Forums > Kitesurfing The Hookup

Beginner kiting buddies Botany Bay

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Created by Tootharoo > 9 months ago, 23 Sep 2013
Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
14 Dec 2013 3:43PM
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Not today, got family stuff on. Aiming for Thursday at this stage, hopefully with a smaller kite. Got a mate that has a very old 8m that he's going to check for me, otherwise KP have the 2012 and 2013 crazyfly sculp on special.

Pat2031
NSW, 6 posts
15 Dec 2013 11:57AM
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I went out yesterday. I tried my 8m for the first time. I was amazed how much less power it has than my 10 m
The wind was dropping in the afternoon and I was a bit underpowered and had to work the kite more.
Anyway, it's all good time on the water..
I usually go out from the beach where the jeep flags are. Anyone else use that car park?
Pat

Tootharoo
NSW, 33 posts
16 Dec 2013 10:57AM
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Pat - i must have just missed you. I got the OK from the Dr to go back in after my ear infection - was down there Saturday afternoon surrounded by the black Jeep kites. I was on a 9m but like you had to work the kite fairly hard so may have been better changing to the 12m as the wind died off.

That spot on the beach I think is quite good. Seems like mostly beginners there and I've found that I can rig up a carabiner at just the right height on that pole fence to self launch and land when no one else is there.





Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
16 Dec 2013 11:23AM
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I've never actually stopped at that part of the beach, too many newbies in one spot could get dangerous though couldn't it?

Might have to check it out though.

I have to get a smaller kite, my 11m is just useless when the arvo NE picks up, way too over powered. KP have the same 2013 model Crazyfly Sculp in the 8m on special at the moment (cause the 2014 have been released), so might have to invest in extending my quiver a bit sooner than I'd hoped.
So who's going out this week? Tuesday and wednesday look possible for fairly light NE'ers but Thursday and Friday look like they going to be ripping. Can't make Thurs but will def be up for friday as long as i can get hands on an 8m

Pat2031
NSW, 6 posts
16 Dec 2013 5:27PM
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Tootharoo - i was one of those guys with a black BWS kite. I have an 8m and a 10m I bought from Nick at the end of last season. I wear a yellow and orange life vest. Say hi if you see me again.
I might try Wednesday arvo if work allows.
Cheers
Pat

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
16 Dec 2013 6:08PM
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Wednesday arvo looking perfect for my 11m, BOM forecasting 12knts at 1400hrs and 14knts at 1700hrs so I am def going to try to get down there.
Was going to try for tomorrow arvo but something has come up at work, should be good Wednesday arvo though.


Tootharoo
NSW, 33 posts
17 Dec 2013 11:07AM
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Pat - i'll say hi next time.

I'm aiming to head down this afternoon about 4.30ish if anyone else goes down.

Warehouse - I think 9m would be better than 8m for you. You're roughly my size (70kgs) if I remember and I find that the only time I can't use the 9m is when it gets above say 25kts and that wind is probably too strong for me anyway.

cheers
anthony

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
17 Dec 2013 1:39PM
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Tootharoo said..

Pat - i'll say hi next time.

I'm aiming to head down this afternoon about 4.30ish if anyone else goes down.

Warehouse - I think 9m would be better than 8m for you. You're roughly my size (70kgs) if I remember and I find that the only time I can't use the 9m is when it gets above say 25kts and that wind is probably too strong for me anyway.

cheers
anthony


Not heading this arvo, too busy. Also just checked BOM and looks VERY gusty so be careful. Possibly going to head tomorrow but def friday.

Yeah I was thinking that, but the 2nd hand one my mate can get for me is prob only going to cost me $100 or so, so would deal with having to work it to get up. It is an old '06 slingshot TD1 which are quite powerful for their size. We are going to meet up so I can have a trial fly and see how I go but if it's going to save me ~$700 then I'll do what I can to make it work for the moment at least.

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
18 Dec 2013 6:54AM
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Anyone else looking at heading down this arvo, looking like 15-20 knotts

jms
NSW, 131 posts
18 Dec 2013 10:00AM
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I'm hoping to. It'll be my first time with the board! Do you know where you'll be?

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
18 Dec 2013 10:23AM
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Awesome, we can flounder around together trying to stand up, I am sure the locals will be amused haha

I am planning on going to first carpark to start with, more chance of having other kiters around to help launch/land etc

Will send you text if anything changes

jms
NSW, 131 posts
18 Dec 2013 3:03PM
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I'm aiming to get there around 3:30 - 4.

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
18 Dec 2013 3:38PM
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jms said..

I'm aiming to get there around 3:30 - 4.


Yeah I was aiming for the same but my boss decided to fk me over so not going to be leaving work (Hornsby) until 3 now. That means I am going to hit bad traffic and probably not get there until 4:30-5 and most probably get down there to find the winds are too big for my kite again. Damn xmas rush crap

jms
NSW, 131 posts
18 Dec 2013 3:40PM
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Yeah, I wanted to get out yesterday, but by the time I was ready the wind was a bit much for me!

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
18 Dec 2013 3:45PM
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What's the wind looking like down there at the moment?
BOM is saying 17 gusting to 20 but has been climbing since before midday.

