Last week at the pool I found out that a lovely family who bring their severely disabled child for swimming lessons just lost their new baby.
The sadness of this is heartbreaking.
This week I looked across at the couple and saw them laughing. Intrigued, I went to see what had amused them so, and found them entertained by the antics of one of our most difficult clients. A teenage Downe Syndrome boy who has made a fine art out of procrastination. The frustration of Swim 4 All staff in trying to get this able bodied boy to cease with his endless excuses and just get on with swimming at least provided some light relief to someone who desperately needed it.
There is a place for everything!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Memorable Moment at Swim 4 All 1 - 2009
A normally reserved mum of a Autistic child standing up on her chair yelling, "Look everyone, my child is swimming," as her child dogpaddles from the teacher towards her. Then she turns to me and says, "I never actually thought she would be able to learn to swim."
Funny, being the swim school owner it was always my intent to have the child swim, but the expectations of parents of children with a disability are not like those of neurotypical children, and the joy of seeing them celebrate any success is truely wonderful."
Funny, being the swim school owner it was always my intent to have the child swim, but the expectations of parents of children with a disability are not like those of neurotypical children, and the joy of seeing them celebrate any success is truely wonderful."
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday 11th June... thanks to the wind for waiting for me
After being a good samaritain all day and on a windy day too... the wind held out so I could have a kite before work!
Rushing around shopping for mum whose going into hospital, donating goods to various places picking up kids from school... got to beach for sun and lovely WSW wind. Not too gusty but strong with big smooth waves hmmmm. Then a front or some such weather thing happened and it got crazy. For a split second I thought ... oh unpredictable big wind on 9m kite, should be careful, and then I came to my senses and made the most of the big gusts and got some huge elevators. Nearly landed on the beach with one! Ah what fun!!! There wre a few guys out on 7m kites and one on 10m. When the gust came a guy on a 10m left his board and did a running on water thing all the way to shore... very funny to see.
Rushing around shopping for mum whose going into hospital, donating goods to various places picking up kids from school... got to beach for sun and lovely WSW wind. Not too gusty but strong with big smooth waves hmmmm. Then a front or some such weather thing happened and it got crazy. For a split second I thought ... oh unpredictable big wind on 9m kite, should be careful, and then I came to my senses and made the most of the big gusts and got some huge elevators. Nearly landed on the beach with one! Ah what fun!!! There wre a few guys out on 7m kites and one on 10m. When the gust came a guy on a 10m left his board and did a running on water thing all the way to shore... very funny to see.
Tuesday 8th June - kiting in cold wind with rain = icecream headache... without the calories!
Nice little kite today. The difference between summer and winter kiting. A good summer session is long and you learn something. A good winter session is short and you stay dry as long as possible. Once your head hits the water, time on the water is limited. I cut my foot on the way back to the car and didnt notice until it defrosted after my hot shower at home!!! I love my heated wetsuit, it totally rocks, didnt really need it on the crossing, it wasnt that cold a day and I was working it all the time, but at brighton in winter it is soooo sweeeet! My hands and feet and eventually my head freezes, but I could always wear my booties, gloves and hat ... if it was that important to feel my extremities!
Too scared to try any tricks that might cause excess splash or even worse a crash and full submersion!!! But still love to get out and ride. Feels great when the sun is shining and my tunes are playing on my iphone.
Too scared to try any tricks that might cause excess splash or even worse a crash and full submersion!!! But still love to get out and ride. Feels great when the sun is shining and my tunes are playing on my iphone.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
May 20th Swim 4 All Foundation Not For Profit Committee meet
1st meeting for the Swim 4 All Foundation Not For Profit Committee was held Thursday Night at the Rosstown Hotel.
All psositions were verified and ideas on how to move forward documented. A great bunch of people with a vast amount of knowledge and skills to make the most our joint committment to expand the services Swim 4 All provides.
All psositions were verified and ideas on how to move forward documented. A great bunch of people with a vast amount of knowledge and skills to make the most our joint committment to expand the services Swim 4 All provides.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
May 26th - bless the sun and wind
After days of getting back in the swing of things, loving work and catching up on everyone's progress, but hating the paperwork I am contantly behind in, god granted me some wind.
I rode my bike to a morning meeting to Berendale special school to check out the facilities to plan next terms classes there. It also has a gym attached which opens up great possiblities for combined programs and holiday programs as well. Very exciting. The staff are so pleased we will be using the facility for its intended purpose so its a win win.
On the way home I put in a request for wind so I could delay an afternoon of paperwork, or I should say computer work.
And it came, thank goodness for the unusual direction of Mentone beach so I could kite in the Easterly. It was a sweet little ride. Whooo hooooing in the lovely sunshine.
Melbourne put ont similar weather to Canada when I returned, cold and wind free and I was worried that winter had arrived early, but in true Melbourne style we had a lovely autum afternoon with 20K to keep me happy.
I rode my bike to a morning meeting to Berendale special school to check out the facilities to plan next terms classes there. It also has a gym attached which opens up great possiblities for combined programs and holiday programs as well. Very exciting. The staff are so pleased we will be using the facility for its intended purpose so its a win win.
On the way home I put in a request for wind so I could delay an afternoon of paperwork, or I should say computer work.
And it came, thank goodness for the unusual direction of Mentone beach so I could kite in the Easterly. It was a sweet little ride. Whooo hooooing in the lovely sunshine.
Melbourne put ont similar weather to Canada when I returned, cold and wind free and I was worried that winter had arrived early, but in true Melbourne style we had a lovely autum afternoon with 20K to keep me happy.
End of Trip - May Canada
Toronto Island and the inpromtu lighthouse tour was cool. The oldstyle houses with the city in the background were amazing.
Onto Ottawa and slightly warmer weather enabled a lovely bike ride along the cannal to visit the tulip festival. Felt like I was in the Netherlands.
Finished the visit with a horse ride seeking an a moose sighting, but had to settle for deer and beaver damns. No helmet required for the ride made me happy to start with... gotta love wind in your hair, but when the trainee fell off for the 3rd time I began to question my lack of hat. It was a very hairy ride going through rivers and up and down steep rock faces that frekked out the horsees. And i forgot how sore you get after hours on a horse, lucky the hotel had a spa!
The best part of the trip was feeding the squirrels and chipmunks in the park. They are sooo adorable. Would have smuggled a chipmunk home if I could have caught one.
Although I had more than enough trouble at the airports without smuggling anything.
Do I really look like a drug smuggling terrorist? I was checked for everything, had all my stuff emptied out and felt up way to many times by chicks. One of my planes broke and I had to try and find another way to get out of LA and twice I was given the same seat as someone else. I do love to fly and be up in the clouds but I dont think I'll take a plane trip that far again soon, and no more connections in LA!
I think getting my skydiving licence would be a more fun way to spend time in the clouds!
Onto Ottawa and slightly warmer weather enabled a lovely bike ride along the cannal to visit the tulip festival. Felt like I was in the Netherlands.
Finished the visit with a horse ride seeking an a moose sighting, but had to settle for deer and beaver damns. No helmet required for the ride made me happy to start with... gotta love wind in your hair, but when the trainee fell off for the 3rd time I began to question my lack of hat. It was a very hairy ride going through rivers and up and down steep rock faces that frekked out the horsees. And i forgot how sore you get after hours on a horse, lucky the hotel had a spa!
The best part of the trip was feeding the squirrels and chipmunks in the park. They are sooo adorable. Would have smuggled a chipmunk home if I could have caught one.
Although I had more than enough trouble at the airports without smuggling anything.
Do I really look like a drug smuggling terrorist? I was checked for everything, had all my stuff emptied out and felt up way to many times by chicks. One of my planes broke and I had to try and find another way to get out of LA and twice I was given the same seat as someone else. I do love to fly and be up in the clouds but I dont think I'll take a plane trip that far again soon, and no more connections in LA!
I think getting my skydiving licence would be a more fun way to spend time in the clouds!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
May... Canada
Spent the last few days in Toronto.
Its very very cold... moving here would be totally out of the question. Visiting in winter to snowboard was one of the things to do this lifetime but is now removed from the list.. OMG to visit here when its colder is out of the question.
It is amazing to see all the things in place so the Canadians can live through winter. Underground tunnels, subway, shopping and covered bridges to link shops so people dont need to go outside. Imagine months not going outside. I'd like to say I won't whinge about our winters now, but I'm sure I still will.
Visiting Niagara falls was amazing, and definatley something everyone should do before they die. The temptation to join the list of survivors that have gone over the falls was strong, although the list of people who have died trying was substantially longer. Maybe my NZ kiting frined Louis can do the Maths on the survival chances of kiteboarding over it. It would take some time to set up to do it, and im not sure that you wouldnt be removed from the area before kite is fully pumped up to go.
Taxi here to go to airport...
Its very very cold... moving here would be totally out of the question. Visiting in winter to snowboard was one of the things to do this lifetime but is now removed from the list.. OMG to visit here when its colder is out of the question.
It is amazing to see all the things in place so the Canadians can live through winter. Underground tunnels, subway, shopping and covered bridges to link shops so people dont need to go outside. Imagine months not going outside. I'd like to say I won't whinge about our winters now, but I'm sure I still will.
Visiting Niagara falls was amazing, and definatley something everyone should do before they die. The temptation to join the list of survivors that have gone over the falls was strong, although the list of people who have died trying was substantially longer. Maybe my NZ kiting frined Louis can do the Maths on the survival chances of kiteboarding over it. It would take some time to set up to do it, and im not sure that you wouldnt be removed from the area before kite is fully pumped up to go.
Taxi here to go to airport...
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thurs 22nd April Sunrise this morning
Heres the link to the Sunrise piece this morning... http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/play/-/7094507/surfing-the-straitq/
OMG
Just realised did this exactly one month after the big day!
OMG
Just realised did this exactly one month after the big day!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Fri 9th April - Bass Strait Celebration
Mike put on a great party at the SHQ Shed to celebrate my successful Bass Strait crossing on Friday night. He cooked the BBQ himself and drinks and photos and footage flowed all night. It was a great opportunity to thank all those who played important roles in making the crossing a success. It was cool to get the wind forecaster and boat captain and photographer and shq guys and so many kiteboarders and friends and family all in the same place.
Thanks to Mike for his touching speech and to everyone who came and made me feel so special!
Definaley a night I wont forget.
Only downside was so much to drink and the toilets so far away... started to worry about people running into each other doing bush pees behind the shed.
Thanks to Mike for his touching speech and to everyone who came and made me feel so special!
Definaley a night I wont forget.
Only downside was so much to drink and the toilets so far away... started to worry about people running into each other doing bush pees behind the shed.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Scary things that happened with the Bass Strait crossing
After waiting for over a month for Bob my fabulous wind forecaster and Stu the fabulous boat captain to agree on day I could successfully kite board across Bass Strait, we finally got a flight to Tassie on Saturday 20th March. We had a three day window to do the crossing. Day one in Stanley was the 1st option. I woke on Sunday to a raging storm shaking the windows of Hanlon House.
Can't very well start in a storm. Hope we don't have this the next day too.
Later down at the wharf the boats that radioed in gave terrible reports for the next few days. Waves over 4 meters. Strong winds for Monday and gale force for Tuesday.
We had to pick Monday.
I have never kited in 4 m waves, or 2 meter for that matter.
Reports were they got bigger in the middle too, but no-one really knows.
Crap.
Dean and I set up the kite make sure it was all working well and set the camera up on it. The wind on Stanley beach was offshore and super gusty. Blocked by the Nut on one side and the cliffs on the other it went from 5 knots to 25. I was scared it would pick up and throw me against the nut. As it was I was getting pulled all over the place. You can see me swearing on Pauls video account. Dean was keen for me to practise more so I could be prepared for the next day. He was worried I wouldn't be able to get out in that wind. I was too scared to get hurt the day before and abandoned the practise session.
The night before our Captain didn't want to commit til final weather report in the morning.
I hate the unknown.
So I prepared as if it was a certaintly.
All gear ready and laid out the night before.
I had prepared so much food for the morning and the crossing, but was so nervous I couldnt eat at all. Couldn't even drink the coffee I made. I was worried I wouldn't have the strength to complete the crossing with no food in me.
As Dean predicted I did have trouble getting off the beach. It took several tries which would have been embarrasing in front of the Channel 9 camera man, if I hadn't been too worried to care.
Once I got clear of the land the wind kicked in to what I now know was 27 knots. I fully depowered the kite and was terrified that if it was this strong at 6.30am right near land what was I in store for out in the middle and would I be able to hold on.
Next scary part was being knocked over by waves, but I got the hang of that.
Then watching the boat was scary. I saw views of Calypso 11 that Im sure no one else has. I saw nearly all of the bottom of it going down a wave. And I saw it tip several times well on its side. For a while I wondered what the right thing to do would be if it capsized. This was one of those things we hadn't discussed. If I stopped I would be just one more person needing to be rescued, but then I couldn't leave all those who had come to help me? Lucky the situation didnt eventuate!
It was probably more funny than scary that I started to imagine that I saw islands. I thought big waves in the distance with white caps on top where islands. For quite a while I was sad when the wave broke and my imaginary island disappeared. In my defence it is an awfully long time not to see any land.
The next scary thing and my worst fear going in to this was the wind running out. About 2 hours before finishing with land well in site the wind dropped to I think about 10 knots. I swang the kite like crazy to make sure it didn't drop out of the sky.
Then I prayed for more wind. Not being religious I was amazingly delighted to get a gust. I estimate I had around 15 knots for the rest of the trip which was enough.
I did leave the boat to go to land against their direction as I feared it would drop and I had looked at land for so long now and it would have been devestating not to make it after getting so far....
That's it for scary during, but there was a little scary after.
After landing, I had to get back to the boat and struggled against the big break of Venus Bay with my partially strapless board. I got knocked off, the board went through the lines tangling the leg rope in the lines. The kite rolled in the waves and was dumped on the beach under a tonne of sand. I had to pull the lines so hard to get the sand off the once the kite launched I was dragged through the sand and lifted toward the cliff.
I had time to think it would be just like me to cross the dangerous Bass Strait successfully and then kill myself hitting the cliff.
Luckily stopped before hitting the cliff and made it back out to the support boat.
