I just arrive around newcastle from Europe , where i use to windsurf.
I m actualy looking to buy the all gear.
looking for around 100l board more freeride and 4.5 to 6.5 sails (just 2 sail i think) less gear as possible.
I of course don t know about the spots to windsurf around here.
I don t specialy want windsurfing by myself as i don t know the places and danger, and would be happy to get to know people sailing in the area, get to know the few spots where usualy people go.
Is there a windsurf club in the area ?
A windsurf shop ?
where could i buy some cheap wetsuit around here ?
i will also regulary send some time around hawks nest.
cheers
Cyrille
Welcome to Newcastle, some great spots around here.
some info here: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=50277
Also here: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?rss=1&whichpage=-1&TOPIC_ID=61889
Also check out www.boardcrazy.com.au I bought a good second hand board from them some time ago.
Also check out wssboards.com.au/ based in sydney but it won't cost much to ship stuff up.
Hawks nest is a great spot too.
You looking for flat water / bump & jump or wave sailing?
Gday Cyrille, hope you enjoy your sailing around here. We have a club at Marmong Point (on George St) that meets on Saturdays at 1:30pm. We do organised Formula racing, plus slalom when the wind is good enough. Feel free to come along and say hello one weekend.
I have a couple of questions for the people who are on the east side of the lake. Was having a look around TheWindMap and found the spot launching from next to the Swansea caravan park:
thewindmap.com/wiki/index.php/Swansea_North-Australia_%26_New_Zealand
1) Is this the fabled "sand islands" sailing spot? 
2) How deep is the water? Is it very tide-affected? Can you safely run a 36cm+ fin across the whole area?
3) Does it only really work in a NE for speed runs? Too choppy in a westerly?
4) is this where all the kiters launch from? I have seen a lot of kites in that direction when sailing from Coal Point.
As much as I love my local spot at Marmong (and the rocks and razor fish), i'm always on the look out for somewhere new to sail.
cheers
james
James - yes this is the (fabled) sand island spot.
Its tidal - so can vary in quality - its no Sandy pt but is ok in a NE - not sure about anything else - you would struggle to get a clean run at 120 deg for any great length - beam reaches ok - port tack probably gives you a better chance at getting deeper but the southern end starts to gets a fair variation with wind swinging around the point.
Back in the early 90's, I sailed there often - the wind seemed to take a little longer before it kicked in compared to the point - but then when it did I always felt it was a little stronger. (and you could get the lovely smell of avgas every couple of hours from the airport)
Slalom racing would be great down there 
- as for speed runs - its our best spot that I know of - but I think a slalom board would be the go - to much chop for a dedicated speed board
James, I sometimes sail there in a Westerly. There is one channel that is parallel with west wind and has a sandbar on the windward side which creates a very smooth surface. You can sail very close to the sandbar in water about 1m deap. As for your fin, you will be fine when it's mid-high tide. Even on a waveboard there are some spots you have to keep an eye on. Give it a try, Im sure you'll like it.
Be careful sailing Swansea Caravan Park. I sailed there a month ago and hit a shallow sandbank and dislocated my shoulder. That was with a 22 cm fin.
About 20m out past those yellow markers on the right hand side of the photo. As I now need an operation after sailing there, I wont be sailing there again.
Thanks for the words of caution Ralph9. Sorry to hear about the shoulder injury. ouch.
What do the yellow markers just out from the beach indicate? Shallow water? Or some kind of restricted swimming area?
cheers
james
I think they are marking out a speed restricted zone for boats, so its safer for swimmers. Its the sort of area where you need to take it easy, ie sailing fairly slowly, out of the straps and harness until you have a reasonable idea where it is deep enough. This would depend on the tides too.
The markers are for powerboats to know it's a swimming area. When its a westerly, there is no-one else around except the odd windsurfer. So don't worry about colliding with a swimmer. The sandbank Ralph9 hit is always there and can be cleared on high tide. Any lower tide you can sail around it. Next time I sail there I will try and get some video footage to show you guys it's is a good spot, that is safe. In the photo you can see shallow water to the left. We noramlly gybe here and head back another 200-300m of very smooth water. Give it a go, you will like it. (the only sandy bottom area on the lake and you can stop in knee to chest deep water to have a rest)!
Yeah it looks like a great spot. There were no windsurfers there on the day I took the photos. A few kiters were kiting to the right and going behind an island and back.
The sandbars are a worry but once you know where they are it should be okay.
On the day I took the photos it was a very consistent and strong westerly. We went for a drive up to the northern end of the lake and the wind was gustier and weaker there. On the same day were I normally sail, at Narrabeen lake the wind was its usual gusty self, ie 5 to 30 knots in 30 seconds and swinging about 20 degrees in the gusts.
G'day all,
I sail at Swansea caravan park quite regularly when either the wind doesn't suit coastal sailing or the waves are a bit out of my league.
In my opinion it is the best place to sail in the lake and works in all wind directions except SE'sters. I agree the major issue are the sandbanks. They are easily spotted on a nice sunny day in a north-easterly wind, but when its cloudy in a westerly (with increased chop and a bit more of a muddy appearance) you just have to know where they are from previous experience.
The best thing about the place is the sandy bottoms (only a couple of areas with shells/weed), and the sandbanks (once you know where they are). When you know where the waist deep areas are it is a great place for learning new tricks as you can fall off a hundred times and just jump back on and try again. Much less tiring than water-starting.
Download a photo of the place from google earth and go out there on a sunny day to familiarise yourself.
Of course, if you just want to blast along in straight lines and not get wet then you can do that anywhere.
