Seeing as both our daughters have decided to live half way around the world (at least in the same country), we'll be traveling from North Carolina to visit them in Melbourne for 2 months (this Dec/Jan). Deciding on what winging gear to bring and what to leave home. Doing a little coastline traveling between Sydney and Adelaide in addition to just hanging out in Melbourne. Figuring on being able to wing in winds from 9-25 knots, including flat water/ downwinder, and "easy" coastal locations. Planning on bringing a single board (Cabrinha Code 5'0"); 6, 5 and 4m SLS Slicks and a few of my Gong foils to cover the full wind range.
If the summer there has a particularly large percentage of light wind days I'm really tempted to bring my kitefoil gear for 7-12 knot conditions, but it's an extra travel bag of gear to lug around..(?)
Was just going to bring my go-to 85cm mast (closer to 90cm actual) and not my 75 cm (?)
Figuring it's not worth it to bring my 3m Slick for winds over 25 kts (?)
Bringing a 3/2 mm full wetsuit, and a 2mm shortie but not the 4/3 (?) Booties (?)
Thanks for any advice/tips/recommendations! Hopefully get to bump into a few forum members..![]()
Seeing as both our daughters have decided to live half way around the world (at least in the same country), we'll be traveling from North Carolina to visit them in Melbourne for 2 months (this Dec/Jan). Deciding on what winging gear to bring and what to leave home. Doing a little coastline traveling between Sydney and Adelaide in addition to just hanging out in Melbourne. Figuring on being able to wing in winds from 9-25 knots, including flat water/ downwinder, and "easy" coastal locations. Planning on bringing a single board (Cabrinha Code 5'0"); 6, 5 and 4m SLS Slicks and a few of my Gong foils to cover the full wind range.
If the summer there has a particularly large percentage of light wind days I'm really tempted to bring my kitefoil gear for 7-12 knot conditions, but it's an extra travel bag of gear to lug around..(?)
Was just going to bring my go-to 85cm mast (closer to 90cm actual) and not my 75 cm (?)
Figuring it's not worth it to bring my 3m Slick for winds over 25 kts (?)
Bringing a 3/2 mm full wetsuit, and a 2mm shortie but not the 4/3 (?) Booties (?)
Thanks for any advice/tips/recommendations! Hopefully get to bump into a few forum members..![]()
Perfect time to wing in Melbourne, it's our peak seabreeze time. We get 5-7 days a week over 13+ knot average but only occasionally over 25 knots. I don't think you'll need your kite gear, with that quiver you should get plenty of water time. Most of us wing Hampton, Elwood or St Kilda in the bay on a Southerly seabreeze, we can get northerlies and westerlies too that time of year but great spots for that too close by. We get some great swell in the bay when it gets above 18knots too.
Seeing as both our daughters have decided to live half way around the world (at least in the same country), we'll be traveling from North Carolina to visit them in Melbourne for 2 months (this Dec/Jan). Deciding on what winging gear to bring and what to leave home. Doing a little coastline traveling between Sydney and Adelaide in addition to just hanging out in Melbourne. Figuring on being able to wing in winds from 9-25 knots, including flat water/ downwinder, and "easy" coastal locations. Planning on bringing a single board (Cabrinha Code 5'0"); 6, 5 and 4m SLS Slicks and a few of my Gong foils to cover the full wind range.
If the summer there has a particularly large percentage of light wind days I'm really tempted to bring my kitefoil gear for 7-12 knot conditions, but it's an extra travel bag of gear to lug around..(?)
Was just going to bring my go-to 85cm mast (closer to 90cm actual) and not my 75 cm (?)
Figuring it's not worth it to bring my 3m Slick for winds over 25 kts (?)
Bringing a 3/2 mm full wetsuit, and a 2mm shortie but not the 4/3 (?) Booties (?)
Thanks for any advice/tips/recommendations! Hopefully get to bump into a few forum members..![]()
Perfect time to wing in Melbourne, it's our peak seabreeze time. We get 5-7 days a week over 13+ knot average but only occasionally over 25 knots. I don't think you'll need your kite gear, with that quiver you should get plenty of water time. Most of us wing Hampton, Elwood or St Kilda in the bay on a Southerly seabreeze, we can get northerlies and westerlies too that time of year but great spots for that too close by. We get some great swell in the bay when it gets above 18knots too.
Sounds perfect. So the kite foiling gear will definitely stay home. We'll be in South Yarra so all three of those sites are close by
. Also figuring that nearby shops will be good for most spare stuff or god forbid, wing or ding repair. Seems like the bay water temps then are calling for a 3/2 wettie (also trying to improve my local lingo
). No idea what "Brekky" was till just the other WhatsApp conversation..So much to learn
Sydney area and down the coast will get up to 25 knots NE winds regular if we get a good summer, Wetsuit top and board shorts.
If you are considering NSW, below is some inspiration for you.
Source: nswwavesailing.org/spot-guide/
South Coast Wavesailing
- 1 to 3 hrs South of Sydney
The Illawarra and Shoalhaven area on the South Coast of NSW is without a doubt the premier wave sailing region in the state, and probably the entire east coast of Australia.
