To me there seems to be less kiters on the water this year.

Yes, there are new guys coming into the sport who are out every chance they get, but I see less of the older crew.

Overall, the numbers at the beach don't seem any higher than a few years ago. Often, in the past year, I have arrived at the beach and only seeing 50% of the number of kiters I expected. Have they all moved to WA? Less Euros in Melbourne?

Has the growth of kiting in Victoria stopped?

What are your observations at your local?

yeah i don't see a lot of regulars. I might know 20 to 30 recognisable faces in the whole of vic kite scene. That's not many faces when you think about the number of locations i travel to to kite. The rest are just noobs

true all above... you can see how many kite surfers Melbourne has when we have
East winds at altona
North winds at Rosebud


These are spots you don't have to pay for parking.

Today at Rosebud there were 10 kite surfer around 830 am. The conditions were average.

cheers

castill0jf said..

true all above... you can see how many kite surfers Melbourne has when we have
East winds at altona
North winds at Rosebud


These are spots you don't have to pay for parking.

Today at Rosebud there were 10 kite surfer around 830 am. The conditions were average.

cheers

I reckon 3 years ago, you would have had at least 10 kiters there at the same time, with similar forecast.

polykarb said...
The water is nice and warm in hawaii at the moment.

and windless if you are on seebreeze?

I have to agree with ice, it seems like there are less kiters now than when I remembered starting 3-4 years ago or at least the numbers have not grown much in the last few years. I reckon it peaked in about 2010/11. At my usual spots I see the usual faces and I recognise most riders by their kites and its now more unusual when I see someone I have not seen before.

There are probably more beginners and people getting lessons and maybe a lot more go to Altona now but I reckon a lot do lessons get up on the board buy new gear but don't really commit longer term. I think kiting will go the way of windsurfing where there will just be the same crew doing it year in year out. Most of us are ex-surfers so know what that commitment involves, cold water, danger, waiting for wind/swell etc.

Certainly if it was growing at the rate it was back in late 2000's there would be no space on the beach anymore.

It would be good if the shops could let us know their experience. I for one don't see many second hand 2013 cabs floating around.

All of you should stop kiting in sympathy for me not being able too

weekend was fubarred.. was forced to go out at midnight friday night just to get wind.. high 20s

Loftywinds said..

ice said..

To me there seems to be less kiters on the water this year.
..
Have they all moved to WA?

Nope. Up north. Warmer waters and plenty of wind right now.

holly shat, you not wrong. Just looked up the forecast for farnorth QLD!!! ohhhh man!
if only I could fake my death....

suniboy21 said..

Loftywinds said..

ice said..

To me there seems to be less kiters on the water this year.
..
Have they all moved to WA?

Nope. Up north. Warmer waters and plenty of wind right now.

holly shat, you not wrong. Just looked up the forecast for farnorth QLD!!! ohhhh man!
if only I could fake my death....

don't get too excited by the forecasts, compare it to the actual wind they get actually reaching the coast or some actual accessible location that doesn't require a monster truck. They probably get excited by 15 knots, if there is not enough wind you need to go further north. how far north? maybe PNG. But then again i have never been there but have spent hours researching so go ahead flame me away qld-ers...

give me a arctic cold front blast any day double speed double air density boost and waves we just don't know how good we've got it here don't need to fake your death when you know you are alive

ice said..

Saffer said..

Also remember you have natural attrition from the sport through winter because of parenting. A fair amount of the kiters I know are now mum's and dad's which means less kiting, particularly in winter.

This means that there will be another growth in the number on the water in about 10 years, when these parents are introducing their teenage kids to the sport, and they maybe able to get out on the water a bit more themselves.

Yes, that's my faith!