Forums > Kitesurfing General

Winter warning for new kitesurfers...

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Created by laurie > 9 months ago, 16 Jun 2014
laurie
WA, 3848 posts
16 Jun 2014 2:59PM
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A strong front coming through tomorrow, and heading east.

The last cold front we had, saw beginners putting their lives at risk with too much kite, and unsafe launch/landing.

Please show respect for winter weather.. it was only last year that we had funerals for three kitesurfing buddies.

Wind speeds can double/half; they can shift 180 degrees in a little as 10 minutes as a front passes.

Watch the clouds, look for incoming weather and learn the signs. (hint: big black dark clouds = squalls)

More hints & tips here:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/Winter-Weather-Warning-for-new-Kitesurfers_2879690.aspx

Kite to kite tomorrow.

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
16 Jun 2014 3:28PM
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Yeh looking like casualty weather tomorrow , check the bom radar also let's you know of frontals from a good distance, unless your very confident which isn't a safeguard give it a miss, sketchy launch land site ,tether launch, I used to froth over these conditions but now would rather have a high solid 20knt session, if in doubt don't go out

Plummet
4862 posts
16 Jun 2014 3:43PM
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Yes. Gusty frontal stormy weather.... for the experienced lots of fun. Dangerous for the newbies. Here's my additional 5cents worth.

Prior to going out
Check more than one web forecast.
Check live weather stations at your local (if you have one)
see what the max gust is/should be.
Check rain radar.

I would say 90% of the time I know what kite to fly before I get to the beach. The facethometer at the beach confirms or adjusts my research.

Don't go out before a big squall/rain cloud hits. Wait till it passes and ride in between the squalls.

Rig a kite that can handle the biggest gust of the day. EG 20 knot with 30 knot gusts is an 8m day not a 12m day.

If the sky is black and angry. land and secure your kite before the squall hits.

If all the experienced guys suddenly land their kites before an incoming rain cloud... so should you!.

Your small kites should be your best condition kites. don't cheap out buying old crap. You life is at stake in these high winds. You need good kit. I have a separate extreme weather bar/line set. Its in as new condition and only comes out when things are extreme.

Don't launch an over powered kite and fly just because you don't have a smaller kite. Save up and buy a smaller kite.

If you have to use the trim strap significantly to reduce power your flying an overpowered kite. Put up a smaller one.

Surfer62
1357 posts
16 Jun 2014 3:57PM
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Same type of front hit here Saturday, torquay point on right.

alverstone
WA, 532 posts
16 Jun 2014 4:04PM
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Sage advice.

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1876 posts
17 Jun 2014 9:51AM
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and theres the proof in the pudding on the latest perth graph... 29 48knots whats on at the Movies

Spitfire
WA, 396 posts
17 Jun 2014 2:30PM
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Anyone out riding today?? Havent been down the beach/river to have a look. You have got to be keen just to want to get wet at all with this weather....Just putting on the wet suit in the car park is hard work!

JacobMatan
WA, 431 posts
17 Jun 2014 2:47PM
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Rottnest island (Perth) graph has ranged between 56knots and 15knots within the last hour or so, not really ideal conditions for anyone no matter what skill level

lukekiter
WA, 96 posts
17 Jun 2014 3:31PM
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Tomorrow's the day, don't do it today, live to kite another day!!!!!!!!

richierich
NSW, 226 posts
17 Jun 2014 6:50PM
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last i was out it was 20 to 30kts gusty sw'er. Saw a newbee rigging up an old looking 12 metre. I came in just to let him know i was lit on my 8. He said he was just going to fly it on the beach for a while. I suggested i wasn't a good idea and he put it away. Good idea!

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
17 Jun 2014 5:36PM
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Just checking Scarbs: mega shore break, very ominous sky and no one else out. Wind doesn't look too bad, but I reckon there is a squall coming through so will settle for a warming glass of Shiraz instead !

wishy
WA, 1501 posts
17 Jun 2014 5:47PM
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Select to expand quote
JacobMatan said...
Rottnest island (Perth) graph has ranged between 56knots and 15knots within the last hour or so, not really ideal conditions for anyone no matter what skill level


Yes, I would much rather be here at work than kiting in a wonderful, adrenalin producing squall with mega-super turbo gusts capable of catapulting my fat office guts to glorious altitudes and making me feel alive again.

Not ideal at all.

eppo
WA, 9505 posts
17 Jun 2014 6:08PM
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Wishy normally agree with ya, but this air mass has got 'weird' all over it....

