Hi, it seems every other city has a beginner buddy network so keen to find fellow beginners for Botany Bay (and surrounding southern areas). I've had a few lessons, have the kit, and sort of pottering along but would clearly be good to have similar starters to share tips and help launch/land etc as no one in my family seems keen to hold a kite and sit on a windy beach for an hour. Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer not to post.
cheers
Anthony.
Hi buddy,
I'm up for catching up and help.
I have all the equipment and just need someone to learn more.
Let me know.
Jon
Hi Jon, sounds good. I'll PM you as a few others have contacted me so hopefully we will have at least a smallish Botany Beginner network. Cheers.
Hi guy's,
I would be absolutely great if I could join you guys. I am a beginner as well with almost no experience (just flying a kite) and I don't know anybody from who is surfing at Botany bay. I will continue with lessons however I would gain more experience in flying my 10m kite and doing lots of body dragging and safety training. The spot seems to be alright, however I am quite unsure how to estimate wind speeds (i.e. when I can take my 10m kite without risking myself and others). Almost everytime I went to Botany bay the wind was gusty and much stronger than the forecast proposed. I am not particular a chicken, but I definitely learned my lesson. To have somebody who is in a similar stage would be awesome in order to learn from each other and make faster progress.
Cheers
Tobias
Hi Tobias, sent u a PM. Looks like we have a few now (albeit we haven't yet managed to meet up because of the conditions). So we have me, Scott, Jed, Jon and yourself (BtW we met at Kitepower when we were waiting for our lessons).
Once I have everyone's details I'll PM or text everyone so hopefully at lest some of us can meet up in person and help each other out.
PS if you are reading, thanks to the gentleman with the 17m at Botany Bay on Sunday arvo who took time out to help me launch and fix up my board straps (albeit I then spent 1 hour flaffing around in the water).
Hi Anthony
Another newbie here. I had some lessons last summer and want to contine now the wind has finally stopped blowing in the direction of NZ.
Thanks for starting this thread, it would be good to have some other beginners to share mistakes with. I will PM my details.
Regards
Patrick
Hi All.
How about an app. similar to Gaydar? 
Everyone who logs on can see all newbies in the immediate area. Anyone an app. designer?
I'm heading out (no pun...) anytime I can. PM me if you want to join up.
Cheers
Scott
How about the seabreeze app? Maybe someone with dev skills can help the seabreeze crowd to design a feature that would allow people to locate each other when the log in?
Scott, good idea. Would save us doing the back-and-forth texts and emails which can't be the most effective way to do things.
Did a quick app store search. This app called "Glympse" looks like it might do the job for us (I'm sure there are lots of others). Looks like you can allow certain people to see your location and ETA at a destination but only for a certain period of time you choose. So I'm thinking, for example, that if I decide to head down to BBay, I send you guys a text/email with this link that shows where I'm going, what time I'll be there, and when I'm there, which car park I'm in (doesn't look like the people you send to don't need the app, all you need is internet). But I'll keep it available only for say 2 hours so you can't stalk me forever. Also, I guess, if you see me arrive and then leave you know the wind is bad and I've just wasted an hour or so.
I'll do 5 more mins of research and then choose an app that looks like it might work and then PM you. We can try it out next time and see if it works.
cheers
anthony
Hi guys,
Just would like to let you know that I am going to Dolls Point today, trying to launch my kite (+ body dragging). Wind speed looks alright (S, SSW). However the weather forecast does not look great. I will be there at 1:30. If someone of you sticks around give me a shout (041546997three)
Cheeers
Tobias
Hi Tobias, sorry didn't see this until now. I thought you were still waiting for your board? Scott and I actually managed to meet up yesterday. Dolls looked a bit crazy for us so we went to where everyone else was a bit further north half way up. Fair to say we were the only beginners there and it was probably a bit crowded and strong for us but we at least got in the water briefly before we tapped out. Will send you a text or PM with the 3 or 4 so other beginners who have got in contact through this forum. Cheers. Anthony.
Hi Anthony,
No worries, it was great but little bit too windy. I was the only beginner, too (expect from 2 Kitepower students). I asked one of the student who finished the lesson to launch my kite. Just wanted to practice a bit. He ended up being tangled between the lines and it was a nightmare. It was much better later where the wind dropped down to 15 knots. So, the conclusion of that is I need a much smaller kite for winds above 17 knots.
I will be at Dolls point on Saturday around 12pm-5pm ish since I will have a kite launch/surf lesson between 1-3pm. It would be great to meet you guys there. Cheers Tobias
Hey everyone, I'd be keen to jump in here as well
I got a few lessons last summer but didn't have the cash at the time to get the gear. It's now warming up, I have the the cash and will be getting my gear sorted in the next couple of weeks. Once I have my gear sorted I plan on getting another lesson or two with KP using my gear so that they can show me proper setup/pack down and use etc, then I am going to be getting out around Botany/Dolls as much as humanly possible so would be happy to hook up with anyone that is out.
Hey Guys,
Im a newby kite surfer, keen to get out and practice some more & learn from others in the area.
I have a 12m kite, had my first lesson last weekend, managed to get up on the board (not for long though), im planning to have another one when i save some more cash. In the mean time i will continue to practice body dragging and getting up on the board.
I am generally available for a late arvo sessions.
See ya out there!
Hi guys - there are a few of us newbies who have responded either to this post or directly to me. I think probably only two of us have actually met up (Scott and I) since it seems quite difficult to coordinate family responsibilities, working hours etc etc but hopefully as the wind gets more consistent during summer we can all meet at least a few times on the weekend.
At the moment the best way to do it seems by texting (either group or individually). Also have tried this app that basically just is GPS so people you text can tell where you are and heading.
