Any opinions on the best place to learn to wave sail in WA? Preferably not 1km off the beach or sharky.. :D
If you are new to dealing with swell then Lano or Corros are probably good picks. Lano probably better for wave riding than Corros. At main break you can go as deep as you want to pick up swell and (probably) stay clear of those further up wind going for the steeper sections.
Corros is great for jumping, waves get bigger as you go further out. Nice lagoon on the inside to hide in/short your stuff out.
On a small to average swell, Wedge Island is a forgiving beach break with plenty of room for mistake. It can get very fub on bigger swell and side off wind.
On a bigger swell, Dutch Inn in Cottesloe can offer a relatively mellow reef wave.
Both are close to shore and will allow mistake aplenty. Wedge is a bit of a drive from Perth (2 hours).
Scarborough can be quite technical when there is an actual wave to be had. On bigger day, the current and dumping waves can make it a bit unfriendly. But it is in the metro area and will give you the opportunity to train regularly.
Mettams can have a wave on bigger swell but it can get messy and you can end up over the reef. Not my favourite.
Lancelin main break can be quite friendly and somewhat mellow (especially the inside reform) but a bit of a swim out. And Avalon (Mandurah) has a nice easy wave on bigger swell. The issue is that a mistake could take you onto the reef.
Margaret river, Greenhead and Gnaraloo offer much better waves but they are for competent wave riders. Mistake can be costly.
I am not familiar with waves spot in the Geraldton area.
As usual, it is worth taking the time to look at people on the water and ask advice before getting in (though I am often by myself when sailing at wedge).
Enjoy!
Thanks guys,
Ive surfed all my life so i understand swell, but went out at Lanno on sunday and found it a little daunting coming from slalom racing to wave sailing, so i thought i'd ask if there was anything local (Perth) that was a little friendlier, but it seems not.
I guess i'll have to keep trying Lanno.
Cheers
:)
M
Dutch Inn for sure.......
What was daunting about Lano? how far out it is I'm guessing based on your question?
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Dutch Inn for sure.......
What was daunting about Lano? how far out it is I'm guessing based on your question?
Yeah it seemed a fair way out if gear breaks etc. The waves were probably a bit bigger than i'd have liked for a first time as well to be honest. I was more interested in surviving than trying to catch much.
In the winter fronts that aren't too far away now get out at safety bay, shoalwater, point perron. It offers some great bump and jump conditions, much better than in the summer and if the swell is big enough to get in over the outer reef the occasional wave to ride. This should increase your confidence sailing a bit of distance away from the shore in some full on conditions but still safe. Then head for the real thing next summer.
Select to expand quoteSwindy said..
In the winter fronts that aren't too far away now get out at safety bay, shoalwater, point perron. It offers some great bump and jump conditions, much better than in the summer and if the swell is big enough to get in over the outer reef the occasional wave to ride. This should increase your confidence sailing a bit of distance away from the shore in some full on conditions but still safe. Then head for the real thing next summer.
I sail at safety bay quite a bit and i'm a fair distance from shore, but then i'm on slalom gear usually so i'm not putting myself in wipeout zones where i'm likely to lose or break my gear on a wave and have to swim back. I was just looking for something a bit closer to get a bit of prac on, but i'll probly just have to suck it up and go back to Lanno coz this is making me look like a sook now haha. :P
Corros is the spot for next summer, lots of people, mostly good atmosphere on the water, plenty of swell and space too play around in.
Dutchies good for the winter, good crew but can be busy.
just dont take your hands off the boom when the white wash bashes you, its easier than the otherwise swim to retrieve the gear.
enjoy it
Metro:
Avalon
Gearies
Shoalwater (winter)
Dutchies
Mettams
Corros hands down for jumping and backhand
Eneabba
Margies - just do it
Esperance.
Select to expand quoteMaddlad said..Swindy said..
In the winter fronts that aren't too far away now get out at safety bay, shoalwater, point perron. It offers some great bump and jump conditions, much better than in the summer and if the swell is big enough to get in over the outer reef the occasional wave to ride. This should increase your confidence sailing a bit of distance away from the shore in some full on conditions but still safe. Then head for the real thing next summer.
I sail at safety bay quite a bit and i'm a fair distance from shore, but then i'm on slalom gear usually so i'm not putting myself in wipeout zones where i'm likely to lose or break my gear on a wave and have to swim back. I was just looking for something a bit closer to get a bit of prac on, but i'll probly just have to suck it up and go back to Lanno coz this is making me look like a sook now haha. :P
Its a different place in winter. Nothing like you have been racing in.
Having worked in Eneabba in the 90's (really) it's hands down one of the best places to sail not near the coast;)
Select to expand quoteSwindy said..Maddlad said..Swindy said..
