Hi again
Looking at safe windsurfing spots on the southern side of Sydney in various winds...Particularly interested as it will be for a 7 YO.
Anyone got any ideas about the following
NE
Kurnell (silver beach)....prob not best for a youngster but may be o.k for me. Can be a little "sharky" although I have never seen any I have heard stories.
Bonnievale ...on paper this looks the ideal location. Anyone tried it...over in RNP..access etc looks o.k..of course need NP pass or $11 fee.
SE
Darook park- tried this on Sat night....seems very safe with a nice beach...downside is a little bit of a lug for gear.
As per other posts considering Lake Illawarra but from memory is a bit muddy/mucky and lots of weed..tho pretty safe.
Any other ideas?
Lake Illawarra would probably be your best bet. Near the yacht club it is not far from one side to the other, so you would be okay in a NE or S wind.
Kurnell in a NE was okay for me when I was learning, but I wouldn't recommend it for a 7 year old. It gets pretty lumpy out there sometimes.
Kyeemagh without an hesitation for NE. On an E or a S it gets a bit more choppy.
It's usually quite shallow on the first 50m.
I've just started teaching my daughter (12yo) at both Kyeemagh and Ramsgate.
No doubt Kyeemagh is the best spot as the water is shallower for longer.
She's on a Starboard Hero SUP (146 litres) and a 2.5m kids rig.
Parking and gear carry good.
Do you normally park on "Grand Parade" off Bestic Street? (the road that runs closest to Kyeemah and joins up with General Holmes Drive).
The park just on Sthn side of Cooks River Bridge.
Coming from south, go over bridge, turn left & go under and back to parking area turn in which is 50m past bridge.
many thanks...that makes it easy...I may head out this afternoon by myself ...leave the little one at home tho.
This is more for the beginners like me...I went out at Kyeemagh yesterday afternoon but the wind was too strong and gusty for my limited ability...couldnt go more than 50m without being blown over.
In hindsight, for a beginner, I would not recommend the carpark as the "pool" can be a little daunting as you drift towards it....Rather, I would recommend parking in the side street called "the grand Parade" just after the pool. This way, if you drift you can always walk up the beach and there are no obstacles for several hundred metres.
Learnt some valuable tips for rigging as well...less outhaul and more downhaul...I couldnt fault the rig setup, merely the person using the craft...but on a positive note, my balance uphauling has improved more than 100% since last time...tiny steps to learning. Turn 50 in 2 months..so want to call myself a windsurfer by the time I am 50. 
hey, if your willing to drive to illawarra from sydney, then just go to narra lakes, shallow, on shore in ne, heaps of other dudes there starting out, that would be your safest, canton, central coast, weedy, but shallow for ages, and again on shore in s to sw, good luck man
Once you start planing you will know good windsurfing is. In an hour of windsurfing you can be on the plane for 50 minutes or more. Out in the surf you can be on a wave for 20 minutes. Compare to an hour of surfing where you might be on a wave for less than 5 minutes.
If your willing to drive 160km south you'll find Sanctuary Point, The best learners spot I've ever come across. Free parking, No tolls, plenty of friendly sailors and flat shallow water....You can get good accommodation at Husky for about $100 per night(there's cheaper around but husky's best) if you want to make a weekend out of it. If I'm not working I'd be more then happy to give you some pointers and help you work this game out.
....long drive but worth it.
Cheers Jase.
Husky pub has been very badly renoed and has lost all its charm .. such a massive shame ..
head down to st george yaghr club on a weekend when there is a southerly.
The club has a few members who windsurf most weekends. cheap to join and allows you to use the hot showers and a beer after your sail.
We will be happy to help you out if you need any tips for learning. There is usually a number of kids there as well learning to sail variuis dingys
Speak to craig ferris - he is a qualified instructor who works there and is always willing to lend a hand.
Hey Roar, (mucho libre?)
Took your advice...went to St George yesterday..took a Belgian net acquantance with me...took 5 mins to join the club including receiving photo ID card...the Southerly kicked in and I found it not too daunting...finished off with a couple of cleansing ales...Craig even took me through the shed to show me around...what a great place.
Thanks to everyone's advice ...got a lot of spots to use...no excuses on the southside of where to go...now we only need a retail shop to open (again) on the southside and I will be happy.