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
17 Jun 2014 6:11PM
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Select to expand quote
wishy said...


JacobMatan said...
Rottnest island (Perth) graph has ranged between 56knots and 15knots within the last hour or so, not really ideal conditions for anyone no matter what skill level




Yes, I would much rather be here at work than kiting in a wonderful, adrenalin producing squall with mega-super turbo gusts capable of catapulting my fat office guts to glorious altitudes and making me feel alive again.

Not ideal at all.



Know what you mean! I escaped the office early to try and get a kite in, but looking at it made me feel alivr in that at least that I was checking it out and watching the lines come through.. i always feel a bit of a wimp when i don't go out because of the conditions, but I reckon it was the right call today....... Maybe haha.

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
17 Jun 2014 6:18PM
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Select to expand quote
eppo said...
Wishy normally agree with ya, but this air mass has got 'weird' all over it....


Think you are right Eppo, very turbulent and squally. I had a look at the Doppler view on the Perth radar for the first time today. I can't claim to understand it well. But some zones werapproaching Perth at 90kmh, and others going away from Perth at 90kmh. Maybe I'm not reading it right, but suggests a lot complexity and shear across the vertical wind stack.

eppo
WA, 9505 posts
17 Jun 2014 6:35PM
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Yeh got this damn high sticking it's ass in the mud across the middle of Australia, and this front coming up fast from behind...just causing as you said..what was it...shear across the vertical wind stack. Sounds cool, might keep that one up my sleeve...anyhow hope all is well Dave, be seeing ya before Christmas again, keep the beers warm, although it's a wine or two or three or four I know...lol.

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1397 posts
17 Jun 2014 7:12PM
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Eppo great if u come to Horrocks again. Beer wine, friendly families, wind and waves...gotta be good!

snalberski
WA, 858 posts
17 Jun 2014 7:17PM
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I was taking a look down at Pinaroo about 4 and to my amazement there was 1 wind surfer out. Just as I got there a huge squall came through producing 40+ knots and near hail stones. He was still 150m from shore when I had to bolt to escape the squall. All I could do was scatch my head.

VB MAN
1156 posts
17 Jun 2014 8:16PM
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laurie said...

A strong front coming through tomorrow, and heading east.

The last cold front we had, saw beginners putting their lives at risk with too much kite, and unsafe launch/landing.

Please show respect for winter weather.. it was only last year that we had funerals for three kitesurfing buddies.

Wind speeds can double/half; they can shift 180 degrees in a little as 10 minutes as a front passes.

Watch the clouds, look for incoming weather and learn the signs. (hint: big black dark clouds = squalls)

More hints & tips here:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/Winter-Weather-Warning-for-new-Kitesurfers_2879690.aspx

Kite to kite tomorrow.






Good call Los, ye of the Beautific head

As you know, there was once a time when you could not have stopped me going out in these conditions (would have probably
been using an 8mtr old school c-kite)

But, experience, maturity and the cost of vet bills these days prevents me from being that silly. And the human body can only take so much.

To all the noobs, well all kiters really, when el Lordo Laurie pops his head up to give a warning like that, it's something I'd really listen to.

Take care

Veebs

JimJones
QLD, 236 posts
20 Jun 2014 10:50PM
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How about this Sunday......?

VB MAN
1156 posts
20 Jun 2014 10:09PM
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Lookin awesome, and a big fat swell to go with it.

Just keep an eye open out the back in case there's something dubious a looming. And either head in, park yourself up or head out to deep water
and bog yourself down till it passes.

Take care

Veebs

Loftywinds
QLD, 2060 posts
21 Jun 2014 3:54PM
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Plummet said...
Yes. Gusty frontal stormy weather.... for the experienced lots of fun. Dangerous for the newbies. Here's my additional 5cents worth.


Additional?

Plums, why do you have to repeat what someone else always says?

I think Laurie said it perfectly and clearly.

Hybrid_Z
VIC, 382 posts
21 Jun 2014 6:58PM
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Select to expand quote
Loftywinds said...

Plummet said...
Yes. Gusty frontal stormy weather.... for the experienced lots of fun. Dangerous for the newbies. Here's my additional 5cents worth.



Additional?

Plums, why do you have to repeat what someone else always says?

I think Laurie said it perfectly and clearly.


I'm not sure that you, of all people, should be chastising anyone about the content of their posts.



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"Winter warning for new kitesurfers..." started by laurie