What size kite you taking out?

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
18 Dec 2013 8:33PM
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Starting to think I am cursed or there is someone out there that doesn't want me to learn to kite haha.
Get down to BB today only to find I an hour late, yet again, this time not too much wind, not enough wind this time haha.

I'll get there one day, hopefully Friday pans out for me.

anwargoku
NSW, 29 posts
19 Dec 2013 9:39AM
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Hi,
Who is going to kite this arvo!?

Kitebike
NSW, 29 posts
19 Dec 2013 10:14AM
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Hi. Like the idea of popping down late morning or lunch time, already picking up 15knts....

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
19 Dec 2013 1:45PM
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Kitebike said..

Hi. Like the idea of popping down late morning or lunch time, already picking up 15knts....


19 gusting t o24 now according to BOM, hope you got something under a 10m out there this arvo guys

anwargoku
NSW, 29 posts
19 Dec 2013 9:10PM
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I had a 9m today and it was perfect. Actually im worse at lighter wind. The conditions today were perfect for my one and only 9m

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
19 Dec 2013 10:50PM
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Awesome man, great to hear you had a good session. Hopefully you got away with out breaking anything today.

Well I bit the bullet and have another (and hopefully final) lesson tomorrow. So fingers crossed I can finally get out at get some more time trying to stand up.

Alystan
NSW, 42 posts
20 Dec 2013 10:55AM
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Hi Everyone,

Anyone going to Botany this weekend? Winds looks ok for both Saturday and Sunday. I could use some buddying to help me getting up of that board!

Cheers,

Jeremy

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
20 Dec 2013 12:01PM
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Saturday is looking like cross-off in the morning to straight cross shore in the arvo.
Probably not the best to learn in but I am the last one to talk, I'm only just getting up on the board myself.

I aiming to be out Sunday from around midday onwards.

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
20 Dec 2013 8:24PM
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Yep I'm cursed lol. Lesson postponed to possibly Tuesday at this stage cause there was f all wind this arvo lol

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
21 Dec 2013 2:30PM
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Anyone going out tomorrow? I'm looking at trying out Kurnell for some flat water stuff

jms
NSW, 131 posts
22 Dec 2013 10:35AM
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I'm up for that, might see you there. Watch out for the sea urchins!

Alystan
NSW, 42 posts
22 Dec 2013 10:59PM
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I was out body dragging in Brighton Le Sand Saturday. There was a strong SSE probably 25 knots. A little strong bug ok for my 8m.

let's hope for more of this kind of wind in January.

Jeremy

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
23 Dec 2013 7:26AM
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Well I finally did it I actually got up and riding yesterday

I must say I do prefer kurnell over the beaches on the other side of the bay (hollywood, 1st etc), the wind seems a lot more consistent and the gusts not as sharp or sudden the flat water certainly helps as well, you just have to watch out for all the weeds getting stuck on your lines when you drop the kite in the water hahaha. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but honestly it just felt a lot safer there, think it might have to do with the lack of dickskis and the fact that there isn't the currents like over the other side.

I had a tonne of help from Shannon, one of the local experienced guys I met. He saw me struggling and gave me the board his gf was using, basically a door with fins. That way I could worry about the kite and not the board as much, he spent probably 2hrs giving me tips every time I came in to walk back up the beach and ended up standing on the beach yelling instructions out to me on the water. Was even yelling instructions while he was out on his board at one stage haha. He was freaking huge amount of help and I probably wouldn't have gotten up without his help.

Best run of the day was when I got up and out past the groynes slowed to a stop, then water started the other way and made it basically all the way back to the beach, all with only the one stop when I turned around. I noticed I was a lot more relaxed on that run, I let the harness pull me rather than hang off the bar and everything kind of clicked, once I got it dialed it just felt so much smoother, I wasn't fighting the kite and board and everything just kind of flowed. Felt freaking amazing!!!

Was good to see SandyScott and JMS down there as well, how did you both end up going? I know JMS was getting pretty darn close to getting up on the board when I left.


jms
NSW, 131 posts
23 Dec 2013 10:30AM
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Congratulations Warehouse13!

Yesterday, even if there was enough wind at 1st carpark, I wouldn't have gone out as a beginner as the beaches were just too crowded. Kurnell was busy too, but busy with kiters and windsurfers!

Unfortunately my best run was near the start while I was still fresh and energized. Still a big improvement on last time!

Lessons learned:

You have to edge twin tip boards. I used to windsurf, so I'm used to having fins... just skimming sideways across the water was a bit of a surprise.

Don't let your kite cross the wind window while you're trying to get up and running.

I need better fitness!

Warehouse13
NSW, 185 posts
23 Dec 2013 10:47AM
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You have to edge twin tip boards. I used to windsurf, so I'm used to having fins... just skimming sideways across the water was a bit of a surprise.

Yep I learnt this one the hard way, got a tonne of speed, stood up to much and flattened the board out, then faceplanted lol.


Select to expand quote
Don't let your kite cross the wind window while you're trying to get up and running.

This sounds painful.


Awesome to hear you are making progress mate, stoked for you



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"Beginner kiting buddies Botany Bay" started by Tootharoo