Hi All I have had a fair few of the crew wanting to know about the lake so here is the fill in.
Water level is still low but the drain M is just starting to flow now and should increase more over winter. drain M flows down from bool lagoon way and is the main souece of water, we are supposed to be allocated 40 water gig things for lake george but the crap goverment have built a new drainage system to divert water to the upper coorong. they tested this for the first time last winter and diverted 7 gigs, but we only received 10 out of the 40. had a talk to the drainage board boss whos a mate and he said they will not divert any this year until 40 is reached as last year they had to test the new system. but the way the rain is looking we may not reach anywhere near 40 anyway around 20 will do us fine.
The goverment seem quite happy to see lake george die just so they can say they are saving the coorong and look good.
The weed beds in the middle lake still look sweet and the water is clear.
The channel to the sea will be dug out in the next week or so, actually the channel is called the outlet and was origanally built to let the overflowing lake out, this hasen't happened for many years, but as we have very high tides over winter and the lake is a couple metres below sea level the sea flows in on these bigger tides, actually the tides have been big for a while already but can't get in. once the lake is full the weir boards are put back in to hold all the water in the lake.
there is talk of rock groins extending 100 metres out to sea being built at the channel which will keep it open all year, not counting on it we will see what eventuates the next couple years.
Normally the lake will be at its fullest by october. but the best sailing is the summer months when we get very constant seabreezes around the 23 to 28 mark and the weeds beds are at there best. we had a lot of 5 metre days.
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Onboard shop from adelaide have a speed weekend on the october long weekend but really the speed event is just a offshoot of there wave comp and not real formal as such. mainly just the shop getting people out and interested for the start of the season, its not the best time for top speeds and wind direction but there is plenty of water. over this summer we had 20 sailors go over 40 knots, sh!t even I done a smidge under 42 and was only 17th fastest. Hamma was the man with a 47.
the nm record was also broken 4 times and daffy got the hour record as well.
I'm sure a lot of these guys will be back especially Hollywood and Hamma is a now a local at the Beachport pub.
I sail the middle lake 90% of the time as its all weed beds and flat where as the big lake is bump and jump. also the middle lake is mostly around waist deep so no water starts here. Also the water is twice as salty as the sea so little speed boards are quite easy to master here as the float is great
By far the best place to sail from is out the spit that seperates the big and middle lakes, from here you can sail any wind direction and you can camp right on the water and have your gear all rigged ready to go.the bottom is pretty solid here as well so getting out is good, Se is speed heaven cross off along the spit on the protected big lake side., its private propery here so bring your own wood, also make sure you leave uncle kevs gate closed on the way around.
there is nothing wrong with sailing out at te five mile drift at the end of the gravel road, its cross shore here in se and is straght out towrds the weather station. it can be muddy and weedy getting out though.
Last summer I put crew onto sailing out from cockys point. I wasn't keen on letting people know how good it is there because you need to drive across the empty front lake to get there this can be really dodgy and getting bogged in mud is crap and even more crap for me trying to get them out. I only let on as by febuary its a cruise to get there but what ever you do don't try earlier as you will get stuck, there is a way from robe road into there as well but a 4wd is needed when the water is high.
Check out google earth and you will get an idea of the spit.
I always incude my tracks when I post so you will have some idea where to sail.
took a some pics today,
while the water has been low out the spit took the opurtunity to clean up all the speed runs on both sides, removed heaps of rocks, 4 bricks and 2 bessa bricks a dozen posts that people use to anchor fishing nets, and a bloody cyl head, it took a bloody half hour to get in as could only carry it 10 strps at a time. so all good along the spit runs even down past the huts where Choco sails his nm runs till hes out of sight.
Just a few duck hides to get rid of in a months time when there season finishes.
speaking of if i miss any just beacause you sail out from them dosen't mean your safe as most of the time they have posts a 100 metres out in front to tie there decoys too, these are the ones to look out for but hopefully I will have it sorted.
Also there has been some tea trees growing out the end of the spit, they will evetually block the wind but for some reason everytime i go out there a couple dissapear. don't know how honest !
spit now and then in august 2010. ( must have been a good day as I had a 3.5 rigged up )
channel to sea now and last year after opened.
short cut track to go across front lake to cockys point its now under water.
november last year start of the good times.
Oh and this summer only SA Speed demons are alowed to sail here......
Nice report, lake George will be the gps epicentre next summer, can't wait got some unfinished business to take care of
Yeah.. very good report Jamie
I've made lot's of trips to Lake George over the years
some fantastic... others not so good, that's windsurfing
if you are driving a long way... remember
If it's on it's On, if it's not it's Not
Nice to see whats happening Jamie. We will be back for sure. After a 30knot alpha....
It will be very interesting what numbers will come out of there this season.
It will be very interesting what numbers will come out of there this season.
Only speed demons allowed hey?.... I can see plenty of long road trips coming from us vicco's. Listening to Hollywood tell me what he's going to do (on trip over) and then bitch about what he didn't do on the way home... Look forward to some more sat night meals at the beachport pub talking s%&t with the crew.. can't wait!
fantastic report thanks for sharing and taking the time ... will look forward to heading down but not the 17 hr drive ;-)
Thanks for the info Jamie, and a big thanks for removing all those hidden obstacles. I am hanging for a few trips this summer
I am hanging to get back a couple of times or maybe more later in the year.
Definately some unfinished business there.
Hopefully I,ll have enough time
Actually, early retirement is looking good right now...... Dreaming of just setting up camp there for a few weeks, or months, or..... whatever.
I'll have to get a motorbike for the dunes though, eh Jimbob?
True, that's why I've been flying to WA every year, family and sailing But I am very tempted, life's too bloody short
Yea !! the summer trophy turned up in my mail box today (thanks Hardie) It will be on display in the Beachport pub for a while and then handed over to the speed demons captain Kimba. Daffy i have a spare bike and a van is always there if needed. actually I have all feb of next year could do with some company. talked to Hamma the other day about maybe coming over your way to sandy if a forcast lines up with no work.
Snags dont be a pussy, its closer to Lake G for you than it was for me to get to Burrum. Nice report Jamie you were only dangling the carrot & looks like you got plent of takers. will be backto snore in the anex (snorers arn't allowed in the van 
)