The following guide provides an insight into some of the best spots frequently hosting NSW Wavesailing events, and some lesser-known gems, all within a short drive of Sydney. You could probably sail at pretty much any beach in the area if you weren't fussy, but with so many awesome spots around, why bother with anywhere else? Read on for the pick of the bunch.
Nor-easter WindsOne word..GERROA (Seven Mile Beach. About 2 hours south of Sydney, just south of Gerringong).
This place is a freak of meteorology. Seven Mile Beach is officially known as the windiest place on the entire east coast when a NE kicks in, it is as reliable sailing spot as any. Has a real good knack for forcing E/NE breezes to be NE, or any breeze with north in it for that matter. If its windy elsewhere, its twice as windy here. If there's no wind elsewhere, its still windy here!
Tucked up in the northern corner of Seven Mile Beach and facing south-east, a NE breeze provides a prefect cross-off shore angle.
The waves are smooth and every ride is a long one. The banks are always perfect.
At its best during the first few NE's after a decent southerly swell, but even the smaller days provide absolute perfect wave riding.
A good day here is THE day that you would want as your "Groundhog Day".Gerroa BombieBreaking off the very tip of the headland, this awesome break is ideal in a decent size NE swell. Quite a long sail from the beach but its worth it. Very smooth waves jacking up over a shallow reef with section after solid section. When it's big, it will be barrelling (especially at low tide). It's too far to swim your gear back to the beach, but there is a rock shelf right there that will do the trick. Plenty of dolphins to keep you company while you figure it out.Shoalhaven HeadsIf Gerroa can only provide mast-base high surf, then head to the other end of Seven Mile Beach to Shoalhaven Heads. As the day progresses, this place takes the "windiest place on the coast" title away from Gerroa. And where Gerroa fails to hang onto the swell, the Heads sucks it in and doubles it!
Cross on-shore in a NE it provides epic port tack jumping and backside wave riding. As the wind will often swing further north late in the day, it becomes more cross-shore and can provide some great down the line sailing. The wind will blow its nuts off until well after dark. Guys who sail here regularly quite often use sails under 4.0m.
**NB: Try doing the down wind run from Gerroa to the Heads. Great fun!You certainly don't have to go as far south as Gerroa for great port tack wavesailing.
Several spots further north around Wollongong will have you smiling just as much. NE forecasts in the Illawarra region are rarely wrong.
If it is forecast to be 20 knots for the region, then Gerroa could easily be 35-40 knots.
If you don't want 40 knots, then simply stay north and enjoy 20 knots, and more reliable swell. We are faced with tough choices in this part of the world!If its 30 knots in Wollongong, then forget Gerroa and the Heads (unless you have a 2.0m sail). Try the following spots instead:CorrimalJust 10 minutes north of the Wollongong CBD. One of many great beaches in the area, its south-easterly aspect makes great cross-off sailing in a NE. Very reliable in a NE wind as there is nothing to block it. The further up the beach you go, the more off-shore it gets. The reef break off the northern point is awesome. High tide covers the rocks and throws up some very nice sizable waves. The wave face is pure glass even when it's windy. I don't just mean, "kinda' smooth", I mean it is literally as glassy as if there were no wind at all.TowradgiThe next beach south of Corrimal, Towradgi produces very nice waves on a regular basis. The northern end of the beach, just on the south side of the rock pool, will give you great down the line wave riding in a Nor-easter. A good alternative to Corrimal if the tide is not right, and also has minimal wind chop as it's sheltered by the pool and reef.WarillaJust 15 mins south of the Wollongong CBD is the south side of Windang Island. The same angle as Corrimal, it also is great in a NE. Both Corrimal and Warilla pick up swell very quickly and can get pretty heavy.Sandon Point, BulliAbout 15 - 20 mins north of the Wollongong CBD is one of the most well known surfing spots on the coast with its long right handers off the north side of the point.
What it also provides is a decent NE sailing spot on the southern side. A dedicated local crew of sailors rarely sail anywhere else in a NE. Not even Gerroa!
Southerly WindsFirst place to mention has to be Windang.
The beach on the northern side of Windang Island, at the entrance to Lake Illawarra.
Some regards it as, on its day, the best starboard tack sailing spot anywhere (including Hookipa).
The banks change from time to time, based on how often the lake entrance opens up. When the banks are good and the swell is up, you will get world class wave rides from next to the island, for several hundred metres down wind connecting all the way to the beach.
This place can get very heavy and it has claimed countless masts, sails and boards.Peggy's
Northern side of Bulli Point, just several hundred metres south of Sandon Point.
Long rides to rival Windang. The perfection of Gerroa on the opposite tack.
