Hi folks,

The family has been shacked up in France for the past 3+ years (wife's work - long story). We will be relocating to the central coast around August. We (wife, 3 yo + fresh one due on May...crikey!) were living in Freshwater for about 8 years prior to that so have some understanding of the Central Coast are. Perhaps you have maybe gone through what we are soon to - or are a seasoned Central Coaster happy to share some info.

We are looking at maybe Blackwall or even East Gosford....or there abouts (wife will need to get train into Macquarie uni). I've surfed/kited (which I prefer) and SUP'd (out of necessity) for a while now and quite competent in all disciplines - not ripper but competent to blend in (respectfully) anywhere.

Could I humbly ask:

- Any thoughts about above locations for access to kiting/surf venues (but also need to commute to northern outskirts of Sydney)
- Anyone done the move in the last couple of years and have any advice/How have you found the central coast adjustment?

Figured it might be good to touch base with some folks to help with our planning for the big move back that sets us (er...me) up in a place where I can get some kiting/surfing in. Also good to communicate a bit before arriving for potential catch up kite/beer.

Many thanks in advance for any input/experiences and/or suggestions.
Steve

I have recently moved to the CC (to terrigal), and like yourself, I factored in proximity to kite spots as one of my deciding factors. I also work in woy woy, and with the exception of umina it is a bit of a hassle going kiting after work and trying to maximise water time due to traffic and the generally poor layout of roads here.
This is especially the case if I dont have my gear in my car and have to go home through the traffic to get it. I would probably not live at blackwall for this reason, seems like a nice spot though and would probably be fine if you dont mind spending time in the car.

I would say that gosford wouldn't be too bad of a spot for someone with your requirements, because you can easily shoot down to umina along brisbane water drve and also jump onto the motorway and cruise up north to the lakes fairly quickly.

CJ2478 said..
I have recently moved to the CC (to terrigal), and like yourself, I factored in proximity to kite spots as one of my deciding factors. I also work in woy woy, and with the exception of umina it is a bit of a hassle going kiting after work and trying to maximise water time due to traffic and the generally poor layout of roads here.
This is especially the case if I dont have my gear in my car and have to go home through the traffic to get it. I would probably not live at blackwall for this reason, seems like a nice spot though and would probably be fine if you dont mind spending time in the car.

I would say that gosford wouldn't be too bad of a spot for someone with your requirements, because you can easily shoot down to umina along brisbane water drve and also jump onto the motorway and cruise up north to the lakes fairly quickly.

Thanks CJ. Your comment of Gosford over Blackwall for maximising kite time is tremendously appreciated. I've explained to wife (as she will be doing the commute 3-4 days to Macquarie uni), even though Gosford is a few minutes longer on the train each day she'll get more chance of a regular seat - due to already being on before the Woy Woy masses. That was exactly the type of insider tip I was hoping for - sincere thanks. If there was any other suburbs that you suggest - within reach of Gosford station - I'd be most interested in your suggestions.

Am doing the rounds online to determine what suburb will be overall best - most blogs/forums just take "living", in a general sense, into the equation (good/bad areas/best for families/costs etc - no surf/kite relationship). So, Im trying to "mesh" their perspectives and input those you guys can offer. Hopefully then I can make a good informed decision of where to set ourselves up.

Thanks again.
Steve

steve_worm said..

CJ2478 said..
I have recently moved to the CC (to terrigal), and like yourself, I factored in proximity to kite spots as one of my deciding factors. I also work in woy woy, and with the exception of umina it is a bit of a hassle going kiting after work and trying to maximise water time due to traffic and the generally poor layout of roads here.
This is especially the case if I dont have my gear in my car and have to go home through the traffic to get it. I would probably not live at blackwall for this reason, seems like a nice spot though and would probably be fine if you dont mind spending time in the car.

I would say that gosford wouldn't be too bad of a spot for someone with your requirements, because you can easily shoot down to umina along brisbane water drve and also jump onto the motorway and cruise up north to the lakes fairly quickly.

Thanks CJ. Your comment of Gosford over Blackwall for maximising kite time is tremendously appreciated. I've explained to wife (as she will be doing the commute 3-4 days to Macquarie uni), even though Gosford is a few minutes longer on the train each day she'll get more chance of a regular seat - due to already being on before the Woy Woy masses. That was exactly the type of insider tip I was hoping for - sincere thanks. If there was any other suburbs that you suggest - within reach of Gosford station - I'd be most interested in your suggestions.

