It is on again,... AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER GATHERING of SPEED SAILING
FANATICS.
SPEED FORTNIGHT 2008.
Join in the fun. From Saturday 27th September 2008 to Sunday 12th October 2008.
at Sandy Point Victoria.
Allan........
Is there a tide table for Shallow Inlet that gives speedsailors an idea of the best window of opportunity for paying a flying visit to put down some numbers? How many hours each side of low tide are optimum for speedsailing?
You can find the tides here: www.bom.gov.au/australia/tides/#!/vic
The inlet is about 1-1.5 hrs behind this - with a storm surge, it can be 2-2.5 hours.
You can speedsail the SW bank at just about any tide, excluding storm surges which break over the spit - however, the channel doesn't start forming until about .75 tide -> its best at about .25 tide and lower, ie: low-tide allows you to sail within about 2 metres of the bank.
The east-bank is good from about .5 tide and lower. The NW bank is good from about .3 and lower - but water depth is not consistent over the length of the run -> you get to touch bottom if you are a local... 
Outgoing tide is smoother than incoming tide (although, everyone wants to sail on outgoing making incoming sometimes better...) - on the SW, the long-wavelength standing waves are smaller on outgoing; on the East-bank, incoming means sailing through up to 1m surf, before getting to the speed run, then finally running into some ferocious short-sharp chop.
You can park your car on the beach until about .9 on a high-high tide - any higher, then you will be driving through salt water, or waiting for it to recede (dont test the height when there is a storm surge...!). The small-high tide is usually safe from car drowning. The rule is, if you see the regulars move their cars, you probably should too... 
Any idea what the temp of the water is likely to be? Is it worth my while buying some booties?
Also, my smallest sail at present is a 5.2, I presume I should be searching for something smaller also???
Sickem, the water will be cold and booties arn,t a bad idea but once your feet go numb you carn,t feel anything any way. Thermals (Snow skiing type) also help under the wetty.A 5.2 will do depending on your size ,board and fin. I run a 5m Koncept on a speedboard with a speed fin without too many dramas and i,m 78kg.Hope this helps
Thanks Kato, I've got some Canterbury skins to wear under my steamer as well as a NP long sleeve titanium rashie thing that I have found to be awesome. I may give the booties a miss as I have never liked using them before.
My board is a 90 litre Fanatic Falcon slalom and I'm about 76kg's so I think I'll pay Sam a visit and see what smaller sails he may have that might suit my needs. Aside from that I'm sure you gave me first dibs on your superseded speed board so I may not even need my slalom board 
Any one needing accommodation for Speed Fortnight need to make a booking with Al phone 07 54380242 business hours.
Hi guys, now that my computer is again working you can also contact me by emal if you require accommodation for Speed Fortnight 2008.
email address can be obtained from web site. caloundra city sailboards.
Last posting was done for me from another computer !!!!
Allan.......
The water temperatures reach their lowest point about now and will have risen a bit by October from about 11 degrees to 12 degrees. 
There used to be a great graphic of water temps at Sandy Point produced by Andrew Watkins at this address but the server seems to be down at the moment.
www.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/~awatkins/temps.html
Pretty good David thanks, back to physio this week for another few sessions. I'm itching to get back out on the water but I don't want to risk anything before going to SP. Bit of a bugger, my soccer team made it's grand final in 2 weeks time but it looks like I'll have to rule myself out for fear of aggravating it again. SP is too important for me
Count me in - just had my leave approved, and permission from spouse - cost me a puppy, which is a small price to pay.
Bring on the gales!
Chris,
Good to see that your coming, do you need accommodation at speed headquarters, we have a few beds left ??, I believe Dan will contact you also..
Allan.....
Thanks Al, not sure yet. I was planning to just watch the forcecast and jump on a plane if it looks the goods any time from 1 October onwards.