All Safe :)
Can't very well start in a storm. Hope we don't have this the next day too.
Later down at the wharf the boats that radioed in gave terrible reports for the next few days. Waves over 4 meters. Strong winds for Monday and gale force for Tuesday.
We had to pick Monday.
I have never kited in 4 m waves, or 2 meter for that matter.
Reports were they got bigger in the middle too, but no-one really knows.
Crap.
Dean and I set up the kite make sure it was all working well and set the camera up on it. The wind on Stanley beach was offshore and super gusty. Blocked by the Nut on one side and the cliffs on the other it went from 5 knots to 25. I was scared it would pick up and throw me against the nut. As it was I was getting pulled all over the place. You can see me swearing on Pauls video account. Dean was keen for me to practise more so I could be prepared for the next day. He was worried I wouldn't be able to get out in that wind. I was too scared to get hurt the day before and abandoned the practise session.
The night before our Captain didn't want to commit til final weather report in the morning.
I hate the unknown.
So I prepared as if it was a certaintly.
All gear ready and laid out the night before.
I had prepared so much food for the morning and the crossing, but was so nervous I couldnt eat at all. Couldn't even drink the coffee I made. I was worried I wouldn't have the strength to complete the crossing with no food in me.
As Dean predicted I did have trouble getting off the beach. It took several tries which would have been embarrasing in front of the Channel 9 camera man, if I hadn't been too worried to care.
Once I got clear of the land the wind kicked in to what I now know was 27 knots. I fully depowered the kite and was terrified that if it was this strong at 6.30am right near land what was I in store for out in the middle and would I be able to hold on.
Next scary part was being knocked over by waves, but I got the hang of that.
Then watching the boat was scary. I saw views of Calypso 11 that Im sure no one else has. I saw nearly all of the bottom of it going down a wave. And I saw it tip several times well on its side. For a while I wondered what the right thing to do would be if it capsized. This was one of those things we hadn't discussed. If I stopped I would be just one more person needing to be rescued, but then I couldn't leave all those who had come to help me? Lucky the situation didnt eventuate!
It was probably more funny than scary that I started to imagine that I saw islands. I thought big waves in the distance with white caps on top where islands. For quite a while I was sad when the wave broke and my imaginary island disappeared. In my defence it is an awfully long time not to see any land.
The next scary thing and my worst fear going in to this was the wind running out. About 2 hours before finishing with land well in site the wind dropped to I think about 10 knots. I swang the kite like crazy to make sure it didn't drop out of the sky.
Then I prayed for more wind. Not being religious I was amazingly delighted to get a gust. I estimate I had around 15 knots for the rest of the trip which was enough.
I did leave the boat to go to land against their direction as I feared it would drop and I had looked at land for so long now and it would have been devestating not to make it after getting so far....
That's it for scary during, but there was a little scary after.
After landing, I had to get back to the boat and struggled against the big break of Venus Bay with my partially strapless board. I got knocked off, the board went through the lines tangling the leg rope in the lines. The kite rolled in the waves and was dumped on the beach under a tonne of sand. I had to pull the lines so hard to get the sand off the once the kite launched I was dragged through the sand and lifted toward the cliff.
I had time to think it would be just like me to cross the dangerous Bass Strait successfully and then kill myself hitting the cliff.
Luckily stopped before hitting the cliff and made it back out to the support boat.
All Safe :)
What made Bass Strait scary
One of the worst parts of preparing to Kite board across Bass Strait was the unknown.
Everyone you come across had something to say. Very rarely positive.
When I first brought up the idea to those who cared the most just said you aren't doing it and assumed that would be the end of it.
My best friend said Bass Strait's notoriously rough, one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. She then demanded I goggle it!
Her defination was remarkable close to what I read when I goggled it.....
"Bass Strait is particularly dangerous because of its limited depth, it is notoriously rough, with many ships lost there during the 19th century. Strong currents between the Antarctic-driven southeast portions of the Indian Ocean and the Tasman Sea's Pacific Ocean waters provide a strait of powerful, wild storm waves. To illustrate its wild strength, Bass Strait is both twice as wide and twice as rough as the English Channel. The shipwrecks on the Tasmanian and Victorian coastlines number in the hundreds.
Many vessels, some quite large, have disappeared without trace, or left scant evidence of their passing. Despite myths and legends of piracy, wrecking and alleged supernatural phenomena akin to those of the Bermuda Triangle, such disappearances can be invariably ascribed to treacherous combinations of wind and sea conditions, and the numerous semi-submerged rocks and reefs within the Straits."
This of course did not discourage me.
I spoke to Nick Malony who was in the photo windsurfing across Bass Strait that inspired me. He told me it took him nearly 22 hours and he spent 2 weeks in hospital afterwards. He had problems with his stomach from the harness and couldn't speak as his tongue was so swollen from all the salt water. He did give me some great advice from his experience however!
Then came advice from someone else who had attempted a crossing who gave a long list of why a kiteboarder could not succeed crossing Bass Strait, including things like areas you can not go through, Oil rigs, random cargo boxes, aboriginal areas, and of course big big sharks.
At the time I took this as just discouragement.
Then there was those who know more about boating, saying I wouldnt get a boat to keep up. I found that hard to believe, but then did discover it required quite a special boat for the job.
Then people told me horror stories about Sydney to Hobart races where people had died. I combated this with the fact that they had to go on one particular day and I coud pick my day.
Then I did a test run with the support boat. They were surprised at the size of my little kite that I blew up in the car park to prepare for a boat launch. Not a good sign. Then we went out in wind that blew up to 40 knots and I lost the board and the kite and threw up on the boat. Captain Stu asked if that was enough to change my mind. Out loud I said no, still keen... my mind maybe wavering just a little while I was still being sick!
Second test run on the boat.. sick again and got water in the waterproof GPS and water in the water proof radio, 2 things I really need that I had to find solutions to. On the third and final test run I took sea sickness tablets!
Then there was fears of huge waves the size of which I had never seen. I kite on flat water whenever possible and dont even own a surfboard.
Every one said I must practise lots more in big waves. Hampton's waves was all I could really manage between kid school pick ups and work committments. Long trips down the coast to practise in waves not really a possiblity.
Then there was wind that I thought might not last or get so strong I couldn't hold on.
I was told I had to kite through three different wind patterns and had to factor that in and try to use a size that would work in 10 - 40 knots wind.
I took my 10m out at Ricketts in 40+ knots to see if I could handle it and nearly ended up on the reef... thank goodness for the IDS.
Then there was the board... every single person I spoke to had a different idea of what I should use. Even when I made my decision no one agreed it was the right board for the job.
Then there was fitness... everyone asked how far had I had kited in one direction before. 3 hours was my best answer - 60km from Mt Martha to Port Melbourne. That was the longest I could do without going out to sea with a boat. I tried so hard to get fit in every way I could, even running which I am terrible at, ending up with Tonsilitis three times in January and Febuary.
Then of course is everyone favourite reason not go go out in Bass Strait... SHARKS.
Now I wasnt scared of sharks, at least not until the news filmed me kiting all the way from Hampton to St.Kilda on top of a 5.5m shark. Then I started to look around when I was out kiting, and found myself frekking out over bobbing sneakers or the mussell farm that looks like hundreds of fins from a distance out from Mentone.
So by the time I stood on the dark cold beach almost windfree beach at Stanley at 5.30 am on March 22nd, with a forecast of huge waves and strong wind I was way to nervous and scared to eat... and seriously considered running away. Those who have seen the Tassie Chanel 9 footage of the morning I left have commented on how terrified I look!
Then everyones favourite fear ... THE SHARKS. Now I wasnt afraid of sharks
Everyone you come across had something to say. Very rarely positive.
When I first brought up the idea to those who cared the most just said you aren't doing it and assumed that would be the end of it.
My best friend said Bass Strait's notoriously rough, one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. She then demanded I goggle it!
Her defination was remarkable close to what I read when I goggled it.....
"Bass Strait is particularly dangerous because of its limited depth, it is notoriously rough, with many ships lost there during the 19th century. Strong currents between the Antarctic-driven southeast portions of the Indian Ocean and the Tasman Sea's Pacific Ocean waters provide a strait of powerful, wild storm waves. To illustrate its wild strength, Bass Strait is both twice as wide and twice as rough as the English Channel. The shipwrecks on the Tasmanian and Victorian coastlines number in the hundreds.
Many vessels, some quite large, have disappeared without trace, or left scant evidence of their passing. Despite myths and legends of piracy, wrecking and alleged supernatural phenomena akin to those of the Bermuda Triangle, such disappearances can be invariably ascribed to treacherous combinations of wind and sea conditions, and the numerous semi-submerged rocks and reefs within the Straits."
This of course did not discourage me.
I spoke to Nick Malony who was in the photo windsurfing across Bass Strait that inspired me. He told me it took him nearly 22 hours and he spent 2 weeks in hospital afterwards. He had problems with his stomach from the harness and couldn't speak as his tongue was so swollen from all the salt water. He did give me some great advice from his experience however!
Then came advice from someone else who had attempted a crossing who gave a long list of why a kiteboarder could not succeed crossing Bass Strait, including things like areas you can not go through, Oil rigs, random cargo boxes, aboriginal areas, and of course big big sharks.
At the time I took this as just discouragement.
Then there was those who know more about boating, saying I wouldnt get a boat to keep up. I found that hard to believe, but then did discover it required quite a special boat for the job.
Then people told me horror stories about Sydney to Hobart races where people had died. I combated this with the fact that they had to go on one particular day and I coud pick my day.
Then I did a test run with the support boat. They were surprised at the size of my little kite that I blew up in the car park to prepare for a boat launch. Not a good sign. Then we went out in wind that blew up to 40 knots and I lost the board and the kite and threw up on the boat. Captain Stu asked if that was enough to change my mind. Out loud I said no, still keen... my mind maybe wavering just a little while I was still being sick!
Second test run on the boat.. sick again and got water in the waterproof GPS and water in the water proof radio, 2 things I really need that I had to find solutions to. On the third and final test run I took sea sickness tablets!
Then there was fears of huge waves the size of which I had never seen. I kite on flat water whenever possible and dont even own a surfboard.
Every one said I must practise lots more in big waves. Hampton's waves was all I could really manage between kid school pick ups and work committments. Long trips down the coast to practise in waves not really a possiblity.
Then there was wind that I thought might not last or get so strong I couldn't hold on.
I was told I had to kite through three different wind patterns and had to factor that in and try to use a size that would work in 10 - 40 knots wind.
I took my 10m out at Ricketts in 40+ knots to see if I could handle it and nearly ended up on the reef... thank goodness for the IDS.
Then there was the board... every single person I spoke to had a different idea of what I should use. Even when I made my decision no one agreed it was the right board for the job.
Then there was fitness... everyone asked how far had I had kited in one direction before. 3 hours was my best answer - 60km from Mt Martha to Port Melbourne. That was the longest I could do without going out to sea with a boat. I tried so hard to get fit in every way I could, even running which I am terrible at, ending up with Tonsilitis three times in January and Febuary.
Then of course is everyone favourite reason not go go out in Bass Strait... SHARKS.
Now I wasnt scared of sharks, at least not until the news filmed me kiting all the way from Hampton to St.Kilda on top of a 5.5m shark. Then I started to look around when I was out kiting, and found myself frekking out over bobbing sneakers or the mussell farm that looks like hundreds of fins from a distance out from Mentone.
So by the time I stood on the dark cold beach almost windfree beach at Stanley at 5.30 am on March 22nd, with a forecast of huge waves and strong wind I was way to nervous and scared to eat... and seriously considered running away. Those who have seen the Tassie Chanel 9 footage of the morning I left have commented on how terrified I look!
Then everyones favourite fear ... THE SHARKS. Now I wasnt afraid of sharks
Monday, March 29, 2010
GPS Track from the Bass Strait Crossing
Thanks to Louis Taper who worked out how to make sence of the data from the GPS I had strapped to my back... if you are interested take a look.
http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/detail/yakernz/Kiteboarding/Bass-Strait/natalie-clarke-bass-/12086
http://www.sportstracklive.com/track/detail/yakernz/Kiteboarding/Bass-Strait/natalie-clarke-bass-/12086
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday 22nd March - Bass Strait Crossing
Alarms went off at the lovely Hanlon House at 4.30am.
Woke up, put my rashie and shorts on, made coffee, went to see if the others were up. Had to get the boat captain out of bed, told him we had work to do today. Last check of the weather forecast and I squeezed into my wetsuit, far earlier in the day than I ever have before. Then took it all off to go to the toilet again... so nervous.
Paul drove Stuart the boat captain over to the boat harbor so the boat crew could have breakfast. I looked at the cereal Maxine from Hanlon House put out for me, then managed one bite of the toast Graham from Hanlon House kindly made for me.. but food wasn't really possible with the nerves.
Dean and I headed to the beach with all the gear. It was pitch black outside. We carefully made our way down the road past the cemetery surrounded with little Wallaby's.
At the beach we were greeted by the Chanel 9 reporter who had interviewed me the day before and was there to capture the take off. He kindly parked with his headlights shinning on the beach so we had some light to set up the kite.
Paul and Scott came back to the beach to photograph the set up then left with Dean for the boat.
I waited on the beach in the cold and dark with the reporter and Graham til I saw the lights of the boat come around the Nut. Just writing this I can feel all the nerves I had then. I asked Graham to help launch as there was hardly any wind and what there was, was on shore in this sheltered cove. It took several tries to get the kite up. In the end I had to hot launch it and then 2 meters out it dropped into the water.
A wave went over my head so I was drenched already. Was hoping to stay dry for a little while. Finally I relaunched and didn't look back. Stared at the kite willing it to stay in the air. It was 6.30am by the time I left land. Headed for the light of the boat. I could just make out the outline of the Nut to my right and the cliff face to my left. As soon as I was away from land the wind hit me. I estimate it was around 25 knots, I depowered the 10 m crossbow I was on all the way. I was really scared that it was going to pick up more as the day went as I already felt a little overpowered. Luckily it held about that strength for the first half of the journey. The gps on my bar showed I was heading North around 30 - 35knots km hour. I thought I would travel about 25 knots so was happy to have more speed which would enable me to slow it down later if I got tired. I kited for about an hour in the dark and it gradually got a little lighter. It was very overcast and there was no sign of the sun until after midday. After a few hours I noticed the GPS had fallen off my bar. Very sad as the little arrow that represented me had just nudged its way off the little pic of Tasmania. The GPS screen was about big enough to fit 5 or 6 arrows between Tassie and Victoria so was very pleased that it had made its way clear of the pic of Tassie. Once I lost that I didn't know what direction or how fast I was going which was a real bummer. Couldn't go too far from the boat in case I went off course. I had another GPS with me taped to the backpack but I was not able to get it off to look at it. Dean has downloaded my track off it which is really cool.
