In 2018 the australia day weekend starts on a friday, with friday being 26th, i propose that the windfest run from the weekend before which is the 20th of January 2018 through to sunday 28th January, for those that want to spend the week there and for those that do not or can not spend the whole week then arrive anytime in between .
The wind fest is as always open to land yachts kite buggies blokarts and kite flyers and in fact anyone who has an interest in wind powered vehicles and kite flying.
So come 1 come all.

Looking forward to Kingston SE!

Hi guys, any chance of some intel on the lake surface through December January. Planning on being part of Windfest 2018

Can't get over that way for a look myself before Jan, but the Kite guys will have updates I believe. I would hazard a guess and say it might be a little slippery, such as the pre-2016 years.....

If I hear anything I'll post it here

The kite crew have reported that there are a couple inches of water still on the lake at Kingston. So my guess is it will be a bit damp come mid January, but a hot windy summer would change that of course. All depends on the next four weeks....

The beach is great to sail when in good condition...and the wind cooperates

I spoke to Ian Thorpe a few days ago and he was out there as we,were speaking on the phone and said that there was still a bit of water on the lake but it was drying out fairly quickly and with a week or two of hot weather should be dry enough to use by end of January. Also the annual fishing comp is being held the weekend before the long weekend and NOT on the long weekend,

Select to expand quote

lachlan3556 said..
The kite crew have reported that there are a couple inches of water still on the lake at Kingston. So my guess is it will be a bit damp come mid January, but a hot windy summer would change that of course. All depends on the next four weeks....

The beach is great to sail when in good condition...and the wind cooperates

Good news to hear BB! Fingers crossed.

Hope the lake and beach are looking good. Unfortunately some things have come up for me and I won't be able to make it to Kingston SE this year. Uni, work and family commitments have not aligned this year. Sorry to those hoping to catch up.

Well maybe next time,,,,,looks like its gunna be a warm few days down there too

Thats a shame you cant make it, we enjoy your company "Lachlan".

Kite crew have been giving the beaches a great workout since we arrived on the 12th. Currently 11 buggys here.

Lake Nadzab is still covered with water that's being blown around by the strong winds this past week and keeping it damp and sticky. Only the western edge is exposed with no vehicle access. Walking around the exposed area my shoes just build up. It has crusted off where we usually base ourselves and the platelets are sealing in the subsoil moisture which is a bugger. The strong Northerly 2 days ago completely covered the southern end of the lake with the remaining water. Hope it does dry as it's such a great place to cruise.

We have been using long beach from the Blackwood drain up past the Granites towards 42mile and the beach is the best I have ever seen it. Very little seaweed and VERY smooth.
Winds have been mainly Southerly edging out to S/Westerly (straight up the beach) but this isn't a problem for the kiters, getting lots of kilometres covered with lots of runs up and back to the Granites. I got 5 runs in up and back in sub 5 knot wind, last Thursday and covered over 200kms in those conditions nonstop.

We have been down to Beachport, 3 times in the last 9 days, to use the South/Easters turning Southerly in the afternoons and had an absolute ball cruising there with 22- 26 knot winds, but the beach is quite bumpy all the way round to the groyne at Southend and loaded with seaweed which keeps you on your toes at high speed.

We were at Lake George yesterday (Beachport) and it's a bit rough where the hoons have ripped it up with circle work, but it's an "any wind direction" venue. Bit damp further out though.

Pic below
Trevor "Tiger37" borrowed my Yellow 15m2 Chrono 2 kite and I'm on my 18m2 Chrono 1, on yet another of our many trips to the Granites with a Southerly wind.

Having a ball with fantastic company.
The weather has been perfect with the sea breezes keeping the heat under control on the coast. Hotest day was Friday with 34 degrees but cooled off quickly to keep it very pleasant.
Light showers over night (last night 20th) but winds looks great, as soon as the fishing comp is completed, it's back onto the beach after lunch again with more Southerlies forecast this afternoon to play with.

Cheers Chook

Excellent report Chook! Getting more than a little envious of you guys ;)

its a little late but the Australia weekend at kingston turned out to be better than expected, with some great sailing had on lake nazab over the weekend. the northern end of the lake was a no go area because of water but the "car park end" was sailable by sticking to the edge also the entire length of the lake. a number of blokarts turned up andsome good close fun sailing was had, we found it not nessessary to use the beach even though it was going to be a fall back venue.
everyone is looking forward to 2019.