Good timing - Launch at the pass in a northerly (summer) you will be sailing parallel with the waves be careful when you get out to middle reef (straight out from the surf club) on a low tide as the reef can come out in the trough of a wave

awesome fun (I used to launch straight from Byron beach but it's a bit tricky depending on your skill level)
Also the Richmond river in Ballina is a great flat water spot in a southerly you could also try flat rock for some waves