I was totally stoked when the boat radioed to tell me I was over half way. This was around 11am which was so much earlier than I expected.
Suzie had to go and get the kids out of school to make it to the finish on time.
I managed to keep good speed up during the second half and reached the beach before friends and family could make it. Pretty funny and quite unexpected.
After about 5 hours I started to imagine I was seeing land. The big waves in the distance with white caps on them looked like islands. Then much to my disappointment the wave would break and the imaginary island would disappear. At about 1.30pm I saw a vague long purple shape on the horizon. LAND!!!!!!
Its funny on the GPS track you can see where I see the land as I change direction to head straight for it.
With 2 hours to go the wind dropped to maybe less than 15 knots. I had the kite fully powered up and I was working it through the wind window. By now my back, knees, feet and blisters where pretty sore. I had to concentrate really hard as I was scared if I fell off and the kite lost momentum it would fall in and not relaunch.
I put in a prayer for a little more wind and got a gust. Wind held in from then on around 15 knots. Boat was indicating I go straight ahead to Inverloch. Not having my GPS I didn't know how far away that was. I had been watching the land from Wilsons Promontory and asked on the radio if I could head for land. They said it was all cliffs. As I got closer I could see lots of sand. Worried wind might not hold out I decided to head for the beach. Left the boat and headed in. At 4pm I landed at Venus Bay. I did not realise at the time people had been there but the boat had told them to go to Inverloch. So after my moment of victory I had to head back out to the boat.
I was very thirsty, having run out of drink 3 or more hours earlier. My mouth was dry and I had been so nervous I had only managed to eat 1 and half muesli bars all day. Wish I hadn't bothered to sew on 2 extra pockets on my shorts to carry the mountain of food I didn't even consider eating. Motivated by a juice box on the boat I tried to kite back to the boat out through the break. The support boat was sitting out about 1km from shore. Got past the first few waves then got knocked off. I was having a lot of trouble steering the board or trying to jump the waves as I had broken the back foot strap an hour earlier. Back on shore the kite tumbled through the waves, got covered in a heap of wet sand and sat on the beach.
It took so much effort to relaunch it and I had to pull so hard to get the wet sand off that when it did go up I went flying towards the cliff. I was thinking i was about to kill myself after I had completed my dangerous mission. Tried to get out again, got knocked off again, used my arm to protect my head from the flying board. Having said arm x-rayed today in case I broke it. Board went between the lines and the leg rope and got tangled. Patiently untangled everything while getting hammered by breaking waves and third time lucky managed to get past the break back to the boat.
Little did I know I was only 5km from Inverloch where there were waiting reporters, friends and family and that by making it back to the boat I was up for a 3 hour tour to San Remo where the boat could dock. I spent that 3 hours being sea sick over the side, and shivering despite the kind captain piling towels and blankets on me.
On the inside I wanted to jump up and down in excitement but on the outside I was too sick.
Once on land all was well, hugged family and friends. Drank champagne. Thanks so much to those who traveled around to finally find me in San Remo.
Thank you to all those who had very unproductive day at work watching my dot travel from Tassie to Victoria.
Some more thank yous...
Dean for his help leading up to the crossing and for enduring the long journey on the boat. Thanks to my kids Bailey and Maddy for understanding all activities over the past year or so have been "dependant on wind"
Thanks to the camera crew, Scott who flew over from Sydney, and Paul from kitelife. The story will be on Kitelife soon on Foxtell. Update on this will be on twitter.
Thanks to Mike from SHQ for planting the crazy idea, and to Ivan and all the crew at SHQ for all their help and equipment.
Thanks to Bob Leighton who was the first piece of the puzzle beginning this huge project. Bob was so patient giving me a daily weather report for over a month. It has been the most unpredictable season for wind with cyclones and tsunamis and Bob was so great dealing with my frustrations of not getting the expected conditions for so long. Thank goodness Bob encouraged me to wait as I had the most perfect conditions I could have hoped for.
The next piece of the puzzle was securing the support boat.. Calypso 11. Stuart the captains was fantastic from the very 1st day we met. He took me out 3 times for practice runs in Bass Strait, each one of them having their own dramas, but that didn't deter his commitment to my mission. After a month of being on standby, Stuart gave up work and fishing charters to do the mission this Monday. Stu's crew Col and Joel were terrific too. It was heaps of fun spending the day before with them in Tassie, I might have been overcome with nerves if it wasn't for their fun antics. When the fisherman out on Bass Strait radioed through the conditions of 4 - 6 m swell out there I needed the distraction the boys provided. If anyone is entertaining the idea of a fishing charter in the Bay or out in Bass Strait I couldn't recommend a better bunch to go with.
Thanks to Hudson and Cabrinha for lending me extra kites and loads of expertise, fins and other bits and pieces that I desperately needed all at short notice!
I'd like to thank Maxine and Graham at Hanlon House for putting us up before the crossing. Their Bed and Breakfast was more than I could have hoped for. A beautiful house with slanted wooden ceilings and amazing views and most importantly for me only 100m from the beach. I'd love to go and stay there again when not under the pressure of kiting back home.
Thanks so much to Mary, Grand mother of 2 kids in our swim program who picked us up from Launceston airport and gave us a guided tour to Stanley. The ride was very squashy with 4 of us in her little car, but lots of fun.
Thanks to Ripcurl for the heated wetsuit, South Eastern Sails (highly recommend them if you want a sticker on your kite to advertise something), Seapecs for the sunnies,Garmin for the replacing Silvu's GPS that I got water in that I unfortunately lost somewhere in Bass Strait (could I have another please!)Gatorade for the drinks, and Winners for the Museuli Bars.
And finally thanks to all the friends for their encouragement and support!
Woke up, put my rashie and shorts on, made coffee, went to see if the others were up. Had to get the boat captain out of bed, told him we had work to do today. Last check of the weather forecast and I squeezed into my wetsuit, far earlier in the day than I ever have before. Then took it all off to go to the toilet again... so nervous.
Paul drove Stuart the boat captain over to the boat harbor so the boat crew could have breakfast. I looked at the cereal Maxine from Hanlon House put out for me, then managed one bite of the toast Graham from Hanlon House kindly made for me.. but food wasn't really possible with the nerves.
Dean and I headed to the beach with all the gear. It was pitch black outside. We carefully made our way down the road past the cemetery surrounded with little Wallaby's.
At the beach we were greeted by the Chanel 9 reporter who had interviewed me the day before and was there to capture the take off. He kindly parked with his headlights shinning on the beach so we had some light to set up the kite.
Paul and Scott came back to the beach to photograph the set up then left with Dean for the boat.
I waited on the beach in the cold and dark with the reporter and Graham til I saw the lights of the boat come around the Nut. Just writing this I can feel all the nerves I had then. I asked Graham to help launch as there was hardly any wind and what there was, was on shore in this sheltered cove. It took several tries to get the kite up. In the end I had to hot launch it and then 2 meters out it dropped into the water.
A wave went over my head so I was drenched already. Was hoping to stay dry for a little while. Finally I relaunched and didn't look back. Stared at the kite willing it to stay in the air. It was 6.30am by the time I left land. Headed for the light of the boat. I could just make out the outline of the Nut to my right and the cliff face to my left. As soon as I was away from land the wind hit me. I estimate it was around 25 knots, I depowered the 10 m crossbow I was on all the way. I was really scared that it was going to pick up more as the day went as I already felt a little overpowered. Luckily it held about that strength for the first half of the journey. The gps on my bar showed I was heading North around 30 - 35knots km hour. I thought I would travel about 25 knots so was happy to have more speed which would enable me to slow it down later if I got tired. I kited for about an hour in the dark and it gradually got a little lighter. It was very overcast and there was no sign of the sun until after midday. After a few hours I noticed the GPS had fallen off my bar. Very sad as the little arrow that represented me had just nudged its way off the little pic of Tasmania. The GPS screen was about big enough to fit 5 or 6 arrows between Tassie and Victoria so was very pleased that it had made its way clear of the pic of Tassie. Once I lost that I didn't know what direction or how fast I was going which was a real bummer. Couldn't go too far from the boat in case I went off course. I had another GPS with me taped to the backpack but I was not able to get it off to look at it. Dean has downloaded my track off it which is really cool.
I was totally stoked when the boat radioed to tell me I was over half way. This was around 11am which was so much earlier than I expected.
Suzie had to go and get the kids out of school to make it to the finish on time.
I managed to keep good speed up during the second half and reached the beach before friends and family could make it. Pretty funny and quite unexpected.
After about 5 hours I started to imagine I was seeing land. The big waves in the distance with white caps on them looked like islands. Then much to my disappointment the wave would break and the imaginary island would disappear. At about 1.30pm I saw a vague long purple shape on the horizon. LAND!!!!!!
Its funny on the GPS track you can see where I see the land as I change direction to head straight for it.
With 2 hours to go the wind dropped to maybe less than 15 knots. I had the kite fully powered up and I was working it through the wind window. By now my back, knees, feet and blisters where pretty sore. I had to concentrate really hard as I was scared if I fell off and the kite lost momentum it would fall in and not relaunch.
I put in a prayer for a little more wind and got a gust. Wind held in from then on around 15 knots. Boat was indicating I go straight ahead to Inverloch. Not having my GPS I didn't know how far away that was. I had been watching the land from Wilsons Promontory and asked on the radio if I could head for land. They said it was all cliffs. As I got closer I could see lots of sand. Worried wind might not hold out I decided to head for the beach. Left the boat and headed in. At 4pm I landed at Venus Bay. I did not realise at the time people had been there but the boat had told them to go to Inverloch. So after my moment of victory I had to head back out to the boat.
I was very thirsty, having run out of drink 3 or more hours earlier. My mouth was dry and I had been so nervous I had only managed to eat 1 and half muesli bars all day. Wish I hadn't bothered to sew on 2 extra pockets on my shorts to carry the mountain of food I didn't even consider eating. Motivated by a juice box on the boat I tried to kite back to the boat out through the break. The support boat was sitting out about 1km from shore. Got past the first few waves then got knocked off. I was having a lot of trouble steering the board or trying to jump the waves as I had broken the back foot strap an hour earlier. Back on shore the kite tumbled through the waves, got covered in a heap of wet sand and sat on the beach.
It took so much effort to relaunch it and I had to pull so hard to get the wet sand off that when it did go up I went flying towards the cliff. I was thinking i was about to kill myself after I had completed my dangerous mission. Tried to get out again, got knocked off again, used my arm to protect my head from the flying board. Having said arm x-rayed today in case I broke it. Board went between the lines and the leg rope and got tangled. Patiently untangled everything while getting hammered by breaking waves and third time lucky managed to get past the break back to the boat.
Little did I know I was only 5km from Inverloch where there were waiting reporters, friends and family and that by making it back to the boat I was up for a 3 hour tour to San Remo where the boat could dock. I spent that 3 hours being sea sick over the side, and shivering despite the kind captain piling towels and blankets on me.
On the inside I wanted to jump up and down in excitement but on the outside I was too sick.
Once on land all was well, hugged family and friends. Drank champagne. Thanks so much to those who traveled around to finally find me in San Remo.
Thank you to all those who had very unproductive day at work watching my dot travel from Tassie to Victoria.
Some more thank yous...
Dean for his help leading up to the crossing and for enduring the long journey on the boat. Thanks to my kids Bailey and Maddy for understanding all activities over the past year or so have been "dependant on wind"
Thanks to the camera crew, Scott who flew over from Sydney, and Paul from kitelife. The story will be on Kitelife soon on Foxtell. Update on this will be on twitter.
Thanks to Mike from SHQ for planting the crazy idea, and to Ivan and all the crew at SHQ for all their help and equipment.
Thanks to Bob Leighton who was the first piece of the puzzle beginning this huge project. Bob was so patient giving me a daily weather report for over a month. It has been the most unpredictable season for wind with cyclones and tsunamis and Bob was so great dealing with my frustrations of not getting the expected conditions for so long. Thank goodness Bob encouraged me to wait as I had the most perfect conditions I could have hoped for.
The next piece of the puzzle was securing the support boat.. Calypso 11. Stuart the captains was fantastic from the very 1st day we met. He took me out 3 times for practice runs in Bass Strait, each one of them having their own dramas, but that didn't deter his commitment to my mission. After a month of being on standby, Stuart gave up work and fishing charters to do the mission this Monday. Stu's crew Col and Joel were terrific too. It was heaps of fun spending the day before with them in Tassie, I might have been overcome with nerves if it wasn't for their fun antics. When the fisherman out on Bass Strait radioed through the conditions of 4 - 6 m swell out there I needed the distraction the boys provided. If anyone is entertaining the idea of a fishing charter in the Bay or out in Bass Strait I couldn't recommend a better bunch to go with.
Thanks to Hudson and Cabrinha for lending me extra kites and loads of expertise, fins and other bits and pieces that I desperately needed all at short notice!
I'd like to thank Maxine and Graham at Hanlon House for putting us up before the crossing. Their Bed and Breakfast was more than I could have hoped for. A beautiful house with slanted wooden ceilings and amazing views and most importantly for me only 100m from the beach. I'd love to go and stay there again when not under the pressure of kiting back home.
Thanks so much to Mary, Grand mother of 2 kids in our swim program who picked us up from Launceston airport and gave us a guided tour to Stanley. The ride was very squashy with 4 of us in her little car, but lots of fun.
Thanks to Ripcurl for the heated wetsuit, South Eastern Sails (highly recommend them if you want a sticker on your kite to advertise something), Seapecs for the sunnies,Garmin for the replacing Silvu's GPS that I got water in that I unfortunately lost somewhere in Bass Strait (could I have another please!)Gatorade for the drinks, and Winners for the Museuli Bars.
