Forums > Kitesurfing General

quiver advice for Cairns

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Created by dafish > 9 months ago, 1 Jul 2013
dafish
NSW, 1654 posts
1 Jul 2013 2:57PM
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Hey all,
I decided to tag along my wife's business trip to Cairns and Townsville for a week and wondered what would be most useful for next week. 9 and 12, or 12 and 17. Not sure I have the room for all three. I will also be bringing a surfboard for windchop and a tt. Looking at kiting Yorkeys and then two days down in Townsville.
I prefer to ride my surfboard, but am happy on a tt if there are little waves to bash around on.
Cheers.

Haydn24
QLD, 473 posts
1 Jul 2013 3:01PM
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Looks like it will be around 20 knots next week. So depending on your weight I would be taking the 9 and 12.

Nuking
NSW, 83 posts
1 Jul 2013 4:50PM
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There's not a whole lot of waves there only some wind chop. If it was me I'd leave the SB behind and take the 12 & 17. Squeeze the 9m in if you have room left over. Enjoy the weather you lucky bastard.

markass
WA, 143 posts
1 Jul 2013 3:20PM
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i flew a 16 at low isles on 13-15knots.....82kegs

speed brother
QLD, 126 posts
1 Jul 2013 6:21PM
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Im a Cairns local, weigh 80 kg and haven't used my 9 fuse for 8 mths. Have recently considered buying a 17m.

dafish
NSW, 1654 posts
1 Jul 2013 7:44PM
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Thanks everyone. I think based on the info I will be taking the 9 and 12. Looks like it's going to be fun!
Hope I catch some of you in the line up.

castill0jf
VIC, 563 posts
1 Jul 2013 7:53PM
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I was there last year and planning to go back. I would take the 12,17 and a TT.

zarb
NSW, 692 posts
1 Jul 2013 8:40PM
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What about further north? Port Douglas to be exact. Still only worth taking kites above 10m?

AndyHansen
WA, 278 posts
1 Jul 2013 7:25PM
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Doing Cairns for 2 and bit weeks, 19th July till early August... Really not keen to get caught out with kites missing from quiver, so it 7, 9, 13 & 19m for me!! Cant wait!!!

Gdog
QLD, 83 posts
1 Jul 2013 10:29PM
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Dafish, bring your surf board. Although we do not have "south type" waves you will still find plenty of faces to slash. There are heaps of locals that ride surf boards. If you nail a trip to the reef you will kick yourself for not having one. It is quite funny reading posts on my local area buy people that don't live here but may have visited at some time. As with all locations varying conditions can throw up a multitude of experiences, be prepared for everything and make the most of anything. Hope you enjoy.

dafish
NSW, 1654 posts
2 Jul 2013 9:10AM
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Thanks Gdog, I always travel with a surfboard, and only sometimes throw in the TT. I can have fun on windchop or strap it up and go for a jumping session anywhere. I love finding new places and experience what others have said about it. But what is really great is when you come to an area with respect, follow the local rules, and have people share their stoke with you about their area. Look forward to a fun little trip, have a few things scoped out already. Since I normally travel with two surfboards and will only take one this little trip, I still might make weight if I throw the 17 in as well. Will see when I pack. If not, it stays behind.
Again all, I appreciate the tips, hope I can return the favor down our way in J Bay.

archie00
NSW, 138 posts
2 Jul 2013 10:13AM
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As a visitor to both areas - seem to always need 17m in Cairns - no matter the forecast. Often green arrows all week and end up on big kite. Wind seems to be more offshore and they get less inshore. Green island is 20-25 knots day & night.

Townsville though gets closer to the forecast and you may need the smaller kite there - particularly if go over to magnetic island.

Depends how much time you are going to be in either place.

Glokite
WA, 119 posts
2 Jul 2013 8:15AM
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I live in broome so you could say similar climates and my quiver is a 17 and 12 and I'm only light
Cheers

Gdog
QLD, 83 posts
3 Jul 2013 9:41PM
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DaFish, squeeze in the 17 if you can, at least it will give you another option. As you will be time poor, if Cairns inshore is dicky and Arlington reef is 20 knots then jump on the boat to Green Island. Introduce yourself to the lifeguards as they will be the only ones who could help you if things go bad. The eastern side of Green Island can be a top spot but be careful as any stuff ups can mean a lost kite or a big swim. If you have transport Port D can turn it on when Cairns is crap, give Bretto from Windswell a call for conditions. I will be away next week but a six pack in the rigging area will go a long way to meeting some kiters in the know. Enjoy.

speed brother
QLD, 126 posts
3 Jul 2013 9:52PM
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The only kiter who got going today was on a 17m and a door. Don't bother with Townsville it is always a lot lighter. If you can't get to the reef, go to Port Douglas or see Ant and get a few days up north. There is wind forecast on seabreeze this weekend. A rule of thumb for the Seabreeze Cairns wind forecasts is; take the predicted windspeed, subtract 10 knots and halve the remainder. Thats what you'll get at Yorkeys along with 10 or more desperate kiters trying to squeeze into 200 square metres of flat, crocodile infested water and a kiteschool that is always trying to teach too many people at once. Sounds attractive doesn't it!

