Hi everyone,
not being from Sydney originally and only recently upgrading from goget to my own car I am trying to get an idea on where to sail on Westerlies. The NSW wavesailing website (nswwavesailing.org/spot-guide/) was gold in summer but now with the wind turning westerly I am struggling on deciding where to go.
It would be important for to understand where not only where to go but also where to park, launch and spot specifics (weed fin requirements etc.). Also, are there other spots? Which ones do you prefer? Can you do/launch at Rose Bay? Watsons Bay? Point Piper?
Ill give it a go, please add - all the newbies in the area will be very happy about your help :)
1. Foreshore Road
Direction: W
Parking: The Lookout
Launching: ? I suppose right next to the Parking Spot?
Notes: Only works if going parallel to Landing Strip. Flat water
2. La Perouse
Direction: SW/W
Parking: End of Anzac Parade
Launching: Off the rocks at the north west corner
Notes: Rocks are sharp, Launch from beach possible but boats in the way
3. Kurnell
Direction: NW/W
Parking: Prince Charles Parade x Balboa St
Launching: Right next to parking off the sandy beach.
Notes: Choppy. Kitesurfers. ? Wind meter readings seem to high?
4. Lake Illawara
Direction: W, SW, S
Parking: Grassy area next to Bundah Pl, Primbee
Launching: Right next to parking spot
Notes: Weed fin required.
? can you launch from another spot to be in deeper water and not bring a weed fin?
5. Palm Beach / Pittwater
Direction: ?
Parking: ?
Launching: ?
Notes: ?
6. Lake Macquarie
Direction: W/N/E (just guessing)
Parking: ? Balcolyn for W or E. End of Queen Street? (just guessing have not sailed there)
Launching: ?
Notes: ?
7. Wollumboula Lake
8. Sanctuary Point
9. Jervis Bay ...
I am thinking of primbee, i dont have a weed fin, can i get around with my 34 wave fin?
Select to expand quotebenyip said..
I am thinking of primbee, i dont have a weed fin, can i get around with my 34 wave fin?
I went there in a southerly and was kindly lend a weed fin. Would not have enjoyed it without one.
However, i'd say you could do it, but that will require a long walk through the muddy weed into the middle of the lake in a southerly (I think there is a yellow buoy when it gets deeper). Might be possible to maybe launch somewhere on the northern end for a westerly, but not sure.
Can only comment on certain spots for this weekend or westerlies. Locals will help out with other spots.
Palm Beach/Pittwater.
W to WNW is gusty (this direction is gusty everywhere) and comes down the Hawkesbury. W comes over West Head and is dead onshore. runs can be had from north of the sea plane HQ down to golf course end. Lots of traffic with kites and seaplane runway in the sailing area. Usually clean water and nice rigging with toilets and taps.
Parking needs a Pittwater sticker or its about $6 to $8 hour. usually very crowded with tourists and "Summer Bay" watchers. Rangers are ruthless.
Launch straight off the Pittwater side of Palmy.
Narrabeen Lake (aka Lake Dangerous).
Works in W to WSW to SW. Very very gusty, wind comes down over hills. Wind can go from glass to 35+ bullets. Around the 15-20 knot range its fun with decent runs upwind under Pipeclay Point. Can be very flat if your lucky. Short runs.
Once again Pittwater rangers don't mess around. Get a ticket or you will be fined, $77 a pop. Lots of grass to rig on with toilets, taps etc. Very popular with families and BBQ'ers, most have no idea.
Launch is easy, usually side shore. Be very aware of shallow spots, ask the locals. 40 knot runs have been done here. 
Hope this helps.
Thanks
I also find information from sanctary point
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/Flatwater-sailing-at-Jervis-Bay/
Paradise beach is the place to launch in west, but it is bumpy from what i understand
Select to expand quotebenyip said...
I am thinking of primbee, i dont have a weed fin, can i get around with my 34 wave fin?
You could do it with a wave fin but you would need to stay well out in the lake. Your just as likely to hit bottom as you are to hit weed. Make the investment and get a weed fin as this place is one of the best for westerlies. Free parking and lots of room to sail even with the ever increasing kite population, It normally gets too windy for them anyway and they disappear. You may find it daunting to begin with due to how shallow it is but you soon overcome this and find yourself chasing the shallow flatwater. You can launch from the yacht club and stay in the channel but the runs are shorter and there's no protection from the wind while rigging, And your board tends to get banged around on the cement at the launch spot while getting in and out.
