Oops, first post and I ended up getting tangled up in the Windsurf side of the forum. Looks like I belong over here, so I'll try again...
So I'm coming back home to visit the family after living in Canada for the last 10 years. Who'd have thought I'd discover kitesurfing in Squamish in frigid 5 degree water? Good distraction from mountain biking. Keen for some wind as it's been off season here since September. And very keen to ride without a 4/3 wetsuit and booties for a change.
Got a few weeks starting on the 3rd of April and it sounds like that's the tail end of the season. Is there still a chance I'll get some decent wind? I have an 8m and 11m Dice with a surfboard and twin tip. Is it worth bringing my gear? Sounds like I shouldn't expect daily sessions, but even if I get a few good days out of 3 weeks I'd say it's worth bringing gear. My sister lives in Geraldton so I'll be up there at some point as well, and will be watching the forecast to see if I can time it.
It'd be sweet to hook up with some riders and do some downwinders if anyone is looking for someone to ride with. I will be pretty flexible with time. I'm 44 and a confident intermediate if that makes any difference (although I've had very little wave riding experience since we don't have surf where I live). I will have a vehicle and I'll be staying in Doubleview mostly, with a little time in Bunbury and Geraldton. Do you think I have a decent chance of getting some windy days in April?
Where's the best site to check for wind conditions? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Mark
Bring your gear .
My experience with kite holiday is never wind wherever you go. But if you don't bring it there'll be plenty of wind. And there's no kite hire shop in wa so far as I know
Thanks for the replies. Is this what you use for wind reports?
wx.ikitesurf.com/search/perth,%20wa
www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
Whichever is your "app"or site of choice doesn't matter much, go straight to the source I reckon
Great, thanks. In light of the less that stellar expectations of wind while I'm there, I think I'll just bring my 11m and twin tip for easy packing and traveling, and hopefully I'll get lucky and score a few good sessions. Can probably get my hands on a surfboard if I really want one.
This site for wind forecast! Seabreeze main purpose is a 7 day wind forecast and its in an easy to read format. Green arrows is good for kiting.
In Geraldton we would average maybe 3 to 4 kitable days in April i think. Particularly if you have a big kite. It is towards the end of the sea breeze season but the wind is still around, just not the 20-30 knots we have been enjoying for months.
have a great trip.
Lived in both places. Now in N. Van.
Bring the gear, you're not guaranteed the wind (as chauncey put well) but you may get a day here or there. The conditions in WA are incredible when its on. Just nice to be on a beach even (squeamish is rocky).
Just accept the fact that you may end up getting skunked. If you're okay with that and won't be chasing the wind evey day you'll be good.
Have fun.
Sweet, thanks for all the tips.I'll be bringing a twin tip and 11m and hope for the best and expect the worst. Even one session to check out the area will make it worth it.Hoping to get a session in Noosa as well, but that's probably even less likely, but again; it's worth bringing half my gear on the off chance. Firmed up my plans and I'll be in Perth April 4 to 18 and Brissy from 18-26. If conditions are looking good at the time I'll post up here again to see if anyone is interested in meeting up for a session/downwinder/beer. I plan to make this a yearly thing (but mid season next time), so it'd be great to meet some kiters in the area.
Dan, maybe I'll run into you at the spit or Nitinat sometime.