Townsville area kite spots

A few people have been asking for info on kite spots near Townsville, and jelly fish.
I'm a marine biologist based on Magnetic Island just off Townsville, but I've lived in the area since 87 and windsurfed most of the major spots, now kiting but mainly on the island. The crew at the local kite shops (Kite & Board Co 4724 3575 and Its Extreme) could give you more up to date info on the exact kiting characteristics of the mainland locations.

I have posted a google pic at:

http://www.tevenei.com/tvm/tsv_kite_spots.htm

which shows the major spots.
Pallarenda, the Northern Beaches (Mt Low, Saunders, Balgal, etc), and Alva beach, are all gently sloping sandy beaches which receive the prevailing SE to NE winds. They can have fairly wide sand flats at really low tide, and get some half decent wind driven waves once the wind is above 20 knots, especially if it is up for a few days. Alva and the Northern beaches generally get better wind flow and waves than Pallarenda, as they are more exposed. These beaches are best for kiting on the lower half of the tidal range, and near the creek mouths you can find some flat water areas among the sand bars. They are quite good for beginners at lighter winds, as there is plenty of space downwind and a wide shallow beach.

Magnetic Island is more of an intermediate location, as the launches are tighter, there are reef flats to contend with, and not as much of a margin for error downwind if things go wrong. It gets more wind than Townsville, especially in the stronger SE blows, and larger waves which will break on the reef if the tide is right. In SE, E, and ENE winds the only place to kite is Nelly Bay, which is where the ferry comes in. The launch area is the old helipad about half way along the beach. Beware of the powerlines and the road near the launch area to the downwind side. You'll need at least 1.2m of water to cover the reef flat, and some surf booties are a good idea. The wind usually blows SE in the morning which is cross onshore, then drops a little and swings to E around midday (onshore), then fills in again from the ENE by about 2pm and blows through till dark. Horseshoe Bay faces North and works in NNE and NW winds that we get in summer. I've yet to really ride this spot a lot, but I think it will be best on the NW wind, launching from the west end of the bay. The other advantage of the island is that it has a surf-able wave at Florence Bay, on the NE end of the island. Wind needs to be above 20 knots and tide low for it to work, but in these conditions it will be a head-high right and we have a lot of fun on it (just leave your aggro on the mainland ). In 30 knots of wind I've ridden it double overhead, but this is a once a year type event. Still, if the tide is too low to kite, then you can still get some waves. there is a wind graph for Townsville on the seabreeze site, and the AIMS website has a windmeter reading from Cleveland bay just off the island. Those interested in downwinders - you can catch the ferry over with your gear, walk to the launch at the old helipad, and kite the 10k or so back to Townsville.

Jelly fish - yes they are around from October to May. The box jelly is found on beaches near mangroves - so all the mainland beaches, and Horseshoe bay on the island. Irukandji are found both near the mainland and near the island, especially when the wind is N. Easy way to avoid stings - cover up! Lycra suit is quick and easy and saves you a nasty trip to the hospital and 24 hours on IV morphine (and that is just the Iruk...the box kills you in 15 mins).

Hope this helps! I bet some of the Townsville crew can add some more details for the mainland spots.

hahah nice.. u don't have cungulla on there or lucinda which works on northerly when theres no wind any where else it funnels thru the islands to get 20-25knots on a N

Alva beach is f**king GODLY... mega flat water for KM's overhead waves out the back when its blowing... lots of marine life.. theres a vid i made of me and some mates in the flat water with out kicker
www.kiteflix.com/kiteboarding_Australia2.html

MAKE SURE U WEAR A STINGER SUIT WHEN KITING any where around here in season or u will die

edit: bushland only really works on any thing N'erly otherwise its gusty as crap and pal is the go for most times.. am keen to kite the island might try it as soon as we get some wind

theres also more then those shops out there now..

Andrew Saunders from Adrenalin Rush Sports Australia can help out..
4775 7989 and Matt Payne from In Da Loop Kiteboarding 0415837484

Hey guys, thanks for taking the time to give such detailed info. I feel the need to plan a weekend at Alva!
Another source of info is the website of the recently formed Townsville Kiteboarding Association (www.tka.org.au/).
Location information is at www.tka.org.au/locations/locations.htm
BTW, kiting is not allowed at the Strand (without approval from the council)
Cheers
David

Forgot to mention Herald island, which is marked on the map too. Access by boat from Townsville, Magnetic Island, or the northern beaches. There is a nice sandbar on the western side, flat water inside it, and a quiet anchorage. Brisk and Esk islands, closer to the Palm group, also have some nice sandbars.

Great aerial shot Andy. However, you may have to change labelling as lately everyone has been launching south of the main path to the beach from the carpark. Learners/lessons have also been taking place to the south of that path. Kites are now stretched out along the beach from the main path, past public toilets, right down to the next car parking area and path. LOTS and LOTS of newbies!

The wind is picking up as I type.

yeah west point should work, but it needs NW or NNW. Have a look at google earth and check the angles. There is a lot of good flat water near there if the tide is covering the muddy reef flat. Nice sandy beach for launching.

On the downside....box jellies, and tiger sharks seen pretty regularly there, plus stingrays on the flat, and the current runs past through the channel pretty quick.

But hey, if you are bored with Townsville and we get some 20knot NNW later this summer, give me a call, I'm up for riding it.

Horseshoe bay also works in NNW, you just have to get up the W end, park at the end of pollard st and walk over the dune to the beach. Beautiful spot though, even a cave for camping.

Map here: http://www.tevenei.com/tvm/mi_map.htm

bring on the SE today though, Nelly should be working all day tho better later. Someone here on a yellow and red slingy yesterday - any claimers?

Andy