Any southerly direction is good, but it's at its best in S, or S/SE, and approx an 1.5 hours either side of low tide.Towradgi ReefLocated at the southern end of Corrimal Beach, and directly out from Towradgi rock pool this break is suitable for S or SW winds. Big swell holds very well here, and it doesn't take a huge swell for it to break. The wave peaks right up and will throw out a pretty solid lip when it's big. You will get pretty smooth faces and quite a few bottom turns on most of the waves. Easily accessible and an easy down wind sail back to Corrimal Beach.Pool Bombie, ShellharbourJust off the pool at Shellharbour is pool bombie. It works in S.W to S.E winds and solid swell. Access is difficult having a scary swim of the rocks at the pool or a safe launch from South Shellharbour beach (the next beach south). The spot consists of an outside bombie that creates big jumps and huge waves to catch, although it is hard to wave ride due to the chop.
The swell then goes through deep water for about 100 metres and reforms onto the real wave. The waves are very smooth and when bigger, very powerful. Very good wave riding but if you fall off there is a slight chance that your gear will get washed into the bay and possibly onto the rocks.
To get in you can tack back to South Shellharbour or go downwind past the harbour to Shellharbour main beach and a walk back to your car. If you decide the main beach option you can catch a wave or two at Cowries (next point downwind past the bay). Probably the smoothest waves you will ever ride, but be careful, the wave breaks metres from the rocks and the surfers don't like sharing the waves with windsurfers (too bad).North Gong Beach BombieNorth Beach, just a minute or two north of the CBD (on the northern side of the harbour) provides an epic bombie breaking straight out from the beach. Pretty hairy in really big swell.
Sou-westerlies WindsGerroa.Famous for its Nor-Easters, but still pretty good in a sou-wester. The complete opposite direction means cross off starboard tack sailing.
When the swell is up, Gerroa bombie is awesome. The Sou-wester is much cleaner out there with no trees or hills to block it and can be an epic session. Dies out early in the day though so keep your eye on it or you'll be swimming!WarillaWarilla's exposed surroundings allow a clean SW wind to get in and, depending on which part of the beach you are on, you can bear-away on some nice waves.
The swell builds quickly here and in any southerly direction you will get some awesome jumping and backside wave rides.Port Kembla.Pretty reliable in a good westerly, the bit of south in it makes it slightly more on-shore but probably more consistent as well. Superb jumping and backside wave riding.CorrimalAs with the nor-easters, nothing blocks the southerlies either. SW, being the complete opposite direction makes for some very enjoyable cross-off starboard tack wave riding.
Still fun when it's more toward S and SE with great jumping off the ever-present waves. Check where the waves are breaking at low tide though. A nicely placed sandbank makes even the smallest waves pretty powerful.
Nor-westerly WindsWindangCross-off shore but on the opposite tack to a usual Windang session. Shorter rides but you can line up aerials from a mile away.Bellambi BeachNext beach north of Corrimal. NW wind fills in nicely here and the break off the rock pool can provide nice down the line wave sailing.Currarong.The most southern point visible from Gerroa, and about 40 mins by car.
Drive to Nowra, turn east and follow the signs to Currarong and Culburra.
This small coastal town just north of Jervis Bay has great exposure to NW winds when most other spots nearby are gusty or even worse.
Nor-easterly swell hits the beach head-on and the NW wind is perfect cross-shore.
Tends to be a bit stronger here too.
Westerly WindsThe great thing about this area is that every direction is covered. And with the very frequent westerlies we get throughout the winter months, that means a lot more time on the water.Port KemblaJust 10 mins south of the Wollongong CBD is the northern end of the very long stretch of beach starting at Windang Island. Very similar aspect to Gerroa, but a lot less blocking the wind from the west. Wide open spaces give the westerly a long time to build up to arrive at the beach for some great cross-shore sailing. This beach also holds big swell and doesn't really get that heavy very often. (P.S another great NE spot too.)Secret SpotNot telling.For the flat-water/bump and jump enthusiasts or for those days when there's a gale force westerly and zero surf, look no further than Lake Illawarra. It is HUGE. When it's windy it is damn windy. Will cater for all directions. Plenty of grassy rigging areas around most of the lake. Most guys tend to launch from next to the Illawarra Sailing Club on the northern side of the lake.
Cool. We already booked some AirBnB's up through Jervis Bay in the beginning of Jan. Seven Mile Beach sounds amazing on the NE days (and a bit intimidating on the strong ones with big swell
.) and looks to be pretty close to one of the houses we have booked. Both of the daughters "Significant Others" surf so everyone should be happy ![]()
3/2 steamer and 2mm shortie would be good in Melbourne in Dec/Jan.
Good idea to leave your kite foil gear behind. I'd reconsider adding 3m SLS to the quiver m
3/2 steamer and 2mm shortie would be good in Melbourne in Dec/Jan.
Good idea to leave your kite foil gear behind. I'd reconsider adding 3m SLS to the quiver m
If I'm not bringing the kitefoil gear or the 75cm mast, then the 3m Slick is easy to stuff in there. Wish it was an SLS like the others. I bought it right before the SLS Slicks came out, so I didn't upgrade it. It doesn't get used very often at home,...(although Hurricane Ian's far outer bands are already generating 36 knot gusts here on the OBX with another day until peak winds hit....)