And finally thanks to all the friends for their encouragement and support!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sunday 21st March .....Not Long now.
Hi, once again this is Suzie writing Nats blog for her whilst she is busy with her epic crossing.
Nat sms'd me this morning , the Herald Sun had been in contact, and I needed to find photos of her to email to the Herald by 4.00pm. So I'm assuming there should be an article in tomorrows paper.
After speaking with her later in the day she said she was about to do an interview with Ch 9, apparently she has another interview with them tomorrow before she starts the crossing. She has all the kites set up and ready to go and remarked on how strong the winds were today. She is excited but concerned as there might be 4m waves tomorrow.
In the evening she rang again to speak to Maddy and Bay, as it was the last opportunity to talk with them before she leaves at daybreak tomorrow.
I passed on everyones well wishes from the Facebook messages posted for her and mentioned that her segment on Coxy's Big Break had aired today.(she had completely forgotten about that)
I will be calling the satellite phone on the support boat every hour from when she begins and posting these progress updates on her Twitter. Lizzy will use these updates and post them on Nats Facebook page.
Nat sms'd me this morning , the Herald Sun had been in contact, and I needed to find photos of her to email to the Herald by 4.00pm. So I'm assuming there should be an article in tomorrows paper.
After speaking with her later in the day she said she was about to do an interview with Ch 9, apparently she has another interview with them tomorrow before she starts the crossing. She has all the kites set up and ready to go and remarked on how strong the winds were today. She is excited but concerned as there might be 4m waves tomorrow.
In the evening she rang again to speak to Maddy and Bay, as it was the last opportunity to talk with them before she leaves at daybreak tomorrow.
I passed on everyones well wishes from the Facebook messages posted for her and mentioned that her segment on Coxy's Big Break had aired today.(she had completely forgotten about that)
I will be calling the satellite phone on the support boat every hour from when she begins and posting these progress updates on her Twitter. Lizzy will use these updates and post them on Nats Facebook page.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Saturday 20th March. Planes, Painted cows and Automobiles
Hi all, as Nat has finally left the state to embark on her epic quest I have been asked to blog and tweet on her behalf, my name is Suzie (an official honorary Clarke, as I have been known to make their home my own at times.)
After Nat said her farewells to Bay and Lizzy, I drove her, Dean, Maddy and Paul (Paul is the official photographer/film maker) to the airport this afternoon. It was a journey fraught with danger from the very onset, picking up Paul proved quite dangerous.....for him. We nearly lost him right outside his own home due to me being more preoccupied with discovering how to actually drive Deans Prius with all it's wondrous gadgets than actually noticing if Paul had fully made it into the vehicle. After Paul entered the car instead of precariously hanging off the opened back door,( by the way not a recommended way to ride in a Prius as the drag this causes totally negates any fuel economy gained from it's hybrid engine)he forgave me stating if he was going to be lost on any part of this adventure being lost outside his home was far more convenient than somewhere in Bass Straight.
I dropped them off at the airport, Nat was in in very high spirits, all excited and nervous at the same time. She gave Maddy a big hug goodbye and they entered the airport terminal. I yelled one last piece of advice at Dean as they left, "good luck with the sea sickness!", a statement that drew some confused onlookers at an airport.
Upon arriving at Launceston they were met by Mary, her grandchildren are Swim4All students. She kindly drove them to Stanley and showed them some sights along the way.
Some painted cow sculptures took Nats fancy at the Ashgove Cheese Factory, an electric fence didn't prevent her from riding a few of them.
After meeting up with the support boat and it's crew at Stanley it seems decided that Monday is the best day to make the attempt.
When I spoke with her last she was about to have dinner and was enjoying her magnificent accommodation at Hanlon House, which she describes as being like Little House on the Prairie, so I know she's very happy!
After Nat said her farewells to Bay and Lizzy, I drove her, Dean, Maddy and Paul (Paul is the official photographer/film maker) to the airport this afternoon. It was a journey fraught with danger from the very onset, picking up Paul proved quite dangerous.....for him. We nearly lost him right outside his own home due to me being more preoccupied with discovering how to actually drive Deans Prius with all it's wondrous gadgets than actually noticing if Paul had fully made it into the vehicle. After Paul entered the car instead of precariously hanging off the opened back door,( by the way not a recommended way to ride in a Prius as the drag this causes totally negates any fuel economy gained from it's hybrid engine)he forgave me stating if he was going to be lost on any part of this adventure being lost outside his home was far more convenient than somewhere in Bass Straight.
I dropped them off at the airport, Nat was in in very high spirits, all excited and nervous at the same time. She gave Maddy a big hug goodbye and they entered the airport terminal. I yelled one last piece of advice at Dean as they left, "good luck with the sea sickness!", a statement that drew some confused onlookers at an airport.
Upon arriving at Launceston they were met by Mary, her grandchildren are Swim4All students. She kindly drove them to Stanley and showed them some sights along the way.
Some painted cow sculptures took Nats fancy at the Ashgove Cheese Factory, an electric fence didn't prevent her from riding a few of them.
After meeting up with the support boat and it's crew at Stanley it seems decided that Monday is the best day to make the attempt.
When I spoke with her last she was about to have dinner and was enjoying her magnificent accommodation at Hanlon House, which she describes as being like Little House on the Prairie, so I know she's very happy!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday 17th March... nice day despite the stress of not knowing
Was invited to do a downwinder this morning which would have been wonderful given i havent kited in ages.. but needed to work out if i was flying out on thurs or not first.
By 12 noon it was decided to wait for the evening forecast so I went to the beach. Wind had died off, but i needed to try my new waterproof radio pouch anyway, so went for a swim. Swam out to the little boat that rescued me not long ago and said hello. They invited me for a goblet of wine on the sun deck. Being a stressed athlete, I declined but it didn't take too much to twist my arm.
So radio worked and a very pleasant 10 minutes later I felt less stressed.
Then I picked up the kids new little kittens and made them at home before school pick up.
They are soooo cute.
Evening forecast still not definite so have to wait til the morning.
OMG
Stressed again... another glass of wine maybe??
By 12 noon it was decided to wait for the evening forecast so I went to the beach. Wind had died off, but i needed to try my new waterproof radio pouch anyway, so went for a swim. Swam out to the little boat that rescued me not long ago and said hello. They invited me for a goblet of wine on the sun deck. Being a stressed athlete, I declined but it didn't take too much to twist my arm.
So radio worked and a very pleasant 10 minutes later I felt less stressed.
Then I picked up the kids new little kittens and made them at home before school pick up.
They are soooo cute.
Evening forecast still not definite so have to wait til the morning.
OMG
Stressed again... another glass of wine maybe??
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tuesday 16th March - fitness training on land, not my preference!
Wind outlook improving... trying to keep up the fitness.
Did Bay's school drop off by foot... ran there while he scooted (it was like he was my personnal trainer scooting along next to me) and then rode the scooter home. Bike ride to Suzies in Parkdale to do some swim stuff on her computer then rode back again just in time to do Maddy's school pick -up by foot - run/power walk...very tired legs, then weight training on the way home carrying all their stuff.
Legs so sore need a bath and massage...
The days exercise was fueled by Gatorade...thanks Kim from Pepsico and Winners Bars ...thanks Sharon.
So nervous waiting and helping with the decision on what day to go...
All support crew have something on one of the good days, wont be able to please everyone, I want to go on the first good day but told it might be better next week... but that could change... arhhhhhh
Wish I liked a non weather dependent sport, but all the exciting ones require the right conditions. Sky diving was soooo amazing, but you need the right weather for that too don't you?
Wed wind might come up at Brighton, might go down and see if the shark shield repells that 3m shark or lures it to me!!
Did Bay's school drop off by foot... ran there while he scooted (it was like he was my personnal trainer scooting along next to me) and then rode the scooter home. Bike ride to Suzies in Parkdale to do some swim stuff on her computer then rode back again just in time to do Maddy's school pick -up by foot - run/power walk...very tired legs, then weight training on the way home carrying all their stuff.
Legs so sore need a bath and massage...
The days exercise was fueled by Gatorade...thanks Kim from Pepsico and Winners Bars ...thanks Sharon.
So nervous waiting and helping with the decision on what day to go...
All support crew have something on one of the good days, wont be able to please everyone, I want to go on the first good day but told it might be better next week... but that could change... arhhhhhh
Wish I liked a non weather dependent sport, but all the exciting ones require the right conditions. Sky diving was soooo amazing, but you need the right weather for that too don't you?
Wed wind might come up at Brighton, might go down and see if the shark shield repells that 3m shark or lures it to me!!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday 15th March - 3 m shark at Brighton Beach
There was a 3 meter shark spotted 50m from the shore at Brighton beach today. I would have been there if there was any wind... but Nick was planning on going for a swim so I asked if he would wear my new shark repellent tail so we could see if it attracts or repels sharks... he wasn't up for it.. chicken!!?
With various opinions on weahter it scares them away or brings them closer and no one to verify how do I know if I should use it?
I want to use it cos I've always liked the idea of having a tail, but don't want to lure in the little bities... even thought the boat crew would be happy for some tasty lunch on board.
Latest news on wind is Saturday looks good... Wed morning I will get confirmation and book flights... OMG
With various opinions on weahter it scares them away or brings them closer and no one to verify how do I know if I should use it?
I want to use it cos I've always liked the idea of having a tail, but don't want to lure in the little bities... even thought the boat crew would be happy for some tasty lunch on board.
Latest news on wind is Saturday looks good... Wed morning I will get confirmation and book flights... OMG
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sat /Sun 13th & 14th March - Maddy's birthday weekend
Lots of special lunches and dinners and presents for Maddy this weekend.
Wind free for me... but good to be able to spend the time getting everything sorted at the Swim School for the next few weeks and next term.
New teachers booked in to replace those going overseas and those with study commitments next term.. whewww.
Great to catch up with some Uni friends Sat nite also.
Now just hoping that the wind forecast for Fri, Sat, Sun stays as is... cos its looking good for a crossing this weekend.
Wind free for me... but good to be able to spend the time getting everything sorted at the Swim School for the next few weeks and next term.
New teachers booked in to replace those going overseas and those with study commitments next term.. whewww.
Great to catch up with some Uni friends Sat nite also.
Now just hoping that the wind forecast for Fri, Sat, Sun stays as is... cos its looking good for a crossing this weekend.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Friday 11th March- thanks Gatorade
No wind to train in ... gotta keep fit on the bike and in the pool.
Gatorade sent me 6 x 18 litre bags of Gatorade mix... that should keep me going for up 20 laps of the strait... thanks Kim :)
Still hopeful for the right wind late next week :)
Gatorade sent me 6 x 18 litre bags of Gatorade mix... that should keep me going for up 20 laps of the strait... thanks Kim :)
Still hopeful for the right wind late next week :)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tues 9th feb doing it solo
This morning the sick girl can't manage to be vertical and therefore concedes that school is not an option. She is watching a kids news show that was explaining that a monsoon was resonsible for melbournes worst ever storm that we had on the weekend. That was my 1st false alarm date. Imagine being in the middle of BS in a storm getting pelted by hail stones the size of golfballs. It was bad enough being at work where it was so loud you couldn't hear the person next to you and going outside to protect your car wasn't an option. As frustrating as the wait for the right weather is I am lucky to have a wise weather man and boat captain watching out for me.
After lunch apointment drop off sick girl at Suzies for a bit of Simpsons therapy and go out in the 30+ westerly. Take the 10m I plan to use during the crossing probably to make a point that I could have done it today. I leave from Ricketts point and must kite a far way out before going down wind to make sure I can get around the point before heading to port melb. As I head away from land all I can see is water. I have an overwelming urge to head to tassie on my own. Not impossible in a westerly and I was wearing everything I plan to have on the crossing although not all fully charged. Begrudgingly decide to head for port Melbourne. Still fantasizing about how cool it would be to arrive unannounced in Tassie I get knocked over by a wave and nearly hit the Cerbrus. Try to turn back out to sea and am faced with reef sticking up. ( Now know why it crashed and sank there) I end up negotiating my way around the beach side of the Cerbrus as carefully as possible on a 10 m in 35 knots. Bloody scary. Decide to keep my mind on the job and have a great ride to port Melbourne. As I approach the Spirit of Tasmania I am tempted to knock on a port hole and ask if I can tag along to Tassie. They would be big enough to be my support boat in these less than favourable conditions. I laugh at myself when it occurs to me that it will be dark in a couple of hours. Dean calls and says he will be finished work in half an hour if I want a lift back to the car. Being a westerley I said I would see if I can kite back. I am rather pleased when he calls to say he is ready to leave and I have made it all the way back to Ricketts. Had a dream run, held about 30 km the whole way, no turns ... Got to love a westerley. Would have liked to do that run again, but must get small girl and get more medicine into her. I do hope the weather was worse as forecast across BS today, as I'm still feeling a little low that it couldn't happen this week. People starting to ask if I'm going to pospone til next season... Please give me the right wind next week so I don't need to consider that nasty option.
After lunch apointment drop off sick girl at Suzies for a bit of Simpsons therapy and go out in the 30+ westerly. Take the 10m I plan to use during the crossing probably to make a point that I could have done it today. I leave from Ricketts point and must kite a far way out before going down wind to make sure I can get around the point before heading to port melb. As I head away from land all I can see is water. I have an overwelming urge to head to tassie on my own. Not impossible in a westerly and I was wearing everything I plan to have on the crossing although not all fully charged. Begrudgingly decide to head for port Melbourne. Still fantasizing about how cool it would be to arrive unannounced in Tassie I get knocked over by a wave and nearly hit the Cerbrus. Try to turn back out to sea and am faced with reef sticking up. ( Now know why it crashed and sank there) I end up negotiating my way around the beach side of the Cerbrus as carefully as possible on a 10 m in 35 knots. Bloody scary. Decide to keep my mind on the job and have a great ride to port Melbourne. As I approach the Spirit of Tasmania I am tempted to knock on a port hole and ask if I can tag along to Tassie. They would be big enough to be my support boat in these less than favourable conditions. I laugh at myself when it occurs to me that it will be dark in a couple of hours. Dean calls and says he will be finished work in half an hour if I want a lift back to the car. Being a westerley I said I would see if I can kite back. I am rather pleased when he calls to say he is ready to leave and I have made it all the way back to Ricketts. Had a dream run, held about 30 km the whole way, no turns ... Got to love a westerley. Would have liked to do that run again, but must get small girl and get more medicine into her. I do hope the weather was worse as forecast across BS today, as I'm still feeling a little low that it couldn't happen this week. People starting to ask if I'm going to pospone til next season... Please give me the right wind next week so I don't need to consider that nasty option.
