Watching HowIsIt yesterday the Chch estuary index was "B" and the beach was only a "C", but Lake Ellesmere was recording a good "A" rating, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to have another go.

I'd been down on a couple of easterlies and southerlies, but it's seems a long way downwind from the south side launch, and I never felt completely comfortable. In fact I lost my training board for two days on an easterly, and had to search the shore by kayak to find it in the marsh. A good time in itself however, and it revealed the Hart's Creek Walkway, which is a beautiful little walk if you haven't done it.

The northerly however is onshore, and I was powered up and in a consistent wind. A great time was had, the only thing missing was other wind addicts! I was the only one there! It has to be the best kept secret around Canterbury, as it was only an hour south from my place in Parklands (about as far away as you can get in Chch...). Hopefully next time I'll see a couple of you there. I've never been out with anyone else there, so I know it's not much used...

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank all those that have helped get me to the point that I can kite in confidence alone. Thanks to Su Kay for her excellent tuition, Dave Kay for an excellent priced demo board, the crew at Kitesports for great gear and advice (Tim, Morgan and Martin), and Peter Lynn for great learning kites (my Bomba's phenominally stable).

Just a test to see if my new logo works...

Nice one! Ellesmere is good, often. Cantabs are just lazy, 45min drive n all, & up until now the wind info there has been lacking. Yesterday in town it looked pretty windy, but I was advised it was a 'B' grade day, up & down.
Today, Su called in the am, we caught the Northerly at South Brighton, cross shore 15-26 knots, wicked on the 13 Fuel, nice waves too, warm day...magic!
Tim 8)

Cantabs are getting lazy allright. Last night was a top night on the Shitter. Nice and glassy, wind had smoothed right out, but no one else there. Whats the story? Is everyone over it for the year? Snows still months away so don't give up on it just yet...

Hey Neil,

How did you get your logo to show up? I can't seem to get the Avatar to take my web link...

Nice one by the way... Spiderman doing Tai-Chi?

Yeah, must change that too.
You need to have the image hosted somewhere and then put the URL to it into the space in your profile.

Cheers
Neil

Just trying my logo again...

Being new to kiting in and around Christchurch, I've been on the estuary and the South Brighton beach, 8) but where on Lake Ellimere do you launch from? :?:

The SW corner has a nice launch site at the end of a little peninsula called "timberline Point" or somethng like that. It's a bit confusing by road how to get there, so take a good map. The launch site is small, but there are a couple of islands kind of east that allow you to keep something downwind of you, even in a southerly if your careful.

its also known as lakeside domain isn't it?

would be windy as anything there today

Yes, I think it is Lakeside Domain... It's currently 2 knots from the NW according to HowIsIt.

weird it's 55knots down here

good day for working

The easiest way I've found if your heading from Ch-Ch is to head down Springs road, straight past Lincoln Uni, follow signs to Coes Ford, go through there, then just follow Lake Rd to the Domain (Timberyard Point)
Tim 8)