Are there any Windsurfers in Hervey Bay?

I have recently moved from Brisbane to Maryborough for a better paying job, only to have sacrificed windsurfing locations.

During the last run of constant SE blows in Queensland I found myself repeatedly the only person on the water. I was sailing at the beach to the south of the Urangan Boat Harbour, while admittedly a bit shallow at low tide and with a South Easterly blowing directly on-shore, it's not a world class location. At least I was sailing, one kilometer runs powered up for a few hours in the afternoons is better than not sailing, ya?

Using the likes of google earth and local maps, I think this would be the only location which picks up the SE winds in Hervey Bay or is there a secret location that everyone but me knows about

Signed,
the only windsurfer the village

Over easter there was a group of brissy sailors that went to Burrum Heads with great success in the SE's that blew that week. If HOORAY is out there he can fill in more details as i went further up to Elliot Heads. Hope you have some luck

thanks TimB and others,
I actually initiated that other post after visiting Hervey Bay at christmas. Sailing any breeze from North through to East is easy as the whole bay picks up wind from that direction. It's the Southerly winds that have me interested, the usually beachs like Torquay and Scarness just don't get the SE winds.

I did a lot of sailing between Pialba and Point Vernon in the SE'ers at christmas time but it was mighty gusty after the wind crosses over the land and buildings.

Mostly I am just interested to make contact with other windsurfers in the area as on first impressions there doesn't seem to be many about.

Just north of the pier at Urangan works well on a SE (very flat at low tide) or even around the corner just north of the aquarium. Otherwise try Pt. Vernon just south of the boat ramp at the very tip of the point. SE here are onshore and not too gusty. Reasonable bump and jump sailing. Go there at low tide first so that you can work out were the sandy bits are between the rocks to launch and come in through.

In a northerly you can't beat Gatakers Bay in Pt Vernon. Nice shoulder high rolling swells and pretty smooth in between. There you can easily get 10 good jumps on one run out but too onshore and gutless for wave riding. On a 25 - 30 kn N'ly this is one of the best spots anywhere in SE QLD for jumping !

If you're on slalom or bigger gear you can launch at Torquay and sail out 1 km to the sandbar that runs up from the pier. Nice smooth sailing. A bit tricky to get back if you're on small gear and the wind runs out.

If you're into wave sailing though forget Hervey Bay and head to Rainbw Beach. Can be great on a SE. For jumping go to Gatakers Bay on a N'ly or Eliott Heads on a SE'ly.

One of the guys from over here in Perth grow up in Maryborough and he always talk about sailing and surf Double Island Point. Can get very large. I have never been down but he raves about it.

quote:

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Originally posted by knot board

I always though Rainbow Beach would be protected from a SE

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Either side of the swimming beach / SLSC is side shore in a SE'ly as long as it doesn't have too much south in it. The quality of the waves varies greatly depending on what the sand banks are doing. Haven't sailed there for over a decade though, so don't know what it's like these days. Had some great sessions there in the late '80s & early 90's. It would hold a nice wave up to nearly mast high. Here is a photo from back then:
www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=4198

Holgs

i think that is KA72's work?

Yeah it is nice for jumps, and Gatakers Bay is better than it looks on the video. Watching those videos makes me reminisce my teenage years when I used to sail there all the time. It think the Northerlies seemed to be windier in Hervey Bay than what you get around Brisbane. Used to have many days at Gatakers in 30kn on a 4.0

Try the tip of Pt Vernon just before Corfield St on a SE when it's low tide. Once you get past the rocks the bottom is actually sandy. The boat harbour is a pain at low tide.

Also make sure you try Elliott Heads near Bundaberg in a SE'ly. It really is a fun spot with dead flat water next to a sand bar in the river mouth and then running out the river mouth into waist to shoulder high waves (side-onshore, no good for down the line wave riding but fun to jump). There is a caravan park right next to the sailing spot, so good for a weekend trip. Worth the drive from Maryborough.

Holgs

quote:

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Originally posted by ka72

What do you mean by that Gestalt?

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i mean i think that is your video? not sure. figured that might have been your name in the credits and remember you telling me something about some windsurfing videos.

if it is well done. if it isn't then well done to whoever. makes me want to sail there.

not trying to cause offence.

Holgs and Hooray,
Looks like the forecast for this Saturday afternoon is 15-20 N to NW.
Is there anywhere to sail a NW'erly in the Hervey Bay area?
(Low tide is 12:30)

thanks

Gatakers Bay, long walk to the water though accross the mudflats on a dead low tide, but still sailable. Otherwise anywhere from Scarness to the Urangan pier. You'll find smooth water at the pier at low tide.

Still on for Burrum Heads tomorrow Hooray?

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Originally posted by knot board

Packed up by three o'clock and went to Gatakers Bay, hoping to find the place packed with local windsurfer. Alas again not a sole, was windier there but I couldn't work out where to launch from as it was half tide and very rocky.

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The launch is between Rankin and Spence St. Walk from Beach over sand to water's edge. No need to go over rocks. Watch the video, you'll see them launching next to mangrove tree (at high tide). On half tide it's easy because you can see the rocks. Harder at high tide if you don't know where the rocks finish. Half tide on the incoming tide should have been good.