Where is good for a souwester and a beginner in (around) Sydney? Would prefer somewhere with huge beach, tropical weather and completely deserted, but will settle for usual Sydney-esque bedlam with hot and cold running blue bottles. Suggestions? Please..

Can deal with a bit of swell I think. I've been to boat harbour before but I couldn't remember what it was like. Good that someone else will be there - and a kiwi no less!

nowhere is good in Sydney in any wind it is a god forsaken hole .
[}:)]

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Originally posted by Prepare

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Originally posted by windangoesoff


aah the memories of good ol' Lake Woloomboola

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So is it any good in a SW'er? anything to watch out for?

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i haven't been there in years. It tends to have no water in it compared to 15-20 years ago. Where the carpark is there is no where to launch but if you walk your gear to the end of the sand strip half way down the southern end on the beach side you should get a good run diaganolly across - if there is water.

There is trees all around the lake besides the sand strip in between the lake/beach. We might have to go for a mission one day (saturday?)

there are a few spots - but bear in mind the wind WILL BE CRAP. also be aware all of the spots are NASTY. no wide sunny beaches with bikini clad women and men. begginers should chill out until summer or a tame southerly unless you want time in a hospital bed (or worse). seriously. it will be the worst wind you have ever kited (maybe). South-westerlies are arguably the worst wind we get in sydney so always keep your wits about you if / when going out. take someone to launch and land you. refer to the lofting thread before going out! in fact read it twice.

Sans souci - round the corner from dolls - needs to be low tide otherwise launches are "challenging" (i.e. not possible). stay near(ish) the bridge, but not closer than 200m from it. also be aware you are in a shipping channel, often a very busy channel and the boaters tend not to give way these days.

Dolls - choppy. do-able, but it's offshore and the next stop for your kite is the airport. That means no kooks without leashes! that means you bow crowd! full west is almost better than sw @ dolls... think about that for a while...

Quidray bay (kurnell). dont miss the point otherwise it's first stop laperuse! oyester leases, oyster infested rocks, toxic swamp water... need I continue?

Boat harbour - it's bs in a SW'er, chop central! frankly dont waste your time and money going out there for a SW'er. OK if it's south, and sickness on a stick if it's SE/E and low tide.

Laperuse and Yarra bay. The "usual" SW spot. Good fish and chips, and coffee. has showers at lapa. Yarra needs more south than laperuse. dont leave stuff on the beach or visible in your car else it will get nicked by some of the "native locals". can't hold a lot of kiters close in, but there is lots of upwind space. look out for the mooring bouys, especially the big concrete one. lots of windsurfers at times. laperuse is a NASTY beach - 3-5 meteres wide at high tide with lots of fences and hungry trees awaiting both you and your kite. I have seen lots of folks trash themselves and their gear there - be VERY careful.

without re-hashing the issue, "a lot" of bow riders do not have a leash attached to them which depowers the kite if they let go of it when unhooked. that just isn't cool kiddies. you 999999% depower is no good to you or anyone else if your kite is happily rolling away from you on the water by itself.

please see these threads (especially the first one):

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15282
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15948
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16304

Stnkygoat and Mr Float

Where is the best around Newcastle in a SW?
I was thinking that Picnic Point should be okay?

I might change my mind about going to Boaty tomorrow as I don't want it to be too onshore/choppy- Galah made some good points.

Cheers
Gav

The best place in a SW in Newcastle is just north of newcastle at birubi beach - you have to go all the way up to the northernmost end where it is cross on. Head for Anna Bay (port stephens) and then Birubi point. That's where we are going tomorrow if the stars align. I believe you can also go out at Squids (Belmont - oin Lake Macquarie) in a SW but I have only ever been there in true winter westerlies which are a bit different to the souwester. Fishermans point just around the shoreline from Squids is also good in a SW apparently, but it is still gusty. Forecast 4 meter swell tomorrow though, so if you are into flat water, birubi might not be for you - squids might be better.