Hi all, I only stated kiting about 1 month ago, just wondering what people experiences are in Perth during winter for kiting, sounds like maybe once or twice a week if things work out well. I have a 12M so cant really go out in over 20knots at this stage.
Thanks
kited last winter managed around two kites a week. Its a lot more gusty sometimes more than 10 kt between avg and gust also the water. they say rig for the top end not the bottom of the wind range. Better being underpowered than overpowered.
the water is a lot rougher. you will need an extra kite though i had a 10 and 7 and from memory the average day was about 25 kt although there were a few days at 42kt. At least with winter there are also waves.
Its definatly more gusty and harder to ride in than summer but if you find the right spot and conditions it can still be some great fun kiting
If your still freash to kiting you will learn alot very quickly kiting in the winter. Just be carefull, the wind is usally from a different direction than summer and its not nice and steady. Its usally before or after a front you'll get a kite so you got to be really on the ball with the weather and it is quite gusty. Did i mention that its cold too.
In saying all that you can have heaps of fun.
A new kiter, a 12 metre kite and winter in WA is not a good combo, if you do head out be very careful and keep an eye on the forecast and the horizon.
It can go from a pleasant 16-18 knots to over 30 (or 40) then to nothing within minutes.
yeah i did my first winter season last year. a great experience but definately keep your eye on the horizon. If you feel like the weather is weird or sketchy then sit around for a while and watch what happens. Also talk to the other kiters in the area. And for a newbie I'd definately recommend don't go out alone! I usually only kite with min of 3 other kiters.
I had one time where I stayed out and a massive front was coming in.........I didn't know but another experienced kiter called me in. Just after I landed it turned into crazy wind which would have put me in the dunes.
I'm not actually sure if this is right but i generally think that if you get stuck out in big winds then drop your kite in the water and self rescue.
Another thing........in winter it gets really hard to get back to your board so sometimes it's best to just come in and look. Body dragging in big winds can be so hard.
Other than that i really love winter kiting it's a great way to develop your kite control
Well winter is nearly here and the cold fronts will start soon and as always with the strong gusty winter winds comes an even greater need to know your safety systems!
We have seen a few guys recently down the beach with kites backstalling due to oversheeting. This is understandable after a long summer of good winds as your front lines often stretch unevenly compared to your backlines. The good news is that this is is easily fixed, If you are unsure drop in and we will show you how to tune your bar and lines and double check that your Safety is working correctly before the winter fronts get here.
Winter Kitesurfing may require slight adjustments to your technique/equipment and locations. We would like to extend an open invite to all kitesurfers, pop into the store to discuss the safest way to approach the coming winter months, as always there will be plenty of free advice on riding technique and gear as well.
Airborne Kitesurfing Team
man i need a kite fix last week checked out melvile on what sea breeze said was ok and wasnt even worth putting up the kite WERE IS THE WIND!!!!!!!!!!!
Has anyone kited................I keep missing it.................ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I'm dying and having withdrawls
Had a gold session on Monday arvo at Swanbourne! Got about 4hrs in before it went dark! Was powered up nicely on the 11!
I'm sitting here at Safety Bay waiting for the wind to come up. About 8-10knts at the moment.
Yup... wind is kicking in nicely 12 knots or so now by the looks. Will head out shortly if anyone else is keen.
Had a patchy session on Sunday....bought a new (2nd hand) 12 and had a great play regardless of the intermittent wind!! A 12m may not be the smartest move in the heavier stuff once fronts et al arrive but it gives me options, which I like!
had two sessions now.......... sunday and monday............sunday on a 9.5 and Monday back to my 7m hooray.
Yeh monday was awesome dint get real good till like 6 though so didnt get much sun :(
1st season..winter fronts... 12m kite? Sounds like trouble.
Seriously mate winter kiting is for the more experienced and even then can be a bit of a drama. Big swell, going from underpowered teabagging to white knuckle fever overpowered in seconds - then back again. 
Then there are the fronts.. I think everyone has mentioned fronts already but they are super important to keep an eye on. See one coming - then get to shore and land your kite immediately. Not "one more run" - do it immediately.
TBH tollair - you are asking a more than a bit much of your experience and skill levels to be taking on winter at this stage. Best bet would be to get a full summer season under your belt next summer. Use the time to save up for a 8m-ish kite (if you are planning on keeping your 12m) and then think about taking on your 1st winter next year.
