Heading up to Cairns next week, and was wondering if I need a kite smaller than a 9m? The prediction looks good. Brisbane's prediction looks good too, but it dosn't always come through this time of year. Is Cairns/Yorkey's/ Port Douglas similar to this unpredictability, or is the wind usually pretty consistant and reliable?
Had a look at the graph - it looks good but it says rain -
Yorkeys doesnt work when its rainy as the clouds block the wind from coming through -
If it is really southerly go up to Port Douglas for the day -
this can be good even when rainy
Most of the locals are friendly if you offer to pump their kites up but dont cross lines with big tony or he will wrestle you in the car park.
You can spot him he wears a short wetsuit that looks like a pro wrestlers outfit from 1974 - in fact thats where i have seen him before
Theres another guy with a crew cut head who never works and kites nearly every day - he looks mean but is pretty friendly
If you are in the city drop into Its extreme - those guys kite and will give you the low down on other locations
If you go further north - it can get really windy - check winsdswell.com.au or australiankitesurfari.com.au for trips avail - they are both great -
a 9 will probably work well
The Cairns article in KBM would be helpful but it wont be in time for your trip
Big Tony is a gentlemen and the guy with the crew cut now very rarely kites, spends all his time complaining about rib injuries. Happy now rules the waves........
Be carefull where you park
I have been up there several times over the past few years. I have never used a smaller kite than 9m. It's generally a bit stronger at four mile (Port Douglas). The local are all easy going at Yorkeys and Port and from my experience very nice. Take a big kite too you may need it.
Reliable....never a truer word has been spoken. If Seabreeze says green arrows, Yorkeys has 20 knots constant wind. No gusts, butter smooth water with nice kickers to blast off. Predictable as sunrise and sunset. A magic place that you can count on to come through for you when you've decided to take the afternoon off and have a kite. You can just about set your watch by the tradewinds that fill in at about 10:45am and stay constant until the sun goes down.
I could go on....
Unreliable....never a truer word has been spoken. If Seabreeze says green arrows, Yorkeys has 2-7 knots crappy wind. All gusts, no smooth water and no chicks with nice knickers to take off. Even sunrise and sunset are unpredictable. A mystical place that you can never count on to come through for you if you've decided to take the whole of winter off to have a kite. You can just about set your watch by the tradewinds that fill in at about 10:45 GMT and stay constant until the sun comes up.
I could go on....
And I did
So far this year.
Good forecasts have only led to continuous disappointment, frustration and ****ty gusty wind when it does happen, there one minute gone the next.
The only decent kiting I have seen or done in the last 2 months has been at Port Douglas probably due to the more southerly line of the beach. Happiness is only a 45 minute drive away. (Port Douglas)
(Bretto's activity days at Low isle are looking like the best option.)
If you intend kiting in Cairns, the best way to get through the afternoon is to make sure you take a 6 pack to drink while you sit there and wait for the wind to come in....
Thanks guys for the tips and advice. I checked with Ant from Australiankitesurfaris and I couldn't get on a trip next week. Just wondering if Cape Flattery accesible by car? Hiring a car and driving there is an option, but was interested to know if I need a 4x4 or if the area is restricted etc.
Definitely don't attempt it Flattery on your own, it'll be your last kiting adventure.
There are some other options closer to Cairns and if you have a talk to the locals when you get here they will sort you out....
Cheapish accomodation for one (not resort ) in August at Port Douglas, any ideas ? thanks
Turtle cove is nice resort just 10 km before Port Douglas
It is very friendly and you will make some close friends.
Gidday could anyone tell me if it is necessary to bring a wetsuit to Port D this time of year?? Im flying over from NZ and am trying to pack as little as possible!
Hmmmm take an over 10m kite to Yorkeys. No waves, no need to turn the kite...aye.
I would normally use a 13m-20m when I lived there and also used those sizes when I lived in Port Drugless.
It was regarded a windier period then too. Elnina? Elnino? Dunno?
Well maybe not that windy cause my smallest poleboarding sail for NQ was a 5.7m and that would come out when it was windy!!
Only got over powered once on that thing, offshore at Green island.
Im sure you'll score a few days of wind, if you're there in August for the whole month.
