DrWind Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Hi All, I'm new to posting on the site though I admit I have been 'stalking' ExtremeKites for some time. I am a self-confessed addict when it comes to various kite sports, and have been for close to 15 years (snow kiting, kite buggying, landboarding, kitesurfing, kite skating, and more recently foilboarding - and some KAP and KAV). Thanks to all members for years of fascinating posts I wanted to let everyone know about a new kiting spot I've found in metro Melbourne. I figure new spots rarely emerge in the residential area so it's worth a post. The location is Spring road Dingley - easiest entry point I have found is just near the intersection with Seaton Drive. I have been kite buggying there the last two weekends and have loved it. From what I can tell it is best on a NE or SW wind, yet there is enough space for it to work in any direction. You get undulating hills with reasonably flat grasslands (possibly flat enough for landboarding, though I haven't yet tried). It would be roughly 300 metres wide by 750 metres long. It looks and feels like the old Windows desktop picture. The only challenges for now are that all the boundary fences haven't yet been removed, and there remain some landfill gas removal obstructions that are far enough apart to be reasonably easily avoided, but would not be good to run into. Given the variable terrain there are plenty of challenges (variable pitches and variable wind strength depending on your position). I hope to see some of you there, and also hope everyone will keep safe and respectful of the site as this could become a great communal pace for kite users to meet - especially for people who live in metro Melbourne. Happy kiting! Dingo, nigel, Crackers and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakersdozen Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Thanks @DrWind. Looks interesting. Had a quick look on google map. Is it private property? There was a for sale sign I noticed, but that could have been me looking at the wrong spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhn.holgate Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Any chance of a google maps reference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakersdozen Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 As far as I can work out its the grassy area behind here 243 Spring Rd https://goo.gl/maps/jKXFnnoEW1q jhn.holgate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWind Posted July 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 The locals tell me it is zoned for public parkland. Looks like this is the case as there are some pathways going in on the East end and the grass has been mowed (though it is still a little bumpy underneath). It was a tip so I believe there is not a lot they can do with the land until it has settled. Main occupants at present are dog walkers, but there is plenty of space to share! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Joel Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 @DrWind any chance you can grab a photo or two next time you're out there? Keen to see how it has improved, when I used to live in Mount Waverley we were always scouting places down that way to kite in Northerlies and Easterlies, however mostly ended up at Bicentennial Park in Chelsea. We visited the spot you mention but back then it was unusable, so we went over the other side of the freeway to what's now known as "Spring Valley Park." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igeighty Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Thanks for posting this @DrWind, next time you are heading down, post up in this thread ill tag along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWind Posted July 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Happy to grab a pic or two next time I'm there. A friend took some shots on Sunday so I'll see if I can have him pass them across. Perhaps there may be a chance this weekend, though I think the forecast looked pretty wet. I'll let you know igeighty. Joel - I've also landboarded at Spring Valley Park (in my search for sites) though found there were lots of obstacles and the ground was pretty rough. I haven't been back after getting my kite lines caught in fencing! The Dingley site is much better. igeighty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWind Posted July 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Here are some of the pics taken. Sorry about the size - they came through to my email very small. Hopefully you get an idea of the area available. As I said, like the old Windows desktop! It's a pity you cannot see the variable terrain which makes this area quite challenging (and fun). Next time I'll get some video / pics. IMK and jhn.holgate 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igeighty Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 looks like a good spot, with the weather looking as it does, might be a while before i get over for a look. new kite curse seems to be in effect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWind Posted September 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 I managed to take a GoPro on Saturday to give the local Melbournian's a closer look at the site. Hope you like it! https://vimeo.com/183436797 jhn.holgate, Mason D'Alo, IMK and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMK Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 Fantastic vid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakersdozen Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 Great stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northern Kites Australia Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 Awesome spot. Was the grass recently cut or is it always that bumpy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWind Posted September 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 The Grass was recently cut and it was a little bumpier than usual. I think I may have also had too much pressure in my tyres which didn't help either. It's not like sand, but is still quite rideable. Not sure how you would go on s mountainboard (maybe next time!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 I think the SE burbs crew is going to have to have a meet there at some point in the near future!! .Joel and IMK 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWind Posted September 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 If anyone is interested, I'm planning on a buggy at Dingley this Saturday 14th (tomorrow). The wind conditions sound light but ok (Northerly 10-15 knots, possibly pushing 20 knots later). I expect to be there after lunch (around 1pm). I've found the best place to park is towards the north-west end of the park (near Seaton drive). You only need to walk your buggy 100 metres up the hill to get a good view of the park and also launch. Hope to see some other buggies! jhn.holgate, IMK and igeighty 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igeighty Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 This will be great. I will see you there tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMK Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 Bugger, got two birthdays to go to on Sat, otherwise would be kiting. Hope to make it next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igeighty Posted September 23, 2016 Report Share Posted September 23, 2016 is this the spot you are talking about ? if so, see you at 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWind Posted September 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Just a little to the south East from the locked entrance. 20 metres at most. Park on the street and walk up the hill. See you then. Hope it's not too blowy! igeighty and Mez 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mez Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Very windy up here with @igeighty, @DrWind and Maggie Doug just did the best move - up wind turn, backwards roll into a drift down hill back into the wind, then captured the wind again with the 3m PL Hornet jhn.holgate and IMK 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWind Posted September 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Many thanks to igeighty, mezzararty, and Maggie for an interesting (and windy) afternoon. It was great to share the 'buzz'. Cheers ? igeighty and Mez 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mez Posted September 29, 2016 Report Share Posted September 29, 2016 A video panorama of Dingley Reserve https://vimeo.com/184818391 IMK, jhn.holgate, nigel and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mez Posted September 29, 2016 Report Share Posted September 29, 2016 @igeighty at Dingley Reserve - flying the 3m PL Hornet (if I remember rightly, willy weather put the gusts at 20-23 knots) https://vimeo.com/184927608 DrWind, IMK and Northern Kites Australia 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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