So with all that being said it would be great to meet a few more newbies so we can help each other and also crowd out the more experienced guys. So probably best if I PM you guys with my mobile and/or others and we can meet up next time it all fits.
Cheers
Anthony
Guys, couple of us (me, tobias and scott?) probably heading down later this afternoon if the wind picks up a bit more. Won't be hard to spot us given we'll be the ones floundering around I suspect. I'm aiming for maybe 530ish and probably at that 1st Groyne.
cheers
anthony
Good luck. Should be good conditions.
Guys, me, Tobias and Scott look like we'll all be heading down this arvo (maybe 5ish) separately but will try meet up. I'm thinking that first beach north of dolls (ie as you're going south the next car park after that burger joint on the corner (I think 3rd groyne). Depending on wind ill be on red and white 12m. Cheers.
I was very happy with the progress - got all the way to trying to waterstart before I ran out of time in the lesson. When I started body dragging I couldn't figure out how to go DOWNWIND to start with, which was nice as being able to bodydrag upwind was my #1 goal.
Admittedly I'd already flown the big kite a little last year in a secluded spot where I couldn't mow people down, and have windsufing experience, so had a good headstart.
I'm keen to meet others in the sport, and working remote freelance I'm pretty flexible with timing. Hope to see you all soon!
Hi guys,
I am also a newbee with a few hours of lessons. I have an 8m kite and will be trying to come every weekend if the weather is good. Please PM me for my phone number so we can coordinate.
My main problem is that I don't have a car so for the moment it is train + bike (the board is a problem on the bike).
So if anyone is travelling from the North shore and is happy to pass by Wollstonecraft to pick me up on the weekend, I can pay you in beer or so :-)
Cheers,
Jeremy
Looks like we are starting to build a good size group of newbies. We'll be taking over Botany before they know it
jms- glad to hear your lessons went so well, awesome mate.
Alystan - I live out Castle Hill/Kellyville way so have a to trek all the way in, we might be able to arrange a pick up spot somewhere along the way. I will PM you my details
hi guys,
Another botany bay noobie signing in.
Ive also had a couple of lessons and have my own gear so have been trying to get out to BB as often as I can. Still working on consitently being able to do water starts.
Lately I find there is either too much wind, not eneough wind or its directly onshore. Seeing as i cant go upwind at all i dont bother going out in that either!
Jeremy - i spoke with you on saturday arvo after your lesson :) i may be able to give you a lift this weekend if you like?
Anyways, my name is morgan and i have a green 12m switchblade, feel free to send me a PM or come and say hi if you see me out (most likely this weekend by the looks of things!)
Cheers
Warehouse, if you are not careful, you will end up giving everyone from the north shore a lift! I met up with Tobias at BB on the weekend and that was after he spent 1 and a half hours on public transport getting there - i admire the dedication.
Scott had the good idea that all us newbies should have a BBQ one weekend at BB to meet up so we'll recognise each other in the future. The wind doesnt seem to be too promising for this weekend (not that we need it to have a BBQ but might be better for you North Shorers to kill 2 birds blah blah) - so should we tentatively say weekend after (ie Saturday 23rd) and can rain-check and work out details closer to the time - let me know if people think they might generally be free to make that or if u have other suggestions.
The downside of this proposal is that it might be an awkward 1 hour weird men's club gathering spent eating burnt sausages but the upside is that we (or at least some of us) can help each other out in progressing faster and crowd out those show-ponies doing their jumps in front of me every weekend. It will also save me from maintaining everyones mobiles which i lose so cant pass on.
P.s. i dont know where all you guys are going out at BB. I have been there quite a lot lately but never seem to see other beginners albeit I tend to pick an area where I don't see too many other kiters.
Cheers
Anthony
Hi Anthony,
I was at Doll Point last Saturday, and it did cost me 1.5h in public transport/cycling to get there. I'll do it again and again and again, I just want to be able to kite, and by that I mean have fun and stay safe.
You are right, the wind forecast is not so good for this weekend, but let's keep an eye on it as it can change quickly (for the better I hope). I'll probably come even if the chance I can get in the water is small because I need to go to kitepower to upgrade my chicken loop (somehow I do not like the "pull" quick release of the 2013 Ozone bar, but the "push" 2014 loop is compatible the 2013 bar).
A BBQ is a good idea. I am vegetarian so I could bring some salad :-).
Cheers,
Jeremy
Saturdays up to 1300hrs are generally hard for me as I have baseball commitments. But Sunday 24th is looking clear though
OK - lets tentatively plan for Sunday 24th at lunch-ish time. Details to come closer to date. Others, let us know if clashes/issues.
Looking like 12-15kn SE's pretty much all Saturday arvo and most of Sunday.
Anyone looking at heading out? I am going to try to get down to KP on Sunday to have a chat about gear, will drop in to the regular spots if anyone is out to say Hi 
Select to expand quoteTootharoo said..
P.s. i dont know where all you guys are going out at BB. I have been there quite a lot lately but never seem to see other beginners albeit I tend to pick an area where I don't see too many other kiters.
Not sure how I missed this before, but where abouts are you going out? I didn't know there was anywhere around BB that wasn't packed on a good day lol
In northerly everyone tends to cluster around that first groyne so I tend to go bit further down south. Also later the better I've found - no swimmers and the pro kiters starting to pack up. From what I can tell Dolls seems like a mad house all the time.
If wind is ok will aim for late session (post 5pm) on Saturday and keen for Sunday if reasonable. Perhaps if wind is good a few of us can coordinate to meet up - can use this post Saturday morning to check in.
Cheers
Anthony
