Hi Guys,
A few mates and I are thinking of doing a downwinder from Palm Beach to Manly on Saturday or Sunday (wind depending).
If anyone has done this downwinder before we would really appreciate any advice, tips, hints, we know it has been done several times and shouldn't be too big a deal.
Anyone who wants to join send me a message (experienced kiters only please) and I will let you know plans, meeting places, equipment etc. Additionally if anyone has a boat or jetski and fancies cursing along with us that would be welcomed to.
Thanks and chat soon
Graham
A few of us did it NYE three years ago. its an amazing trip. took about 2 hours. wind was NNE at about 19kts.
You need to start from quite north on palm beach to get past the big cliffs as there is a wind shadow as you get near it. i needed a few tacks to get upwind enough to pass it safely.
i had to stay about 500 meters off shore untill about mona vale due to the huge wind shadow off the cliffs. After that it was a wave slaying session all the way to manly.
Self landed my kite just north of the flags at Manly with millions of people around, but what can you do
Have fun, its awesome
Nice one, Graham. It's going to be epic.
Do we take phones in waterproof pouches?
Do we take flares?
Do we take snacks, glucose sachets?
Do we let lifeguards or maritimes services or someone know that we're doing it?
Stef
@ColTech: Thanks for the response. Valued knowledge and you have successfully added excitement to the campaign.
Stef, currently we have Graham's wife offering land support. She will drive the coast with us, counting the kites and just making sure everything stays in the sky and there are no problems.
Phones in a waterproof pouch is a definite, as well as nutritional substances.
I recon stopping off at a few key lifeguards on the way up and telling what we are doing and getting direct numbers from them is a great idea as well.
Other than that I recon we good to go.
Cool. Looking forward to it.
A few of us did this in November. Was great fun and really impressive views.
Palmie to Newport has the least friendly exit points of the whole trip. (With Whale to Avalon as the longest headland). Last time the wind was light (hard to make upwind progress, but fine for downwind. But not nice if you got too close to the cliffs).
A few things that spring to mind to consider are:
1) How are you getting to Palm Beach and then home again?
2) What are you going to take on the trip? Last time we did this we had various combinations of: - water/drinks, inflatable PFD, food, flares, and 2 marine radios, mobile phone in waterproof pouch.
3) What kite you will use?
Hopefully see you on Saturday.
Cheers
Jono
Jono, welcome to the cause. Looks like we building to about half a dozen riders.
Wind tomorrow is looking great. Lets meet at Palm beach at 1PM, let's meet on the grass in the Northern most car park. Usual corner where the kiters pump up.
We can then all meet and greet, assess conditions, discuss strategy and route (which beaches we want to come in at and play in the waves, which headlands to give a wide berth to etc).
I am taking a car from Manly/Queenscliff. I can give a lift to 2 additional people. Let me know if you want a lift.
From a food and drink perspective I propose everyone sorts themselves out with what they want, energy bars, glucose sachets, camel packs all sound like good ideas to me.
As for additional equipment, I will bring a phone in a waterproof pack, I will also wear a life vest (PFD). If anyone has flares, radios, please bring along. On the way up I will have a chat to a few lifeguard stations just to let them know what we are doing, and get some direct mobile numbers for them.
Super keen for the mission, see you tomorrow.
Graham
Hey sounds epic,just give Bilgola,Bungan a wide berth,small beaches and protected to an extent in a n/easter,Mona Vale and onwards would be epic.Hope you post some pics or video.Enjoy
Select to expand quotemanlykiter said..
How did you guys go? Id like to do this one day!
It was terrible.. ended up being a walk of shame! walked about 20km back to the car after there was an excessive amount of bull sharks in the area. better safe than sorry
