Hi everyone, I'm a French Rider who just arrived in Sydney after 6 months in Canberra as a student. I'm gonna spend at least 6 months here as an intern and I'm eager to get some information about windsurfing in the area. Just for information, my full nickname is supposed to be Captain H@dock, but the inscription form didn't liked it....
Thanks to Canberra windsurfers (I will never be able to thank them enough for how much they helped me during these 6 terribly long months with mostly no wind in the cold nation Capital the past semester 
) I know that Sydney wind is supposed to be consistent during summer and that the best spot is apparently Botany Bay, just next to the airport.
As I’m going to live in the CBD, I’m wondering about the ways to go there for a car less rider (train, bus).
I’m also thinking about buying some gears, after checking some details among which the fact that I will not own a car. Thus, I have heaps of questions, like:
_ What is the best surface and volume for a unique sail/board combo for Sydney (rider level detailed thereafter)?
_ How much should I expect to sail, considering week days late afternoons and weekends?
_ Is there a shop around CBD (One I can visit using public transportation) and good 2nd hand offers?
_ Is there a place to store gears around botany bay?
Concerning my level, I’ve been sailing for the past 10 years, but I’ve been doing it ‘seriously’ (like planning, heaps of gears in the garage and long afternoon waiting for the wind ) for the past 7 years. I competed in the Defi Wind 2010 last year in France and can usually (with my usual gears) sail from 10 to 40 knots. I was mostly doing freeride in France, some slalom and speed when the wind was strong enough and the spot not too choppy. The only thing I brought to Oz is my wetsuit. I'm aiming at getting cheap gears and sail as much as possible (yeah, pretty incompatible, but the first point is not negotiable...
)
Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance.
with our a car your going to have trouble.
You may be able to join up with one of the yaght club at the south end of botany which may be able to store gear there. the best one to approach would probably be the one at dolls point.
Gear wise you can see either wind surf n snow up in collaroy - which is sadly a bloody long way if you live south of sydney harbour. or alturnatively find Remi who runs an online windsurf store "The windsurfing shed". Remi is an ex french aussie :). if you can get a deal with him he will probably deliver to you.
Look for the demo days held down at kyemah and get down and try meet other windsurfers . may be able to find someone who lives close and can give you a ride .
captain, maybe you could buy a car. Do you have parking in the CBD? Check out any of the backpackers for cheap cars, you could then sell it after you finish up. Have you posted a message on the seabreeze kite forum. There may be a few car-less euros you could get in contact with. even facebook I guess
wind-surf-n-snow can kit you up, anzac ave collaroy.
most sydney windsurfers tend to sail north of the sydney harbour bridge (long reef/collaroy/pittwater) or around botany bay and south (botany bay/cronulla) due to traffic, road tolls and time constraints.
the normal weather pattern will be NE wind (10-25 knots) for 3-4 days and a S wind (20-30 knots) although this is not consistent.
if you get on the water, get people's mobile numbers for next time!
Go see sam up at windsurfnsnow. Heaps of secondhand gear he'd be more than happy to help with. Go on the Internet or you can get a bus from the city. Good way to see northern beaches of Sydney. You won't have any trouble meeting French sailors in Sydney either, seems like about 90% of the population are French at the moment.
Depending on how often you expect to sail, hiring a car/ute/van might be a better bet than buying, given the short time you're here. Cheaper places (there are tons in Mascot) will do a ute for $50-80 a day.
If you don't want to buy a car check out Bayswater Car Rentals on William Street near Kings Cross. If you rent one of their older cars is can be quite cheap but make sure you check the car thoroughly when you pick it up. They are a bit anal when it comes to dents and scratches...
The only rent out Toyota Corollas. If you get one of the hatchbacks you can easily fit a board plus mast and sails inside.
stehsegler, haven't seen your gerroa updates for a while. Have you been working
it's always nice to think about a road trip from sydney
it's always nice to think about a road trip from sydney
Well, thanks everyone for the information. I was at botany bay on Wednesday, so I had a chance to the see the best the spot can do (which was quite impressive). Thanks to those who gave me information and talked with me.
My biggest problem is obviously the car's one, so that's the one i'm gonna have to work one. I'm starting to think that moving to a house close enought to the shore in Kyeemagh might be a solution, and my current accomodation is only for the next 2 months (which are gonna be the 2 most pleasant to sail, sadly)...
Anyway I will be there on Sunday for the Severne-Starboard test.
And no matter what happen, I need a cheap harnest, so If anyone has something like that, seat harnest if possible... ;) (I'm going to have a look at the 2nd and adds of seabreeze too)
