Hi All,
Just recently moved for work from Melbourne and now living in Gladesville. Been cruising around checking out a few places, yesterday decided to go up to Pittswater and around to palm beach. Ended up arriving late so didn't get out but Pittswater looks fine, wasn't sure where I would be able to rig up and on the other side it was way to rough. I'm a beginner so I prefer the flat water for the moment, any ideas of places I should check out?
Thanks
Welcome to Sydney.
From where you are based you have several options.
Botany Bay or in particulay Kyeemagh right near the airport runway for sea breezes in spring and summer, flat water inshore. Also works in southerlys but is very choppy.
On the northside you have Palm Beach on the Pittwater side in sea breezes as well, nice and flat and protected too.
Also Narrabeen Lagoon has flat water pretty much all year round and works in most directions. Western end for nor-easters (sea breezes) and Bilarong reserve for winds from west around to SE. best is WSW for flat water speed runs but very gusty. Straight south is crap.
This is only a couple of spots, once youve been here awhile there are heaps more around. We are a friendly bunch and Sydneys only windsurf shop (Windsurfnsnow)is at Collaroy.
Hope this helps.
the northern end of Botany Bay, kyeemagh, if I'm right, is a good plaec to get started. See you there one weekend
clontarf is tops in a SE protected just watch out for the boats travelling in and out
balmoral in a NE not as good as botany but closer
again be aware on race days !
palmy is great S and NE NW and short flat runs in a W u just need a high tide or your walking in knee deep mud and watch out for sting rays
see ya on the water
leo
Welcome to Sydney.
I recommend you have a look at Iron Cove Bay which is in the Five Dock/Drummoyne area, so it is not far from your home.
The Dobroyd Aquatic Club has a sailboard division if you are into long boards and they are keen for new recruits. A nice sailing club in a great location. A good spot to learn as you are surrounded by land on 3 of the 4 sides. They do have a Saturday morning beginners/introduction to sailboarding thing available. Recommend this if you are a real beginner.
If you prefer short boards, the Kyeemah Airport runway area would be OK but I did learn short boards at Iron Cove Bay, as you could not be blown out to sea in any wind.
Good luck.![]()
Grossy,
You are well located at Gladesville to travel around Sydney. Most sailors tend to sail north or south of the Harbour Bridge due to the traffic and travel time. This time of year is not much good wind wise although there will periodically be some big southerly changes (20-30 knots) and they can last for 2 days and a few other wind directions in between.
On a positive note the surf has been great this week and the water is still around 22-23 deg. No need for a wetsuit! I have been at a course all week ![]()
For a Sydney summary go to www.nswwavesailing.org and find the section at the bottom of the home page. I think it says 'guide to wavesailing NSW' or similar.
How often did you sail Port Phillip Bay?
Ay guys,
Cheers for all the suggestions and tips much appreciated as a newcomer, yesterday went to botany with the intention to just check it on my way to pick up the girlfriend from the airport. After seeing a few guys out there I decided to join in, turned out to be a great day in the westerly, high tide and warner waters, as a space cadet ended up forgetting my boom in the car park because I was in a rush back to the airport. I like the idea of Iron Cove Bay, joining a club and getting out there after work, what's the deal for the booties ? sharp rocks or junk lying on the bottom?
Already copping **** lol, man I have never done that before, leaving my gear,, should stop talking to others and concentrate getting all my gear in the car first. Conan, going to have to miss it for tomorrow got the removalist coming up in the morning with my furniture from Melbourne **plus i'm missing a boom** . Also talking to a few guys at Kurnel, one guy mentioned Darook Park in Cronulla, what's people thoughts of that area for beginners, worth travelling? not fussed at the moment travelling around and exploring different spots.
With windsurfing in Melbourne, I would only go to spots on the bay and varied going out from every second day to twice a week depending on what was happening, I would normally hang around Altona but also spend sometime around Mornington.
New locations is all part of the 'fun' right?
Don't sweat re gear, I've left things behind many times both at home (my wife!!!!) and the beach. Left my wallet at home the other day and was in a rush to get there and got stopped by Police after they could see me speeding away!
10 minutes less sailing time but at least I got off with a warning. Woohoo.
For Rodd Point.