Monday 8th March public holiday crazy weather as usual
Spent the morning trying to get a dr to c maddy on a public holiday and get some antibiotics for her ear ache. $140 and an episode of little house on the Praire and maddy was feeling well enough for me to go for a kite. Not feeling very inspired after my false alarm the day before but wanting to try out the new foot pad arrangement. At the beach I pump up my 10m then can't pile enough sand on it to keep it on the beach. As others scurry for cover I pump up my 7m and go out overpowered. I am amused to see a bunch of guys loose control of a trainer kite and chase it down the beach. Less than 10 min later I am underpowered and come in to dig out my burried 10m and go back out. After another 10 min I end up swimming the last bit. Walk back up the beach worried about people coming out on 12m kites. I go for another run and wind picks up big time again, I make it back in OK with some guys surfboard as he is resued by lifesavers. Back on the 7m I see a few more rescues. Crazy northerly wind kept me on my toes for about 4 hours. Then made it to swim training. After all that kiting, did have a little trouble making 25's on 20 sec!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sunday 7th March - another false alarm
Today started so well.... wind still forecast good for Wed. Forecaster a bit worried about the swell size which is still forecast at 4+ meters but I'm willing to give it a go. 1st time we have had a whole day of wind in the right direction... how bad can big waves be?
Then I chat to the boat captain who explains how bad big waves can be... for instance if I crash the boat will struggle to come back to me as it cant be hit side on by the waves that size, and if they are predicted to be that big near shore what will we get in the middle? Even though I'm willing I must consider the safety of the boat and crew..
So we wait again... captains suggestion to wait til next season didn't go down well!!!
We went to visit Bay at his camp for a picnic lunch today which went really well. He is doing so well.
Then wine with friends until I couldn't take the commiserating any longer.. now I'm going clean up all the mess that I've been putting off until after Bass Strait :(
Not quite as fun as driving down the coast in this storm to pack the boat ready for Tassie, but at least its something productive.
Then I chat to the boat captain who explains how bad big waves can be... for instance if I crash the boat will struggle to come back to me as it cant be hit side on by the waves that size, and if they are predicted to be that big near shore what will we get in the middle? Even though I'm willing I must consider the safety of the boat and crew..
So we wait again... captains suggestion to wait til next season didn't go down well!!!
We went to visit Bay at his camp for a picnic lunch today which went really well. He is doing so well.
Then wine with friends until I couldn't take the commiserating any longer.. now I'm going clean up all the mess that I've been putting off until after Bass Strait :(
Not quite as fun as driving down the coast in this storm to pack the boat ready for Tassie, but at least its something productive.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Wednesday ... false alarm.. bloody weather
Today was the most exhausting day so far... and all I did exercise wise was a few laps with my squad.
In the morning got a tentative green light for this weekend. Spent the morning madly packing everything up to go on the boat... including getting the foot straps back on the board. For those who have seen my foot strap step-up its kind of like solving the rubix cube under time constraints.
Alison my x swim teacher now paramedic dropped off the first aide kit to take and ran me through the procedure for all things that could happen. Advice for shark bite was call the helicopter ambos!!!
While I had a spare set of hands we stuck logo stickers on the little 7m kite that will come on the boat in case the wind gets insane and I have to switch to a smaller kite.. but hey the wind isn't likely to change while I'm out there is it?... it has proved so reliable and predictable so far...NOT
Then wind forecaster rings at lunch time as I'm mixing up Gatorade and we look over the data on the computer that shows the SW forecast for the weekend has switched to a NE... WHAT?? How does it do a complete back flip??
He says maybe its a glitch and it will go back to the previous forecast... so I continue packing and making arrangements for work if I am away for the weekend.
While at work at night next update comes through... no go on the weekend, maybe Mon or Tues. Is it me or does it always seem promising 5 days away and then that changes just when I think I better get flights sorted???
OK time to concentrate on some swim school things and maybe some dishes even and try not to curse the weather, after all it is causing serious havoc in other people's lives in QLD and Chile, and for me its just an inconvenience. Got to try to keep things in perspective.
In the morning got a tentative green light for this weekend. Spent the morning madly packing everything up to go on the boat... including getting the foot straps back on the board. For those who have seen my foot strap step-up its kind of like solving the rubix cube under time constraints.
Alison my x swim teacher now paramedic dropped off the first aide kit to take and ran me through the procedure for all things that could happen. Advice for shark bite was call the helicopter ambos!!!
While I had a spare set of hands we stuck logo stickers on the little 7m kite that will come on the boat in case the wind gets insane and I have to switch to a smaller kite.. but hey the wind isn't likely to change while I'm out there is it?... it has proved so reliable and predictable so far...NOT
Then wind forecaster rings at lunch time as I'm mixing up Gatorade and we look over the data on the computer that shows the SW forecast for the weekend has switched to a NE... WHAT?? How does it do a complete back flip??
He says maybe its a glitch and it will go back to the previous forecast... so I continue packing and making arrangements for work if I am away for the weekend.
While at work at night next update comes through... no go on the weekend, maybe Mon or Tues. Is it me or does it always seem promising 5 days away and then that changes just when I think I better get flights sorted???
OK time to concentrate on some swim school things and maybe some dishes even and try not to curse the weather, after all it is causing serious havoc in other people's lives in QLD and Chile, and for me its just an inconvenience. Got to try to keep things in perspective.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Mon 1st March - still in melb
Finding the unpredictability of the weather very difficult. On the plus side when I was competing at the Nationals only days before my scheduled departure for Tassie, I was unsure what board I was going to use, what kite, I didn't have a working radio or GPS, my kite lines had a knot in them and I hadn't fixed that, my favourite kite decided to spontaneously deflate (right before my last heat)on the beach and lots of other issues that I now have mostly sorted. It was funny one of the girls at Nationals said Kirsten (world champ chick) said I was such a happy energetic person, shame she didn't get to meet me when I wasn't super stressed. Hopefully there will other chances in the future. I still want to learn that aeriel handle pass Kirsten!! Sorry to those who do know what I am like and had to put up with stress head me.
I am at peace with my choice of board and kite now. Of all the experts I talked to no 2 people agreed on the board I should use. But at least I have time on the board I have chosen and feel good that it will be the best for the job. I did loose a fin and broke the box it goes in following a fairy penguin too close to the reef so its now a 2 fin not a 4 fin set-up, but I am actually happier with the 2 fins. It doesn't go upwind so well but it turns much better, and I might see something out there that makes me want to change direction quickly!
Seems I still have a few days up my sleeve to do some last minute changes, took all the foot pads off my board last night and couldn't get them back on where I wanted them before falling asleep at midnight. I have chopped footpads unscrewed bits added new holes to the bit that goes over your feet... all things I never imagined doing.
I had a good 2 hours kiting out at Mentone yesterday before coming home and freaking out that the kids weren't safe walking home with a scary kidnapper in the area. But all is ok now and we spent the night chatting and packing as both of them are going to camp on Tuesday. I have a bad feeling about them going away when I might take off to Tassie, but hope I can shake that.
Tassie trip still up in the air... I wish I had a day.. its so hard not knowing... I can only be nervous and put the rest of my life on hold for so long..
I am at peace with my choice of board and kite now. Of all the experts I talked to no 2 people agreed on the board I should use. But at least I have time on the board I have chosen and feel good that it will be the best for the job. I did loose a fin and broke the box it goes in following a fairy penguin too close to the reef so its now a 2 fin not a 4 fin set-up, but I am actually happier with the 2 fins. It doesn't go upwind so well but it turns much better, and I might see something out there that makes me want to change direction quickly!
Seems I still have a few days up my sleeve to do some last minute changes, took all the foot pads off my board last night and couldn't get them back on where I wanted them before falling asleep at midnight. I have chopped footpads unscrewed bits added new holes to the bit that goes over your feet... all things I never imagined doing.
I had a good 2 hours kiting out at Mentone yesterday before coming home and freaking out that the kids weren't safe walking home with a scary kidnapper in the area. But all is ok now and we spent the night chatting and packing as both of them are going to camp on Tuesday. I have a bad feeling about them going away when I might take off to Tassie, but hope I can shake that.
Tassie trip still up in the air... I wish I had a day.. its so hard not knowing... I can only be nervous and put the rest of my life on hold for so long..
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sun 28th Feb... beautiful kind people
Great day at work... all the kids happy and learning well.
In the afternoon, one new family tells me they cant believe how cheap the lessons are and obviously everyone wants to be there helping the special kids as there really cant be much money in it. I say that I think lots of families do struggle to afford all the special treatments etc their children need and I want to keep swimming lessons as affordable as possible so they are accessible to all who need them. I tell them of a family who didn't want to return this term even though their two kids are doing so well, as they struggled to pay for the last term and cant afford another term. They are still coming for now and i was hoping to get some council funding for them.
The new family then asked if they could sponsor the struggling family. How beautiful is that. I called the other family and they were so trilled, both to have the fees paid for and by the generosity from someone they don't even know.
What kindness there is in people :)
After work fitted in a short kite session and worked out some kinks with the radios.
In the afternoon, one new family tells me they cant believe how cheap the lessons are and obviously everyone wants to be there helping the special kids as there really cant be much money in it. I say that I think lots of families do struggle to afford all the special treatments etc their children need and I want to keep swimming lessons as affordable as possible so they are accessible to all who need them. I tell them of a family who didn't want to return this term even though their two kids are doing so well, as they struggled to pay for the last term and cant afford another term. They are still coming for now and i was hoping to get some council funding for them.
The new family then asked if they could sponsor the struggling family. How beautiful is that. I called the other family and they were so trilled, both to have the fees paid for and by the generosity from someone they don't even know.
What kindness there is in people :)
After work fitted in a short kite session and worked out some kinks with the radios.
Sat 27th Feb... weather forescasting
Deciding to over right the weather forecast and trust the Fawkner Beacon reading 2 days in a row might be considered foolish...
However with the kiddies doing circus in Port Melbourne and the wind saying it was 20Knots I thought a downwinder from Rickets to Port Melbourne could be fitted in before afternoon swimming classes.
Got to Ricketts.. looking a little light, ride out and have to really work the kite.. got to go out far to get enough wind to keep going but then get scared that it could run out and Im so far from sure.. so as I get near Brighton I make a run for it and get with in 100m of shore before kite falls out of the sky... feeling lucky for just the short swim and feeling warm in my heated wetsuit and I pack up and walk up to get a lift home.
Home in time to get Bday present for maddy afternoon party ... just...
then a good day and work and video and yummy food with the family after work.
However with the kiddies doing circus in Port Melbourne and the wind saying it was 20Knots I thought a downwinder from Rickets to Port Melbourne could be fitted in before afternoon swimming classes.
Got to Ricketts.. looking a little light, ride out and have to really work the kite.. got to go out far to get enough wind to keep going but then get scared that it could run out and Im so far from sure.. so as I get near Brighton I make a run for it and get with in 100m of shore before kite falls out of the sky... feeling lucky for just the short swim and feeling warm in my heated wetsuit and I pack up and walk up to get a lift home.
Home in time to get Bday present for maddy afternoon party ... just...
then a good day and work and video and yummy food with the family after work.
Friday 26th Feb ... boat rescue...thx :)
The wind forecaster is trying to educate me in the mysteries of weather forecasting.. maybe cos I'm getting frustrated at not getting a day of wind that works....
I feel very out of my depth looking at highs and lows and basically lots and lots of lines on a map of Oz that tell me if a SW is on the way.
Anyway checking all the data I try to apply it to Brighton beach for practice runs. Bob thinks i can become educated enough to let my friends know when its a good kiting day... up to 7 days in advance. I don't share his faith... so I look it all and decide it doesn't look as though its going to be over 8 knots for the rest of the week. Then i go to the actual wind graph at Fawkner Beacon and it says 25knots... so I go for a kite. A good hour going back and forth... wave to the nice couple in their boat by the shore, careful not to get too close. The as I turn a km or 2 out the kite drops to the beautiful flat water, not a white cap in site. Bugger.... I calmly pull the kite in, wrap up the lines.. collect a muesli bar that escaped my pocket and was trying to float away and begin my very long swim.
Happy to swim, but worried about all the valuable stuff I have attached to me and the big fat ugly jelly fish all around. Then I see the lovely little white boat leave the shore and come my way.
They come and ask if i would like any help and I graciously take them up on a lift back. It was a lovely fast boat ride and I made it back in time to pack up drive home shower and pick up the kiddies from school... all is well. maybe that graph that said there was no wind just didn't account for the hour of goodness and was overall quite accurate!!
My spot messenger is now up and working and my training runs, with and without boat rescues can be seen here:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eZ8ESo8lzhLpm3t4ELR0hoMIRk8khapM
I feel very out of my depth looking at highs and lows and basically lots and lots of lines on a map of Oz that tell me if a SW is on the way.
Anyway checking all the data I try to apply it to Brighton beach for practice runs. Bob thinks i can become educated enough to let my friends know when its a good kiting day... up to 7 days in advance. I don't share his faith... so I look it all and decide it doesn't look as though its going to be over 8 knots for the rest of the week. Then i go to the actual wind graph at Fawkner Beacon and it says 25knots... so I go for a kite. A good hour going back and forth... wave to the nice couple in their boat by the shore, careful not to get too close. The as I turn a km or 2 out the kite drops to the beautiful flat water, not a white cap in site. Bugger.... I calmly pull the kite in, wrap up the lines.. collect a muesli bar that escaped my pocket and was trying to float away and begin my very long swim.
Happy to swim, but worried about all the valuable stuff I have attached to me and the big fat ugly jelly fish all around. Then I see the lovely little white boat leave the shore and come my way.
