More wind - but some great kite-boarding

Our hopes for quieter conditions today were dashed so we've remained at anchor with the wind whistling around our ears. The upside of this enforced was the chance to do some boat maintenance, cleaning and tidying before heading out to a sandbank emerging at low tide to watch some amazing kite-boarding.

Our friends Lionel and Irene on the catamaran Kiapa are keen boarders and have more or less made Musket Cove their Fiji home. When the wind is light they go out to the reefs for surfing and when it's blowing they get the kites out. Today it was blowing about 25 knots so we motored out in the dinghy (getting soaked in the process) then anchored to take photos and video of Lionel in action.

Pumping up the wing

Preparing the lines

Launch

Take-off

We were hugely impressed with Lionel's skill - there's a short video here which we think you'll enjoy.

Hopefully the conditions will calm down a little in the morning though the forecast isn't optimistic. More servicing of the winches might be on the cards!