am will be taking a holiday over to Townsville way with the possibility of moving there next year for work, an wondering what size kite is the norm over there 90kg male! As you don't get the winds over there as you do in perth where I'm currently living.

awkward customer said..
G'day dude I'm your weight and lived there for a couple of years, 12m and a 138 board was the go for me 90% of the time. There is a really great group of kiters at palleranda beach but definitely try out bushland beach if a northerly comes through it is spectacular!

Yeah I second Bushy Beach. It's very underrated by the locals.

Tottally mate I used to just wear a pair of long skins/lycra tights under my boardies and never had a problem I also never heard of anyone getting stung at palleranda. Apparently Maggie Island blocks them getting to that beach from the north. If anything I was more worried about stepping on a stingray so always did the stingray shuffle when walking out into the water. Hey its not sexy but you know when in Rome.

awkward customer said..
....I also never heard of anyone getting stung at palleranda.

Rare, but it does happen. Happens more often along the Strand due to more swimmers in there. Never the less, it happened to a kiter that went too down-wind into Rowes Bay from Pallarenda, and was whipped by a stinger around the ankles. Yeah.. he was in agony. But it does go after a few hours and ample vinegar application. But then again not all stingers calm down to vinegar. Some work best with hot water. Like I said, it's rare. If you get the chance, go to the ReefHQ aquarium in Townsville, and watch their stinger videos. You'll learn everything you need to know there.

Jellys don't like wind, so when the wind is up they hide in the creeks