In the winter fronts that aren't too far away now get out at safety bay, shoalwater, point perron. It offers some great bump and jump conditions, much better than in the summer and if the swell is big enough to get in over the outer reef the occasional wave to ride. This should increase your confidence sailing a bit of distance away from the shore in some full on conditions but still safe. Then head for the real thing next summer.
I sail at safety bay quite a bit and i'm a fair distance from shore, but then i'm on slalom gear usually so i'm not putting myself in wipeout zones where i'm likely to lose or break my gear on a wave and have to swim back. I was just looking for something a bit closer to get a bit of prac on, but i'll probly just have to suck it up and go back to Lanno coz this is making me look like a sook now haha. :P
Its a different place in winter. Nothing like you have been racing in.
Yeah ive sailed there in winter too, nothing too mad wind wise though.
Coros allows you to do everything you can dream of wave riding! People saying it's just jumping or for back side riding are wrong, learn to open your sail more! You can get fully vertical front side riding coros and front side airs no problem.
Also, the season is not over, you don't have to wait for next summer and it's totally worth the drive for one good day 
Select to expand quoteMaddlad said..Mark _australia said..
Dutch Inn for sure.......
What was daunting about Lano? how far out it is I'm guessing based on your question?
Yeah it seemed a fair way out if gear breaks etc. The waves were probably a bit bigger than i'd have liked for a first time as well to be honest. I was more interested in surviving than trying to catch much.
On calm days places like lano and corros can be super easy and suitable for getting used to waves. Then all it takes is a bigger swell and strong wind and they can turn much more tricky for a novice wave sailor who is positioned in the 'wrong spot'. I think you really need to read the conditions on the day and be aware of not only your skills but level of fitness. I have been caught (not fit enough and probably over confident) a few times and getting pounded and being pushed to my limit (gave me a bit of a scare).
Select to expand quoteStuthepirate said..
Margies - just do it
Learn to wave sail...Margies? 
I don't reckon that is actually very good advice, but I'm also pretty sure that most people who are "learning to wavesail" could figure that out well before they attempt to blast out through the keyhole - or at least I hope so!
I reckon Margaret River boat ramp is ok for experienced sailors wanting to learn wavesailing.
Select to expand quoteAgrid said..
I reckon Margaret River boat ramp is ok for experienced sailors wanting to learn wavesailing.
Yes. Here is a photo of a friend of mine, sailing offshore of the boat ramp and sailing back into Gnarabup under 3/4 sail and storm daggerboard on a stock windsurfer in about 1982. Yes beginners board work out there fine and there was a swell that day 15 -18 knots plus. Just don't sail out to the reefs out the back (see the whitewater in background) as you can run into them and I did that once but skeg remained intact luckily. Quite a lot of weed but once past the shoreline not an issue.
Select to expand quoteAgrid said..
I reckon Margaret River boat ramp is ok for experienced sailors wanting to learn wavesailing.
Errr boaties can be pretty gnarly, and the current can be a bit dangerous if you break something and the last thing we need is some kook breaking something, freaking out and needing a rescue, so I'd advise against learning at boaties. Inside boaties maybe but you need a huge swell to get any waves inside. Just choose a small beachy that isn't breaking straight on sand. At least you can stand up if you break something.
Select to expand quotebucket said..
On calm days places like lano and corros can be super easy and suitable for getting used to waves. Then all it takes is a bigger swell and strong wind and they can turn much more tricky for a novice wave sailor who is positioned in the 'wrong spot'. I think you really need to read the conditions on the day and be aware of not only your skills but level of fitness. I have been caught (not fit enough and probably over confident) a few times and getting pounded and being pushed to my limit (gave me a bit of a scare).
While that is true .... it is equally as true for anywhere there is wind and water.
The main point of suggesting these places specifically :
- there is big flat-water bit on the inside where you dont get nailed by the beach-break,
- the waves get progressively bigger as you sail further out - so just dont sail as far.
I suggested experienced sailors, who presumably sail with a friend and know how to self rescue, might go ok at boat ramp. Learning to wave sail where its shallow enough to stand is only going to end up with broken gear.
Select to expand quoteAgrid said..
I suggested experienced sailors, who presumably sail with a friend and know how to self rescue, might go ok at boat ramp. Learning to wave sail where its shallow enough to stand is only going to end up with broken gear.
If you're not an experienced wave sailor, stay away from boaties. 2 kooks just means 2 rescues. Sure small days the current is fine, but the wave breaks on shallow reef then, and lots of holes to get pushed into. If you don't know how to handle yourself in surf, you're gonna have a bad time.