Check yaself before ya wreck yaself - as Grandmaster Flash would say. 
Had my first Kite lesson end of last Feb, went out a few times when I could borrow a mates gear, bought my first kit end of last May and kited almost as many days last winter as I did this summer.
If you are competent at self rescuing, can brave the cold and are aware of what could happen, GET OUT THERE!
Had great times and not so great times during last winter but learnt a lot and wouldnt have had the fun I did this summer if I hadnt got out there as much as I did last winter.
I am pretty surprised at how many posts there are outlining what a great time the poster had in winter conditions.
This ignores the fact that tollair has stated he only has one month experience and can only just hold down his 12m kite in 20 kts.
None of this sounds like he is ready for winter conditions. 
tollair - don't be tempted by some of the enthusiastic replies above. This time of year most kiters are desperate for a session 
and are sharing the stoke of getting out there for the 1st time in a while. Take it easy and wait for next summer.
Got to agree with GF.
While some of our brethren are desperate to get out their enthusisam should not be seen as an encouragement for novices to go and get a proper hiding!!!
Winter kiters generally have 6-8m kites dependant on weight etc... A suitable wetsuit because you get a tired a lot quicker when you're cold. A keen sense of adventure, but a keener sense of survival.
A true typical winter day for a novice
-W 35 knots gusting 38
-Kiter 70kg wet
-Measures wind with Windmeter, never a good sign, says "windy today, bra'
-pumps up 12m Rebel, sets up for Southerly not westerly 50m downwind from other kiters, despite being told that his kite is too big for the conditions
-trys to self launch, because the experienced kiters refused to help him in his suicide attempt, nearly ends up in dunes as hot launches kite
-figures out hes in trouble as kite has inverted and centre lines are wrapped around steering lines
-gets face dragged down beach twice
-when the experienced kiters get to him (and let me tell you we don't run unless its really urgent!) and tell him to dump the kite and hold on till it settles down, he tells us that he forgot the safety leash, but thought it would be ok anyway
-we just released his kite anyway, it took off 200m down the beach settled against the dunes and he managed to recover it
- he packed up and we never saw him again
But aside from getting a painful lesson in humility, he walked away (mostly) unhurt.
he was lucky!!
Know your gear
know the conditions
but mostly know your abilities!
Month of kiting + 12M kite + Winter conditions = Darwin Award
yesterday
All was well on my 7m, 2 yrs experience and a winter season under my belt.
Waited until there were 4 people on the water so I'd have safety in numbers. A few people on the beach to land me if it goes nuts.
Kite,kite,kite
freak gust......100% depower and no one on the beach except the other guy who just go picked up and is now STANDING ON THE BEACH waiting for ...........heaven??????
Decided to keep my kite low and stay out far enought that I can land my kite in the water and self rescue to saftey.
Some locals came to the beach and I steamed in tapping my head to land. End of session...........convinced them to downgrade their kites........12 to 9 and 9 to my 7.
I sat and ate food and as a result I'm still here typing.
Classic winter.
^^^ Wise choices.
Below are links from a similar thread on the kite noobs forum.
The link to KiteHard's winter kiting info is excellent and should be studied by all kiters. Heaps of great info to keep yourself alive and enjoying kiting!
KH's info:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/Winter-Weather-Warning-for-new-Kitesurfers_2879690.aspx
Noobs thread:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66307
Safe (and kn gusty) winds folks.
Hey Guys,
Looks like I am on the move again, this time down to Perth. I have been kiting since 2003 and know what I am doing (well most of the time) Most of my Australian kiting has been on the Gold Coast where I fly a 12M Rebel and on the windier days a 9M ozone. I then got moved up to Darwin where there is very little wind and struggle on my 12M. I Have just been informed that a move to Perth could be on the cards.
On the Goldie I hold my 12 comfortably till about 27kts and uncomfortably in a bit more wind. then My 9 comes out.
What is the kiting like in winter? Where are the best/safest spots? How cold is winter? do i need to get a full steamer? or will my Gold Coast winter wear (2mm wetsuit top and boardies work?)
If things pan out well I should be down in Perth in 2 weeks
