Kite surfing has become very popular particularly along the Sunshine Coast where a range of Kite surfing Schools have sprung up offering lessons on this adrenaline pumping sport. It helps to have some surfing experience as balancing on the board along with controlling the kite are the two main skills to develop. It can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing, although it can also be extremely exciting and give you a great rush. There are precautions you need to take, including not surfing on crowded beaches and making sure that the wind is not too fast and that your safety gear is working properly so you can unhook yourself if you start to get carried away by your kite.
Kite Surfing equipment can be pretty expensive ($2500-$4000 is average), so lessons are a good way to test out whether or not it is the right sport for you, as well as try out a few different brands or types of equipment so that you purchase the type you like the best. Not only is trying this sport without taking at least three or four lessons dangerous, you are also likely to mess up your expensive equipment if you don’t know what you are doing.
There are a number of beaches that are well suited for kite surfing on the Sunshine Coast, including Kawana Beach, Cotton Tree, Double Island Point, Caloundra Passage, and Noose River Mouth. Before you go out you will need to research the wind conditions and make sure that they are favorable. Obviously you need at least some wind to get the kite off the water, but too much wind and you will get lifted up by the kite and be in danger of being carried away. The water conditions are also important. You will have the most fun if there is a mix of waves and calm water since this will allow you to do different types of tricks and keep things interesting.
If you are staying in Mooloolaba, Cotton Tree,Buddina and Kawana will be your best options.Cotton Tree beach has a great stretch of water to launch into, the Maroochy river end offering calmer waters and the open seas offering a livelier surf. It tends to suit easterly wind conditions though north easterlies and south easterlies also work well. Kawana beach also offers good variation and again suits easterlies, at it’s liveliest though this could be considered dangerous so beginners and even intermediates beware. Buddina beach which is just the other side of Point cartwright at the end of Mooloolaba main beach is also a great place to launch and kite surf, it tends to be less busy with sunbathers and swimmers hence more room to play. If you don’t mind a drive further down the coast the Caloundra Passage offers great clam water kite surfing again especially with easterlies, if you head past the sand bar at the end of Bulcock beach you will generally find plenty of kite surfers out.
A Day Out on Whale One
Even as technology blossoms into high definition, nothing beats a first-hand experience. You can watch a whale on your state-of-the-art television and be mesmerized; or, you can actually see the enormity of the creature in person. A whale watching tour on Steve Irwin’s Whale One will bring you right up to the majestic beast. Lunch and the memories of a lifetime are provided.
After purchasing tickets(Current prices are Adult: $135,Child $85, Under3 ‘s Free, Family of 4 $360, family of 5 $402.50), you will report to the dock before 10:00 a.m. The vessel departs from Mooloolaba at 10:00 a.m(always check with them to confirm as times change). The next four and a half hours will be filled with close encounters with whales.
One of the great things about purchasing tickets for Steve’s Whale One is that all of the proceeds go into animal conservation. So, you get to have an incredible experience, and help an extremely philanthropic cause.
Once you’re on the boat, you will be able to enjoy the features that the ship has. There are upper and lower decks, so you can view from whichever height you prefer. You can also enjoy a complete view of your surroundings with the 360 degree observation deck.
Lunch will be served as Whale One cruises through the ocean, in fact, your comfort is looked after throughout the entire experience.
Whales have the strongest muscle of any animal in the world. It’s called the peduncle. Maybe the peduncle is the reason why they can move so well. The humpback whale, which is the whale you will be seeing on the tour, is the most acrobatic out of all whales species.
You might see them breach, which is when they jump out of the water and then slam back down on top of it or maybe you’ll see them spy-hop, which is when they just peak out of the water a little. These magnificent mammals also do something called the peduncle throw. This is when they speed up and then quickly turn in a different direction. Whales are famous for their tail-slaps and if you are on receiving end of one you may get a little damp! They will lift their tail out of the water, and slap it back down.
Throughout the tour the Mooloolaba and Glasshouse Mountains will stun you with their beauty as the backdrop to your Whale viewing pleasure. You will also pass by some multi-million dollar mansions and you won’t need to wonder why they decided to build their homes here.
Years ago, marine biologists wondered if humpback whales would survive. They had been hunted down to near extinction. Thanks to conservation pioneers like the Irwin family, the humpback was able to survive. They have now flourished back into a high population. Thanks to Steve’s Whale One, you can see how far they’ve come. There are a lot of things worth seeing in this world; still, few will leave as lasting of an impression as seeing humpback whales at close quarters.