Buy a weed fin and come to Lake Illawarra.
Select to expand quotebenyip said...
Thanks
I also find information from sanctary point
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/Flatwater-sailing-at-Jervis-Bay/
Paradise beach is the place to launch in west, but it is bumpy from what i understand
You can sail it in a westerly but it is very choppy, You just wouldn't drive past Primbee to sail Sanctuary Point in a Westerly. The more south in the wind then this is the direction to head. Once is goes SW-S we head this way, Sanctuary Point is best in a Southerly. SE to S or SW Wollumboola is excellent, The more south the better but depending on depth a weed fin is needed. Callala Bay is also excellent in a southerly but gets some big wind swell in a decent southerly. Gerroa also works in a SW or Westerly, Just can be gusty as hell and there's rarely swell to go with it but when everything lines up it's good.
just go to primbee in a westerly :)
Someone will always lend you a fin if you dont have one yet.
2 km long runs - one of the few good places you can do a NM without a gybe :)
The atmosphere is always so good down there and the locals are friendly.
Also works a lot better in a NW than foreshore drive
Boat Harbour
Wanda
Woolwich - South side between cockatoo island / I've also sailed the North side of Woolwich road, don't know what it's called
Select to expand quoteMr Milk said..
Nobody seems to have mentioned Dolls Point.
Can you sail Dolls Point in a westerly?
Select to expand quote
Narrabeen Lake (aka Lake Dangerous).
Works in W to WSW to SW. Very very gusty, wind comes down over hills. Wind can go from glass to 35+ bullets. Around the 15-20 knot range its fun with decent runs upwind under Pipeclay Point. Can be very flat if your lucky. Short runs.
Once again Pittwater rangers don't mess around. Get a ticket or you will be fined, $77 a pop. Lots of grass to rig on with toilets, taps etc. Very popular with families and BBQ'ers, most have no idea.
Launch is easy, usually side shore. Be very aware of shallow spots, ask the locals. 40 knot runs have been done here.
Hope this helps.
Following on from Larko talking about Lake Danger. Here is 35 seconds of one speed run I did about a month ago. On the second run I stack it really viscous
I spun out then trip on the rail and then went down hard hook in at about 30 to 35 knots. My back bend around the waist harness and went crack. I thought at the time I had broken my back !! Under water I opened my eyes and through the murky water I saw the white harness lines unhooked myself and pulled myself up for air. I tried to pull myself onto my speed board so I could keep breathing. I was completely zapped of energy and couldnt breath and felt like I was going to spew. I was floating there and then extended my legs and I could stand then!! But all in all It was a scary stack.
Narrabeen is pretty good but you probably wouldnt drive a long way for it. if i have time Foreshore rd is my pick
Select to expand quoteJustinL said..
Narrabeen Lake (aka Lake Dangerous).
Works in W to WSW to SW. Very very gusty, wind comes down over hills. Wind can go from glass to 35+ bullets. Around the 15-20 knot range its fun with decent runs upwind under Pipeclay Point. Can be very flat if your lucky. Short runs.
Once again Pittwater rangers don't mess around. Get a ticket or you will be fined, $77 a pop. Lots of grass to rig on with toilets, taps etc. Very popular with families and BBQ'ers, most have no idea.
Launch is easy, usually side shore. Be very aware of shallow spots, ask the locals. 40 knot runs have been done here.
Hope this helps.
Following on from Larko talking about Lake Danger. Here is 35 seconds of one speed run I did about a month ago. On the second run I stack it really viscous
I spun out then trip on the rail and then went down hard hook in at about 30 to 35 knots. My back bend around the waist harness and went crack. I thought at the time I had broken my back !! Under water I opened my eyes and through the murky water I saw the white harness lines unhooked myself and pulled myself up for air. I tried to pull myself onto my speed board so I could keep breathing. I was completely zapped of energy and couldnt breath and felt like I was going to spew. I was floating there and then extended my legs and I could stand then!! But all in all It was a scary stack.
Narrabeen is pretty good but you probably wouldnt drive a long way for it. if i have time Foreshore rd is my pick
Nice slingshot Justin!
