I'm keen to head down to Leighton on Sat as the wind looks good all day. I've never kited there before and have only been out a couple of times on my own so still very much a beginner. With all the human traffic around there on the weekend, is it best to avoid if I still can't go upwind and have to do the walk of shame heaps?

Anything I need to know other than what's on the WAKSA guide (eg stay north of footbridge)?

Cheers,

I learnt at Leighton, it's a good open stretch of beach. Imo its a good spot for learning in the ocean. No shame in walking back upwind, it improves your fitness and leg strength. Plenty of other kiters there learning the ropes and the more experienced kiters tend to keep an eye out for the learners so if you come unstuck someone should give you a hand.

If you are still getting going on the board and having trouble staying upwind then I would setup in the main area at the beach access south of the footbridge, launch & then walk well upwind but no further than 200 metres north of the North Freo surf life saving flags and keep well clear of any swimmers/surfers/beach walkers etc.

Expect to lose your board and have to body drag down to it, the wind & swell will take it downwind pretty fast, it's all part of the learning experience, learn to body drag well it's a useful & necessary skill. The wind can be a bit flukey close to shore at Leighton. Don't walk upwind or stand on the beach with your kite at 12 o'oclock or it may fall out of the sky, try and keep your kite over the water at 11 o'oclock.

Have fun.

Watch out for the rocks down from the walkway though. I may be heading there too, I'll pm you

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StevenJG said..

Watch out for the rocks down from the walkway though. I may be heading there too, I'll pm you

what ?

rocks ?

it's sand

think you are thinking of another beach

No further north of the walkway, there are rocks. I got dragged there down wind once. Normally you don't go there though. Bit misleading the way I said it.

cheers for all the advice! lookin forward to Sat!!

Hey Dude,

I live just up from Leighton and am keen to get down there on the kite. I've been learning at Woodman as it's pretty easy down there with schools crawling all over the beach to help you out.

However, it's quite a trek after work and life would be much easier to swing by Leighton as it's on my way home!

If you'd like to catch up to give each other a hand and so on then drop me a PM.

Maybe see you there!

P.s. sounds like we're pretty much the exact same level. I can just about get back upwind but have to do the occasional walk of shame....

Heading down Woodmans tonight though as the wind looks like it's picking up down there....

Hi guys,

I'm from Europe on a short break in beautiful Perth.

I plan to head down to Leighton beach this argo for a session.

I hope other kiters will be out to give me a hand and keep an eye out as I'm alone.

CU out there!

Cheers

No??mie

Weta's advice is good. Walk down and go out 200m to the south of the bridge and try to come in before the dog beach (theres a sign) so there will be kiters to help drop your kite if you need. If you come in at the dog beach (north of the sign) theres usually swimmers in the water, the shore break gets a bit bigger, and if you get dragged too far you're coming in near the steep walls of cables. Not to mention the dogs go mental at the kites!

Other than that leighton is a great place to go once you've learnt the basics of kiting. Better winds (than the river). Some small swells to get your first airs off. Not too hard to get out. Big beach, and in my experience, friendly vibe amongst other kiters.

Hey folks,
i just arrived at the west coast a few days ago and waiting for the wind (what's wrong with it the last days???). The afternoon looks not too bad but is it worth a 1 1/2 h train ride to leighton? not sure about the forecast/actual wind conditions yet.

Leighton is the best place to kite in Perth city IMHO
If you fancy the drive Safety Bay is the place.

Leighton has plenty of room and plenty of other kiters, just make sure you are careful as there other beach user, ie due diligence for other peoples safety