Fiji

Yes this came up on my youtube feed....just awesome

Well I'm up here at the moment at nananui I ra . Arrived Tuesday had wind for 3 days (5.3 and 5.9) . Got 3 days off (no wind Fri sat sun) then it's going to nuke all week (mon to sat) at 25knts.

How's Vic going boys, windless and cold?

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Sputnik11 said..

KJ said..
Well I'm up here at the moment at nananui I ra . Arrived Tuesday had wind for 3 days (5.3 and 5.9) . Got 3 days off (no wind Fri sat sun) then it's going to nuke all week (mon to sat) at 25knts.

How's Vic going boys, windless and cold?

Its unseasonably hot, 30 dgrees all weekend. And a steady 25kts all weekend as well. And by some freak of nature beautiful 1.5 metre waves at one end of the beach with dead flat speed runs to be had at the other. Its nuts.

Great reply. I'll post a few photos of the conditions later in the week

Arrived back to cold wind less Vic on Tuesday 20th. Had solid wind for a week (12th-20th) at 20-25knts, either 5.3 or 5.9 (I'm 88kg). Over all had 3 days on, 3 off, 7 on. However it wasn't all roses. I tore my rotator cuff in my shoulder loading the last bag onto the scanner at Melbourne airport on the way out, I rested it for the first 6 days, however it was to sore to sail much, hence I only sailed 3 days out of the 10 possible . I took a heap of gear up, however paid the price with heavy bags aggravating an old injury with gear the I don't even need.

It was classic Fiji this year, a few days on, a few off, a week on. All at about 20-25knts

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MrCranky said..
Which airline and what was the extra luggage charge?

Qantas gives you 30kg allowance and can be split over multiple pieces (eg 20&10). Fiji air is only 23kg and charges $50 for over size items (windsurfers, surf boards). The confusing thing is Qantas, doesn't charge for over size baggage, however has a heavy baggage charge for items over 23kg (ie 24-30kg), which most of times gets you any way as a lot of my bags run 25-26kg.

The other item that they get you on, is that it might be a Qantas ticket, however its a Fiji air plane, hence Fiji air says the oversize baggage charge applies - its really confusing and hard to plan for. Hence I got charge $50 per bag.

Virgin have a 1x23kg policy, however you can buy another 1x23 for $55, which is good value. Oversized items don't occur a surcharge as long as you keep to the 23kg. I don't know if you brought an extra bag (ie you had 46kg total) but had a 26kg and 20kg if you would be charged extra. They say max bag weight 32kg and 300cm long (Fiji 30kg and 277cm). I think i'll fly with them next year.

It's really hard to get clarity around this and none of the airlines will help you clarify this.

I wouldn't sweat the bag charges, there's more to be gained in finding the cheap flights which normally come out in Feb/March. Avoid booking late if occurs in school holidays, ticket prices will double. We got some good prices last year $1782 for two Adults and two kids, this year didn't get our A into G fast enough and it cost another $900

Nice sailing George.

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MrCranky said..
KJ,

Thanks for the explanation. Is it possible to get away with 4.2/4.7/5.3 + 86L board (I'm 70 kg) in Fiji? (TBH, I can't be bothered anymore with anything bigger even in Melbourne). Do you use one of those all-in-one bags to carry your kit?

A better option would be a 4.7/5.3/5.7 provided your 86L is a quick board (FSW or free ride) and can carry a 5.7. 90% of the time I seem to get away with a 100L board and a 6.0 and a 5.3 (but not always)

if you get onto google maps and type in nananu-I-ra island you'll pick it up.

We stay at Bethams, a nice place, but basic and good value. self catering.

Predict wind, is quite accurate up there as John (the man behind the site) goes up there quite regularly

Yep