This info is great. Thanks all...I like the sound of Wet Willy World, in Vietnam, but the idea is to escape the frigid QLD winter, so Fiji also sounds good. ( thats assuming the Vietnam season is the same as summer here???) 
the BBQ at the Sail rack was the site last year of a Candle and lamp light BBQ of the fish steaks from Celia's WAHU, and Geoff's Barracuda. fish steaks the size of a huge eye fillet
in Sheryl's special marinate.
Life is meant to be this good. I now have to salivate till August.
Beautiful Manly. Rose bay is delightful this time of year for light wind freestyle.
You live on a boat don't you Richie? I suppose a cruise up to the Whitsundays is out of the question?
here's a potential unexploited windsurf/kitesurfing spot i'll try to check out this weekend or next week depending on when the tropical storm hits our area...written by none other than an ozzie: ww1.tools4fools.info/Philippines/CuyoREPORT.html
I've sailed at Nananu-i-ra (Fiji) and at the Cocos. I really enjoyed both a lot. I stayed at the Northern part of Nananu-i-ra where there was another backpackers place. It used to have a windsurfing set up too - but that was gone when we were there. Good place ot sail. It honked all week. I took a 5.5 and a 5.0 from home but the last day I couldn't sail it was so windy. The diving is also amazing and you can do both in one day easily. Problem is - esp if you are looking at DIY on this island - I don't know if this resort is still going. The Northern part ofthe island is supposed to be being developed as a Hilton - multimillion dollar time share etc. How do you wreck something perfect? Sigh.
I checked out Warren's palce while I was there and he has a really good set up and seems a top bloke. His area is shallower and tidal though so you have to go when the tides up. Bear in mind too that this is all flat water sailing. If you want waves they aren't here.
The Cocos is also phenomenal. I went with the Pelly Point guys years ago but I bet Jez also does a great job. It is a strange place - not in a bad way - but not at all a tourist destination. Stunning islands. Great diving. I was learning when I went there and very happy woth the flat water sailing - I know it is possible to wave sail as well but didn't try it!
The flight to Fiji from PErth was amazingly cheap ($520 return on a Virgin special) - plus - evidently they only count an additonal item of sporting equipment as 5kg of luggage. Flying to the Cocos wasn't cheap when I did it, but accomodation wasn't too bad.
Jericoacoara info
flights from $2250 (aero linhas) fly to Sao Paulo Brazil, then you need to get a domestic flight to Fortaleza (Tam or Goal) from around $400 one way. Next is the transfer Jericoacoara (4wd or bus) from around $60 one way. After after 32 hours you have arrived.
Hi Hendo
A lot has changed on the island recently..... I have been here for the past 18 years...
Nananu Lodge closed in March 2007, where you stayed. The big resort on the island (on my boundary) and where i stayed for the first 10 years also closed last November. Both these properties were bought by a Property developer from NZ. Not much has happened in respect to any progress with their development on the ground, apart from closing those two properties...so no changes yet..whew!.
Safari Lodge is on the windy beach and the safe beach, as it has a cross on-shore Wind direction. We have NEVER done a rescue in over 18 years of operation..not bad!!
We have also just opened anoter 20 beds bringing our total to 40 beds, in a variety of accommodation, from the original 3 year old Lodge, Beachfront Bure, Ocean View Villa, Mango Tree villa and funky Mango Tree Villa. The Mango Tree Villas are spoecifically for clients wanting to experience the simple life...share rooms and private rooms, but with a view to die for!! Wake up, roll over and check out the howling wind!
I'm not surprised your 5.0 was too big..i have a 4.2m rigged, actually i have 3.3m through to 7.0 rigged for guests, but often love a ride on the 4.2m
Our winds are between 15-25+ knots....so get ready for some FANTASTIC conditions!
Fiji is a lot warmer and windier than Sydney where i am from....during those winter months...
If you want Professional Windsurfing Instruction, it is available every day and specific Part Instruction (afternoon sessions) dedicated weeks are also available..come on over and improve your skills....
email me warren@safarilodge.com.fj or PM me if you have any queries..
Rgds
Warren Francis
Thanks for the update Warren,
I must say I did think that if nothing else good comes out of the most recent of Fiji's ongoing coups at least it might put off the property developers...
I dropped the devlopers a line to see what they were planning last year or the year before. Pretty OTT. No cheap windsurfing at that place! Such a shame.
I know what you mean about the sailing from the northern beach - a bit dodgy if the wind drops. It doesn't seem to do that much though!
Good luck with your place. I'd like to get back sometime.
I just got back from Fiji
Stayed at the pearl south pacific hotel, i did not expect to find much windsurfing equipment at the resort but they did have some gear. 2 x Naish Titans, 110 litre and a 141 litre with Naish sprint sails. The equipment was in good nic and they are looking at getting more equipment from what they said to me. The resort is about 2 1/2 hours south of Nadi. The first day there was about 15-20 knots SE which is perfect for flatwater. I wish there was a 7.5 sail there because it would of been perfect blasting.
Plenty of other stuff to do there when no wind - white water rafting, zip lining, reef snorkling and Frigates reef is directly 12 miles out for the surfers. There is a back packers not far from the hotel for eye candy for the singles!
GC MOZ
My next trip to Fiji i would be looking at the Safari lodge to get away from the mainland of Indian taxi drivers and reckless drivers.
Sounds like alot of guys have been to Fiji for good flatwater sailing. Does anyone know where to go wavesailing in Fiji either on the mainland or one of the islands (apart from Namotu which is out of my pricerange)? Preferably somewhere with a resort for the rest of the family. Any decent wavesailing down at the Coral Coast which is easily accessable?
Any info greatly appreciated.
hi cheer cheer,
go stay at walu beach resort. its pretty cheap, and theres heaps of activities for the family to do. plus you can really piss the surfers off by jumping in a boat with them, and going out to namotu and then windsurfing it. i did that a while ago and had a great time. sailed for a week straight with a 4.7m and 72L wave board. forget about the safari lodge deal. the gear is rubbish, the accomadation is below par and theres a fair amount of BS talked by the owner. Winds are pretty inconsistent at nananu-i-ra. would also highly reccommend vietnam for the other part of the year. that place rocks!
Hey Guys,
Check out the Neilson holidays
www.neilson.co.uk/beach/greece/cosmos-beachclub
This resort is in Greece, 499 pounds for two weeks, which is only about $1000 at the mo, includes return transfers to the UK.
So all you need is airfares to get to the UK!! My wifes been on one a few years ago and said it was awesome. Her Sister and family go every May. Warm, windy, and every type of sail and board you could want to use!!
Think we'll be flying to the Uk next year to visit the family, and come home via Greece!!
www.surfclubkeros.com/
if Greece is your kinda thing check out the link above. Some you you WA crew might remember Rick the greek. wee he and his crazy mates have started up their own windsurfing resort.
I spend over a week hanging out in greece with the boys who are running the school last year and i had an absolute blast. They also have picked the windiest spot in the greek islands aswell.
check it out!