There is a pretty big difference between sailing around in flat water and sailing in surf. Especially reef passes.
Boaties is pretty far out so can be hard to judge size and if you go out and it's got some size and the right direction, if you break gear or the wind drops you might get dragged through Bombie. No one wants that. Even surfing when you don't have to drag a sail around people have been dragged through bombie.
So while many kooks have sailed these places and survived, a few have needed a rescue, and even a couple of chargers have died.
So again, experienced flat water kooks, don't learn to wavesail at boaties. Terrible suggestion.
Select to expand quotemathew said..bucket said..
On calm days places like lano and corros can be super easy and suitable for getting used to waves. Then all it takes is a bigger swell and strong wind and they can turn much more tricky for a novice wave sailor who is positioned in the 'wrong spot'. I think you really need to read the conditions on the day and be aware of not only your skills but level of fitness. I have been caught (not fit enough and probably over confident) a few times and getting pounded and being pushed to my limit (gave me a bit of a scare).
While that is true .... it is equally as true for anywhere there is wind and water.
The main point of suggesting these places specifically :
- there is big flat-water bit on the inside where you dont get nailed by the beach-break,
- the waves get progressively bigger as you sail further out - so just dont sail as far.
If you're sailing 'on the inside' I don't consider that wave sailing. I assumed this thread was about being positioned in with proper waves.
Select to expand quotebucket said..mathew said..bucket said..
On calm days places like lano and corros can be super easy and suitable for getting used to waves. Then all it takes is a bigger swell and strong wind and they can turn much more tricky for a novice wave sailor who is positioned in the 'wrong spot'. I think you really need to read the conditions on the day and be aware of not only your skills but level of fitness. I have been caught (not fit enough and probably over confident) a few times and getting pounded and being pushed to my limit (gave me a bit of a scare).
While that is true .... it is equally as true for anywhere there is wind and water.
The main point of suggesting these places specifically :
- there is big flat-water bit on the inside where you dont get nailed by the beach-break,
- the waves get progressively bigger as you sail further out - so just dont sail as far.
If you're sailing 'on the inside' I don't consider that wave sailing. I assumed this thread was about being positioned in with proper waves.
I think Mathew meant they are good as you can sail the reform "on the inside" and also if you do get rinsed you are immediately out of the waves in the lagoon
Maddladd - Corro. just do it for a couple weeks next summer
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..bucket said..mathew said..bucket said..
On calm days places like lano and corros can be super easy and suitable for getting used to waves. Then all it takes is a bigger swell and strong wind and they can turn much more tricky for a novice wave sailor who is positioned in the 'wrong spot'. I think you really need to read the conditions on the day and be aware of not only your skills but level of fitness. I have been caught (not fit enough and probably over confident) a few times and getting pounded and being pushed to my limit (gave me a bit of a scare).
While that is true .... it is equally as true for anywhere there is wind and water.
The main point of suggesting these places specifically :
- there is big flat-water bit on the inside where you dont get nailed by the beach-break,
- the waves get progressively bigger as you sail further out - so just dont sail as far.
If you're sailing 'on the inside' I don't consider that wave sailing. I assumed this thread was about being positioned in with proper waves.
I think Mathew meant they are good as you can sail the reform "on the inside" and also if you do get rinsed you are immediately out of the waves in the lagoon
Maddladd - Corro. just do it for a couple weeks next summer
Cant drive that far sorry Mark, i have an anxiety disorder that stops me travelling. Lanno is as far as i can go north at present. Cheers for the suggestion though. :)
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..bucket said..mathew said..bucket said..
On calm days places like lano and corros can be super easy and suitable for getting used to waves. Then all it takes is a bigger swell and strong wind and they can turn much more tricky for a novice wave sailor who is positioned in the 'wrong spot'. I think you really need to read the conditions on the day and be aware of not only your skills but level of fitness. I have been caught (not fit enough and probably over confident) a few times and getting pounded and being pushed to my limit (gave me a bit of a scare).
While that is true .... it is equally as true for anywhere there is wind and water.
The main point of suggesting these places specifically :
- there is big flat-water bit on the inside where you dont get nailed by the beach-break,
- the waves get progressively bigger as you sail further out - so just dont sail as far.
If you're sailing 'on the inside' I don't consider that wave sailing. I assumed this thread was about being positioned in with proper waves.
I think Mathew meant they are good as you can sail the reform "on the inside" and also if you do get rinsed you are immediately out of the waves in the lagoon
Maddladd - Corro. just do it for a couple weeks next summer
Cant drive that far sorry Mark, i have an anxiety disorder that stops me travelling. Lanno is as far as i can go north at present. Cheers for the suggestion though. :)
