Kitesurfing: Gold Coast / Broadwater

Posted on September 14, 2022  •  3 minutes  • 436 words  • Other languages:  Deutsch

There are several beautiful kitespots around Brisbane that can be reached within one hour or less. One of those spots is located at Len Fox Park in Broadwater at the beautiful Gold Coast. A long stretched peninsula off the shore shelters the spot from the ocean. Therefore, there are no huge waves here and the water is mostly flat or slightly choppy.

Arriving at Len Fox Park, it is possible to leave the car right next to the park. The distance to the actual kitespot is rather short. It is easily manageable to carry the equipment to the small beach. Around high tide the beach is super small and there is only room for a few kites. Many kiters prefer to pump up their kites on the lawn next to the beach, in order to not block the beach longer than necessary.

In northerly and southerly directions the wind blows side-shore in Broadwater and creates perfect conditions for kitesurfing. Today the winds blows with 15 to 18 knots from the south. There are already a couple of surfers at the spot rigging up their kites. The mood is super relaxed and everyone is really friendly. Since this is the first time for me at this spot, I ask some of the locals about potential hazards: a kiter who is just preparing his lines explains that Broadwater is very safe for kiting. There are sometimes stingrays in the flats next to the sandbars and occasionally boats are crossing the waterways. Other than that there are no other dangers to look out for. Kiters should still know what they are doing. After accidents with kiters, there were apparently already considerations to ban kitesurfing here.

After the kite is set I am ready to start. Although it is a weekday and the season has not yet started, there are enough other kiters at the spot and can help with launching and landing. At the beach the water is still knee deep for about 30 meters, but then it gets deeper quickly in the direction of the channel. At the beginning of the session the tide has just gone out and the water is still high and the sandbanks on the other side of the waterway are still covered with water. Here the water is shallow, clear and super flat. It feels like flying over the sandbar.

After the session you can rig down the kite on the lawn behind the beach and let everything dry. Next to the water there is also a public shower to rinse off the saltwater. A perfect kitespot, what else can you wish for?