Just wondering what the min conditions are for cotton tree.
I imagine out going tide, but what wind??? 11m kite on a twin tip beginner level can confidently ride upwind and turn without stopping, just started going toe side.
I'd say 13 knots + run out tide, BUT be careful not to drop your kite in the main channel, if you can not relaunch reasonably quickly (difficult in light wind) you will be dragged out into the surf zone.
As far as wind direction CT is best NE to SE.
Also be cautious of kiting down wind of Pin Cushion Is in a N-NE as there can be some turbulence.
To be honest I do not think CT is a good spot for beginners, unless their doing a lesson or with an experienced kiter but in saying that the place is always full of them.
What Toppleover said - the tide effect is most obvious when wind is straight into the rivermouth - so in a NNE you do not get anywhere near the advantage.
If U are tacking side to side then runout can get to 3-4 knts and gives that much advantage - where you are tacking more along the channel then it is no where near as useful and not reliable in light winds. Read the description details for the site in the where to kite guide - I put most the info'in there.
If you do get trapped in the zone - ditch kite and keep board to help get ashore - go sideways till away from flow - try surf waves - mostly someone will rescue your kite.
Cheers
AP
thinking of moving here.... this outgoing tide everyone talks about
what happens?
does the crashed kite come towards the kiter which slackens the lines and then you get pushed into the surf? and cant relaunch because of the slack lines? is this what your all talking about or is there something else?
Select to expand quoteKozzie said..
thinking of moving here.... this outgoing tide everyone talks about
what happens?
does the crashed kite come towards the kiter which slackens the lines and then you get pushed into the surf? and cant relaunch because of the slack lines? is this what your all talking about or is there something else?
Yes Kozzie, that is the problem & with the assistance from the outgoing tide you can kite there in very light conditions where relaunch can be near impossible.
so whats the solution? just swim horizontal to it all so you can get tension on the lines again?
Solution is try your hardest not to drop your kite in marginal conditions . I've seen guys nearly drown when they get pulled out into the waves on the bar on an outgoing tide, also seen heaps of gear get trashed and lost. If you relying on the magic carpet effect to keep you kiting in light wind , don't do any risky tricks were you could drop your kite and don't kite outside the tide effected area or you will stop and your kite will simply fall out of the sky.
Defiantly not beginners ideal conditions.
