gum-nuts Posted December 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 I had an early morning session yesterday, a bit impromptu, decision wasn't made until 5.30am! I probably won't be out until Sunday morning now unless I can brave the heat one arvo! The model aircraft club have access to the lake and seem to park in the middle of the wide bit, there is still plenty of room but you have to go further south! If you are just static flying it is probably worth staying in the area near the entrance. Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted December 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2011 I am heading down to the salt lake again Sunday morning, will probably be there from earlyish. The wind has improved from a pure southerly to a SE. So hoping it will come round a bit more. I guess the models air-planes will be down there again, but looking at the wind shouldn't be flying that much! will have to head past them. Still hoping the new kite may arrive today! So I can give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bones Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I had my first experience in a buggy yesterday thanks to mr gum-nuts, much appreciated. Unfortunately the wind was a bit fickle, so only a couple of decent runs and a couple of turns before the kite stopped pulling. I guess it is better to start slowly, but it sure seems like I am missing some of the fun. Buying a buggy has now been bumped up my list of priorities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Glad you enjoyed it Hamish, it is highly addictive! The very provisional forecast for next Sunday is looking promising! http://wind.willyweather.com.au/wa/pert ... ngham.html so if you come down you can have another go. I am still hoping for Wednesday or Thursday if the new kite arrives and I can get a day of work - think I maybe coming down with something (cough, cough!). Was thinking of your suggestion about the club thing - Perth Kite Buggy Association? May look into it a bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goz Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Congrats on your first buggy run, I'm sure it won't be your last. PS. Don't forget to check out the XK weather as well http://www.extremekites.com.au/weather.html?a=WAPERT or build your own custom weather page http://www.extremekites.com.au/weather/myweather.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKS Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I am still hoping for Wednesday or Thursday if the new kite arrives and I can get a day of work - think I maybe coming down with something (cough, cough)! Got the day off tomorrow (and its legit!) so will be heading down to the salt lakes to feed my addiction! And it's going to be windy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bones Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Was thinking of your suggestion about the club thing - Perth Kite Buggy Association? May look into it a bit more. Apparently buggies are a class of land yacht. Might be worth contacting the Land Yacht club. From their website: http://www.landsailingwa.com.au/the_yachts.html In 1995 a group of Kite Buggy�s joined the club and these members conduct their activities at the Lake on Saturdays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Thanks for the link - I have emailed them to see what the deal is and whether if we become members we can get a key. though you can only drive on the lake when it is dry! The wind for Sunday morning is for light SE's, hoping it will improve as that is the only time I can head down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Forecast for Sunday is for gentle SE's, I will be down on the salt lakes form 7.30-8ish (knowing me more like 7.30!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bones Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Just buying a car today, we intend to be there as well. Might not be as early as you though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 No wind , I'm going to give it a miss! Bones I have PM'd you - hope you get this before you head down there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bones Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 We ended up going a bit later, around 1pm. There was no shortage of wind, the 3m was even a bit overpowered. I was able to do some big slides without even getting fully into the power zone. I also managed a big face plant when I held on too long. Conclusion: Salt lakes are not such good locations for sliding or jumping as a beach would be. [Edit] The wife claims it was more of a face slide, I say it was my hands I was sliding on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Hope you haven't got any injuries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bones Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Just lost some skin on my palms. If that is the worst that happens to me then I will be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tianui Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Ok Guys, I got out there Saturday afternoon. This was the second time to this lake. The first time over a year ago I just headed out from the car park area, and despite having a fair idea I needed to track down to the south end I kidded myself into thinking I could put up my 4.2 CQuad with the freo doctor just starting to kick in, and buggy down to where I thought I should be headed. Trouble was once you get further out onto the lake the wind has much less impedence and "bugger me" I was in trouble. Soon discovered that I was way over powered and very quickly found myself out of control bouncing at top speed through some rather big scary lumps of jagged limestone. I have never been so grateful to crash a kite and snap a string on a snag. After a walk of shame back to the carpark I promised myself I would come back one day and do it right. Well eighteen months later and with my own special lake still under water. (Thanks to the best rainfall in twenty years) I have been reinspired by Gum nuts conversations of the site to give it another go. I managed to tie in with the blowkart boys resulting