I am taking a trip the SW and am looking for a good spot for windsurfing down there... Margaret River would be almost a bit far, but what is it like for getting launched at say Smiths Beach or Yallingup? Where are the favoured locations?
I will be trying Eagle Bay, but I think you need to get about a km offshore to find wind if its from the SW.
Oh - my standard is a smidge above beginner, I can beach start with a bit of fiddling about, use harness but my best manouvre, as someone said, always includes a face-plant.
The beaches around busselton and geographe bay are perfect for your standard and easy access from the road and not far from dunsborough.
Thanks guys. Sounds like all much of a muchness on Geographe Bay except for that wind shadow from Meelup to the Cape, so I might as well sail near home!
chris,
I lived in the area last year and I would recommend a spot in duns close to the old duns boat ramp for sailing on a SW breeze. Entry is via beach st. You can sail there if it is a strong 20 + knt wind as it is of shore. sounds a bit weird, but if the wind is right there are a few local guys(who are quite friendly) who will be out and can point you in the direction to launch. the runs out there are slalom/b+j. straight up and down the sand bar of the beach and over to the quindalup yacht club.
Yallingup can be sailed easily on a true SW, but a bit harder if SSW. I hav'nt sailed there my self but have talked to guys that have. watched a few dudes out there one day and it didnt look that hard at all. sail across the reef through a deeper part, then hop of at the reef edge, walk across and you will work the rest out when you get to the edge. come back in 50-100m down wind at the beach. over all it didnt look any harder than sailing out from mettams pool north of scarborough.
good sailing
dave
Well, I just got back and thought to offer feedback.
The whole week, wind was pretty much inadequate for planing. I didn'teven bother to rig a sail in Geographe Bay, using the still to go paddling instead around Rocky point to Bunker Bay, the visibility in the water was incredibly good.
When the wind picked up to stir the leaves well at Eagle Bay, I took the gear over to Smiths and Canal Rocks. Wind appeared top be about 8-15 knots in gusts, uat least until trying to use it for something.
Entering the water at the western end of Smiths Beach, there was only 50m to carry the gear from the car and I rigged up with the sail over a low bush to keep it out of the sand. The wind was from SSW, so the idea was to start in the lee and sail out where the clean wind comes off the sea. Swell out there was about 1m peak to trough.
I did the same thing twice at Smiths, and once at the Canal Rocks boat ramp. Tried with the 105 Angulo and with the 150 GO. The 150 gave a good sail, but I did about 100 uphauls on the 105. It really reminded me how far I have to go. It was one of those times when the bystanders are not sure if you need them to call for rescue. The wind was never near enough for a water start.
Still, I was on the water and did total two planing runs - for about 9 hours investment! Back at Peli on Sunday afternoon, I tried to make up for it.
Thanks for your suggestions - basically the wind wasn't enough for anywhere.
Next time I will try Margaret River.