They come and ask if i would like any help and I graciously take them up on a lift back. It was a lovely fast boat ride and I made it back in time to pack up drive home shower and pick up the kiddies from school... all is well. maybe that graph that said there was no wind just didn't account for the hour of goodness and was overall quite accurate!!
My spot messenger is now up and working and my training runs, with and without boat rescues can be seen here:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eZ8ESo8lzhLpm3t4ELR0hoMIRk8khapM
Thurs 25th Feb... ride ride ride
long bike ride during the day... kids to karate and then the wind comes for a good kite session in the evening... yipeeee
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wed 24th Jan ... Watch out for the Ocean Liner
Big big day...
Started with morning swimming training, then off to the diving comp then swimming comp with Maddy's school. Maddy was a super star as were the rest of her school team. They blitzed and won the Girls cup for the first time ever. I was a very proud Mum wearing all Maddys blue ribbions and a very proud school coach.
Weather forecaster predicted Monday as a good day for crossing...last report was mid week... arhhh closer got to sort everyone arhhhh.
Visit from Suzie when I got home.
Sorted donate button on the swim4all web page. There was a error in the paypal email so no donations went through. Sorry to those who tried but it should work well now!
Then sorted spot messanger so that it updates every 10 minutes when I set it not just when I press the ok button.. cool hey.
Then a call from Bernie... did I want to kite to Altona and back.. hell yeah.
It was such a great run.
Took spot messanger so Suzie and kids could watch where I was on the computer at home.
When I got to the beach I notice my phone had been cut off only able to receive calls ... dispute about amount owed on iphone, but Sam my Telstra hero got it turned back on during my Port Phillip Bay crossing today. How cool it that!!
When we left Altona to return to Brighton Bernie says to me...
Watch out for the Ocean Liner... that's the funniest bit of kiteboarding advice Ive ever got.. and yes even while listening to tunes and talking on the phone on the I did not run into the Ocean Liner!!!
Got to coaching only a little late to find my mighty Pirahnas doing a session they had worked out themselves.. how awesome is that!
Started with morning swimming training, then off to the diving comp then swimming comp with Maddy's school. Maddy was a super star as were the rest of her school team. They blitzed and won the Girls cup for the first time ever. I was a very proud Mum wearing all Maddys blue ribbions and a very proud school coach.
Weather forecaster predicted Monday as a good day for crossing...last report was mid week... arhhh closer got to sort everyone arhhhh.
Visit from Suzie when I got home.
Sorted donate button on the swim4all web page. There was a error in the paypal email so no donations went through. Sorry to those who tried but it should work well now!
Then sorted spot messanger so that it updates every 10 minutes when I set it not just when I press the ok button.. cool hey.
Then a call from Bernie... did I want to kite to Altona and back.. hell yeah.
It was such a great run.
Took spot messanger so Suzie and kids could watch where I was on the computer at home.
When I got to the beach I notice my phone had been cut off only able to receive calls ... dispute about amount owed on iphone, but Sam my Telstra hero got it turned back on during my Port Phillip Bay crossing today. How cool it that!!
When we left Altona to return to Brighton Bernie says to me...
Watch out for the Ocean Liner... that's the funniest bit of kiteboarding advice Ive ever got.. and yes even while listening to tunes and talking on the phone on the I did not run into the Ocean Liner!!!
Got to coaching only a little late to find my mighty Pirahnas doing a session they had worked out themselves.. how awesome is that!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tues 23rd Feb.. 3AW, kite, parent teacher interviews
Picked up GPS software from Mulgrave and stickers to go on kites from South Eastern Sails in Seaford today... very cool cant wait to put them on. Thanks guys they will look great on the kite.
Didnt make it home in time for my interview on 3AW. They called me as I came off the freeway and so I did the interview from the MacDonalds car park. It went so well, Denis was fantastic, and thanks to Vicki for calling in.
Then dropped in to SHQ... and went for a kite.. Ivan had a go on my board, but didnt like it. Its not built for comfort!! Got in 2 hours practice ... graph says it was 15 knots which was perfect for the kite and board I had, a hell of a lot easier than yesterdays crazy wind.
Home in time for speed parent teacher interviews. Rushing from one school to the next. Both kids doing great, very good start to the school year. Maybe their mother should be preoccupied with her own crazy missons all the time, doesnt seem to be doing the kids any harm.
Wind forecaster says the right wind might come mid next week. Fingers crossed.
Didnt make it home in time for my interview on 3AW. They called me as I came off the freeway and so I did the interview from the MacDonalds car park. It went so well, Denis was fantastic, and thanks to Vicki for calling in.
Then dropped in to SHQ... and went for a kite.. Ivan had a go on my board, but didnt like it. Its not built for comfort!! Got in 2 hours practice ... graph says it was 15 knots which was perfect for the kite and board I had, a hell of a lot easier than yesterdays crazy wind.
Home in time for speed parent teacher interviews. Rushing from one school to the next. Both kids doing great, very good start to the school year. Maybe their mother should be preoccupied with her own crazy missons all the time, doesnt seem to be doing the kids any harm.
Wind forecaster says the right wind might come mid next week. Fingers crossed.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Mon 22nd Feb - 3AW tues at 1.20pm
Scanned mag and newspaper articles to go on facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=69706&id=1047049412&ref=mf
Wind picked up late in the afternoon... did a downwinder from Ricketts point St Kilda. It was a westerly.. around 25 knots give or take 5. The run from Ricketts to Brighton was really hard to hold on, on the 10m crossbow. I was airborne several times not on purpose. I was slower when it was so hard going trying to hold on only going 15 to 20km hour. After Brighton I traveled in a straight line to St.Kilda.. awesome run around 30 - 35km hour. My legs were tired going so fast on the exact same tack.
Great practice run.
Made it back in time for Training at Piranhas, although struggled to keep up today.
Is it old age kicking in or was I just tired after a bike ride and a kite today?
Couldn't make 20 x 50 on 45sec anymore... and Josh even beat me in Backstroke today.
Didn't let Dan beat me yet not even in Breaststroke today.. whew.... don't have to hang my head in shame yet!!!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=69706&id=1047049412&ref=mf
Wind picked up late in the afternoon... did a downwinder from Ricketts point St Kilda. It was a westerly.. around 25 knots give or take 5. The run from Ricketts to Brighton was really hard to hold on, on the 10m crossbow. I was airborne several times not on purpose. I was slower when it was so hard going trying to hold on only going 15 to 20km hour. After Brighton I traveled in a straight line to St.Kilda.. awesome run around 30 - 35km hour. My legs were tired going so fast on the exact same tack.
Great practice run.
Made it back in time for Training at Piranhas, although struggled to keep up today.
Is it old age kicking in or was I just tired after a bike ride and a kite today?
Couldn't make 20 x 50 on 45sec anymore... and Josh even beat me in Backstroke today.
Didn't let Dan beat me yet not even in Breaststroke today.. whew.... don't have to hang my head in shame yet!!!!!!!
Sunday 21 Feb
At MSAC for the All Juniors Swimming Competition this morning.
All the mighty Piranhas did well. Lots of PB's. Matt made the finals for 3 events and Maddy for the Breaststroke.
Swim School ran well in my absence... and I was back for the afternoon shift.
Some new kids happy to be there which was nice to see.
Finished the day at the beach trying out the new footpads and new kite cam. Still some modifications to do for perfection.. lucky I have all this extra preparation time!!
All the mighty Piranhas did well. Lots of PB's. Matt made the finals for 3 events and Maddy for the Breaststroke.
Swim School ran well in my absence... and I was back for the afternoon shift.
Some new kids happy to be there which was nice to see.
Finished the day at the beach trying out the new footpads and new kite cam. Still some modifications to do for perfection.. lucky I have all this extra preparation time!!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Saturday 20th Feb... more training and swim school
A few hours in a strong and very very gusty northerly this morning. Tricky coming into the beach and trying to hold an edge on my toe side going 40km hour. Pretty much everyone who came out promptly packed up and left, but it was good practice for me in crazy wind. While I was out wind went from 15 knots to 35 knots. The 10 m crossbow I intend to use for the crossing handled it all well. It was tricky to hold on at the extreme end ... felt like my arms were being extended. Might get back into competitive swimming after this, I will have quite an advantage when my arms are longer.
No great sea life today... unless you count the jelly fish. Whoever is giving them steroids please stop they are huge and horrible. Surely they are a delicacy in some culinary culture and someone can come fish them all out? Got a sting on my bum.. how the rotten critter got up my shorts is beyond me. Serves me right for not training in the full wet suit. But it was 40 degrees and I did have everything else on. It takes me 45 minutes to get kite up and dressed and I look like a walking gadget.
I'm looking forward to putting on some bathers, boardies and going straight out for a kite on my lovely twin tip when this is over!!!
Very hot at the swim school today.. had to get in for a swim to cool down. All the kids, teachers and parents were great as usual. Thanks to Maria who was receptionist while I took a dip.
No great sea life today... unless you count the jelly fish. Whoever is giving them steroids please stop they are huge and horrible. Surely they are a delicacy in some culinary culture and someone can come fish them all out? Got a sting on my bum.. how the rotten critter got up my shorts is beyond me. Serves me right for not training in the full wet suit. But it was 40 degrees and I did have everything else on. It takes me 45 minutes to get kite up and dressed and I look like a walking gadget.
I'm looking forward to putting on some bathers, boardies and going straight out for a kite on my lovely twin tip when this is over!!!
Very hot at the swim school today.. had to get in for a swim to cool down. All the kids, teachers and parents were great as usual. Thanks to Maria who was receptionist while I took a dip.
Friday 19th Feb - dolphins, rays and penguins
Great training session out on the Bay.
After 2 hours of just going back and forth I was getting a little bored with my own company... and yes I know i have to do that 6 or 7 times over, but when I do the crossing it will be heading in one direction to a new destination not just a km away from beach and then back and over and over and over...
Anyway back to being bored with myself.. I spotted a little black fin a few metres away.
Part of me was saying go back to the beach.. take no risks and the other less sensible but stronger willed part says lets just go see what it is.
The crazy part payed off as I got closer 5 little dolphins jumped out of the water.
I squealed so loud I scared them off... bummer.
A few runs later I saw two bigger ones, but wind was dropping and they were traveling upwind so I couldn't catch them.
Then an eagle ray swam under my board... so graceful. I think I would like to be an eagle ray in another life.
Then I saw a little penguin.. he was so cute that I got a little close to the reef and lost a fin.
Big big board turns way faster without it so I think its actually a good thing!!!
After a good day on the water was home in time for Maddy's school BBQ... where her class stayed partying the longest ... till the last teacher had to kick us out so she could lock up. Did we go home then... no back to someones house to party on..
go grade 5!!!
After 2 hours of just going back and forth I was getting a little bored with my own company... and yes I know i have to do that 6 or 7 times over, but when I do the crossing it will be heading in one direction to a new destination not just a km away from beach and then back and over and over and over...
Anyway back to being bored with myself.. I spotted a little black fin a few metres away.
Part of me was saying go back to the beach.. take no risks and the other less sensible but stronger willed part says lets just go see what it is.
The crazy part payed off as I got closer 5 little dolphins jumped out of the water.
I squealed so loud I scared them off... bummer.
A few runs later I saw two bigger ones, but wind was dropping and they were traveling upwind so I couldn't catch them.
Then an eagle ray swam under my board... so graceful. I think I would like to be an eagle ray in another life.
Then I saw a little penguin.. he was so cute that I got a little close to the reef and lost a fin.
Big big board turns way faster without it so I think its actually a good thing!!!
After a good day on the water was home in time for Maddy's school BBQ... where her class stayed partying the longest ... till the last teacher had to kick us out so she could lock up. Did we go home then... no back to someones house to party on..
go grade 5!!!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thurs 18th - Today Interview
Very cool being on the today show and having my hair makeup done while sipping coffee and could have been eating muffins, but too nervous!!
Had a good kite in the arvo.. keep the makeup and hair looking ok for Bays school bush dance that night...
great day.
Had a good kite in the arvo.. keep the makeup and hair looking ok for Bays school bush dance that night...
great day.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday 17th Feb
Had a short run yesterday with all the gear on. Think I spent longer getting dressed than kiting. Worked on using the radios, still haven't got it down pat yet. Did come home with dry hair gotta love that.
Today I spent the day organizing photos and footage requested by the today show.
Pretty excited about being on it tomorrow... it was at 7.15 but now i get an extra hour in bed as its now at 8.15 am .. yeah!!!
Also scored an interview on 3aw next Tues at 1.20pm.
So thats all good.
After a wind free day ... the wind has now picked up in time for me to go swimming coaching.
Better go though as I don't know when i will rush off to Tassie and am sure to miss some sessions when that happy day comes along.
Today I spent the day organizing photos and footage requested by the today show.
Pretty excited about being on it tomorrow... it was at 7.15 but now i get an extra hour in bed as its now at 8.15 am .. yeah!!!
Also scored an interview on 3aw next Tues at 1.20pm.
So thats all good.
After a wind free day ... the wind has now picked up in time for me to go swimming coaching.
Better go though as I don't know when i will rush off to Tassie and am sure to miss some sessions when that happy day comes along.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Feb 16th - TODAY Show Calls me!
After a brief appearance with Stevie Jacobs during the weather segment on the Today show last week, thye show rang and asked if I could come in to the studio on Thurs for an interview. Interview is a 7.15 and I have to be there an hour early for hair and makeup ... how exciting.. wonder how good they can make me look!!!
Feb 15th Bass Strait practice run
Went out on Calypso 11 for a practice run in the lovely rough washing machine called Bass Strait.
Took sea sickness tablets and did not throw up on the way out this time (unlike the previous 2 times!)
We went out through the heads and drove 10 miles out over big waves. Glad I had my wet-suit on already as I got completely drenched on the way out. It was a nice warm day for it.
Did another sketchy boat launch.. very hard to pump up your kite on a boat with fishing stuff everywhere and then jump off with enough line to make it to the water but not too much to get tangled on the metal pole things that hold the fishing lines.. then to unwind lines while boat moves and non kiters try to hold onto kite. In the end I signaled to throw the kite in the water and i spent about 10 min trying to sort it all out. Only had one twist in lines so not too tragic!
I then kited back towards land. Experimenting with the fastest directions and riding the board toe side and goofy and natural. Being a SE my most comfortable stance and direction to ride was way off where we had to go.
