This is my first post, so I'm hoping I don't violate too many forum conventions.

I'm going to be studying abroad at UWA from March-July of 2012, arriving 2 months beforehand to travel and kite. I'm currently deciding whether I should buy a kite to bring with me, or buy one once I'm there. Currently, I share my family's/sisters kites, so I can't bring one that I currently use.

I've kited about 15-20 times, and so far I can: ride upwind with respectable efficiency, do carving transition turns, backloop both ways, and am just starting to learn bigger powered jumps. I'm 20 yrs old, weigh ~160lbs, 6', and own a 135cm f-one board (will likely be bringing it with me)

I would like to buy a kite that I can take out on good-wind days. I'm not too concerned about getting my session in on low-wind, or lit days. What kind of winds should I expect in the time I'm there?

So, could you recommend a kite size that would suit my riding needs?

Also, where are some popular places to kite that are accessible from the UWA vicinity?

Thanks! Hope to see some of you out on the water when I get down there.

Pelican point, you can walk over the road from uwa! Blows 6 days a week Jan. Better still drive down to the ocean.

Shoot me a PM as you get closer to the date. There are a few of us around. Where are you from? Bring as many kites/boards as you have if you can. Ship them ahead of time if baggage is an issue.

Im about the same weight and used an 8m the majority of the time last season that being said there where some days where i was power up, and some days where i couldnt get going.

You mentioned that you where thinking about traveling, if you go up north of WA you will need a smaller kite as it can get really windy up there. same with the south can get really windy down there too.

so possibly a 7m and a 9m. depending on kite ofcourse.

I am new to the forum here too. Also a Canadian kiter headed to Perth! We will have to meet up and hit the water!
I will be going down for 3 months and I was thinking Dec-Feb. Wondering if that would be the best 3 month spread... earlier? later?
I plan to buy a van so I will be mobile. Wanting to check out all these glorious spot I am reading about online(and hopefully more amazing ones I am not!)
I am riding an 8m and 10m Ocean Rodeo Razors(Hybrid C). I am about 78kg and I take the 8m out pretty comfortably in 30-35kn winds(cold Canadian winds mind you). I plan on buying a quiver of new kites before coming down. Is the 8m-10m a good option, or maybe a 7m-9m? I like riding powered up... but if we are talking consistent 40kn days... then I may go a little smaller.
I looked through the Buy and Sell and could not find too many surfboards under $500. Is that common price? I wanted to try and save on shipping by buying a board down there, but most boards are much cheaper up here. What would be the best company to ship with ApatheticEnd?
Will be looking for kiters to ride and road trip with. I have been riding for 3 years. Over 200 days on the water. Ride mostly bump and jump around Vancouver Island, with some trips to the coast that have me craving more waves.
I have done a lot of searching online, but I always find the advice of locals to be the most helpful.
Looking forward to riding again in your amazing country!

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MartyC said...

I plan to buy a van so I will be mobile. Wanting to check out all these glorious spot I am reading about online(and hopefully more amazing ones I am not!)

for the love of god if you are going to camp out at spots then don't have your washing hanging out everywhere , don't act like a ****head amongst the locals and go and chat to the locals so you understand what's going on at that spot . Are you french canadian ? If so then don't bring your french attitude over here and act like a dickwad .

God I miss Victoria! Not the cold ass water mind you. 9 degrees, screw that.

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inside grunt said...

Pelican point, you can walk over the road from uwa! Blows 6 days a week Jan. Better still drive down to the ocean.

Pelican Point is a NO GO for beginners and even a lot of intermediate kiters would be better of spending the extra 10 mins in their car and heading to the coast.

There is a big brick wall right in the middle of the launch and land area, a very busy cycle path that goes straight through the rigging area, the beach is only 1.5m wide with a big thick tree line that runs all the way down the beach (so if you mess up the launch or land there is NO room for era!) there is a big wind shadow that reaches right into the launch/land area and extends 100m out, there is a marine park that is a complete no no for kites due to the particular birds that nest in the sanctuary, there are poles and concrete block out in the water that are below the surface so you can not see them, it is shallow and full of weed at certain time of the year now top that of with up to 50 or 60 pole dancers on a windy day.

I have been kiting there since 2002 when i first moved to Perth and i have actually lost count of how many people i have seen leaving pelican point in the back of an ambulance

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dusta said...

MartyC said...

