Curios as to how many of you guys get to sail after work during the summer months. The decision whether to come and live in Perth is going to be based on whether the number of sailing sessions you get in out weighs the costs of living in Perth. Just don't want to leave one rat race to come and work in another one.
On another subject, I need to get myself back over to Perth soon and have been thinking for a couple of years how I would like to do a 3-4 week windsurfing trip up the West coast. I am no hardcore wave sailor, but I suspect there are breaks where I can get stuck in without getting mullered?
I would also prefer to do it with a few others rather than alone, but being a 'Billy No Mates' I am finding it hard to find others who would potentially be up for it. Was thinking January 2014
Thanks
The trouble in January is finding any waves at all, Summer is low swell season.
There's usually the odd day with reasonable waves, about a week after a big storm near Africa.
But I have seen a month go by here (Mandurah) without anything bigger than knee high, (but the swell isn't picked up very well here).
The outer reefs at Lancelin are a bit more consistent, and you won't lack for company, the same goes for the Geraldton area.
I sail after work. Lots of people I know finish at 3-4, we just start early. In winter, plenty of people will find an excuse to get out sailing any time of the day as well.
I get on average 80 odd sessions a calendar year (my worst season was last one at 67, best one was 100+ in 2010). My sail use is something like 5.0 (35%), 5.6 (35%), 4.5 (20%) and a 6.5(10%) (I hate the 6.5). I need a smaller sail but can't justify the $$. If you like sailing on bigger kit - you'll get out a fair bit more as there are lots of 12-14 knot days.
You need to be dedicated though - it adds a lot of stress to your life, esp. if you've got kids. I wouldn't go through the upheaval of moving here if you couldn't sort yourself to sail after work. Often there are seabreezes all week then nothing on the weekend.
Hi mate
On average in summer 3-4 + days a week if you use slalom kit. In winter generally 1 decent front each 1-2 weeks however just recently we had an 8 week gap of no action.
Cost of living in south eg safety bay, rockingham, baldivis etc pretty good and only 5-10 mins from water. Access to CBD on train 35 mins.
We relocated from Melbourne 9 years ago and would recommend it 
We have a small but very regular group of locals at safety bay which generally means that someone will be out to sail with whenever there is wind
Select to expand quoteflanagaj said..
Curios as to how many of you guys get to sail after work during the summer months. The decision whether to come and live in Perth is going to be based on whether the number of sailing sessions you get in out weighs the costs of living in Perth. Just don't want to leave one rat race to come and work in another one.
I wouldn't live here unless I could sail after work. I think if you want waves after work in the summer that will be difficult (lack of waves in Perth). But if you are into slalom/ freestyle its possible to sail everyday day its windy. As others have said its all about making arrangements so the process is easy. Its unfortunate here there is no daylight saving, which would massively help sailing after work. Just have to get into work an hour early.
Also contrary to what others have said the weekends are just as windy as the weekdays - especially if you are able to travel up the coast I would say you are guaranteed to find something most weekends.Select to expand quote
On another subject, I need to get myself back over to Perth soon and have been thinking for a couple of years how I would like to do a 3-4 week windsurfing trip up the West coast. I am no hardcore wave sailor, but I suspect there are breaks where I can get stuck in without getting mullered?
There quite a few easy spots where you can't get 'mullered'!Select to expand quote
I would also prefer to do it with a few others rather than alone, but being a 'Billy No Mates' I am finding it hard to find others who would potentially be up for it. Was thinking January 2014
Thanks
You won't be alone there are lots of other sailors at these spots!
Al
I start early and can usually fit in a quick sail after work 4-6, otherwise extend the lunch hour and have a sail during lunch if work allows. Trick is to drive everywhere with your car fully loaded with all your windsurfing gear just in case 
On the marginal days it often does not kick in til 4pm anyway. Plus it swings more cross to slightly cross-off late in the day so often the best wavesailing is 5-6pm. Do it.
You can sail after work all year round if you dont mind winter but the summer is awsome and highly rated come on summer!!!!!!!!!!!
This post is seriously making me rethink things. This year in the UK I have had the grand total of 5 sessions! This has been down to a lack of wind and working in London making evening sessions in the week a no go.
Are most firms in Perth quite flexible regarding starting early / finishing earlier? Only reason I ask is that I work in IT and that might make it difficult to get off at 4pm.
With 6 months of cold weather and the prospect of sailing in sub 10c weather I am chomping at the bit to burn the 5mm wetsuit and get over to Perth. I sailed Lano when we came over 3 years ago and whilst I sailed out towards the reef, my balls were not big enough to go for it, but it was a great place.
Select to expand quoteflanagaj said...
Are most firms in Perth quite flexible regarding starting early / finishing earlier? Only reason I ask is that I work in IT and that might make it difficult to get off at 4pm.