The new radio worked OK - I could hear the boat but they couldn't hear me very well. They think it may be the wind interference but it may also be my lack of skill. I took the radios with me so i can practice.
I rode back in through the heads, like I did on Australia day, but as I got further from land the boat signaled to land the kite and come on board. Almost as tricky as a boat launch is a boat landing. I got the kite on the boat on the 3rd or 4th attempt and only took out one of their antennas!!
Wojtek the photographer came along for the ride so there should be some great photos of the day to come. Apparently there were some dolphins around the boat half way through the trip. Unfortunately I wasn't near enough to the boat to see them, so I will have to settle for looking at the photos like everyone else :(
Took sea sickness tablets and did not throw up on the way out this time (unlike the previous 2 times!)
We went out through the heads and drove 10 miles out over big waves. Glad I had my wet-suit on already as I got completely drenched on the way out. It was a nice warm day for it.
Did another sketchy boat launch.. very hard to pump up your kite on a boat with fishing stuff everywhere and then jump off with enough line to make it to the water but not too much to get tangled on the metal pole things that hold the fishing lines.. then to unwind lines while boat moves and non kiters try to hold onto kite. In the end I signaled to throw the kite in the water and i spent about 10 min trying to sort it all out. Only had one twist in lines so not too tragic!
I then kited back towards land. Experimenting with the fastest directions and riding the board toe side and goofy and natural. Being a SE my most comfortable stance and direction to ride was way off where we had to go.
The new radio worked OK - I could hear the boat but they couldn't hear me very well. They think it may be the wind interference but it may also be my lack of skill. I took the radios with me so i can practice.
I rode back in through the heads, like I did on Australia day, but as I got further from land the boat signaled to land the kite and come on board. Almost as tricky as a boat launch is a boat landing. I got the kite on the boat on the 3rd or 4th attempt and only took out one of their antennas!!
Wojtek the photographer came along for the ride so there should be some great photos of the day to come. Apparently there were some dolphins around the boat half way through the trip. Unfortunately I wasn't near enough to the boat to see them, so I will have to settle for looking at the photos like everyone else :(
Feb 14 - Happy Valentines Day
Lovely start and end to Valentines day with Dean and the kids.
Had to spend the day at work as we had one teacher away. That always make things hectic.
But it all went well.. didnt get to go into StKilda for the last day of week of wind and the festival, but you cant have everything.
Bob the weather forecaster confirmed that the wind just isn't going to work for the next week... bit sad but leaves time to fine tune preparations.
Had to spend the day at work as we had one teacher away. That always make things hectic.
But it all went well.. didnt get to go into StKilda for the last day of week of wind and the festival, but you cant have everything.
Bob the weather forecaster confirmed that the wind just isn't going to work for the next week... bit sad but leaves time to fine tune preparations.
Feb 13th ... Nationals call back
Head judge calls me at 11.40am to say the last 2 minutes of my last heat will be re-run can I be ready at 12pm.
Drive from home to StKilda with wetsuit on over whatever i was wearing when he called... pump up kite run into comp area and do 2 min worth of tricks. Just did ones I knew I would land.. obviously not enough to impress. Should have done my F16 to revert with a handlepass.. but was so rushed and nervous I thought I wouldnt land it and then I would get no more points. Ended up not mattering as I didnt get through. I did appreciate them giving me the second chance though. Maybe next year I will do better when I can practice and I dont have Bass Strait to worry about.
Had a great day at work after that .. everyone very supportive and excited about my pending crossing.
Drive from home to StKilda with wetsuit on over whatever i was wearing when he called... pump up kite run into comp area and do 2 min worth of tricks. Just did ones I knew I would land.. obviously not enough to impress. Should have done my F16 to revert with a handlepass.. but was so rushed and nervous I thought I wouldnt land it and then I would get no more points. Ended up not mattering as I didnt get through. I did appreciate them giving me the second chance though. Maybe next year I will do better when I can practice and I dont have Bass Strait to worry about.
Had a great day at work after that .. everyone very supportive and excited about my pending crossing.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Feb 12th - Nationals On... crossing might be delayed
Not a good day today...
Started with Bob telling me wind forecast for next weeks crossing has died right down... I'm still optimistic that it will change again though. If its not on next week the boat is unavailable the week after and it will be postponed til the first week of march. Not an outcome I'm hoping for!
Then the Nationals.
Lets just say I didn't have a great run, but I am totally stoked with all the girls I met and for the support from them, and all the crowd, including world record kiter Kirsten Boesse. Having her say I was the best out there and being willing to put in a protest for me totally made my day.
I hope I get to catch up with all the girls again and that those jaded by the experience don't give up :)
Over the last 3 days I have really enjoyed being around so many sporty girls with the same passion for kiting.
I've never seen so many girls kiting in one place, and even though Im really happy kiting with all the guys at my local beach it was really really nice to spend the last 3 days chatting to girls about kiting and comparing tricks that most of you Brighton Beach guys cant do!! ha ha....
Started with Bob telling me wind forecast for next weeks crossing has died right down... I'm still optimistic that it will change again though. If its not on next week the boat is unavailable the week after and it will be postponed til the first week of march. Not an outcome I'm hoping for!
Then the Nationals.
Lets just say I didn't have a great run, but I am totally stoked with all the girls I met and for the support from them, and all the crowd, including world record kiter Kirsten Boesse. Having her say I was the best out there and being willing to put in a protest for me totally made my day.
I hope I get to catch up with all the girls again and that those jaded by the experience don't give up :)
Over the last 3 days I have really enjoyed being around so many sporty girls with the same passion for kiting.
I've never seen so many girls kiting in one place, and even though Im really happy kiting with all the guys at my local beach it was really really nice to spend the last 3 days chatting to girls about kiting and comparing tricks that most of you Brighton Beach guys cant do!! ha ha....
Feb 11th - No wind for Nationals
Frustrating day at the beach... waiting for wind.. then getting a massive storm but without wind. Sadly Melbourne has not put on a good show weather wise with so many kiters traveling from all over the place to be here for the Nationals.
I got to chat to Dan Ziffer from the Age who said he would do a story on my crossing so hopefully that pans out.
Maddy had an awesome day at her school swimming sports... won all her individual events. Got 3 records and won the year 5 trophy... I'm sooo proud :)
I got to chat to Dan Ziffer from the Age who said he would do a story on my crossing so hopefully that pans out.
Maddy had an awesome day at her school swimming sports... won all her individual events. Got 3 records and won the year 5 trophy... I'm sooo proud :)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Feb 10th - No wind for girls kite clinic but lots of preparation for crossing
Garmin sent a new waterproof GPS as the last waterproof one got water in it!... Worked on fins and kite colours at SHQ... Bob gave a more promising wind forecast - southerly on Wednesday which is better than the SE and maybe even SW on Thurs arvo... Stuart from Calypso 11 got a satellite radio and a spot messenger delivered...
Its all slowly coming together.
Planning this is harder than a wedding.. at least with a wedding you know what day its going to be on!
Tomorrow morning I have an interview on 89.9 Light FM at 7.30 am.
.. then it off to St. Kilda for the Kite boarding Nationals
Its all slowly coming together.
Planning this is harder than a wedding.. at least with a wedding you know what day its going to be on!
Tomorrow morning I have an interview on 89.9 Light FM at 7.30 am.
.. then it off to St. Kilda for the Kite boarding Nationals
9th Feb Today Show and Girls Kite Clinic
Day started oh so early... at St Kilda beach introducing the week of wind and talking about my crossing on the Today show with Stevie Jacobs... that kite lesson Ivan and I gave him last month paid off!
Week of wind didn't start well with next to no wind. Nice to see 25 girls ready to kite on the beach though... never seen so many girl kiters in one place.
Hope tomorrow brings more wind.
Bob the wind forecaster predicting SE still for Mon - Thurs next week... not ideal.
Will see what tomorrows update brings.
Week of wind didn't start well with next to no wind. Nice to see 25 girls ready to kite on the beach though... never seen so many girl kiters in one place.
Hope tomorrow brings more wind.
Bob the wind forecaster predicting SE still for Mon - Thurs next week... not ideal.
Will see what tomorrows update brings.
8th Feb Deans Birthday
Quiet day for Deans birthday... nice but no wind to use his new skim board in.. shame..
just a bike ride to keep the fitness up
just a bike ride to keep the fitness up
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sun 7th Swim School and filming for KiteLife
Great day at swim school. All kids back from holidays now.
Kite life came to film the lessons for their show.
First one airs on Feb 16th on Foxtell.
Got to go get yummy take away for Dean birthday dinner now...
Lucky it isn't windy hey!!! :)
Kite life came to film the lessons for their show.
First one airs on Feb 16th on Foxtell.
Got to go get yummy take away for Dean birthday dinner now...
Lucky it isn't windy hey!!! :)
Sat 6th Feb - Swim School and 35+K Easterly
Swim School today until 6pm... good long day.
No wind in the morning when I was free, but picked up when I went to work.
Then was ballistic by the time I got to Ricketts point ant 7.30pm. Wanted to see if I could hold on to the 10m kite on the big board in big wind.
A guy offered to launch me which is great as the take off is a little dicey at Ricketts.
As I got to the water there was a seagull with an injured leg unable to get away from the incoming tide. Wanted to help it but guy had kite up and i didn't know if he could hold it so had to launch and then had to go.
Did a few runs but was getting pushed down wind and closer than I liked to the reef. In the interests of keeping my face the way it is I thought it safer to stop.
Had trouble holding the kite when i came in so used the IDS system.
Worked like a dream... straight down, kite sat nicely in the shallows.
Was able to get to the seagull before it drowned and put in the shrubs.. at least it has a chance to recover and squawk annoyingly at beach goers with food.
Opted for a bike ride as a better form of exercise instead of pumping up a much smaller kite than I will use for the crossing.
No wind in the morning when I was free, but picked up when I went to work.
Then was ballistic by the time I got to Ricketts point ant 7.30pm. Wanted to see if I could hold on to the 10m kite on the big board in big wind.
A guy offered to launch me which is great as the take off is a little dicey at Ricketts.
As I got to the water there was a seagull with an injured leg unable to get away from the incoming tide. Wanted to help it but guy had kite up and i didn't know if he could hold it so had to launch and then had to go.
Did a few runs but was getting pushed down wind and closer than I liked to the reef. In the interests of keeping my face the way it is I thought it safer to stop.
Had trouble holding the kite when i came in so used the IDS system.
Worked like a dream... straight down, kite sat nicely in the shallows.
Was able to get to the seagull before it drowned and put in the shrubs.. at least it has a chance to recover and squawk annoyingly at beach goers with food.
Opted for a bike ride as a better form of exercise instead of pumping up a much smaller kite than I will use for the crossing.
Fri Feb 5th - Great wind day
Unfortunately I wasted half a day with Doctors to make sure the paper cut in my eye (that's got to be the blondest thing I have done to date!)doesnt get infected and blind me.
Then fitted in an hour and a half of kiting at Brighton just going back and forth practicing turns on the big board and chatting on the phone... got to love multitasking!!!
Then fitted in a downwinder from Ricketts Point to Port Melbourne in between school pick up filling in camp forms and Piranhas night coaching.
Had to go pick up the car at 10pm after work but great to get the downwinder in.
It was a perfect 20 - 25 knots SW all day.
Bob, my dear weather forecaster... if you are reading this can I please have that day on the 16 or 17th for the crossing?? Please :) Thank you :)
Then fitted in an hour and a half of kiting at Brighton just going back and forth practicing turns on the big board and chatting on the phone... got to love multitasking!!!
Then fitted in a downwinder from Ricketts Point to Port Melbourne in between school pick up filling in camp forms and Piranhas night coaching.
Had to go pick up the car at 10pm after work but great to get the downwinder in.
It was a perfect 20 - 25 knots SW all day.
Bob, my dear weather forecaster... if you are reading this can I please have that day on the 16 or 17th for the crossing?? Please :) Thank you :)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Kite Bass Strait for Swim 4 All - Feb Update
Kite Bass Strait for Swim 4 All
After being chased through Port Phillip Bay by a 5.5 metre shark in early January, Kite boarder Natalie Clarke is taking on Bass Strait for a world record crossing between Tasmania and Victoria. Natalie has been training in the Bay with some of the less friendly local wildlife for months and has set herself this challenge to raise awareness and funds for a pool to teach swimming to special needs kids.
Natalie Clarke will be attempting the world record Kite Board crossing of Bass Strait from Tasmania to Victoria mid to late February.
The one day crossing is scheduled to take place on a day between 16-20th of February 2010 depending on wind. Check on twitter for updates.
https://twitter.com/NatalieSwim4All
Bass Strait is notoriously known as one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world with strong wind, huge waves, and big sharks.
By crossing Bass Strait Natalie wishes to raise awareness and funds for a swimming facility to teach Autistic and other disabled children to swim.
Natalie is ranked 1st in Victoria and 3rd in Australian kite boarding.
Donations can be made to the Swim 4 All Foundation via the website. www.swim4all.com.au
It will be an extremely difficult challenge which mirrors the difficulty children with disabilities face in realising success. Natalie believes the difficulty of the endeavour and the associated risks are well worth the cause. Being a mother of a child on the Autism spectrum she understands the need for specialist classes to improve the physical, mental, emotional and social lives of these very special children.
Natalie Clarke
Phone:0411 131 641
www.swim4all.com.au
After being chased through Port Phillip Bay by a 5.5 metre shark in early January, Kite boarder Natalie Clarke is taking on Bass Strait for a world record crossing between Tasmania and Victoria. Natalie has been training in the Bay with some of the less friendly local wildlife for months and has set herself this challenge to raise awareness and funds for a pool to teach swimming to special needs kids.
Natalie Clarke will be attempting the world record Kite Board crossing of Bass Strait from Tasmania to Victoria mid to late February.
The one day crossing is scheduled to take place on a day between 16-20th of February 2010 depending on wind. Check on twitter for updates.
https://twitter.com/NatalieSwim4All
Bass Strait is notoriously known as one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world with strong wind, huge waves, and big sharks.
By crossing Bass Strait Natalie wishes to raise awareness and funds for a swimming facility to teach Autistic and other disabled children to swim.
