As promised on OZ Kiting Destinations post .. I found the article I had written last year about Australian Kite Surfari but never posted because I've been so slack. The article is as it was written then and I never got the video done due to lack of time, it is still on my list because it really is awesome.
In the mean time enjoy the photos on
http://picasaweb.google.com/Sir00V/AustralianKiteSafari?feat=email#Any questions, you're welcome.
-- X --
A friend once told me I should go Wild Kitesurfing and I said .. you mean like, a Safari or something? Yeah man, paradise. So I went and checked it out?K so let me tell you about Australian Kite Surfari, Far North QLD and a guy named Ant ??
Trip: 02-05 Nov 09?K no negatives, on the contrary.. worth every penny
So I took the advice and was picked up at the airport on Sunday 1st and within 40 minutes I was pumping my kite at Yorkies since we weren??t leaving till the morning. Nice sesh, good flat water at the mouth and midsize waves. This was nothing but a prelude to constant warmth and better things to come.
kited 4/4 like this: Mon 7m overpowered, Tue 9M depowered and fully lit, Wed 9M and then 12M with plenty of grunt, Thu 12M and still holding ground.
Monday ?V 28 degrees, 28 knots variable to 35+
Great accom at the Australian kite Surfari HQ, awesome trip to camp, 5 hours from Cairns and we arrived to howling 28-35 knots ?V totally overpowered on my CB 7M. Pumped in front of camp and had to walk 5 meters to the water which let me completely exhausted ??. Man what a session.. grinning form ear to ear and I had just arrived.
Day ended with a hot shower thanks to a Sand-spear and a coal-heated coil, the man is full of good ideas. A few XXXX??s, a dug fire, Lasagna & Choc Bavarian pudding and I collapsed in my own comfy bunk / individual Oz tent ?V freakin?? luxury..
Tuesday - sweetest butter flat water you can find anywhere, sometimes even as deep as your waist but most of the time lower than that ??. 25-28 degrees, 22-28 knots from 0630 and a little stronger from 1100.
Downwinder to Mamba. I will post some photos on here but you can find the rest at - go and dream about what Kitesurfing should be like, all the time. Check out the trip on the Argo 8WD.
Exhausted for dinner, again, awesome food & pudding. What??s wrong with this guy? Doesn??t he like skinny people? ?? Some of the best night photos I??ve taken, don??t want to sleep but can??t stay awake.
Wednesday ?V Started with cooked brecky as we needed the energy ahead. Same weather or better still. At least 22 knots, perfect 9M, even flatter water, set up some cameras: tripod, kitecam, boardcam & barcam ?V vid to come, just don??t expect massive tricks as I have only been at this for 1 year. It doesn??t mean I didn??t enjoy it, hope you do too.
Day finished as good as previous. When we got back to camp the water was flat right in front but we were too tired to kite.. duuuhhh ?? ??? Did I just say that? What a waste. Not even all the cement I took gave me the energy, remind me to take some RedBull as well next time.
Thursday ?V Closed the trip with some of the most beautiful photos ever. Winds were light but it was warm and I didn??t care, 12M it was. Great trip home that avo, F&Chips at Cooktown and sleep after checking photos.
Flight at 0545 home and arrival in Sydney to overcast and no wind ?? bummer.
Special notice should be given to Ant for his continuous attention to detail and complete care package, fulltime. From lodging to food, transportation and kiting knowledge and locations, never ending search to see what else was needed. In general to make sure my trip was all I expected ?Vby far he superseded all my expectations. The man knows his stuff and I wouldn??t be surprised next year he will be running several camps at the same time and be permanently based out there.
The result: - I will be most certainly be going again and am already planning 2 trips for next year this time making sure I can coordinate with my mates. I suspect it will only get better.
Australian Kite Surfari, right here at home - GOOD JOB Ant. Credit where credit is due and thanks Manny for the referral.
*** Disclaimer ***
1 - I am not in any way shape or form affiliated with Australian Kite Surfari, simply a happy customer ??. I believe experiences should be shared and good hard work rewarded, so this is my contribution.
2 ?V My photos and video are personal and not intended as a demonstration of high skill or prowess ?V I had fun ?V enjoy the scenery and Kitesurfing conditions.
3 ?V Mom??s words: If you can??t say anything nice, keep it shut
but I guess I have something positive to say..
Enjoy people..
V
