Yesterday (Friday the 13th, my birthday) there was a north Easter on the coast.
There where whitecaps at fishermans where I launched from. I used a 12m sail, formula board and a kashy k70xsT8 fin. Launching at fishermans is easy except when the surf is huge.
I was planning easy on this gear.
There was a big catamaran working its way up to pittwater so I lined up with it but the formula board was heaps quicker so I turned around to check out the lee side of long reef headland.
The downwind was super nice I didn't stop until I ended up at dee why rock pool before I worked my way up again staying just outside of the breaking waves.
The best fun I had was at butter box. I hadn't sailed here before. Chris at windsurfnsnow told me the name of the place.
There is no wind chop here just swell wrapping around the headland, a few surfers in the breaking waves. With my large fin and race sail I didn't want to get near the white water but I couldn't help myself I was getting closer and closer. The formula board is so quick that I could sail away from danger fast. The water is so clean you can see the bottom easily, lots of see life.
We should do some racing there. There is lots of grass to rig and parking.
Has anyone done gps sailing there?
Regards Justin
Justin, the ButterBox section of LongReef is not particularly deep. You'd be surprised to see the rocks below at low tide on a flat surf day. It's certainly a good wavesailing & surfing spot when the conditions are right - but not for deep finned formula boards! LongReef can look fairly benign on a small swell off-shore wind; but it can get very 'gnarley' and very unpredictable in a strong SouEaster.
Hi Ayre Force 1
I went back for more yesterday, the wind was lighter. I met a kiter he measured the wind with his device thing at 7-9 knots.
A glider fell out the sky, i think he clipped the cliff!! he was OK. Lucky! Westpac rescue chopper came by.
This place sure looks dangerous. Formula and breaking waves dont mix, I hear you. I was generally keeping my distance.
Yesterday I went flying in on some waves then gybed but couldnt get back on the plane to escape, I felt trapped. Luckily it flatten out and I slogged further out to deeper water.
The day before (fri 13th) I was sailing out in open water then the water started suck from under me!! I could see the reef getter closer!! and a wave started forming in front of me from nowhere! (unpredictable as you say) I was a moment, luckily I had some pace on and I was quickly up the wave and into the air away to safety.
My fin is a special fin made for me in the US. It hydro foils quickly and I can push really hard on it without stalling. I love this fin its probably not worth the risk sailing at butterbox but its such a rush.
I was on the headland watching you on Friday and you were absolutely smoking - amazing board speed! You must have been 1 km out running parallel to the coast.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for that.
Yeah I think the most impressive thing about formula is the light wind sailing. 
The strong winds are also impressive, the downwinds are like being pick up by the hand of god and thrown across the ocean like a skimming stone. Its a bit wild, I find myself trying to slow it down!
I need to get some slalom and speed gear.
Sounds epic Justin. I'd be up for an ocean sail on formula if conditions were ok. Don't want to play on the reef just cruise some swells.
Heading down to Clontarf this arvo(Wednesday) if your about Justin? Not a bad sail there yesterday and some nice runs running with the swell just past Grotto point there. Your sail last wk though sounds awesome!
Thanks for the PM guys.
Ads and I are talking about doing a coast run. Anybody interested in that?
details aren't worked out yet but it would be something like
Launch for Fishermans at Long Reef headland and sail to Manly.
I can park my van at Manly to drive sailors back to their cars at LReef (so max 6 sailors)
I might be able to use one of the MHYC rescue boats to follow the fleet. I have a boat licence. I can take photos and video.
We need small swell and light onshore winds for formula gear.
Hi guys,
Could everyone who is doing this ocean challenge please send me your contact details?
I have a question
MHYC said the rib is too slow for formula boards they suggested a Protector RIB.
I rang around a few private owners. No luck. Still trying. But they would want petrol money at least.
Super yachts charter them but do we want to pay?
Long reef to Sydney harbour is prob only a hour sail maybe two.
I broke a mast way offshore one day. I derigged and paddled in with the mast. It really sucked but I'm still kicking.