Natalie is ranked 1st in Victoria and 3rd in Australian kite boarding.
Donations can be made to the Swim 4 All Foundation via the website. www.swim4all.com.au
It will be an extremely difficult challenge which mirrors the difficulty children with disabilities face in realising success. Natalie believes the difficulty of the endeavour and the associated risks are well worth the cause. Being a mother of a child on the Autism spectrum she understands the need for specialist classes to improve the physical, mental, emotional and social lives of these very special children.
Natalie Clarke
Phone:0411 131 641
www.swim4all.com.au
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Feb 3rd - Weather forecaster and Doctors OK
Met with Bob Leighton today ... legend weather forecaster who says the outlook it looking good for my proposed date.
Hard to believe looking out at the wind free Bay now.
I have requested a 20 - 25Knot SW wind with small waves and Bob said OK... that's good enough for me!
On Monday he will give me the 10 day outlook, then he can give me a very accurate 4 day outlook. Thats when we book the flights to Tassie... just writing this give me butterflies in my tummy... its very close now.
After school pick up finally remembered to go to Doctors to get blood test results.
Iron was finally in normal range (nothing to do with the iron tablets I took) and tonsilitis confirmed but getting better and apparently I have had Epstein-Barr ... didn't know but don't have it now.
In short the Doctor declared me fit enough to kite all the way to Antarctica... doesn't he know how cold it is there????
Did a swim session with squad and lots of time on the bike today.
Actually starting to feel fit!!!
Hard to believe looking out at the wind free Bay now.
I have requested a 20 - 25Knot SW wind with small waves and Bob said OK... that's good enough for me!
On Monday he will give me the 10 day outlook, then he can give me a very accurate 4 day outlook. Thats when we book the flights to Tassie... just writing this give me butterflies in my tummy... its very close now.
After school pick up finally remembered to go to Doctors to get blood test results.
Iron was finally in normal range (nothing to do with the iron tablets I took) and tonsilitis confirmed but getting better and apparently I have had Epstein-Barr ... didn't know but don't have it now.
In short the Doctor declared me fit enough to kite all the way to Antarctica... doesn't he know how cold it is there????
Did a swim session with squad and lots of time on the bike today.
Actually starting to feel fit!!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
2nd Feb - hard work not much joy
Hours on the computer today working on details for the crossing.... so much to do ... so little time...
thanks to those who are helping with this :)
At 5pm tried for a short kite...
Went out at Brighton on flat water kite didnt stay up.. I prayed for it to come up and then i would ride back to beach and pack up, it did come up but couldnt make it back to beach only to rock so keep going in scary too light wind - had to go out a bit to keep going then it picked up enough for a steady run back into Elwood beach ... tiny beach stacks of spectators so dropped it in the water near shore and pulled kite in, then dealt with all the seaweed in my lines, but it was a nice day to pluck seedweed from lines on the walking track.
thanks to those who are helping with this :)
At 5pm tried for a short kite...
Went out at Brighton on flat water kite didnt stay up.. I prayed for it to come up and then i would ride back to beach and pack up, it did come up but couldnt make it back to beach only to rock so keep going in scary too light wind - had to go out a bit to keep going then it picked up enough for a steady run back into Elwood beach ... tiny beach stacks of spectators so dropped it in the water near shore and pulled kite in, then dealt with all the seaweed in my lines, but it was a nice day to pluck seedweed from lines on the walking track.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
1st Feb - Back to school and a wee bit of kiting
Even when your kids are in grade 5 and 6 there is still that little sense of
loss when you drop them off for the first day of school :(
Missing them already!
If there was enough wind I could kite away the blues.... but working on the computer isn't doing it for me!
Wind up - only 45minute window before school pick up... broke a line after 5 minutes.. shortest session of all time .... arrhhhh .... need to practice
At last an hour kiteboarding between school pick up and work.. lots of turns on the big board and left with my hair still dry.. now thats progress!!!
Did a swim session with the squad.. Em wrote a good first session back for us... not to easy not too hard just right!
Now a little bike ride and some board binding adjustments before trying once a again for an early night .. anyone think it will happen?
loss when you drop them off for the first day of school :(
Missing them already!
If there was enough wind I could kite away the blues.... but working on the computer isn't doing it for me!
Wind up - only 45minute window before school pick up... broke a line after 5 minutes.. shortest session of all time .... arrhhhh .... need to practice
At last an hour kiteboarding between school pick up and work.. lots of turns on the big board and left with my hair still dry.. now thats progress!!!
Did a swim session with the squad.. Em wrote a good first session back for us... not to easy not too hard just right!
Now a little bike ride and some board binding adjustments before trying once a again for an early night .. anyone think it will happen?
Sun 31st Jan Swim School then kiting a storm....
After a wonderful 1st weekend back at Swim 4 All including Emily's 21 st Birthday Party in the middle, I finished off kiting the weather change. I arrived in a northerly... pumped up in a westerly with all the beach goers rushing to their cars and kited in a Westerly, South Westerly and Southerly.... 10 - 40 knots!
Not that I mind showing off in front of hundreds of beach goers but in a gusty northerly sharing the beach with that many people is not ideal. Having them all run for cover when I arrive and having the beach and water to myself... mmmm paradise.
Normally love the big boosts but had trouble getting air on the big big board that its owner Louis says I need to spend a month riding to get used to. Shame I only have a couple of weeks to go before the big BS. Did practice turning on it... hard work and still head butting the water a bit!
More practice required..
So heaps of work to do but my new revelation is a little relaxation instead of cramming something productive into every waking moment might be better for my health and long term goals...
So I'm going to watch "Up" now... and not work on the computer at the same time..
anyone out there think I can do it??
Not that I mind showing off in front of hundreds of beach goers but in a gusty northerly sharing the beach with that many people is not ideal. Having them all run for cover when I arrive and having the beach and water to myself... mmmm paradise.
Normally love the big boosts but had trouble getting air on the big big board that its owner Louis says I need to spend a month riding to get used to. Shame I only have a couple of weeks to go before the big BS. Did practice turning on it... hard work and still head butting the water a bit!
More practice required..
So heaps of work to do but my new revelation is a little relaxation instead of cramming something productive into every waking moment might be better for my health and long term goals...
So I'm going to watch "Up" now... and not work on the computer at the same time..
anyone out there think I can do it??
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sat 30th Swim 4 All swim school starts back
Getting classes sorted making sure everyone is happy where they are..... and off to the pool for the start of the swimming term.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
29th Jan Maddy at school Nat sick again
Maddy started school today.... most rushed 1st day ever.. up at 8am for a 8.25 start.. iron uniform make Maddy's brekky and lunch pack her bag, do her hair, put clothes on me and get to school in 20minutes. She hardly had time to get upset about leaving me!!
Then pick up Bay from 3rd sleepover in a row..... very tired boy and not surprising after all the activity we both have tonsillitis again. Dr checking my blood for all manor of other stuff too....
Told him sickness was not an option as I have to Kiteboard Bass Strait in just over 2 weeks.
He said I will be well then... of course there is that resting eating well catch to his promise.
So no kiting before school pick up but maybe a little downwinder after wards? If I wear the heated wetsuit..
crap.. better go charge the batteries for it
Then pick up Bay from 3rd sleepover in a row..... very tired boy and not surprising after all the activity we both have tonsillitis again. Dr checking my blood for all manor of other stuff too....
Told him sickness was not an option as I have to Kiteboard Bass Strait in just over 2 weeks.
He said I will be well then... of course there is that resting eating well catch to his promise.
So no kiting before school pick up but maybe a little downwinder after wards? If I wear the heated wetsuit..
crap.. better go charge the batteries for it
28th Jan Coxys Big Break filming
After a PR meeting where they gave me so much to do... talk to every paper, tv news and current affairs show... arhh.... I did some filming and an interview for Coxys Big Break. It wont air until March but still good publicity .. I talked about my cause and wore a swim 4 all t-shirt.. yeah!
Then I did an hour of turns on the big big board before the sun set (which now has a different fin configuration).... only fell in 3 times.. getting there!
Then I did an hour of turns on the big big board before the sun set (which now has a different fin configuration).... only fell in 3 times.. getting there!
27th January downwinder and boys party
Picked up kiddies after sleep over at Suzies, rushed home and did a down winder trying out new board from Ricketts point to St.kilda. Tried to practice turns on big big board... very hard.
Direction of wind and wind strength perfect... can I have these conditions for the Bass Strait crossing please universe. 20- 25 knot southerly and i went about 30 degrees off North virtually in a straight line (except the turns i put in for practice and to get my hair wet falling in!)
Rushed home to meet four boys for Bays sleep over party.
They stayed up to about 3 fueled on sugar.
Direction of wind and wind strength perfect... can I have these conditions for the Bass Strait crossing please universe. 20- 25 knot southerly and i went about 30 degrees off North virtually in a straight line (except the turns i put in for practice and to get my hair wet falling in!)
Rushed home to meet four boys for Bays sleep over party.
They stayed up to about 3 fueled on sugar.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Australia Day in Bass Strait
Received a custom race / tow in type board from Louis Tapper in NZ and met up with Captain Stuart on the Support Boat Calypso to take it out in Bass Strait for a test run.
5 minutes after getting on the very big very strange board I was navigating my way from Bass Strait through the heads with its rips and massive washing machine waves into Sorrento.
Clearly I'm still alive to tell the tale so thats got to be as bad as it gets right??
Captain Stuart tells me to expect the whole run from Tassie to be at least that bad.
OMG what have I signed up for???
We practised doing a boat launch in the Strait... this was a little hairy and of course my lines were inverted. Hopefully for the crossing I will take off from Stanley beach on the same kite I arrive home with. But should there be any malfunction we will need to be able to do a boat launch of a spare kite which will be carried on the boat.
My waterproof radio got water in it and didnt work (just like my waterproof GPS last week - I do hope my iphone waterproof pouch doesn't follow suit) so had to rely on signals from the boat. The crew pointing in the direction they want me to go and me pointing in the only direction I could go lead to aborting the ride after an hour zig zagging to get closer to land. This was done in the lovely calm waters of the bay and was pretty sweet. The landing the kite and getting it onto the boat did go a lot better than last time.
2 months ago when we tried the same mission in a 40K Northerly resulted in a lost board that surprisingly turned up 2 months later floating in Bemm River near Orbost covered in barnacles.
BTW ... small mouse was in mouse friendly trap when we got home and is now happlily running around in his enclosure again.
At least I dont need to go mouse hunting today!
5 minutes after getting on the very big very strange board I was navigating my way from Bass Strait through the heads with its rips and massive washing machine waves into Sorrento.
Clearly I'm still alive to tell the tale so thats got to be as bad as it gets right??
Captain Stuart tells me to expect the whole run from Tassie to be at least that bad.
OMG what have I signed up for???
We practised doing a boat launch in the Strait... this was a little hairy and of course my lines were inverted. Hopefully for the crossing I will take off from Stanley beach on the same kite I arrive home with. But should there be any malfunction we will need to be able to do a boat launch of a spare kite which will be carried on the boat.
My waterproof radio got water in it and didnt work (just like my waterproof GPS last week - I do hope my iphone waterproof pouch doesn't follow suit) so had to rely on signals from the boat. The crew pointing in the direction they want me to go and me pointing in the only direction I could go lead to aborting the ride after an hour zig zagging to get closer to land. This was done in the lovely calm waters of the bay and was pretty sweet. The landing the kite and getting it onto the boat did go a lot better than last time.
2 months ago when we tried the same mission in a 40K Northerly resulted in a lost board that surprisingly turned up 2 months later floating in Bemm River near Orbost covered in barnacles.
BTW ... small mouse was in mouse friendly trap when we got home and is now happlily running around in his enclosure again.
At least I dont need to go mouse hunting today!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Mouse Hunt, short kite session and a radio interview
Often motherhood can hamper ones efforts to train... today a five hour mouse hunt as I lost one of the families pets did mean a short kite session before the big radio interview!!
We haven't found the mouse yet... there were several sightings so there is still hope, but after 5 hours of cleaning a boys room while searching for the mouse I needed a little time on the water.
Not enough time to fit in a down winder I opted for some trick practice before next weekends Nationals.
Managed a new trick ... trying an unhooked handle pass I missed the bar, and the safety released which I caught by the hook on the end Millie seconds before loosing my lovely lovely kite!
Not a trick I plan to repeat.
Radio interview on 1116 SEN tonight was great. Thanks to Finey the host and Chris at Outer Edge Magazine for having me on.
Should have the podcast available soon.
Chris gave me the hot off the press new Outer Edge Mag which has my article in it ... which totally rocks!!
We haven't found the mouse yet... there were several sightings so there is still hope, but after 5 hours of cleaning a boys room while searching for the mouse I needed a little time on the water.
Not enough time to fit in a down winder I opted for some trick practice before next weekends Nationals.
Managed a new trick ... trying an unhooked handle pass I missed the bar, and the safety released which I caught by the hook on the end Millie seconds before loosing my lovely lovely kite!
Not a trick I plan to repeat.
Radio interview on 1116 SEN tonight was great. Thanks to Finey the host and Chris at Outer Edge Magazine for having me on.
Should have the podcast available soon.
Chris gave me the hot off the press new Outer Edge Mag which has my article in it ... which totally rocks!!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Radio interview tonight - 1116 Sen from 9.30pm
Listen tonight for my live radio interview with Chris Ord from Outer Edge about my Bass Strait Challenge!!! From 9.30pm. :)
Jan 23rd Gunnamatta
Went to check out Gunnamatta. Said to be the craziest surf in Melbourne so good too get some wave riding practice in. It was a lovely place but waves gentle enough for the kids to boogie board in and not enough wind to kite in. Our well, nice day out anyway and plenty of exercise walking the steps at Cape Schank.
Jan 22nd Bass Strait Training
Finally got to do a long down winder... from Mt Martha to Port Melbourne. It took 3 hours with a tricky start; kite down; lines tangled; lost board; visit from a seal, but once I got going it was a great run. Took a while to navigate around Mentone as I didnt go wide enough from Mordialloc... must admit that had something to do with not wanting to be out too far alone after the last downwinder when I was accompanied by police helicopter, police boat and the 5 and half meter shark.
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