Am doing the rounds online to determine what suburb will be overall best - most blogs/forums just take "living", in a general sense, into the equation (good/bad areas/best for families/costs etc - no surf/kite relationship). So, Im trying to "mesh" their perspectives and input those you guys can offer. Hopefully then I can make a good informed decision of where to set ourselves up.

Thanks again.
Steve

Steve,

If you want to go outside the box a little bit. Glenning Valley is also worth a look. It is a little further North but close to the train at Tuggerah which provides an express service and you are also guaranteed a seat before the Gosford crowd. IMO Gleaning Valley or around that way will give you the best access to all of the coasts kiting and surf spots.

Cheers,

Brad

Thanks Brad for the Tuggerah "express service" note. We were looking at that Berkeley Vale stretch also - even though it's a bit further out. Looks like wife has to get off in Hornsby to change and go one stop to get to Macquarie uni.....shame, would be gold if didn't have to do the change just for one stop. But, will include train service variations (along with kiting/surfing opportunity etc), into the equation.

steve_worm said..
Hi folks,

The family has been shacked up in France for the past 3+ years (wife's work - long story). We will be relocating to the central coast around August. We (wife, 3 yo + fresh one due on May...crikey!) were living in Freshwater for about 8 years prior to that so have some understanding of the Central Coast are. Perhaps you have maybe gone through what we are soon to - or are a seasoned Central Coaster happy to share some info.

We are looking at maybe Blackwall or even East Gosford....or there abouts (wife will need to get train into Macquarie uni). I've surfed/kited (which I prefer) and SUP'd (out of necessity) for a while now and quite competent in all disciplines - not ripper but competent to blend in (respectfully) anywhere.

Could I humbly ask:

- Any thoughts about above locations for access to kiting/surf venues (but also need to commute to northern outskirts of Sydney)
- Anyone done the move in the last couple of years and have any advice/How have you found the central coast adjustment?

Figured it might be good to touch base with some folks to help with our planning for the big move back that sets us (er...me) up in a place where I can get some kiting/surfing in. Also good to communicate a bit before arriving for potential catch up kite/beer.

Many thanks in advance for any input/experiences and/or suggestions.
Steve

Hi Steve,

I just thought I would add my 2 cents. I used to live at Ettalong beach and commute into sydney every day for 7 long years. If your wife is commuting then proximity for her is most important. Its the most likely thing to end your central coast adventure. The reason I say this is for me after 7 years I couldn't do it anymore, 10 + hours per week commuting. In practical terms thats a day a week!. Beleive me when I say that any time saved in a commute is huge, so If she is planning on catching the train, then look no further than woy woy station. It might only be 5-10 mins from gosford but that is 100 mins less travel per week.

As for places to live I would be looking around the fringes of the woy woy peninsula, woy woy bay, horsfield bay, south umina, booker bay, orange grove(fancy part of blackwall), even st huberts island are all great places to live, avoid the central parts of the peninsula, its a lower socio economic area.

As for kiting, ettalong point/the box is the best place to kite on the central coast by a large margin, its also a great sup wave. sure it dosen't work for ne winds( we did used to kite it but its off shore and gusty so not recommended). For Ne winds you need to drive 20 mins to wamberal, or 40 mins to nth enterance, but if you live on the peninsula its 5 mins for one of the best setups Ive ever come across.

I did love the lifestyle on the peninsula, but in the end I couldn't handle the commute.

I hope this helps
Gavin

I agree Steve. I have considered moving down to the peninsula but it is just as easy to drive down for a Sthly. Also is the wind is SW or SE Umina does not work all that well it really needs to be S, SSW or SSE to be really good. I commute to Sydney during the winter from Tuggerah and find the time on the train productive and generally get a lot of work done. However, my work is pretty flexible in regards to hours so I can do that and given when I am working I am mostly in meetings getting that 1.5 hours on the train each way is a welcome opportunity to think and catch up.

bennie said..

CJ2478 said..


