Hi all!
I just discoverd your forum and would like to inquire about conditions in WA from active sailors. I'm sure these questions have been asked a million times before and if you want to shine me on that's fine I reckon I can get the info from your local shops. So here's my situation anyway.
My girlfriend and I may come down there for a quick 2 to 3 week vacation in January. We are from west coast North America. Where should we go to maximize Time On Water?
I'm a pretty good wavesailor with virtually no port tack experience. I would like some mellow waves to get used to Port tack Down the line.
Here's a shot of me in my own back yard. I hope posting link is OK.

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My Gal has only sailed shallow flat water but is in the straps, waterstarts and getting jibes but not planing through them so well.
We'll not want to drive each day too much but staying close to the same spot would be good. Not too many kites is desirable too.
Where should we go?
Thanks Jeff

Isn't left hand forward port tack?

Yeah it's weird but we call it Starboard tack sailing when you are on starboard going out. I thought that was universal.
Anyway thanks for the reply.
Another question is would it be noticably hotter in Geraldton than in Lancelin? Cooler may be better for us.
And she would like some instruction on carve jibes. I learned a long time ago not to teach my partner so which area would be better for that?
Here's another shot of yours truely at a differant spot in Oregon. Link may not work but here goes.



Jeff

dude nice photo
sounds like lancelin is the place for you

Jeff,

Nice piccies you have there. Looks like Oregon is a lot colder than WA. You won't notice temperature differences between Lancelin and Gero at that time of year. Most places on the West Coast are not too hot (25-32oC)in summer as long as you have a seabreeze, but heat up to 35-40oC when there isn't one. The light is very bright and strong, so you'll need to cover up, or retreat to the shade in the middle of the day, especially in Lano or Gero, where plants don't get much higher than shrubs.

If these areas are too desert like, head down to the SW coast for cooler temperatures, greenery, trees, wineries and excellent wave sailing, albeit in less windy conditions than you will find in Lano or Gero.

Cheers, Jens

Actually the water here is clean as in not polluted but is a dark green color. The brown you see in the photos is sand being sucked up into the shore break. The water is cold though. We wear 4/3 wetsuits.
The wind however is strong and cross-off, great for aerial off lip's.
Thanks for the link Leski.
And thanks Jens for the climate info.
Jeff

Why not try both Lancelin and Geraldton ? Three and a bit hours will see you from Lancelin to Geraldton. If you leave in the morning you'll be there by the time the sea breeze kicks in, so you won't miss out on any time on the water.
In Geraldton you will need a car whereas in Lancelin some Europeans just wheel their gear on a trolley from their accommodation to the beach (don't know how they get from Perth to Lancelin though).

Oh man that looks nice. Mushy enough for getting the opposite tack than what I'm used to wired but good size and aerials look doable.
I should fit right in with my S-1 comp wave sails.

I was thinking of bringing 4.2,4.7,5.3, and 76lt. traditional waveboard.

I wonder if my Evo80 might be a better choice?
Is that wave kind of slow?
Jeff