I normally sail out of williamstown beach but have been eyeing off altona a bit. Went over there the other day and spoke to a kite person who said there used to be a lot of sailors there .. "but they have all switched to kiting" (of course!). has any body got any info about that area. anybody, anybody .. Bueller??

Red,

many moons ago I used to sail at Altona (1-2 seasons) - before I moved to QLD!!

From memory - on low tide yo have to walk out a bit - but no issue or not very far when you consider Qld tides!!!!.

I used to launch from the west side of the pier (about 100 up) On a S S/W I could then head out just pass the pier. (max 5-6 people used to sail here - mostly on wave gear - even in '94-95. About 200-400 metres past the pier (heading E/SE_ There was a sand bank that made the waves stand up (3-4m in a big blow) - biggest I have seen in Port Philip -and I have sailed all over the bay) A bit scary cos the period was short and the face sharp - not a good placed to drop a gybe!!!. Got some awesome air there!!

From memory there was a similar bar directly in front of Sirens at Williamstown - another old haunt. A bit of a diwn wind run.

Only worry I ever had was sailing towards Pt Cook and 'shark breeding alley) and also of the old rifle range at Williamstown (also shark breeding ground)


- J