Located on the eastern side of the Gulf of St. Vincent in South Australia, Semaphore Beach is protected from ocean swell by Kangaroo Island to the South. Inshore depths of up to 15-20 ft. for the average kite run producing a short chop with a bit of variety of wave structure. Combine seabreeze with incoming tide and there is a 3-5 knts current.
Launch and land paradise. Long wide beaches as far as the eye can see that are relatively unpopulated when the wind is blowing. Easy car parking anywhere off the Esplanade. Wide nature strips,(grass), for packing up and a large barrier dune system in between. Some beach showers and hoses. One long jetty in Semaphore. Semaphore Beach is part of the Adelaide Metropolitan coastline, one long beach extending from North.
Spring, summer and autumn is the best with the summer seabreeze being the best pattern at 15-25kts S-SW. Longest fetch is to the S-SW and 20-30kt storms can kick up quite a surf. Typical summer seabreeze pattern is 15-25 kts in the afternoon. Best conditions are cross-on, cross shore.
This area has a risk of bans due to the city location - more kites and more people. Summer of 2005 saw strict bans in place and a designated spot near the surf lifesaving club. However wind 2006 saw a relaxing of the bans to just must be members of the Australian Kitesurfing Association (AKSA) which really is important anyway. In the summer months with the hooking sea breezes we stand to loose access from uncontrolled kites and riders. Rules are: Keep a safe distance from others down wind when launching - this is the most commonly broken rule and leads to the most incidents. Get out on the water and stay out until you are finished, do not kitesurf close to shore unless you want to kit a swimmer, remember there are small children in these shallows. On light wind days, do something else or sit and enjoy the beach, DO NOT FLY YOUR KITE IN MARGINAL WINDS ON THE BEACH! - not only is the kite likely to fall, there are always more people on the beach on these days. Always have a launcher and lander for your kite on busy beaches. Find a less crowded spot, don't show pony for the crowd. Remember it is everyones beach, but no one wants to be out the back in the deeper water, except us, so get out there and we will have no problem.
