Hey guys,
I'm considering a windsurfing trip to WA from roughly June to September 2010. I know that the wind during this period isn't as consistent as it is during the Oz summer, but I'm wondering what sort of level we're talking about.
I'd be going there to get some proper wavesailing done and I'd be based in Perth and would be travelling North and South to the usual spots (Gnarloo, Margies, Coronation etc.)
Could anyone tell me if this period is suitable for this type of windsurfing in terms of wind/swell?
I'm also keen on surfing when the wind doesn't blow.
Cheers,
Ronan
Ireland
Not worth your time, if you want wavesailing go to a northern hemisphere spot like Maui
This is winter and it can be very windy during this period, especially from Perth southwards, and last year was a particularly good one.
The problem is that it's very inconsistent and you could go weeks without any wind. Winter winds come with cold-fronts and blow almost exclusively from the west, or just either side of it, which is dead onshore all along the west coast making it unsuitabe for wave sailing. There is plenty of swell however!
You are better to delay your trip by three months, then you'll get swell and the thermal (SSW) winds for which WA is known.
I agree with the others.
WA weather isn't very nice for anything else in June-September either, unless you are into wildflowers.
October - February are the best months for windsurfing in WA
If you sail the Irish winter you'll have no trouble with ours temp wise.
And as others have mentioned, there's no lack of swell.
But the strong wind is usually very onshore at all the usual wave sailing spots.
There are a few spots that are side shore in some Winter winds, but not many. There are also a few spots that are just good fun, ie crystals and crazy waves.
There are also good waves that are off shore in a SW, for surfing around the Margaret River Yallingup area.
September can be the start of the season at Exmouth and maybe Gnaraloo, depends how much of September you'll be here.
appreciate the advice, I don't have the option of delaying the trip because of college commitments so that's a big thing. At least it as problems go it's a pretty good one to have!
Happy sailing
I'd do Walpole, Denmark or Augusta in June - August - the westerlies will be cross shore at some places but it will be mast and a half, hollow as blazes, 35kn and you'll be alone.
If thta floats ya boat, go for it 
Sept do Exmouth.
If a round the world ticket costs almost the same from Ireland, why not go to Maui first and then head over to Gnaraloo mid August-September... win win.
You probably won't jag big waves on Maui in June/July, but there will be wind almost daily... and Gnaraloo starts to blow mid August, but you have the chance of some decent swell as well.
So get dialled in at Ho'okiipa and trashed at Gnaraloo.
All the best,
Mark
Mr Redthumbs obviously thinks that westerly is not cross shore on the south coast and that the south coast has no big swells in winter.
Good on ya.
