Yep. Coming down.
I'll be living in east subs somewhere (ooh la la) so I guess Botany Bay is the most likely location? Where else? Lake Illawara is "only" 1.5 hours away.
...3mm or 5mm wetsuit?
Summer is easy, go to Kyeemagh on a NE or even a southerly.
Winter westerlies are a bit more problematic for Sydneysiders. Many people sail at Narrabeen Lake on big westerlies. I don't really like it there as the wind is really gusty due to the hills and trees around.
A fair few now travel to the lakes north and south of Sydney. As I live on the north side of Sydney I go up to the Central Coast lakes as its about an hour's drive.
Foreshore Road was pretty popular the other weekend Westerly. Maybe 10 out.
Google Maps for Directions.
www.google.com:443/maps?ll=-33.955001,151.194218&spn=0.004245,0.008256&t=h&z=18
Nearmap for a 2012 view.
www.nearmap.com/?q=Foreshore%20Road@-33.954267,151.194132&ll=-33.954302,151.194277&z=18&t=h&nmd=20120509
La Perouse is more challenging.
Check out the thread below for some tips. For waves Wanda can be good or down the coast to Gerroa.
If the forecast remains as is fore the weekend I'll be doing la perouse on Sat and Kyeemagh for Sunday ( looking to be SSW). Both will be very good bump and jump sailing, quite bumpy. My last two SSW sessions at Kyeemagh were on a 4.7m, hoping for a third this Sunday. 
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/New-South-Wales/Where-to-go-this-weekend/
But I dont want to wear booties but I do want to sail at Lake Illawara 
A good 4mm by 3mm suit is warm enough for winter. As a rough guide it won't get much colder than 10 degrees when it's windy, though the wind chill will make it feel colder. The water in the ocean normally doesn't get below 15 degrees very often. Water temperatures in the lakes get much colder.
Panda,
check out www.nswwavesailing.org. It's a great run down for waves & there is a section for NSW.
Botany Bay is good for all directions. Stehsegler did a run down a few weeks ago. It's close from the wealthy Eastern suburbs.
Lake Macq. seems pretty popular these days and Lake Illawarra charges in a westerly (check previous posts for photos of Lake M and video of Lake I).
I can't see the need for more than 3mm wetsuit unless you are going far south coast.
Thanks all. Looks like I'll be in Sydney for 12 months. Look forward to sailing with you.
Leo ya big softie! I was there in my 15 year old ripped up 2/3mm on Anzac day and warm as toast!
that was a warm day mate I'll look forward to seeing how long ya last if the sun is not out :_)
it gets ICY down there see ya sat ;-))) two new fins to try very exited lets hope it blows 35kn +
Call me daft 
but why is the water in the ocean warmer then the water in the lakes? I'm guessing it's something to do with turbulence maybe?
but why is the water in the ocean warmer then the water in the lakes? I'm guessing it's something to do with turbulence maybe?
just got a new NPX assasin F3 wettie, hope to try it out soon!!!
but why is the water in the ocean warmer then the water in the lakes? I'm guessing it's something to do with turbulence maybe?
At the moment Narrabeen Lagoon is quite warm. Ive been doing a lot of SUP race board paddling and its pretty nice. Plus the weather has been awesome.
But I can guarantee after this weekend with rain and a big cold front the water temp will drop dramatically and stay that way until spring. Bring your warmest wettie. 
The bigger lakes like Illawarra and the central coast are getting chilly from what Ive heard.
With the wetsuits you're wearing you could cope with an English winter - 10 degree water temperatures are positively warm. I've been in Oz for 4 years and only managed 2 sessions so far but am keen to try Lake Illawarra now I've seen somew of the content on here!
my 5 cents... after windsurfing in Germany for 27 years before moving to Australia my experience is that the first 4 years I thought it was warm in Winter. I used to sail in a short sleeve suit except for a few "cold days". I thought it was a definite bonus not having to rig in snow.
Things went "down hill" from there... today I am sailing a 4/3 suit with a lined rashy on top. Even that sometimes keeps me warm for only so long.
Then again I believe Australia has the best windsurf conditions in the World. Cold water sailing, flat water sailing, big waves, small waves, light wind, way to much wind, close to a big city, in the middle of the desert. You can find it all as long as you know where and when to find it.
NSW has some pretty good spots that work pretty consist during summer (unless La Nina is hanging around).
Australia... I love it.
