I am hoping to find some good water to sail on during my visit to Ballina. Flatwater is the go as I have only been doing this sport for a year. Have picked up a little info about Shaws Bay but was hoping to get some more local knowledge if possible. Are there many local windsurfers in that area?
Not much flatwater around Ballina. I would recommend Clarks/main beach Byron Bay
in a NE. In Ballina you can sail near the (east) Ballina bridge if it's NE or strong southerly.
It gets a wave on lower tide with decent swell although probably not really safe on your
own.
Otherwise maybe head to Yamba, try this link:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/Lake-Wooloweyah-near-Yamba-NSW/
Thanks for the feedback. The open water/ wave breaks are a bit beyond my abilities as I have only been sailing for about a year. Was hoping to find some clean water with a consistent breeze. Will see what eventuates when I get down south in a week or so.
Hi Mark,
I grew up windsurfing in Ballina (about 10 years ago now).
I would sail at the Richmond River Sailing club (yellow cross) in SE-S & W winds. Fairly easy to sail although the tide runs quite quickly so need to keep that in mind if the wind is running with the tide.
In nearly all other conditions I could sail in north creek (orange cross) launching at the serpentine although low tide can expose sand banks and become shallow in a lot of spots.
As tomp mentioned, the other side of the bridge can be a bit tricky as the tide can be strong and it can prove hard to sail back to shore where the wind is sheltered in a NE.
Thanks Owain. X marks the spots. Hopefully I will also find others out sailing while I am down there.
heading down to Ballina lakeside this Xmas.
Is shaws bay there any good for the kids and mrs to play around on a beginners kit?
Does it get the NE?
Thanks
Select to expand quoteBento said..
heading down to Ballina lakeside this Xmas.
Is shaws bay there any good for the kids and mrs to play around on a beginners kit?
Does it get the NE?
Thanks
Perfect for beginners, I honestly cant remember how much wind comes down in a NE but there would definitely be some towards the southern end which is easily accessible from the car park in the middle.
