Interested kiters who would like to be involved in a unique test event are invited to join the Lighthouse to Leighton & Perth 2011 organising teams who are staging a test course racing event and photo/ promotional race afternoon on Wednesday 12th December from 13:00 to 17:00.
Interested kiters are encouraged to assemble on the South Perth foreshore from 13:00, with the first race scheduled for 14:00 (wind depending), just west of the Boat Shed Cafe, South Perth.
The objective of the event is twofold, one to stage a great photo opportunity and pre promotion for this years L2L and secondly to determine Perth Water's suitability for Course Racing in the future.
There is no charge to participate and social drinks/ presentations will follow after the races.
All kiters (not just those with an L2L spot) are invited to attend - so, if you missed out on a place in the L2L here's a great opportunity to * go racing * ...
If you intend to participate please PM me, thanks.
If your thinking about course racing there - Just remember Perths predominant december wind is South west... so to begin with your on the offshore side with a friggin great hill behind you 
Im guessing a non kiter thought this one up 
Your best bet would be staging it from Herisson Islands Western point - at least youll be in the pockety gusty breeze there ... slightly
Or the Hurlingham road carpark that sticks out a little..
Hope you have got the appropriate permissions.
Will safety boats be present I would hate the BAD (real BAD publicity) if a kite was to crash into the wall on the city side? This could be the perfect reason for the Department of Transport to put in place a load of bans that WAKSA have been trying hard to prevent.
If this is for course racing should this not be for people with race boards not, your everyday TT heros who will use this as an excuse to boost. I hope this does not cause a crash on river side drive?
Is the depth of water sufficent for 45cm fins?
Its a bit of an early start for me with work but I will see what I can do. I will watch.
Is insurance in place?
For course racing this area is just too small. Ask advice from the people (me) who organised the Course racing at safety bay. (try Melville Water)
If this is a genuine suitability test. it should be done by invitation to people that have proved they know how to kite.
IMHO this could be a real bad publicity stunt unless you have good Easterly winds. In a SWerly this is a NO GO.
Sounds like an idea from the master-minds behind the flop that was Perth 2011 sailing regatta.
Listen to advice from people that know... any test event should be done by invitation to kitesurfers that regularly race.
Nope I am in the L2L.
I am just very conserned about bad publicity for kite surfing and losing access when WAKSA is working very hard meeting steakholders and keeping beaches and river areas open.
Mask
Saturday afternoon is looking like normal perth seabreeze weather...
How about you do a little kite session there and get back to us with an Informed opinion then
Have you ever wondered why people who have tried kiteing there - only do it in easterly winds and say fark never again 
But then again - how bout a flatwater freestyle event inside Hillarys marina too
sounds like a great pre-event! I am pretty sure the organizers have taken care of all the necessary actions to make sure its all legit and WAKSA is part of L2L event right so they should be informed about this as well.
In general I think we should support anybody that is putting effort, time and passion into any type of community engaging kiteboarding related events that are a great display for our sport and bring people out to come together and do what they like doing.
If the conditions are not suitable then you just cant do it i guess but you cannot be 100% certain of the conditions till the day.
Great effort to the L2L team for putting another event leading up to the big race with no charge and drinks afterwards. What more can you ask for guys?
5 thumbs up!
Thank you In The Loop for your positive support and for travelling from QLD to race in the L2L and our test event on Perth Water.
Not having a dig here as i have huge respect for anyone that gets off their arse and organises an event (especially one as big as the L2L!)
I have kited South Perth twice in the past and both times found it to be a huge challenge. The wind there is very very gusty and there is a huge amount of boat traffic. The ferries coming in and out will not and can not give way to you so if someone drops thier kite (wich in the ****ty gusty wind there, is very likely) you need to be very proficient at relaunching and self rescuing. Personally i would not be recomending anyone that is intermediate or less to be attending this event.
I know it would make a fantastic photo opp to promote kitesurfing but it could just as likely end up with a photo on the front page of a local newspaper with a kiter wrapped around the front of a ferry.
Once again i'm not having a dig at the L2L team, as i said before i love the work they do and have lots of respect for what they have done for kiting in WA.
Wouldnt a race at Pelican Point make just as good a photo but without the risks that are involved with South Perth?
I've been kiting for 15 years in Perth and kited at South Perth a number of times in that period BUT
in easterly winds, are you joking about kiting there in SW WINDS?
You have more chance on that lake on the other side of riverside drive across from the FMG building in the city!
It is a good idea to have another location on option depending on the conditions and make the call on the day where it is feasible to do this event. We have learned from past events that it is most important to have the best location with good conditions as priority for events. I know it's easier said than done.
Damo is local and an expert kiter so I think it's good to take his advise into consideration.
I talked to some other local kiters that ride on other side of the river and they say its a great spot for racing..
Its quite amusing how many people have commented down the beach about this but are ...scared of losing their L2L spot by speaking up !!!
Yes I totally agree with the good intentions
but if it ends up as an advertising balls ups making people race in CRAP conditions for the sake of Red Bull and any, of a number of things go wrong... either close to any marine craft or Riverside Drive..
Then those who choose to stay quiet can happily say - ''they were part of why we dont have kiteing in Perths waterways anymore"
and yes someone had to say it because I care what happens to kiteing in Perth 365 days a year - not just '1' !!!
Seriously, with the forecast for tomorrow who gives a rats?
Then take a look at the forecast for the weekend....
If we could just spread the wind around a bit....Laurie - over to you please!
What a great BIG wind forecast for Wednesday!
We look forward to seeing all experienced and interested racers for the test race and photo opportunity Wednesday, from 13:00. First race ideally at 14:00hrs.
Saturday is looking great too! Forecast: an ideal 20 knots, perfect!
Thanks to the organisers for the hospitality today, unfortunately no racing today, super light wind with heaps of lightening and rain too. Not the greatest day in Perth for wind but cool to give it a go with a rescue craft nearby in case. The nasty clouds and rain cleared up around 5pm, Torvar and I went out for a quick run, Was enough wind on the other side if you read the gusts, the wind was from the east south east, whilst the narrows had a SW..... the dark clouds were circling the city today.!!! super stormy.. haven't kited there in a few years.
no luck with winds for the race but a great meeting! looks like some big things are in the making for Perth.
The location is awesome for a course racing event i reckon.
Good on Dale and Trovar to get out in 5knts on their raceboards and run up and down with Perth City Skyline in background looked cool!
