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.