This bloke is having fun at Port.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Nice-kitesurfing-Port-Douglas-dodging-sea-turtles/

Haydn24
QLD, 473 posts
4 Jul 2013 1:01AM
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Select to expand quote
speed brother said..

The only kiter who got going today was on a 17m and a door. Don't bother with Townsville it is always a lot lighter. If you can't get to the reef, go to Port Douglas or see Ant and get a few days up north. There is wind forecast on seabreeze this weekend. A rule of thumb for the Seabreeze Cairns wind forecasts is; take the predicted windspeed, subtract 10 knots and halve the remainder. Thats what you'll get at Yorkeys along with 10 or more desperate kiters trying to squeeze into 200 square metres of flat, crocodile infested water and a kiteschool that is always trying to teach too many people at once. Sounds attractive doesn't it!

This bloke is having fun at Port.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Nice-kitesurfing-Port-Douglas-dodging-sea-turtles/


Townsville is always a lot lighter? You sound like a bitter old man.

speed brother
QLD, 126 posts
4 Jul 2013 9:58AM
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No. Not bitter just tired of poor weekend wind. Just don't seem to have much luck at Yorkeys and so many people build it up as a windy place but its not. The further north you go the windier it is. thats how the trade winds work. Hayden, don't call me old. Respect your elders, you'll be paying for my pension soon!

Haydn24
QLD, 473 posts
4 Jul 2013 4:40PM
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Looks like a good weekend coming up anyhow. Have a good week dafish.

dafish
NSW, 1654 posts
4 Jul 2013 7:12PM
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arggggggggg! My daughter just moved back home and has informed me she is broke, there for can I help her and pay for her rego, insurance, new windscreen, roadworthy etc as she is a broke uni student. I just can't afford the week away right now if I do this and my conscious won't let me watch her suffer. She needs a car, we live in the country, very little public transport.....
The forecast looks unreal too. I was stoked. Looked at a few spots I wanted to scope out, south of TV was looking the goods! Now, my wife and other daughter will go and escape winter for a week. I think I need to put my eldest to work......
so sad :(
At least we have winds for the next few days here.

AndyHansen
WA, 278 posts
4 Jul 2013 5:53PM
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Select to expand quote
speed brother said..

The only kiter who got going today was on a 17m and a door. Don't bother with Townsville it is always a lot lighter. If you can't get to the reef, go to Port Douglas or see Ant and get a few days up north. There is wind forecast on seabreeze this weekend. A rule of thumb for the Seabreeze Cairns wind forecasts is; take the predicted windspeed, subtract 10 knots and halve the remainder. Thats what you'll get at Yorkeys along with 10 or more desperate kiters trying to squeeze into 200 square metres of flat, crocodile infested water and a kiteschool that is always trying to teach too many people at once. Sounds attractive doesn't it!

This bloke is having fun at Port.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Nice-kitesurfing-Port-Douglas-dodging-sea-turtles/


Some wind is a lot better than no wind, and should be a bit warmer than Perth.
19m Edge i'll be kiting till i cant stand anymore.... bring on Cairns!! :)

speed brother
QLD, 126 posts
4 Jul 2013 10:03PM
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If you can stay for a week to 10 days, you will get a kite. We've had nothing but blue skies for the last 3 weeks. Might rain on the weekend but after that expect some wind and sunshine. If its southerly go to Port Douglas.

Haydn24
QLD, 473 posts
4 Jul 2013 10:19PM
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Select to expand quote
dafish said..

arggggggggg! My daughter just moved back home and has informed me she is broke, there for can I help her and pay for her rego, insurance, new windscreen, roadworthy etc as she is a broke uni student. I just can't afford the week away right now if I do this and my conscious won't let me watch her suffer. She needs a car, we live in the country, very little public transport.....
The forecast looks unreal too. I was stoked. Looked at a few spots I wanted to scope out, south of TV was looking the goods! Now, my wife and other daughter will go and escape winter for a week. I think I need to put my eldest to work......
so sad :(
At least we have winds for the next few days here.


Aww unlucky mate.. family first . And shhh!! your right, there are some magic spots south of TV . If your ever coming up give us a shout and we can go somewhere



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"quiver advice for Cairns" started by dafish