Most larger multi national firms have head offices based in Melbourne or Sydney that are generally in summer 2/3 hours ahead due too daylight savings. This means for some firms greater flexibility with rostering and the opportunity to start earlier and finish with enough time to get a quick arvo session in
If time on the water is important too you Perth is the place too be 
As a 'profeshonul' I have always found it really difficult to get off work at 3pm. You know we Aussies are among the longest hour workers in the world:
www.theage.com.au/business/small-business/all-work-and-no-extra-pay-20091117-ikcf.html
OK if you are a tradie, on the job at 7am and all done by 3:30pm. But IT? I think more difficult.
So no skiving off around here. The conditions are against you. The mining boom is deflating rapidly (www.perthnow.com.au/business/breaking-news/aust-jobless-rate-58-in-august/story-fnhrvfsf-1226717563213), the house prices and rents are way inflated (although coming off too), and if you can get out the door at 4pm, it takes nearly an hour to get to the beach, because the traffic sucks.
And the drongos who comprise the majority won't allow daylight saving. And then there are the other drongos:
Geez Marv way to go chucking a downer on it.
CBD to Cott is 15mins if it is windy 
We had a La Nina last 3yrs, it will improve. Ocean ain't warmer now....
and that girl in the pink dress is around somewhere...
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Geez Marv way to go chucking a downer on it.
Maybe we could trade Marv with Flanagaj?
His whinging would certainly fit in over there.
Select to expand quoteMarvin said...
As a 'profeshonul' I have always found it really difficult to get off work at 3pm. You know we Aussies are among the longest hour workers in the world:
Maybe your the wrong type of 'profeshonul'
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Geez Marv way to go chucking a downer on it.
If you are in an office the trick is not to expect to get away every day at 3pm, work hard when its rubbish, and then leave early when its really on. You will probably find that even sailing just weekends all summer, and finding a fair amount of surf all winter, that you will just pick and choose your summer evening sessions anyway. Just do a quick hour on the city local spots after work mid week, and just make sure you got clearance when its firing.
I'll get a sail in everyday after work i finish at mid day cu on the water boys [:
Select to expand quoteseanjones said..
I'll get a sail in everyday after work i finish at mid day cu on the water boys [:
not sure if some of you guys are walking to work?? if it takes 90 mins for you to get sailing from the CBD then probably worth reviewing your route... trains are good
if you want maximum sailing without getting up early
1. park car at melville around 7:30
2. cycle to work (15 mins)
3. shower and work
4. finish at 5:00
5. cycle to melville (15 mins)
6. windsurf for 2-3 hrs
7. drive home
There is no where else in the world, that I am aware of, where you can sail so easily after work, in warm windy conditions, in a place that has an abundance of jobs.
If you are really keen you can sail in the morning too, before work, in the easterlies, off Applecross.
I head to woodmans pt from the city every day its windy, which is quite a trip, but the conditions are worth the extra 30 mins drive and its stronger wind.
Also to counter another of Marvins points whilst the demand for our resources has dropped its definitely not over, especially with Abbott in charge!
Al
Sorry but I also just read this article:
www.theage.com.au/business/small-business/all-work-and-no-extra-pay-20091117-ikcf.html
Not sure about others experiences, but this is as far from the truth as possible!
Average workings hours are actually very low, and people are generally very well paid.
www.brw.com.au/p/sections/eco/australians_overpaid_and_under_productive_7jlnVyIhsWYAYoZcDrH2nN
This quote made me laugh '''In an economy where unemployment is rising, overwork is an obvious area for government to address,''
... yes... where unemployment is rising, but 5-6% is a very low unemployment rate...
Select to expand quoteMarvin said..
As a 'profeshonul' I have always found it really difficult to get off work at 3pm. You know we Aussies are among the longest hour workers in the world:
longest hours no way and not the hardest workers either
As a professional working in the minerals industry in Perth for the last 11 years (after previously living in Gero and Albany), I've never had any problems starting early (7.15 ish), and finishing early (4 - 4:30), or even earlier on some days. Even a 4:30 finish still leaves penty of time for sailing.
As a manager now, I couldn't really care less when my staff work, as long as the job gets done and everyone communicates successfully. Plenty of our guys start around 6:30, and finish before 4pm, but that is mainly to beat the traffic as they live up in the far northern suburbs (Little Britain = Joondalup through to Clarkson).
I work in IT in the CBD every day, i start at 7 and finish at 3.30 and always get plenty of sailing after work in the summer.
I live in Padbury and door to door taking the train it takes me 30 minutes so i'm home by 4, on the water at pinnaroo usually by 4.30 so its definitely doable!
Select to expand quoteAlimac23 said..
I work in IT in the CBD every day, i start at 7 and finish at 3.30 and always get plenty of sailing after work in the summer.
I live in Padbury and door to door taking the train it takes me 30 minutes so i'm home by 4, on the water at pinnaroo usually by 4.30 so its definitely doable!
Select to expand quoteAlimac23 said..
I work in IT in the CBD every day, i start at 7 and finish at 3.30 and always get plenty of sailing after work in the summer.
I live in Padbury and door to door taking the train it takes me 30 minutes so i'm home by 4, on the water at pinnaroo usually by 4.30 so its definitely doable!
That gets you almost 4 hours of sailing!! Should be enough :)