These are all valid points. I just couldnt live at Umina/Woy Woy because if, in summer and its blowing NE every day (which it hasnt this year), then you'spending just less than 1 hr each way to get to a kiteable spot (not counting Wamberal because by the time work is over its usually too N, and is just frustrating and I always regret not going somewehre better). Then before you know it you're spending 10 hours (assuming you have kited each weekday) in the car driving to and from kiting and more if you're going to kite the weekends.

I definatly agree that Umina is a overall a great spot and definitly one of my favourite places to kite, but in my experience the kite spots further north on the central coast are generally more reliable for a broader variety of conditions.

I agree about wamberal, however it never blows ne everday, your lucky to get more than 3 a week even in the peak of summer. You usually will get a least one southerly every 10 days and It often hangs around for a couple of days, then come this time of year the ne winds falter and the southerlies become more prevalent and keep you kiting up untill the end of autunm

Yeah its a tough call. I made my decision because it was supposed to be an epic El Nino, which has turned out to be a dud so far.

I do agree about the southerlies this time of year and in witner, but have found there is a narrow range of wind angles for Umina, whereas up towards the lakes you have a broader range of wind angles, but on it's day Umina is epic.

Sorry to make things confusing for the OP, I too am considering where I will relocate to soon with my current lease comeing to an end.

I think I am going to base my decision on meterological data and travel times to/from work and kite spots. I think with this information I can make a rational decision based on quantitative information

horses for courses I guess. Its great you enjoy kiting the lake. Me, I'd indulge in another passtime than kite flat water, but thats a personal choice. In my extensive experience the box works best in a ssw, you can ride left handers for hundreds of meters with the right swell ,once it gets sw it starts to get gusty but still fun, wsw extremely gusty but still kiteable. Straight west forget it.

Mate, I wouldn't bother living in Sydney in the northern suburbs. The wind seems to be lacking on the northern beaches. Swansea channel is one of the best spots in Aus IMO. Unfortunately the season has all but blown itself out. Some big southerlies on the way hopefully so lake Macquarie is the go. Speak to the locals for tips.

kitebt said..
I agree Steve. I have considered moving down to the peninsula but it is just as easy to drive down for a Sthly. Also is the wind is SW or SE Umina does not work all that well it really needs to be S, SSW or SSE to be really good. I commute to Sydney during the winter from Tuggerah and find the time on the train productive and generally get a lot of work done. However, my work is pretty flexible in regards to hours so I can do that and given when I am working I am mostly in meetings getting that 1.5 hours on the train each way is a welcome opportunity to think and catch up.

Thanks for the insights (again). My wife (who will be doing the commute to Macquarie uni) also says the train is some of her most productive work time. So could turn out the extra time is not a bad thing - plus, academics can be flexible in their time to/from uni. I think that Chittaway/Berkely/Tuggerah stretch does"sing" to me a little bit BUT (as Gavin posted on this thread - who the commute got him in the end), I'll have to see how wifey goes on the train.

We'll rent at the start, even if just a few months before getting the family comfort zone/house purchased on the CC. It looks like it comes down to a very individual preferences: good area, close to train, not too far commute time (or not), access to beach/kiting/surfing, business/traffic etc.

Everyone has kicked in some really good things to consider.....my sincere thanks to all of you helpful buggers. As time gets closer, I will chime in again with you guys. By the time we have bubby #2, move all our stuff back from France, and actually get into a place on the Central Coast....I will be gagging for a kite....beer....Valium....

Was in the area last weekend with a Southerly, got a quick session in at Canton Beach, bit gusty but very nice flat water, with the right forecast worth the drive from Sydney to make a day of it.


:)

looking to move to this area in the next 12 months also

CJ2478 said..

Tav said..
Was in the area last weekend with a Southerly, got a quick session in at Canton Beach, bit gusty but very nice flat water, with the right forecast worth the drive from Sydney to make a day of it.


:)

looking to move to this area in the next 12 months also

Should have come to Umina with just about everyone else who has posted in this thread for several hours of standing around on the beach and 30 minutes of good wind

I kited 55k's at Umina on Sunday .... pretty happy about that.

It would be worth your while doing a walk around the area you are interested in and asking the locals. I can remember it being a minor issue as a kid up at Budgewoi if you where right on the edge of the lake.

The storm two weekends ago has completely widened The Entrance Channel again, so the ability dump excess water quickly has improved.