After the recent baking hot spell with no wind, now we seem to be getting colder winter-like frontal winds.
We had a nice downwinder on Sunday but were a bit underpowered, as we took small kites due to strong wind forecast and readings at South Channel. Then it came it at 30+ knots just after we had finished!
More details and photos here: www.peterskiteboarding.com/2013/03/aspendale-to-mentone-kitesurfing.html
Any other stories from Sunday?
Yep, seems that way.
Might be a good time for you to remind people about Squall riding/warnings, PeterC.
I seem to recall there was something on your site about this, but couldn't find it again.
Salty, here is the article on winter kiting: sites.google.com/a/peterskiteboarding.com/kitesurfing-handbook/weather/kitesurfing-storms
And on Seabreeze: www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/Winter-Weather-Warning-for-new-Kitesurfers_2879690.aspx
I had a bit of a gusty messing morning at Mentone. I watched you guys come in from your downwinder. I had a better session in the afternoon at Aspendale, the wind was lighter but more beginner friendly.
Peter,
Saw you guys leave Aspendale and pumped up an 11m.
Had a very average session in flukey cross shore wind (slightly cross / off shore maybe?)
Nothing to write home about!!
Hey Mr Twist,
I think I landed your kite at Aspendale in the arvo. (I was playing with the kids on the beach)
Small world the old kite world!!
Had a nice session in the waves at Point Leo yesterday morning,rode the Naish skater and a 8m, lots of nice waves that felt like:
but were actually more like:
Deanrobi - was just about to ask if that was Point Leo in this country or not.
Nigel - thanks for the launch !
Yep was pretty messy in the morning - glad we missed the 35 knot gust that came through. I'd argue that the northerly we get in winter is actually more consistent than that very average session on Sunday morning.
Had another great session at pines.Lovin some of those big bombies comin in from out the back.long rides.Bring on winter and thursday morning...Rosebud is going to be smoking.
Had a great session on Sunday at (of all places) St Kilda. Haven't kited there for ages due to the beginner traffic jam. Not much wind as we pumped up, but then in came a solid 25 knots for 3 hours.
Sun came out and then the aerobatic stunt plane display team did their thing for the Grand Prix, followed by an A380 flyover and a fighter jet display. No better place to watch it than from the Bay, where you can see the whole thing alot better than from land.
Happy times
I have been a good lad, done my homework and read all about winter storm fronts. Thanks for the articles.
I have a couple of questions.
What are the northerlies that come into Rosebud in winter, I presume they are different to the storm fronts. Are they also gusty and unpredictable?
I'm thinking of taking out my 8m in Rosebud on Thursday and having a play in these 25-35 knot winds that are forecast.
Thanks again
Hey Mr Twist,
Northerlies in Rosebud can be awesome and are generally fairly consistent. 35knts on an 8m might be a big much though.
The typical northerlies that blow in over winter are not generally storm fronts - they can be pretty consistent further down the bay. In the north of the bay they are gusty and nasty as they are coming in over land, the further south you go the better.
By the time they reach Rosebud it has generally levelled out quite a bit - and the sessions can be fantastic, just a bit colder than summer sessions !
As for going out on Thursday with an 8 - unless you've been kiting for a couple of years and have really got safety sorted - I wouldn't recommend it. Looks to be a pretty nasty front.
Northerlies will normally blow in winter and will precede a SW change. In most cases you will see the SW change build out behind the Peninsular, big dark cloud heads will build and depending on the intensity of the front it can change really quickly and with a bang.
IMO its a bit early in the season for this to happen yet, the fronts are still down low in the southern ocean. Around about late Apr, early May is when they move up.
Alas, you were all right. I thought the Rosebud northerly would come in lighter than forecast which seems to usually be the case for Rosebud. But it is coming in stronger. Guess I'll stay clear and wait for the weekend winds.
Waited all week for this wind and now it's too much 
It might calm down a bit in the afternoon... I hope
What a day!!! I finish at 5 so we'll see if it chills the F&^K out by then. Technically its close to a hurricane:
Category one hurricane: 119–153 km/h
That's a lot of wind. And there were some tornados inland too
www.theage.com.au/environment/weather/it-was-like-a-bomb-went-off-tornado-tears-up-towns-20130321-2gj86.html
You're braver/stupider than I am!
Did you end up going out, Peter? If so, what size kite?
it backed off a lot in the afternoon about 1630, most of those kiting at rosebud were on 8s or 9s
Hardly winter winds! It's still 25-30 degs!
Winter norther lies are generally 20-30knot northerlies, thou on the odd occasion we've had 50knots come roaring through rosebud. Best thing you can do is get out to deeper water & ride it out.
I once launched my 9m & got hit by a massive gust, standing next to a tree kite at 12 o'clock, had to get pulled backward & then hold onto a tree to land... Few lessons learnt that day!
Rosebud is similar to altona in layout, shallow water & on shore wind but with bugger all beach, and if people are going to teach this winter please do it away from the main areas
Salty, I didn't go out due to work . . . My smallest kite is a 7, I reckon above 45 knots would be a bit too dicey in any case.
Ah, I don't blame you Peter,... there is such a thing of too much of a good thing!