in a mate and I managing to get our vehicles with all the gear down to the right area. The blowkart club were packing up so after unloading we had to get the cars back to the car park before the big gates were locked.Then snagged a return lift back to the kites and bug. My mate managed to convice me to "open the account" with a 5.5 metre century. This is the kind of trick I usually pull on him. Well "bugger me" I was overpowered again and discovering I can "freestyle" 60 odd kilos of buggy and my own 116 along with it. Fortunately the long road of discovery has brought us to finally hardwiring the the big beast and I was greatful for doing it right. I managed to get back to base in one piece despite my imitations of a heavy lift helicopter along the way. The 2.5 century then came out and was perfect for me but even still for my much lighter mate the 1.8 almost got a christening. As the sun went down the 4mtr Yakuza GT got to spead it's wings in the almost full moon. Such a special boy is the Yak. a bit schitzo but still a great alternative to the century's. As for the location, all I can say is I totally understand why the landyacht and blowkart clubs would "eye" us mad buggers (buggiers) with suspicion and concern. This place is "heaven" !! To have the doctor coming in from the ocean only a few clicks away. consistant and stong was a rare treat for me. My usual lake and Langly Park have almost 20 times the amount of land to cross before arrival. making for a less predictable and gusty exercise. That conisistancy (and strength) means that my smaller kites have a chance to demonstrate why the world speed record was achived with a 2.5 mtr kite. I have never had much chance to use anything but kites in the 4 to 8 mtr range. Which while great fun when they are behaving, can cause some "holy shit" scarey moments when the gusts catch you offguard. Having an opportunity to use the right weapon in the right wind has never been so available to me in over a decade of this passion. Thanks to this location. Bones I hope you didn't get scared off. That lake is as good as it gets, and the surface is Primo! Combinations of traction and crumble for powerslides make it just too much fun. I'm hooked !! The extra drive from home is nothing when the ride at the other end is this good. All I can suggest is get the biggest buggy money can buy, with the widest axel on the market. Put Kenda beach racers on it. Hardwire it up with a PL Prodigy spreader bar and buy as many kites of different sizes as you can afford without the missus finding out. Then get your ass down here when no one's around. A big straw hat and some good tunes on the Ipod. The adrenaline will soon start pumping and all the pieces will fall together. Its just a small combination to find heaven on Earth !! Seeya back there soon Regards Shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Hey Shane, Glad you rediscovered my perfect spot! Hope to see you down there some time - mind you my kit will look pretty pathetic, one kite, second still yet to arrive and a standard PL buggy - but still pushing very close to 60! I will be down there sometime over the weekend - most probably Sunday morning but may get down there some other time if the wind is looking favourable. I am eyeing up a sysmic S1 from Briskites but don't think my budget will stretch that far! see you soon Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denver1229 Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 See ya down there Shane, good write up and got me keen to head out again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 May get down there Saturday arvo, as the wind looks ok - as long as the storms hold off! Will probably be down there Sunday morning as well but the wind isn't coming in until late morning! But knowing me will be there 8.30ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 I got out for a couple of ours this arvo, it was hot! The wind was pretty variable. I will see what the wind is doing in the morning before making a decision about tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tianui Posted January 14, 2012 Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 How good is monday looking ! Yeehaa. I'll be taking the day off and taking the double buggy down to take a swag of kids for a run. 20 to 35 knts. Hope to get down around 3 or 4 and then send the kids home with thier mums late arvo to kick on into the night. Heres a shot of the double bug at home : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2012 I'm probably giving today a miss and unfortunately am working Monday! Would be to much for the flow in those winds. Love the double buggy! My kids will want one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I went down Sunday evening, gusty southerly - really couldn't be arsed with the walk down there so managed to tack all the way to the wide bit. Took a fair bit of work but did it! The flow was over-powered just as I like it, but because of the wind direction didn't have as much room to play in. The clouds started rolling in and I started to worry about lightening - not that I had seen any or heard any thunder. But after a humid day, and what looked like rain on the horizon, I started to get concerned. My wife would kill me if I got struck by lightening and died So after an hour, managed the down wind run back to the car park and packed up and went home! Will maybe get out one evening this week if the wind looks reasonable - but will be hanging out for an easterly or westerly though, otherwise roll on the weekend! Especially if the Core shows up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gum-nuts Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Wind is looking a bit iffy for the morning, - new kite curse! As I now have the core and am hanging out for a decent blow but may head down, in the morning, keeping my fingers crossed that the forecast is off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bones Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 I will head down on Sun morning. Might see you there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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