2 posts
Heya,
I've just moved back to Melbourne from Tanzania.
Started kiting there this year on a 12m in what would be considered light wind here, riding upwind no worries but still inexperienced.
I have just bought a 10m Cab 2013 switchblade and went down to Rosebud for a 2hr lesson to feel out the place/conditions a few weeks ago. The wind was about 16-18 and ended up using the instructors 15m. No issues there and I had a bit of an upwind ride.
I feel pretty confident to boot down on my own now and was just wondering what sort of wind I should be looking at to ride my 10? I am about 72 kg. The place felt good for an inexperienced rider on a cross shore low tide. Any other things I should bear in mind before I head down?
Any other suitable spots as well?
Cheers,
Lewi
VIC
166 posts
Eventually that 10 should get you out in most conditions in the summer = anywhere from 16-25 knots. To start you may find it a little tricky in light wind but IMO those are the best days to learn.
VIC
276 posts
The great thing about Melbourne is the horse shoe shaped bay, meaning no matter what direction the wind is blowing you can always find somewhere to kite.
Rosebud requires a northerly which become less frequent in summer and we get more southerlies.
I like Altona and if you go down the Southern end of the beach theres nice shallow area flanked by a sand spit. That's a good learner area but make sure you get some advice on where to rig up and launch.
Another good learner spot but further away is Inverloch on a mid or low tide. Again lots of shallow water, quite flat and lots of area to rig up and launch ( at low and mid-tides).
I would avoid St Kilda. Its tempting when you are learning... safety in numbers right?. That place has a lot of hazards, especially other kiters.
VIC
180 posts
Rosebud is great to learn to kite as you've got such a large area of shallow water and can move a fair way down the beach to practice.
I'm glad you've found that place.
Others have recommended Inverloch, its a fair bit of a drive so I'd recommend doing a weekend down there to make the most of it.
What area of Melbourne do you live in? Most of the bay area's that work on our seabreeze, South Westerly, will have some chop and "swell" coming in. I use the swell term loosely as its in the bay, not real ocean swell. So that can add a level of difficulty to your learning experience.
If you're on the SE side of the bay, anywhere from Brighton down to Frankston can work on our sea breezes but certainly chat to some local kiters before heading out. Brighton has a relative narrow entry/exit area on the beach with some good rocks nearby, not the most beginner friendly but if you're holding your line and can ride upwind no reason not to kite there. Good space on the beach to land/launch but gets crowded with locals in summer getting their tans.
Hampton is maybe a little friendlier and from memory there is a school who teach out of there.
Mentone works but really not beginner friendly, narrow beach and you need to make sure you dont kite in the swimming zone infront of the lifeguards.
Moordialloc (Watkins street carpark ) is good, again narrow beach and if you get it wrong on the beach you'll either be in someones backyard or power lines. Lots of beach space to move up/down
Aspendale (Gnotuk Ave), pretty much the same as Watkins. There is a no boating area which would include kiters direclty infront of the carpark.
Chelsea, by their lifesaving club is good and quite begineer friendly. More beach space than Gnotuk or Watkins and you've got a little more room before the houses and power lines.
Rosebud however is ****ing awesome, I'd recommend landing and launching on the beach. You'll see a few lads launching/landing on the grass area and if you're confident then go ahead. With the trees blocking some of the wind its not the most simple of launches/lands. If there's a Westerly with a little North to it, all the way around North to North Easterly then make the effort and go to Rosebud.
As always, chat with the local kiters where you choose, make friends and be courteous.
Hope this info helps and I'm sure other guys with a ****load more experience than I have can add some more.
VIC
180 posts
****, sorry, not life saving club. Yacht Club.
No issues there that I've seen. During warmer weather there's more people around so obvious considerations are taken there.
2 posts
Cheers, That helps a bunch!!
I'm up in the Hills around Belgrave so any time I jump in the car to go kite it will be a drive. I have heard Altona is great as well. Rosebud was awesome and I'll keep cracking on there for the time being and chat to the locals about other spots....just wanna steadily improve without smashing into anyone or zapping myself on power lines somewhere.
Thanks again.
