went to Port Kembla yesterday. was very gusty and strong at times but there were some nice waves coming through especially early on. Just Paul and myself out. Do you guys rate this spot? What are the other options for westerly wavesailing locations?
went to Gerroa a bit this summer so it felt a bit strange riding waves on port tack
Boat harbour at the Nrth end of Wanda is a possibility - not sailed it myself. Where did you launch from for Port Kembla?
Sailed boat harbour yesterday, there was just about no swell getting in so not much fun tide was way too low aswell. Good flat water off the beach though, might try tomorrow if the wind is up.
Will have to give Port Kembla a go soon sounds lke it could be fun, how big were the waves there on sunday?
Birubi was good 2ft+ waves, wind got a bit crazy around the middle of the day. 8 sailors out.
set up in the car park at the northern end of the beach at the base of the headland. waddled the gear a few hundred metres up the beach and launched from there. looked like the waves were a bit bigger further south. i think they were about 3-4ft in the sets (i'm not the best judge!) where we were and dropped as the day wore on.
Birubi sounds good. Does that work in West and North West?
Sailed Port Kembla on Sunday with bastion, we launched from Port Kembla surf life sailing club of cowper st at the far north end of the beach that starts at Windang. Swell was about 3ft to start but dropped of a bit as afternoon wore on. The wind seemed to bend around to the south about 50m of the beach if this is possible!! Seemed to be dead ofshore when we alunched but more cross shore when we got out a bit so not sure if wind was West or Sout West, but it was definatelly all over the place, if onlly more consistent would have been great!! Where is Birubi/ how far from Sydney, is wind at all consistent there and is dead West the best direction.
Also had a look at belambi on saturday which looked awsome while the wind blew nor west, which was'nt long! The break of the swiming pool must have been 2-3 meters, way bigger than i've ever sailed!! Has anyone ever sailed there, whats it like?
sorry mate no pix.
Was too excited to see wind and waves after Saturday's sizable surf !
Headed straight for Samurai first thing for a surf and then around to Birubi. Helmet cam/s and other cameras were left at home in the rush to get down there for the surf first thing 
My mates surfed the bombie of the breakwall and reckons its a really good wave. I think it needs a little east in the swell for it break right though.
I don't think it's really that bad unless the swell is big. I've watched it a fair bit and if it did go tits up I think you'd be more likely to end up on the rocks than on the break wall. You're right Whyner, I think it works best in an easterly swell, however it also looks ok in a NE swell.
SundayRoast - Peggys is the rock/reef break south of Sandon point, straight out from the sea pool. Most people usually park in the car park opposite the soccer club and then launch up in the southern corner. It can be pretty variable wave wise and it at its best on an easterly swell with a S or SE wind with a lowish tide.
It was dead flat yesterday so I went and sailed at Towradgi, a few fun waves to be had there, although a little cross on.
In my opinion its the most consistant westerly wind spot on the east coast and its a swell magnet.
I agree with ma, I had a pretty full on opinion that the midwinter event should remain there but for one reason or another it has been moved to port kembla. It's meant to be similar set up to to barubi so we"ll see I guess. I'm now hoping for a huge southerly so we move to windang. Fingers crossed
Birubi went off both Friday and Saturday. As CJW said it was not even a foot in the Gong but we had 2-4ft on Fri and 2ft Sat. I was on a 4.7m both days, no problem. Sure it was gusty at times, but mostly windy - very windy. People were busting aerials and doing sic cutties everywhere. It was swinging WNW and still very manageable. Oh and we had a total of 14 sailors over the two days (and one silly kiter), all local except two...If Birubi gets dead west wind you can be sure it blows. We had a mixture of WNW and still got awesome conditions. From what I hear Port Kembla is more a SW spot. So if you want a genuine Westerly spot, hit Birubi. As far as sharks go the place can get some, but the water was crystal clear on both days and I didnt see one. The local surf club holds nippers comps up there every wknd and you never hear of any attacks do ya....oh yeah, Brett Goodwin was up there early Sat morning with a big smile on his face (ripping too), it must have something going for it.
I agree that Port is definitely more of a SW spot, it's pretty cross off....like CROSS OFF when it's westerly. It's a really good spot in a SW'r though if the swell hangs in.
Believe me shlesghet I was arguing pretty strongly that the comp should remain at birubi but some clown put it foward at the agm that the event should move. Due to the fact there was Noone north
Of Sydney at the agm and plenty of people from south coast when it was voted, port kembla was voted in. That's democracy I guess. But don't worry shcleher they have a kiosk at the beach down there as well
Actually I think Port K is more of a westerly spot than a SW spot.
SW'rs are just more reliable than straight westerlies (as they would be anywhere).
I've had some cracking sails there when its dead west. Probably same cross-off angle as Gerroa (but opposite tack). SW is still great, but not quite the same.
If it was SW I'd go somewhere else anyway.
Having said that, I would still put my money on Birubi to turn it on at any stage during winter. Awesome place. Definitely a swell magnet (sometimes too much of one).
Would be pretty even though when it comes to finding aggro locals at the nearest pub.
But if the comp is to come down here, my tip is don't base your accommodation at Gerroa.
Make the most of it, stay somewhere like Shellharbour. Explore all the other surfing/sailing spots that you have probably never sailed/surfed/seen.
You'll have all the sailing spots you need within a few mins from there.
Don't just turn it into another "bum around Gerroa and go to the Fishos" comp.
This is just my 2 cents as I wasn't at the AGM, nor do i currently have any voting rights. I just make a lot of sense.
I've had a couple of good sails at Birubi and on one occassion been swamped with Korean tourists who wanted a photo with "surfing star man". I've had two hardcore sails as well. It almost went off the scale for a great sail at last yr's comp but there's a major duty of care issue when it gets difficult during a sanctioned comp.
I really like the idea of trying some new spots - turning up and the place goes off....like the first time I sailed Gerroa!
its a bit like "the search". So I'm looking forward to what Port Kembla has to offer. I've heard vague rumours that you can't leave valuables visible on & in the car?
Easterlies for the rest of the week... mmm can't sail anyway, too many deadlines
