Hi,
We have an opportunityto be holidaying at Smiths Lake for Xmas, Staying at Sandpipers cabins apparently its right on the edge of the lake. Also Wallis lake is near by as I look at the map of the area.
I haven't been there before, so my wife the kids and I we are really looking forward to the break.
So has anyone been there and is the lake windsurfable???,
Wondering if Anyone can give me a preview of what to expect up there.
Hanging out for your replys. Thanks
Adriatic Blu
Been there and sailed quite a few times. Very very sailable in Nor easters as well as Southerlies. Wallis Lake up the road is also really good and much bigger than Smiths lake. You'll end up with a bit more water traffic at Wallis and most likely will have Smiths to yourself. You can sail quite easily in the surf at Elizabeth Beach also and cruise across to the nude beach. Not too much surf on that beach so it's a fairly gentle introduction to surf sailing if you haven't done it before.
Hope you have fun :)
Smith Lakes is a great place to sail for ultra flat conditions!
For Smiths a lot will depend on the level of the lake, they open it up to the ocean occasionaly to let it drain out because when it gets to high it causes local flooding, so at its lowest there is only a small chanel on the western end of Sandpiper that is sailable. The Sandpiper tourist park is a great launch spot, although offshore in the predominat NE'er, this won't be a problem due to the shallowness of the lake at that location (most of the time you can walk it home if you have to).
Take a weed fin you'll need it for Wallis (not a huge problem) and it will help if Smiths has been drained and is very shallow.
You'll have a great time sailing straight from the Cabins at sandpiper - and no need to derigg an added bonus!
Wallis Is also great. If you launch from the boatshed you will need to walk out a few hundred metres to get any sailable depth - the sailboard school there has plenty of water activities to keep the family happy - they can even have a sailboard lesson or two from Chris or Gaby. If you drive further toward Forster the sailing club (still on Wallis) has deep enough water straight from shore. In a good NEer Wallis can get some nice ramps out in the middle so enjoy.
Someone mentioned the other day that the water level was quite low atm. So while it's a great spot for easy relaxed sailing, you will only get very short runs. Give Sandpiper a call to check on the conditions.
If launching from the sailing club at Wallis in a nor-easter you can sail up towards Green Pt for as long as your legs will last. If you need a breather just hop off, its usually around chest deep and an OK bottom. The big sand bar downwind at the sailing club is also reassuring for anyone learning as you can just drift to it and walk back.
The only downside I found is finding someone to sail with at Wallis, not many windsurfers around.
Watch out for the big goanna's at the sailing club, not dangerous but scare the crap out of you when they wander out from under your car[}:)]
Hi all,
Thank you for your replies. From your replies the place sound awsome and really inviting. We can'nt wait to get there now we are counting the DAYS TO LEAVE.
Thanks sick_em_rex, DavMen and ka43 for all the spot to venture to and have a sail at nothing better the first hand experience from you guys who have been there, thats great thanks again will be trying them out.
It also sound that my wife who has been dieing to have a first time try at sailing can give it a go at wallis lake from Chris and Gaby
and if the kid start to misbehave we can always threaten (feed )them to the goannas.
Thats again all for the info
My only concern from waitingforwind and DavMen is this water level of the lake drained??? is it safe?
Adriatic Blu.
If you go up to Sandpiper (had many a drunken weekend there) we have found that the lake out front is pretty terrible except in a strong SE. Very gusty in any other wind direction.
HOWEVER! There is the 'super secret spot' on Wallis Lake which is (a) very picturesque and (b) great for sailing in just about any other wind direction but SW.
Where is it? Hm difficult to describe but here goes (ring me if you can't find it or understand directions 0403 076 653): take the road from Smith's lake up to Wallis Lake. Go by the turn off for Bluey's, near the Reccy Club. Keep on going around until the LAST BIG TURN before you get to the Christian camp thing and entrance to the coffee shop. There is a dirt turn off with gravel there. At the back of it is a fire trail and about 150m of slow driving down you get to a clearing (we were there 3 wks ago and a local had kindly whipper-snipped the grass away) right on the nose of the point sticking out into the big lake. Flat bottom. Waist high. Picturesque. Perfect! Even non windsurfers love hanging out there while you fang around. Just beware snakes if you wander off into the long grass and bush to take a pee - makes lots of noise.
happy sailing! Take a big board and 7m sail in case of light winds - or just rent one from the boat shed there - they have all recent RRD gear. Very nice.
Cheers
John B
Dee Why
Hi Adriatic Blu,
Can you give a report on the level of the water in Smiths on your return.
Have sailed there many a time and also stayed at Sandpipers and had a great time.
This year we are staying at the caravan park as the dollars would not stretch.
When you ring the park and ask is there water in the lake they say yes but when you get there it is ankle deep.
A detail level of the depth from a fellow windsurfer would be much appreciated.
The channel outside Sandpiper is fun but it is great when you can sail right up to the caravan park.
They empty this lake out to the sea every two years to let the fish stock out. If we have king tides in that time it sometimes does it by it self which upset the level.
Cheers Itch
Hi,
I have just spent some time at Smiths Lake. Let me say that the place is a super spot.
Stayed at Sandpipers Lodge, the place if very children friendly and a relaxed atmosphere.
The lake is nice and warm it is opened to the ocean at the moment and is tidal so you can walk to the sandbar beach side from Sandpipers.
I sailed there every day some days just float around, wind ranged from 8 to 25 knots. 25knt two days out of 15 and the rest averaged at 8-12knots. Would be nice everyday at 20knts but when on Holidays and so close to the waters edge any wind was great.
If you are interested to holiday at Smith Lake I would recommend the area without hesitation. There are so many other places to see, We also had a day at seal rock, walk to the light house the kids loved it and another day at celito beach and Forster was on a 20minute drive so my wife had her shopping fix so we all were happy.
Here are some photos of our holiday experience, hope it will encourage you, and take a break and enjoy the place too.
Walt.
How to pack a car with the lot thanks.
This is the front view from our balcony purfect for rigging
Having a great time with my son on the lake, sailing that day was on the plane
Santa came to town the kid loved it lollies and all a real great time
The balcony was very usable ate breaky dinner all out side and the sail was always rigged ready to go and out of the sun
The kids loved the lake very safe and warm and shallow
My Beautiful family at celito beach we had a great time.
I hope the photos are okay
Thanks for the Pic's.
Brought back memories of when Johno use to run the 'Blown Away Weekends' up there.
The lake was low from the caravan side to the sandbar, which was alittle frustrating because sailing from Sandpipers to the caravan side we had to stop at the point otherwise we could of sail thru top the sandbar. I guess that's the advantage of those kite sailor that were screaming over near the sandbar in 1foot of water.
If we had half a foot of fin we would always spin out I think.
Hopfully the channel closes soon a the rain fills the lake up then it will be awsome.
We are planing to holiday there again in May.
Hey Walt thanks for the pictures you bet me to it, what a great place hope your avaliable to get up there again in May with us. The wifes had a ball which give us more time to sail if there happy.
