I'm just getting into windsurfing and am trying to find a good spot to learn on the weekends. I'm in the mountains so anywhere on the coast is a similar distance. I was thinking of Botany Bay but not sure how the 3 hour parking will go. Ideally somewhere I can park near the water and stay for 4-5 hours.
Wentworth falls Lake isn't too far away but I'm guessing wind will either be non existent or gusty?
Any suggestions?
Botany bay would be a good spot indeed. Nice flat water, easy access, and probably one of the windiest locations in the city. Not sure how it works with the parking these days but there's always people sailing which helps if you want to improve or meet other sailors.
Not sure if I would recommend for a beginner as it's quite shallow which might be problematic with larger fins and it's super gusty and very short runs. Botany is probably a bit more forgiving and you can sail nice long runs without having to worry about shallow water or massive gusts.
Hi Paco
There are clubs that have windsurfer classes and racing. I belong to Dobroyd Aquatic Club at Rodd Park on Iron Cove near Leichhardt. They sail Wednesday twilight and Saturday afternoon. You can come along and practice and chat or pay a small fee to race. Iron Cove is fairly sheltered. Free parking. I also sail at Rose Bay. There's 12 hours free parking on New South Road. Woollahra Sailing Club has windsurfing lessons on Saturday mornings. There's also a Watsapp group of Windsurfers who keep in touch about going out for a spin. Rose Bay has stronger winds than Iron Cove but both are more sheltered than Botany Bay. There are also windsurfing classes and races at Balmoral but parking is a challenge. enjoy! Mike
Thanks for all the replies - I headed down to Narrabeen Fri and Sun this weekend. Fri was ok, I tried at the sailing club - wind wasn't too strong but a little inconsistent. Sunday I tried the Middle Creek Reserve - there was almost no wind and it seemed to be constantly changing direction. Good balance exercise. Bit embarrassing to be constantly overtaken by kayaks. Guess I'll have to get better at using the Windy app to pick my days.
Mike - Rodd Park looks interesting, I might give that a go next weekend, thanks for the tip.
Kyeemagh in a NE works well despite the 3 hour parking. Kurnell is usually cleaner wind and water and untimed parking.
Just got back from Rodd Park - great breeze - about 20 knots by the time we left, far too much for my skills, but managed to get planing (briefly) a few times which was great! Definitely going to hit that one up again.
Kyeemagh is a good tip- I'm saving botany bay until I get some basic skills up. This was only my third time getting out.
Select to expand quotePicklejam said..
Hi Paco
There are clubs that have windsurfer classes and racing. I belong to Dobroyd Aquatic Club at Rodd Park on Iron Cove near Leichhardt. They sail Wednesday twilight and Saturday afternoon. You can come along and practice and chat or pay a small fee to race. Iron Cove is fairly sheltered. Free parking. I also sail at Rose Bay. There's 12 hours free parking on New South Road. Woollahra Sailing Club has windsurfing lessons on Saturday mornings. There's also a Watsapp group of Windsurfers who keep in touch about going out for a spin. Rose Bay has stronger winds than Iron Cove but both are more sheltered than Botany Bay. There are also windsurfing classes and races at Balmoral but parking is a challenge. enjoy! Mike
Hi Mike,
Great info. Quick question please. I live in Leichhardt and wing foil at Kyeemagh most weekends. Is Rodd Park an appropriate location for wing foiling? Do you know anyone who wing foils there?
Thanks
Brad
Hi Paco,
Don't forget Penrith Lakes - Pondi comes to mind for summer. There was someone years ago going to the warm up lake. I haven't been able to get any info other than you needed a permit from Council. There is a sailing club there that maybe able to assist. I'm near Penrith but never get time to give it a go or chase it up.
The other option I've considered is Primbee, Wollongong. From where you and I are travel time is about the same to the other spots mentioned. Would have to find some deep water, maybe around the sailing club at Warrawong, as the speed sailors are using short fins in shallow water.
Feel free to reach out.
Geoff
Select to expand quoteMacca1410 said..Picklejam said..
Hi Paco
There are clubs that have windsurfer classes and racing. I belong to Dobroyd Aquatic Club at Rodd Park on Iron Cove near Leichhardt. They sail Wednesday twilight and Saturday afternoon. You can come along and practice and chat or pay a small fee to race. Iron Cove is fairly sheltered. Free parking. I also sail at Rose Bay. There's 12 hours free parking on New South Road. Woollahra Sailing Club has windsurfing lessons on Saturday mornings. There's also a Watsapp group of Windsurfers who keep in touch about going out for a spin. Rose Bay has stronger winds than Iron Cove but both are more sheltered than Botany Bay. There are also windsurfing classes and races at Balmoral but parking is a challenge. enjoy! Mike
Hi Mike,
Great info. Quick question please. I live in Leichhardt and wing foil at Kyeemagh most weekends. Is Rodd Park an appropriate location for wing foiling? Do you know anyone who wing foils there?
Thanks
Brad
30 years or more ago when there used to be a windsurfing shop just up the hill from Rodd Pt I met a windsurfer there who was complaining to me that he felt laughed at by the shop staff for destroying a fin on the shallow rocks in the little bay on the west side of the point.
So I'd stay up to the north of the point on any sort of foil. I think there is good water depth on the east side of the point, but it isn't as clean as Botany Bay water
