Hello,

Me and my gf (Netherlands) will travel WA from 15th till 28th of november. The places we are going to visit are:
- fremantle
- geraldton
- carnavon
- coral bay
- denham
- kalbarri
- lancelin
- perth

I will bring my gear (8+12m 15kn-40kn) with me so i can go surfing where en whenever i want! I am an 10 yrs experienced kitesurfer in all sort of conditions. Only wave surfing is not an strong point. Never been into waves bigger than 2,5/3 meters. I like to just ride, jump high and a occasional wake style trick. Sometimes small (bad) waves and good waves all around the world.

I am looking for some information on different kitespots in the above list. Where are the best places to go, where will i always find other kite surfers because i don't like to ride alone. I prefer flat waters with side and onshore winds and maybe some waves in the back.
Are the specific things i have to keep an eye out for? Reefs, dangerous marine life and maybe other things?
Do i need to bring my wetsuit, shorty?
I have read about the new rules about kitesurfing. Until 400m offshore there is no life supplies necessary? Due to safety i am not planning to go out more than 400m.
Are there enough places with a beach bar for some drinks and snacks?

We booked and planned our trip completely. We are going to some sightseeing, beach things and some surfing.

I hope you guys can give me some good advice!

www.waksa.org.au/locations/

This should cover most of the locations you are planning to go. Use Google to find more details about other spots (most likely you'll find links to forum discussions on SeaBreeze, or use the Seabreeze search function)

Don't worry about size of waves, you'll rarely see waves bigger than 2 meters in the places you'll visit at this time of year.

Local knowledge is always key and yes you will most likely always find other kiters to ask about rules, dangers, etc. except maybe when go North of Geraldton/Coronation it's likely you may be on your own sometimes...

Wetsuit top should do the trick but no need for a Wetsuit at this time of year unless you're going in the south of WA.

Beach bar with drinks and snacks...euh.. not really no, this is not Europe. But at least we don't have 400 kites in one area :)

enjoy!

Generally a good time up here in the mid west of wa, the winds kick in just before lunch and build throughout the day, water temp will be around 24deg, we've some amazing kiting along our coast, a 4wd makes the journey even better, you'll be unlucky if your not kiting every day at this time, do your travelling early morning which gets you to each destination at the perfect time, forget the cafe beach scene [:,(], enjoy our coast

Consider your kite sizes too - an 8m is getting on the big side for our 30+knots you can get up north, depending on your weight you might consider a 6m necessary.
Agree with the other blokes posts - travel early, kite all afternoon. No beach bars around - just miles of deserted coastline with lots of space to enjoy huge airs without worrying about running over anyone!

I'd be worried about how far you want to travel in only 13 days. Assuming you don't stop for breaks or to take in the sights you are looking at Fremantle to the furthererest point of Coral Bay being around 1200km. that's two solid days driving there and another two days driving back, everywhere else you pass through is in between except Denham/Monkey Mia and Kalbarri, both are another 2 hours drive each off the highway.

With that itinerary you might end up driving for a few hours every morning and kiting somewhere different every afternoon But there won't be much time for anything else.

Plan is to travel in de morning and maybe do/see things underway. Then in the afternoon some surfing, relaxing and get some Australian culture.
Unfortunately we did not rented an 4WD due to the high costs. Can i assume the most common spots are reachable with an 2WD car?
It is not necessary to go kiting everyday. It is that we are able to go to Perth and why not bring my gear even if i go surfing only once.

If there are no others kiting/surfing i will not go out. For me the risk is to high in unknown territory.

What is an wetsuit top? Same as an shorty of just a neoprene top?

My weight is around 90kg+. Experienced in kiting with gusts over 40 knots so that won't be an problem.

The beach bars would be a nice thing to have but if not we will bring our own stuff!

Thnx for the advice already! Only 5,5 weeks away!!!

If you find the Australian Culture please let us all know! haha..
BYO Beach Bar is definitly the go... youll make some friends too..

Youll be fine with a 2WD, heaps of spots. Put Horrocks onto your list in the MidWest as well. Perfect combo of flat water and waves out of the reef.
Just trust your judgement going out, if you do on you own youll be fine. Lots of spots dont have many kiters. Check out reefs, and other hazards first of course.
Wetsuit top is as it says, you were it with boardies. No bottom to it.

Wind and waves are firing, youll have a ball!

Cheers

Surf stuff is packed! Almost ready to go!
I've been reading about the "dangerous" marine life. Is that something to keep an eye out or is it just bad luck?

Come say hi if you see me surfing. Orange/black 12m Nemesis HP 2008 or Blue/black 8m Nemesis HP 2008.
See you on the water in a couple of days!

If you make it up as far as Exmouth, give me a shout, always keen for a kite.

pack a 6m leave the 12m at home. Seen this with many travellers in town, always pack small kites!

