Hi all, I only stated kiting about 1 month ago, just wondering what people experiences are in Perth during winter for kiting, sounds like maybe once or twice a week if things work out well. I have a 12M so cant really go out in over 20knots at this stage.

Thanks

Its definatly more gusty and harder to ride in than summer but if you find the right spot and conditions it can still be some great fun kiting

A new kiter, a 12 metre kite and winter in WA is not a good combo, if you do head out be very careful and keep an eye on the forecast and the horizon.
It can go from a pleasant 16-18 knots to over 30 (or 40) then to nothing within minutes.

yeah i did my first winter season last year. a great experience but definately keep your eye on the horizon. If you feel like the weather is weird or sketchy then sit around for a while and watch what happens. Also talk to the other kiters in the area. And for a newbie I'd definately recommend don't go out alone! I usually only kite with min of 3 other kiters.

I had one time where I stayed out and a massive front was coming in.........I didn't know but another experienced kiter called me in. Just after I landed it turned into crazy wind which would have put me in the dunes.

I'm not actually sure if this is right but i generally think that if you get stuck out in big winds then drop your kite in the water and self rescue.

Another thing........in winter it gets really hard to get back to your board so sometimes it's best to just come in and look. Body dragging in big winds can be so hard.

Other than that i really love winter kiting it's a great way to develop your kite control

Well winter is nearly here and the cold fronts will start soon and as always with the strong gusty winter winds comes an even greater need to know your safety systems!

We have seen a few guys recently down the beach with kites backstalling due to oversheeting. This is understandable after a long summer of good winds as your front lines often stretch unevenly compared to your backlines. The good news is that this is is easily fixed, If you are unsure drop in and we will show you how to tune your bar and lines and double check that your Safety is working correctly before the winter fronts get here.

Winter Kitesurfing may require slight adjustments to your technique/equipment and locations. We would like to extend an open invite to all kitesurfers, pop into the store to discuss the safest way to approach the coming winter months, as always there will be plenty of free advice on riding technique and gear as well.

Airborne Kitesurfing Team

Has anyone kited................I keep missing it.................ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I'm dying and having withdrawls

I'm sitting here at Safety Bay waiting for the wind to come up. About 8-10knts at the moment.

Where the hell is the wind! Hasn't been good at Leighton beach in agess.

had two sessions now.......... sunday and monday............sunday on a 9.5 and Monday back to my 7m hooray.

Yeh monday was awesome dint get real good till like 6 though so didnt get much sun :(

Had my first Kite lesson end of last Feb, went out a few times when I could borrow a mates gear, bought my first kit end of last May and kited almost as many days last winter as I did this summer.

If you are competent at self rescuing, can brave the cold and are aware of what could happen, GET OUT THERE!

Had great times and not so great times during last winter but learnt a lot and wouldnt have had the fun I did this summer if I hadnt got out there as much as I did last winter.

Got to agree with GF.
While some of our brethren are desperate to get out their enthusisam should not be seen as an encouragement for novices to go and get a proper hiding!!!
Winter kiters generally have 6-8m kites dependant on weight etc... A suitable wetsuit because you get a tired a lot quicker when you're cold. A keen sense of adventure, but a keener sense of survival.

A true typical winter day for a novice
-W 35 knots gusting 38
-Kiter 70kg wet
-Measures wind with Windmeter, never a good sign, says "windy today, bra'
-pumps up 12m Rebel, sets up for Southerly not westerly 50m downwind from other kiters, despite being told that his kite is too big for the conditions
-trys to self launch, because the experienced kiters refused to help him in his suicide attempt, nearly ends up in dunes as hot launches kite
-figures out hes in trouble as kite has inverted and centre lines are wrapped around steering lines
-gets face dragged down beach twice
-when the experienced kiters get to him (and let me tell you we don't run unless its really urgent!) and tell him to dump the kite and hold on till it settles down, he tells us that he forgot the safety leash, but thought it would be ok anyway
-we just released his kite anyway, it took off 200m down the beach settled against the dunes and he managed to recover it
- he packed up and we never saw him again

But aside from getting a painful lesson in humility, he walked away (mostly) unhurt.
he was lucky!!
Know your gear
know the conditions
but mostly know your abilities!

Month of kiting + 12M kite + Winter conditions = Darwin Award

^^^ Wise choices.

Below are links from a similar thread on the kite noobs forum.

The link to KiteHard's winter kiting info is excellent and should be studied by all kiters. Heaps of great info to keep yourself alive and enjoying kiting!


KH's info:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/Winter-Weather-Warning-for-new-Kitesurfers_2879690.aspx



Noobs thread:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66307


Safe (and kn gusty) winds folks.

Intheozone said...


What is the kiting like in winter? Where are the best/safest spots? How cold is winter? do i need to get a full steamer? or will my Gold Coast winter wear (2mm wetsuit top and boardies work?)

If things pan out well I should be down in Perth in 2 weeks

speedo's should be fine in winter here, doesn't get cold at all