(Ideally not a 30 hour flight.)
I can waterstart, but not much else.
Is Maui windier than Melbourne that time of year?
Vietnam?
Is Boracay really a dump ( windsurfmaui.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/boracay-an-island-of-extremes/ ) ?
Hi cranky
Maui is pretty windy all year around. See this graph for month to month average number of windy days.
actionsportsmaui.com/maui-wind-graphs/
The water is warm and the people lovely.
Summer is windy in melbourne which is great. Maui will have more windy days in a month. But you could be unlucky.
Given the choice, I would hang around Victoria for christmas and go to Maui when winter comes in Melbourne
New cal mate !! 3 hours flight, french food, windy every day, hotels straight on the spot. Friendly sailors and kiters not allowed in the bay.... how good is that ? 
Select to expand quoteseanhogan said...
New cal mate !! 3 hours flight, french food, windy every day, hotels straight on the spot. Friendly sailors and kiters not allowed in the bay.... how good is that ?
Will there be wind? Where to rent gear? Do I need a car?
three rental outlets on the same spot "anse vata" : MDloisirs does Naish gear (inc sups), Aloha (sup and windsurf) does JP/Starboard and Pryde and Sp8ce does RRD/Loft
the first two are on FB if you look them up.
all hotels on the same spot too, from 2* to 5*.
Rental car only needed if you want to go sightseeing.
We've been having 15 to 25 knts every day over october and xmas holiday is our best season.
I have been going to WA for at least 2 weeks every Christmas and it has accelerated my learning. I don't think I would be as comfortable sailing if I hadn't done this.
The bonus is that its relatively cheap, depending on where you stay. No worries about peak season airfares going crazy, and accommodation costs are not too bad.
Edit: I think at your level, a lot of places can be a bit intimidating. In WA, I think Geraldton or Lancelin are probably a bit much, but sailing the river or Safety Bay are probably much more realistic.
You can rent gear off of the beach in Lancelin, and the river. The other places you need to take your own, or rent from a place like 2nd wind in Perth.
Select to expand quoteFormulaNova said..
I have been going to WA for at least 2 weeks every Christmas and it has accelerated my learning. ...............
I agree, go for Safety Bay - WA, it's excellent for learning and plenty of wind. There is a camping place not too far. You can rent in Perth if you fly there.
Select to expand quoteFormulaNova said..
I have been going to WA for at least 2 weeks every Christmas and it has accelerated my learning. I don't think I would be as comfortable sailing if I hadn't done this.
The bonus is that its relatively cheap, depending on where you stay. No worries about peak season airfares going crazy, and accommodation costs are not too bad.
Edit: I think at your level, a lot of places can be a bit intimidating. In WA, I think Geraldton or Lancelin are probably a bit much, but sailing the river or Safety Bay are probably much more realistic.
You can rent gear off of the beach in Lancelin, and the river. The other places you need to take your own, or rent from a place like 2nd wind in Perth.
Hi nova
Where do you go in WA?
Does it have nice shops and restaurants to keep the lovely wife entertained?
What is the water tempature?
I get two weeks off each Christmas as well. Maybe I'll take the family over
Select to expand quoteYuppy said..
Hi nova
Where do you go in WA?
Does it have nice shops and restaurants to keep the lovely wife entertained?
What is the water tempature?
I get two weeks off each Christmas as well. Maybe I'll take the family over
Hi Yuppy, we go to Safety Bay. Its a brilliant place to sail if you like flat water, wind, and want to practice your gybes. There can be a few kiters there, but they seem to be getting better.
Water temperature? You are in Vic, so by comparison its tropical! I always use just rash vest and shorts, and even one of my mates that feels the cold does the same.
There are shops in Rockingham, and restaurants. It seems the restaurants are getting better each year.
When you do run out of interesting shops in Rockingham, its not a bad idea to head to Perth which is not too far, and if its a no wind day, its good for a day trip.
You can also sail on the river if you need a change.
Trouble is, you get spoiled for wind, and just might find that you don't want to sail the rest of the year!
If you take your gear, Qantas offer the better deal for per-piece gear. It might not be so important on the way there, but on the way back, you will need all that space for all your new/second hand boards.
Thanks mate.
I never thought of going to Perth. Might have to book for next year
Select to expand quoteYuppy said..
Thanks mate.
I never thought of going to Perth. Might have to book for next year
I started going because a guy that was running a trip to Fiji also ran a hire place in Safety Bay. He said Safety Bay was better. He was right.
I think this must be about the 8th year going back... Maybe I need a change!
Ahem. Although I can waterstart, I'm not the fastest (and definitlely can't do flipped-over board, clew first, fin first - I need to swim around, gybe the sail first, etc..). So... how is the shark situation in Safety Bay? I heard there are bull sharks in the Swan River or is that bull****?
There is sharks everywhere, they are more scared of you than you are of them. Just go sailing farken heaps. Sounds like u can afford it so just go somewhere flat n windy.
Select to expand quoteMrCranky said..
Ahem. Although I can waterstart, I'm not the fastest (and definitlely can't do flipped-over board, clew first, fin first - I need to swim around, gybe the sail first, etc..). So... how is the shark situation in Safety Bay? I heard there are bull sharks in the Swan River or is that bull****?
I have never met one. I am about as paranoid as anyone else about them, and in the pond itself I wouldn't expect to find one. I think all the kiters dropping their kites would scare them off 
I am more worried sailing in Botany Bay than Safety Bay. I think the consistency of the wind at SB makes me a bit more confident. Also, you can sail from the shore to a shallow sandbar, jump off, turn around, and go the other way, without needing to water start at all if you don't want to.
First pick would be Inverloch. Good runs in smooth water with a few good eating places and not too far.
If you wanted more reliable wind then Safety Bay would be excellent. The thing I miss about sailing in WA is the clear water. You get a real sensation of speed as you pass over small banks of seaweed etc. The dining etc is excellent in Fremantle and the shops etc are a bit different with lots to look at. If you stayed in Fremantle you could probably leave the Family there for the afternoon and sneak off for a sail without much hassle, I think it is about 30min drive to Safety Bay. Lancelin would be fine also it is always that 5 to 10 knots stronger up there and very easy to sail behind the reef and you get a long run before you even get close to the break. Not that much else to do up there though.