TGCP, i don't think timeless we will end up in Exmouth. Probably not further north than Coral Bay.
AUSTIN, i only own these 2 kites. 12m will get me up to 25 knots and the 8 over 40 so i don't see any problems.

This was quite helpful to read! I am flying in from North America (Hood River, OR in the Columbia River Gorge is my local spot) in a week and I am staying for 2.5 weeks. I pretty much had the same questions. Looks like I am coming with a 7m, 9m and 11m + twin tip quiver with a short wetsuit. I would love to meet some of the locals while I am there. Also I am planning on driving through southern WA for some sightseeing. I don't see a lot of kiting spots around there in the map? Any suggestions?

Another question is, I see that there is the Redkite downwinder (http://www.waksa.org.au/kitesurfing-events/events-calendar/event/21-redkite-charity-downwinder). Is this a popular event? Do they make exceptions for non-members to join if they are from abroad? Sounds like a fun thing to do.

Thanks for the advice in advance, cheers!

just saying, not seen many Euros in 'over 40knots' on an 8m. Usually constitutes a rescue attempt.

Looks like you heading north but if you find yourself south you should check out Augusta .

If you going up to Coral bay you got to keep going to Exmouth .. Actually just give Coral Bay a miss and go straight to Exmouth . Approx 2 hrs further . No kiting in Coral bay... Exmouth has best kiting in the state this time of year!! not to mention great snorkeling , nice crew etc.. have a good 1!

Yep, skip coral bay and hit Exmouth. You are robbing yourself by driving all that way and not going there.

Boarding to Perth in 1 hour from Dubai!
For what we read on internet in coral bay you can go snorkeling directly at the beach. I don't have to go kiting every day it is just an very nice plus on our trip! We will keep exmouth in our minds for the next visit to Australia!
Thanks in advance for the useful reactions! Hope to see you on the water in the next 2 weeks!

If I was short on time Id skip Shark bay and use the time to head on straight up to Exmouth, That drive into Denham and back out is a long way for a short trip.

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michiela said...
Boarding to Perth in 1 hour from Dubai!
For what we read on internet in coral bay you can go snorkeling directly at the beach. I don't have to go kiting every day it is just an very nice plus on our trip! We will keep exmouth in our minds for the next visit to Australia!
Thanks in advance for the useful reactions! Hope to see you on the water in the next 2 weeks!

Same in exmouth but IMO a lot more spectacular kiting and below the water, as Tgcp mentioned you could skip shark bay on the way up, and if you find you've time call in on your return south, we've thousands of klms kiting coastline, but with the time you've got you'll have to prioritise ,in exmouth you'll struggle for a better spot kiting or not, pm me on your travels and we can have a kite in Dongara and share a cold beer

Just to clarify for you when everyone says Exmouth they are refering to the coast 15 to 60 min past the town of Exmouth (lighthouse caravan park to Yardie creek in cape range national park)where ideally you have the gear to be self sufficent for water/food and refrigeration.(there are 2 caravan parks in that area if you need them though).

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TurtleHunter said..
Just to clarify for you when everyone says Exmouth they are refering to the coast 15 to 60 min past the town of Exmouth (lighthouse caravan park to Yardie creek in cape range national park)where ideally you have the gear to be self sufficent for water/food and refrigeration.(there are 2 caravan parks in that area if you need them though).

Or as I like to call it, our back yard

If you want the true Aussie experience go to Gnaraloo, best kept secret on the west coast. Take the Blowholes Road 24km north of Carnarvon. www.gnaraloo.com.au

15th to 28th of november and you are expecting to see all that in 13 days ?

There is a ****eton of driving in there .

Good luck

Back from a really nice trip in WA! A lot of driving but a nice impression of WA. Next visit will be for the south of WA!
Went kitesurfing in Geraldton but unfortunately the wind died after 20 minutes.
Spot in Carnarvon was really nice but not enough wind.
Coral Bay was really nice. Good snorkeling en good winds. Nobody went out surfing and the reef was to far out for going alone. So here some nice beach time en underwater time!
Went surfing twice in Denham. Just in front of the hotel! After my session the locals said the spotted an tiger shark earlier but i didn't saw anything :) 2nd time was more south, close to shell beach!
Kalbarri just sight seeing.
Lancelin, NO WIND!!! Thunderstorm, lighting, bush fire, power outage, rain and no wind. But the next day we had a good day in the Little Creatures brewery to finish our holiday!
I think we will be back one day!

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tgcp said..
If I was short on time Id skip Shark bay and use the time to head on straight up to Exmouth, That drive into Denham and back out is a long way for a short trip.

I agree .
you wil be surprised.
its a bloody long drive just from Perth to Geraldton.
look at a map .
if you want to travel .
start the trip straight to Exmouth first.
then go slowly south back to Perth .
I know you land in Perth , but its better going south after you realise how boring the road can get.
GOOD LUCK!

You might be a wee bit late with that advice Jeff!

Sounds like you girls had a good time without really scoring true WA conditions. There's always next time!