I plan to buy a van so I will be mobile. Wanting to check out all these glorious spot I am reading about online(and hopefully more amazing ones I am not!)

for the love of god if you are going to camp out at spots then don't have your washing hanging out everywhere , don't act like a ****head amongst the locals and go and chat to the locals so you understand what's going on at that spot . Are you french canadian ? If so then don't bring your french attitude over here and act like a dickwad .

I have camped all over Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and never had a fine, complaint or argument from any local. I know how to keep clean and keep a low profile... It's those dirty yanks you are mistaking me for.
I don't know much about these spots, other than what I have read online and heard from friends.
Yeah I know how to kite, but I am going into virgin territory here. I don't want to be THAT GUY. I don't want to pull a Faux Pas. I don't want you all to tell me your secret spots. I don't want to snake your wave.
I am looking for some gear and weather advice before I head down. Also some advice from locals so I don't cause trouble like it seems others have. I am getting a van so I can go to those deserted spots. I don't like sailing crowded spots and I don't want to be stepping on the heels of locals.
Any advice before heading down would be greatly appreciated(especially regarding my first post questions!)

BTW Dusta I am not of the french variety so you can worry not!

ApatheticEnd I am in Victoria and loving it! But that 9 degree water gets even colder in the winter...Exactly why I am heading down south!

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MartyC said...

BTW Dusta I am not of the french variety so you can worry not!

awesome then welcome bud :)

Just come and have a chat to the locals and you'll be sweet

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dusta said...

MartyC said...

I plan to buy a van so I will be mobile. Wanting to check out all these glorious spot I am reading about online(and hopefully more amazing ones I am not!)

for the love of god if you are going to camp out at spots then don't have your washing hanging out everywhere , don't act like a ****head amongst the locals and go and chat to the locals so you understand what's going on at that spot . Are you french canadian ? If so then don't bring your french attitude over here and act like a dickwad .

What he said +1

Why are french cannuks such peanuts? Also FYI tourists.. Perth has a very high number of great white sharks. Do some research if you don't believe me. So enjoy body dragging and always remember that you won't really know what's happening until you see the fin or your leg is floating and your unable to board recover.

But saying this we welcome you to the west coast. Au revoir!

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Damo said...

inside grunt said...

Pelican point, you can walk over the road from uwa! Blows 6 days a week Jan. Better still drive down to the ocean.

Pelican Point is a NO GO for beginners and even a lot of intermediate kiters would be better of spending the extra 10 mins in their car and heading to the coast.

There is a big brick wall right in the middle of the launch and land area, a very busy cycle path that goes straight through the rigging area, the beach is only 1.5m wide with a big thick tree line that runs all the way down the beach (so if you mess up the launch or land there is NO room for era!) there is a big wind shadow that reaches right into the launch/land area and extends 100m out, there is a marine park that is a complete no no for kites due to the particular birds that nest in the sanctuary, there are poles and concrete block out in the water that are below the surface so you can not see them, it is shallow and full of weed at certain time of the year now top that of with up to 50 or 60 pole dancers on a windy day.

I have been kiting there since 2002 when i first moved to Perth and i have actually lost count of how many people i have seen leaving pelican point in the back of an ambulance

Trust me. If Steevner can launch and land safely at Dallas Rd. than he'll be fine at Pelican Pt. Seriously, it's a rock boulder beach with a huge cliff with ugly wind shadows. Peli pt will be a breeze.

Sounds like the guy is a born natural:

"I've kited about 15-20 times, and so far I can: ride upwind with respectable efficiency, do carving transition turns, backloop both ways, and am just starting to learn bigger powered jumps"

I'd be stoked if i was going that well after 15-20 sessions and it's not even his kite.

If you dont want to ride lit dont come to WA in summer.

At your weight a 9m kite would be sweet. Dont know what the prices are like in Canada? but if your only going to save a couple hundred $$$ i'd wait until i got here. Have a look at the conditions and buy local.

Prices on Vancouver Island(don't know about the rest of Canada) are actually a lot cheaper than I have seen anywhere else in the world. We have a lot of Ocean Rodeo/Naish/North sponsored riders here that sell their 6 month old gear for great deals.
After a little more research I am thinking the 8m, 10m Razor combo should do me just fine. But I do think I'll wait until I am down there to purchase a surfboard. Get a feel for conditions first and see what locals are using.
As for the sharks...that's just incentive to nail my gybes They don't creep into my mind so much when I'm kiting...more when I am surfing