Lake Lefroy, locals

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Sylk
Sylk
WA
215 posts
WA, 215 posts
14 Oct 2014 9:01am
Hi All
FYI.. I have setup a new Fbook group "Lake Lefroy: Land Sail & Kite" anyone is welcome to join.

The main intent is to have a page where people can organize sailing days, meet up at the lake, report sailing conditions and post trivial stuff that we dont want cluttering up this forum.

I think most of the active local sailors have been invited to join if you haven't received an invite please feel free to join yourself.
The group is closed to keep spammers out but any one with a genuine interest is welcome.
www.facebook.com/groups/780457095349789/

Hope this helps get some more locals out sailing more regularly and drags a few of the less active sailors out a bit more often.
felixdcat
felixdcat
WA
3519 posts
WA, 3519 posts
10 Nov 2014 2:34pm
Hi Guys,
I am considering taking a job opportunity in Kal for a while (maybe couple of years). I am a fanatic sailor and that is what is the big issue for me to take the step.
What is it land sailing like? Is the club at Lake Lefroy active? I will need to get my sailing fix
I am also thinking about relocating my yacht to Esperance. I know it is a long drive but when you are addicted.......

Any feed back would be much appreciated

I have attempted to join the FB page

cheers

jacques
Sylk
Sylk
WA
215 posts
WA, 215 posts
10 Nov 2014 5:07pm
Hi Felix
I moved here 3 years ago from Sydney, I was and still am a "fanatic" kite boarder. Naturally when I moved here I purchased a kite buggy and have recently built a class 5 land yacht.

Yes land sailing and kite buggying is great fun and very addictive. Lake Lefroy is probably one of the best land sailing venues in Australia, with hundreds of square kms of rock hard salt to play on. The club is active ish there is probably 10-15 active sailors in the area and maybe another 10 occasional sailors.

The lake does collect water after heavy rains (unfortunately not deep enough to sail on) over the last 3 years I would guess an average of 60 to 70% availability. I.e. there was too much water for land sailing 30-40% of the time. Best time of year for consistent wind is spring and autumn.

Some perceptions of land sailing: (from someone who learn t to sail and kite on water)
Land sailing and kiting is a blast, its fast, fun, addictive etc.. It is sailing but its DIFFERENT.
How is it different?
- The standout difference, which as a sailor still does my head in sometimes is the effect of sailing in high apparent wind, 3 to 4 times actual wind speed.
- Speed, what water yacht will do 80kmh an hour in 20kmh of wind? And the fact that hard salt hurts more than water if things go wrong (I speak from experience).

In short if you like sailing and are open to the differences you will have fun, but you may still want to get down to Esperance when you can.
bryan
bryan
WA
121 posts
WA, 121 posts
10 Nov 2014 6:51pm
Hi Felix,

there are lakes around Kalgoorlie that fill after a good storm,up to 2 metres. I have 3 blokarts, 1 a two seater, a class 5, and a Topper yacht.(Think pommie Lazer)

Landsailing at 80 kph or more is very addictive. Come up for a weekend when you see a cold front coming through, give it a go. You won't be dissapointed.

Have sailed on 60 ft yachts to windsurfers, 5 minutes on a Blokart 10 years ago on Lefroy and I was hooked!

felixdcat
felixdcat
WA
3519 posts
WA, 3519 posts
11 Nov 2014 8:52am
Nice to hear there is life sailing in Kal .

I am still playing with the idea money is good and rental are cheap (could not believe how cheap it is for a mining town) was just scared to be bored to death soooooooooooooooooooooo far away from the big blue.

I am a speed addict (no not the one in powder) did and started to do again windsurfing, have a trailer sailor, love wind things (have my gliding license). racing at 80km sailing sound like a good way to spend the weekend.

looks like kal is not to bad then, I will negociate and make a decision soon.
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