Hello turns out I will be moving down to Tasmania for a six month locum contract. I will be working in Hobart. I need some advice about windsurfing there. I currently have all my kit in Sydney - is it worth me bringing it down. I know it is coming into winter but I am from Scotland, surely it can't be as cold as home? Any advice, contacts would be appreciated.

Sorry Caitie, but after your 6 months down here there is no way in hell you'll be moving back to Sydney. Bring your gear.
We're still getting a few seabreezes, but yes we will soon be in our winter weather pattern - this typically involves west to sou-west winds, known as the roaring forties (40 degrees latitude sth). Yes they are strong, so bring some small sails. Yes they are cold, you'll need a good wetsuit. There's a wetsuit manufacturer in Hobart (Anchor Wetsuits) that make decent fairly cheap 4/5mm suits. There will be times when the wind is blowing over the top of a snow covered Mt. Wellington, and it's actually warmer in the water than on top of it, but we'll still be out sailing. Or surfing. Send me a PM when you get down here and I can tell you where it's all happening.

Are you a Dr? (is that what a locum is?) If so then there is a shortage of docs on the East Coast. Which is strange because as Bazz says it's the warmest part of the state, with some of the best beaches and coastline, nice little towns etc, and still only a couple of hours from the big smoke. Is that right Bazz?

[b]monster said...

we do need more docs im there number one patient at the moment , plenty sea food ,local wines can i do any more to entice you to be a locum here , plus we it would be nice to have more sailers ,will have to have a sail some time easty or if your ever up this way pm me cheers bazz

Yep, will get up there some time, for wind waves and fish.

Hey there thanks for the replies...I will organize my kit to come over but I think I will have to get it shipped as otherwise I will be stung for xcess baggage. I have only been in Sydney for a month having spent the summer in WA. You said I will need a 'thicker' wettie, 4/5 - thats my summer suit in Scotland - I normally wear a 6,5,4 hooded suit (can take the hood down in summer) so I don't think the cold will be too much of a problem!! I will get in touch with you guys when I get to Tassie - I look forward to some sailing with ya all Oh yeh and my smallest sail is a 4.2 - is that gonna be small enough? What size are you generally using through the winter? Is there any windsurfing shops (I am guessing not)?

Thanks easty, that's useful. I may get a smaller sail at a later date but will stick with what I've got for now I think. Now I just need to organze flights and kit transportation!
See you in Tassie can't wait!!

PS I climb too!!

Only thing the boys have neglected to mention is that if your impervious to the cold (as it appears that you are) is that winter also brings some excellent surfing . . . ..

caitie said...

Thanks easty, that's useful. I may get a smaller sail at a later date but will stick with what I've got for now I think. Now I just need to organze flights and kit transportation!
See you in Tassie can't wait!!

PS I climb too!!

Have you looked at Virgin Blue to take your kit with you? Their luggage allowance with sporting equipment is pretty good and all the unimportant stuff like clothes can go as excess luggage if you have more than 4 items of sporting equipment. Even their excess luggage charges are not bad, and far cheaper than shipping something airfreight.

Thanks for the advice, I have booked my flight already with quantas so FormulaNova, I can't now book with another airline. I am also traveling with 2 surfboards and they definetely come with me - no freight company is getting their hands on those babies! So I will probably just have to suffer excess baggage and a freight company. Thanks also for the advice re:the car Pugwash, but as I have been traveling for 4 months I need to work at least a month before that one - also I have friends in Tassie who may have an old car I can buy/borrow. Tasfyer thanks also for the advice re:surfing - yep the best swell in Scotland is usually not when the water is bearable in Summer but in the depths of winter - the empty lineups make it worth the frostbite and cold aches!! And finally Marrawah - do you sell north??

If anyone has recommendations re: freight companies then I'd be grateful - the company I used to transport from Perth to Sydney were great and pretty cheap but I am not sure that they do removals/freight to Hobart.