From: jeanmarc@ecrc.de (Jean-Marc Andreoli)
Subject: Windsurfing around Sydney.
Reply-To: jeanmarc@ecrc.de
Organization: European Computer-Industry Research Centre GmbH.
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 11:39:17 GMT

This mail is forwarded from
	Bruce "The Sailboard Kid" Carney
	email: bcarney@awadi.com.au
at his request.

>From jeanmarc@ecrc.de (Jean-Marc Andreoli)
>Subject: Windsurfing around Sidney.
>Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1993 10:27:23 GMT

>For a friend who does not have access to the net, I would like to get
>information abo>ut windsurfing in the Sidney (Australia) area (best
>beaches/lakes, rental places, tem>perature and wind in March - or end February,
>dangers - e.g. sharks? ...).
>
>Please E-mail your answer as I am not a regular reader of this group.
>Thanks for any help.

G'Day from Down Under,

I am from Newcastle which is 100 miles North of Sydney so I am not an absolute
expert on Sydney but I am more than happy to give you a run down on our
conditions on what I know (by the way it would help if you had a map when you
read this).

Sydney offers every standard of windsurfer excellent conditions.

The main Spots for Wave Sailing are the Northern Beaches,Long Reef ( this is the
most popular), Collaroy, Manly. Most of the sailing on the southern beaches is
done at Cronulla. However, most of the beaches a suitable but due to the number
of surfers and swimmers, most windsurfers stick to a few major spots. Depending
on the surf size (which isn't usually super big in Summer). The wave sailing
conditions range from all time mast breaking (if there is a cyclone up North) to
flat water slalom - it just depends on the day. Generally though you will get a
couple of feet of swell.

For flat water sailing, the possible spots are Sydney Harbour (Balmoral Beach) or
Botany Bay. Generally you don't see large numbers out on the harbour as it gets a
bit congested with all the other sailing vessels. Botany Bay (to the south) is a
popular spot.

If you want to travel a little North you will find superb lakes and beaches for
hundreds of miles waiting to be sailed on. About 1 Hr (50 miles) up the Freeway
is Gosford on the Central Coast. Here you will find several lakes to sail on,
Lake Munmorah, Brisbane Waters, Hawkesbury River & The Entrance as well as
several good surf beaches.

A little further at Belmont,, near Newcastle, is Lake Macquarie which is the
largest coastal lake in Australia. Lake Macquarie offers some great sailing and
it is no accident that several "world class" windsurfers have come from here -
Bruce Wylie (KA23), Stewart Martin (KA29). Once again Newcastle has some good
wavesailing at Nobbys Beach (right in town) and you will find the locals friendly.

Further North from Newcastle is Port Stephens, Nelson Bay which has become a
popular holiday spot for Sydneysiders. Once again the sailing is good.  

If your really adventurous, about 3 Hrs north of Sydney is Pacific Palms (which
is near Forster/Taree). I believe this is Windsurfing Heaven. I just spent
several days up there on my holidays (as I do regularly) and it is just superb.
Their are two lakes to choose from - The Smiths Lakes or Wallis Lakes. Both have
shallowish bottoms so they are superb fo teaching someone or learning ne moves -
water starting etc.  The lakes are right near the beach so you can go surfing in
the morning and sailing in the Afternoon. When I was up there I stayed at Booti
Booti National Park Camping grounds, and it cost a whole $8 per night to be 100
yards to the beach and 1/2 mile to the lake.

ShArKs.  :-)

I have surfed and windsurfed for years and have NEVER seen a shark. City beaches
are patrolled and they warn you when there are sharks about. This is not to say
there aren't sharks around, and they do catch some big ones out to sea of the
coast, but it really is a non-issue. In my living memory there has not been a
shark attack in this area and when you consider the number of people who
surf/swim at the beaches you are safer than driving your car. As on magazine put
it - Sharks don't eat brightly coloured triangular sails.

Weather. 

February can be an unusual month. It is the last month of summer and can be a bit
humid and wet. The temperature is quite nice and you can sail without any wet
suit.  The prevailing wind is the North Easterly Sea Breeze which is caused by
the thermal difference between water and land temperature. This wind gradually
builds up during the day and (usually) gets to a consistent 15-20 Knots in the
afternoon (sometimes stronger or weaker. In a NE most of the beaches are sailable
(the coastline points NE)and the conditions are very pleasant. 

Hot Weather is followed by a Southerly Change which swings the wind to the SE and
drops the temperature. SE Winds are usually strong and can provide good sailing.
The remaining days will usually have some wind if you just want to putter around. 
 
By March the NE are starting to taper of a bit so conditions become a little bit
more inconsistent as the summer has ended, though you should be able to get a
decent sail.

Air Temperature is around 80F and water temp is fine. You can sail all year round
(using a steamer in winter) without much difficulty and most guys do.

Rental/Shops

If you are still interested I can get a list of shops.

At most of the spots I have mentioned there are decent Windsurfing Shops.  Basic
Windsurfers can be rented but there is not much high performance rental equipment
as there isn't a huge market - most guys have ther own.


Ok so I hope this is enough to whet your appetite.
If you want any more info let me know.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bruce "The Sailboard Kid" Carney
email: bcarney@awadi.com.au

Newsgroups: rec.windsurfing