Hi all,
I arrive in Port Douglas on June 25th for 3 weeks, and I have two questions:
First, will jellyfishes be totally gone? I read that some can still be there even during these months... So I assume it's quite risky to kite only with a boardshort?
Second, I'm 75kg, my only kite is a 12. I would like to buy a 8. Are winds above 22-23 knots frequent during these months? I know that some of you are OK with just a 12, but I had my first kite lessons just a year ago and for the moment I'm not very comfortable with my 12 above 20-22 knots.
Many thanks!
Adrien
No problems with the jellyfish at that time of year
Maybe think about a 9/10m second kite 4m is a bit of a gap, however a smaller kite would definately come in handy for the winds over 22knots at Port Douglas.
Sounds like a good wind season there this year, hope you enjoy your stay
u wont get many days above 20 knots on the beaches between, Cairns and Pt Douglas. But if you have a 12, get a 9, not an 8 for up here.
Thanks for your answers !
I have kept an eye on Low Isles / Port Douglas Windfinder observations for a week, and it was usually above 20 Knots (25/28 now...). I assume it is more windy at Low Isles station.
Since I will also go to WA before going back to France, in next December, I think I will need a smaller so I'll buy the 8.
About the size, my 12 is not a LEI but a Flysurfer foil (Speed 3), that, many users told me, fits perfectly with the Flysurfer Unity 8 I want to buy (only available in 6-8-10-12). The 12 is great for 12-22 knots (for a beginner/intermediate), but can easily by held in 25-30 by an experienced rider (amazing depower).
low isles is a long way offshore. it gets much more wind than the beach at port.
don't use that as your guide to the wind for port douglas...
I assume (I hope) we can add some knots to the Cairns Aero station observations for Port Douglas? How many, 5?
Thanks
It's crap here at Port Douglas. We got skunked this wek. The Seabreeze forecast said 20-25 knots SE for the whole week and more. In fact we had two hours of good wind two days ago and perhaps 1 hour today. That's it! - after 7 promised days we got 3 hours tops.
The cloud and rain stopped all the wind hitting the shore.
Seems I was a little bit optimistic when thinking 21 days at Port Douglas will be 21 kitedays... 
Mother nature baby. Cairns has been the same. Book your slot, bring everything you own and have some no wind activities as backup (drinking beer is a great no wind option....hic) or head north to Cooktown and beyond.
No beer for me, only fruit juice 
(Maybe I should better change that before migrating to Australia...)
I cannot head to Cooktown, no cheap accommodation available over there (I don't have driving license, so I have to sleep close to a spot).
If there's no wind at Port Douglas, the northernmost I could go to is Cape Tribulation, but this beach doesn't seem to be a good spot.
don't just consider beaches north of cairns. According to some nth qld locals I have spoken to, the beaches around townsville/alva often get better more consistent wind than the cairns area. Something to do with the local topography. Nicer places to ride too.
For what ever Low Isles is reading ,subtract 10-15 kts for port Douglas , No b/s went there 2 years ago for a week , strong wind warning every day, got 1 day above 20 kts and even that was overcast and crappy. Wind would not have averaged 15 kts.
I saw that these days, Townsville area is indeed much more windy.
Since I booked for Port Douglas, I'm just gonna wait, and I'll see when I arrive. But cheap accommodation availabilities become rare around Townsville, and I don't see any close to an appealing place (there is magnetic island, but Nelly Bay doesn't excite me so much).
PD really seems to be a nice and beautiful place, too bad it's not as windy as we can read everywhere on the internet... Fingers crossed, only need 13 knts.
These forecasts are much more optimistic, but I assume they are only valid for offshore waters (as Low Isles forecasts).http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/northern_qld_coastal_waters.shtml
Adrienm, calm down brother. Don't believe all the advice you receive on this forum (especially from people who aren't locals). You can not program mother nature to suit your travel schedule. For the time of year you have booked, you have the best chance of getting wind at Port D. I have had some insane kites there and i have also missed out at times. If you want a 100% guaranteed wind location then you had better get a bigger budget or go to cable. Simple as that. Lower your expectations a little so you don't get disappointed if the wind is not cranking.
You're right, and don't worry, provided that there is still water in the sea, sand on the beach and sun in the sky I won't be disappointed in any case.
Contact Chris Rose at KiteRite in Yorkeys Knob. He'll help you with anything you need. Top blokes there and they can provide anything you need for kiting.
www.kiterite.com.au/
www.kiterite.com.au/contact.php
Suggest you read the post on Cape Flattey, and the comments from the guys that have been up there.
It is as much of a guarantee as you are going to get.
If you are travelling through, and want to sample a bit of Australia/somewhere different that is a real experience, I'd suggest you contact Ant, and book, otherwise you won't get the chance,
Oh and you will need a small kite for that cos it "blows like a Bustard" up there.
I would have loved to go there but it's definitely over my budget (that's what I want to spend for 3 weeks in PD).
