday off myself and getting my first after-lessons session in ever.

Looking very nice indeed! You'll have a cracker of a day on Friday. Hopefully it stays good for Saturday.

UnderMyUmbrella said..

HotPies said..

Looking very nice indeed! You'll have a cracker of a day on Friday. Hopefully it stays good for Saturday.

Looking like consistent good wind for your trip! Hope it holds true.

So what was that again, that Port Douglas does not get to 25 knots?