G'day mate,
The Strand is off limits to kiters. But just round the corner is Rowes Bay - with a nice long beach that has side/side on shore winds most afternoons. I havent kited in Townsville yet, but am planning on it soon. Ive been travelling up there with work often over the last 10yrs and know the place well, but only been kiting since Nov/Dec 07, so havent had the opportunity to try out Rowes Bay - but been checking it out.
Go to google maps, and look for the corner of Elk St and Heatleys Parade. There is a car park at the end of Elk St closest to the beach. Where the creek runs out into the sea is a nice spot to launch/land, especially on low tide. I flew over it last Thursday and it certainly looked like a great spot to try out.
Dont listen to harrytesties - he doesn't know that TVL has one of the most consistent afternoon breezes of 15-20kts around, and its generally from the right direction too. With flat waters cause of maggie island its looks great - just beware that there are stingers in the water during the summer months, so take the appropriate precautions.
Please let me know how you go there - Im keen to know what its like when I get up there next !
There used to be a Townsville kiting website, but its down at the moment. The only other places Ive found it mentioned is in some forums. Just google kiting in TVL and you should find them.
noman ever likes to admit to it, but a man cannot help but listen too and obey his harrytesties.....but choady is correct, i have no idea of tvl area... i'm just bored and housebound today... www.homestarrunner.com
Pallarenda was my favourite for convenience to town, also where I learnt to kite! Cungulla and Alva Beach are a bit further away and I never cracked it for a good days wind at either for the 8 months I lived in Brownsville, but they look great for flatwater in the right conditions.
The first photo on the webpage below is very nostalgic:http://www.tevenei.com/tvm/tsv_kite_spots.htm
And don't forget:
http://www.tevenei.com/tvm/tsv_kite_spots_palla.htm
Pallaranda is where most most people kite, its the 14th beach entrance.
just avoid the toilets there. You will find out why pretty quickly
thanks guys, thats a long ass drive but worth it. see ya out there, green 13 waroo.
Pallarenda is good for convenience, make sure you rig up south of the access path (between access 14 and the toilet entance). Make sure you watch out for the power lines, we dont want to see a kite caught up so close after our big meeting with the qld electrical safety board.
Also at very low tides watch out for the rock bed straight out from the access. They have bitten many boards and feet before. It's stinger season at the moment so go grab yourself a stinger suit. Ask any of the locals on the beach if your not sure, we are a fairly welcoming bunch. You can also talk to Pauly in the kiteshop on primrose street in belgain gardens.
In addition to Pallarenda you can kite the rivermouth in a NE wind. Head down boundary street to the end and look for a carpark. Its not used much but you can get some good flat water in there. Just watch out for the schools of stingrays.
Also when its cranking you can head south on the Bruce Highway to Cungulla (take the AIMS turnoff, bout a 45 min drive) or head further south to Ayr. Take the first left in Ayr (i think) out to Alva (1.5 hr drive). Beautiful beach to kite at. When its cranking some of us will go south to Alva for a day out. I dont know why we dont do it more, some guys in the cities are driving 1.5 hours to get to their local.
I've been told you can kite Maggie Island as well but i've never done it. Ask neoniphon who floats around on these forums for the info.
18-20's on the mainland also. Had a great sesh. shame my fitness isnt up to scratch. Thats what sitting on your ass for 5 months gets you.
now im pissed i went fishing, trying to predict wind from riverside isnt easy. thanks
Samwise, this is the site you want to check often - Townsville Airport wind readings, updates every 30 min:
www.bom.gov.au/qld/observations/coastalmap.shtml#brisbane
whack it in your phone or whatever. If it is going to be on, then it will usually be averaging 15knots or above by 12 midday. Best wind from 2-4pm most days.
Neoniphon's comments are on the money. The same info is at...
www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94294.shtml
The fomatting is slightly different, shows wind speed/gust in km/hr on the left and in knots on the right, makes it easier to ignore the km/hr readings (look a both pages and you will see what I mean).
BTW, the Townsville kiting (TKA) website that is now down, was largely driven by Chris (AKA AWD) who has now moved back to Africa. He gave me a copy of the website before he moved, so if there are any IT savy kiters that have the time and brains to edit it and put it back on the net, let me know and I will try to find it.
