Any sailers from Sydneys outer west tried Penrith Lakes?
this is the Olympic rowing facility

As a drive for me to Sydneys beaches thru the worst traffic is minimun 1 1/2 hours and my normal trek up north is 1 3/4 to 2 hours minimum,I tried Penrith Lakes yesterday a 15 minute drive alternative.

Large deep water facility,cost $6.60 [see boat building]on practise lake,this is lake we use.

with free hosing facility.[gear must be washed before used in lake although they accept if you wash at home,so as to not introduce any nasties]hence free washing facilities saves me at home later.

plenty of parking,grass down to water ,tree shade for family picnics.

Availability dependant on events [see their website]and a quick phone call on day
kiosk available but how often I dont know but it looked open yesterday,prices are high,even the drink machines

NO swimming alloyed....but hey sailboards alloys us to cool off on those stinking hot days.

Wind unpredictable..........
but do able for those light wind sailers,
will be checking it out more often,you can get a good run across lake but is prone to lull and wind changing direction [up to 180 degrees at one time yesterday] perhaps due too the proximity of the Blue Mountains escarpment funnelling the wind,I dont know.
wind even died long enough for me to paddle halfway back once but then came in strong for a few more runs
suit those used to inland lake sailing,
sometimes shared with rowers and kayaks

If you can get to the ocean you wouldnt bother but if your out here it may prove usefull although i dont know if good windy days will line up with availability of non event days.

ps they do have a "SAILABILITY" club operating here for people with disabilities and others so they must think its sailable too.

hi poley
http://www.regattacentre.com.au/html/venuemap.cfm
heres a link to the map

we use the irregular warm up lake not the olympic run
we sail from the first boat ramp area out into the rounder area of lake with some limitations applying to the white water area at the far end
the centre of the lake in front of the boat sheds is a dedicated circuit for rowing vessels for practise

On the day the wind was blowing from the P1 carpark towards the rear of the circular lake from south to north roughly which also followed the direction of the mountain escarpment,perhaps a funneling thing is happening but the wind also switched direction a few times including a 180% at one stage briefly...I would guess at this stage unreliable?????