| |
Consultancy | |||||||||
| |
||||||||||
Magnetic Island Kiting Forecast
Andy riding Florence Bay (Lynita Howie pic).
Week from Tuesday 10th April 2012
The second big high pressure system of the autumn is rolling our way, and this time there is no monsoon trough to our north to complicate things, so it looks like we will get 4-5 days of good wind out of this system!
The wind is expected to start filling in ESE on Tuesday night and should be in the ESE 20-25knot range by wednesday. All the weather models have the wind flow at its strongest on thursday with 25-33knots predicted out at the reef, so we should see some good wind at the Island on that day. Friday and saturday should still be in the 20-25kn range and sunday, monday and tuesday slowing back to 15-20kn. For what its worth, my long range buoyweather model has a new high pushing through and a return to 20knot ESE conditions by the weekend (april 21st / 22nd) after this next one.
Nelly Bay will be firing for freestyle and wave kiting, and the recent rains have pushed out a huge sandbar from the creek mouth so that makes things a bit easier on the feet and will give a nice flatwater take off on the inside. Florence Bay will also be be working for surfing and solo wave kiting if the wind direction stays ESE- this link gives a summary of the Magnetic Island Kite spots.
TIDES
Tides are slowly building through the forecast period, and the better low tides will be around the middle of the day over the weekend. My call for the best tide windows will be 4pm onwards on wednesday, and midday to 2pm on friday and saturday.
| Day | Kiting Times for Ideal Tides |
| Tues | 1500 - dark |
| Wed | 1530 - dark |
| Thurs | 0800 -1200, 1730 - dark |
| Fri | 0830 - 1400 |
| Sat | 0900 - 1500 |
| Sun | 1000 - 1130, 1320 - 1530 |
| Mon | 1000 - 1200, 1400 - 1600 |
Remember you need 1.1m to launch from the sand at Nelly Bay and much over 2.3m is quite choppy. Download the Jtides program and use the Townsville station to plan your session using an accurate graph of the tide height throughout the day.
For info on kiting in Townsville contact the crew at InTheLoop.
000 *** 000
We are starting to get a few more kiters at the Nelly Bay spot, so just a reminder about right-of-way rules and beach etiquette. The kiter launching from the beach has right of way over the kiters already riding. So in other words, once you are off the sandbar, try and stay clear of the launch / landing spot so that other kiters can come and go. If you are already riding, and you see someone on the beach with a kite up, then stay clear until they have ridden away from the launch.
When multiple riders are waiting to launch, then give the first rider a chance to get clear of the wind shadow close to the beach before marching out onto the sandbar to launch with your kite at 12 o'clock. Because of the onshore nature of the wind, and the wind shadows, most riders on a twin-tip board will require a tack or two to gain enough ground to get out into the riding zone, especially if the wind is light. If you are the next rider waiting to launch, then keep your kite away from the sandbar area until the rider has gained some ground.
Amongst all this, we still have beginners trying to learn to ride, and they need to use the area close to the sandbar, so keep your eyes open when launching or landing, and give them enough space to practice their kite control.
While riding and crossing tacks, remember the upwind kiter keeps their kite high. If someone is obviously on a wave and trying to ride it, then other kiters keep clear. Check behind you before turning or jumping.
When lots of kites are on the beach, it is best practice to roll the lines onto the bar and leave it near the kite. That keeps the beach free of loose lines, and allows riders to come and go easily. Always put some sand on the kite so it won't fly away.
Finally, keep an eye out for other beach users, and be prepared to offer friendly advice about where they should or shouldn't sit - stand - walk - fish - swim or whatever. Explain the dangers of the kites and how we need out little strip of sand between the fig tree and the sandbar to do our thing. Obviously if people are walking right through the zone when a launch is in progress, then wait until they are clear.
Call or sms me if you need more info. Andy 0419 712 579.
Download the Jtides program and use the Townsville station to plan your session using an accurate graph of the tide height throughout the day. Sealink Ferry timetable click here.
Online Mags and Technique
*Latest issue of The Kiteboarder Magazine (electronic pdf)
* latest issue of iksurfmag.com (web based magazine - good technique section).
* Kiteworld Magazine has a good video technique section here.
* Seabreeze technique articles section
Weather Links
Current Windspeeds in Cleveland Bay
Buoyweather Magnetic Island Windspeed Forecast
Buoyweather Outer Reef Windspeed Forecast
For more info contact us by phone or email.