Hey,
I'm travelling Australia at the moment and, having left my board and sail at home (in the UK) I'm wondering where I can hire kit. I am by no means a good windsurfer but I can do the basics in a harness, working on getting in the footstraps! I'm absolutely hopeless in the waves and prefer the freestyle side of life!
Can anyone give me any hints/tips as where to sail or where I can hire in and around Australia...seriously anywhere.
Thanks
Phoebe
Australia's a big place Phoebe. What places are you visiting , then we can give you an idea on where to hire and what places to go
If you're in Victoria, then try either RPS (www.rpstheboardstore.com) or SHQ (www.shq.com.au) for hire in Melbourne. If you're visiting the eastern states, then get yourself down here and try Green Point in Melbourne, and Inverloch and Sandy Point - both around a 2-3hrs drive south east from Melbourne, and both have low sandbanks that keep the water dead flat in 30kt winds. Inverloch in particular is a great place to improve, but all three are great if waves aren't your thing.
I've heard there are plenty of places in WA to hire, but never done that myself. Getting good kit to hire in QLD I've always found difficult.
Good luck!
There are plenty of places around Sydney with Flatwater:
In Sydney (North Side):
- Pittwater (northern end around Palm Beach, not the best in my opinino)
- Narrabeen Lakes on the North Shore (not entirely sure about best wind direction)
- Balmoral (I think NE and SE are the options here)
In Sydney (South Side):
- Botany Bay (works in almost wind direction, more wind but also more chop)
South of Sydney:
- Illawarra Lake (works in any direction but can get a bit of seaweed)
- Gerroa/ 7 mile beach (works in the summer NE seabreeze, as long as there is no big swell running it's actually dead flat but it does get very windy in summer... 30knts+)
- Jervis Bay (there are a number of flat water sailing sports, best in NE and S winds)
North of Sydney:
- Winda Woppa (North of Nelson Bay, great in NE but wind blowing off shore)
- Entrance Lake (great in both NE and S)
- Macquarie Lake (great in Westerlies and Southerlies)
As far as sailing is concerned you will need a car to get around. Someone might be able to jump in here but I think there is guy that rents gear and run tuition out of Balmoral (I think it's through the Flying Fish sailing school).
Also, Windsurf and Snow will rent gear but you will need a car to get up there.
Hey stehsegler - I'm looking at going to Jervis Bay at Christmas/NY. Any idea what the conditions are like at that time of year?
Safety Bay (40 minutes south of Perth) Western Australia is definately one of the best places for flat-water Windsurfing.
I'm a casual instructor for the shop/school down here (WA Surf) and we do rentals and lessons and stuff all year round. Everything you'd want.
Anywhere in Wa is good though, always wind over here 
Join the University of new south wales windsurfing club ( on facebook ) . There a great friendly bunch who can help you out Based in sydney. Or give me a buz when you in Sydney as i have a spare board etc.
Stehgeler had a great summary of Sydney places up there.
Just to complete :
- Pittwater : agreed, not the best
- Narrabeen Lake : OK for flat on a NE, good for freestyle
- Balmoral : no, NE only, good few months in the summer, but then stay away. Not that flat on a strong NE. Best beach beach-wise though, good "amenities".
In Sydney (South Side):
- Botany Bay : yes, works in almost wind direction, you drive around until you find cross- or on-shore wind. Winter at Kurnell is fairly flat, summer at Airport, Sanderingham is also flat.)
Overall, Sydney is pretty lame in the winter though, mostly offshores.
In Victoria:
Hire from
- SHQ www.shq.com.au/
- RPS www.rpstheboardstore.com/
Both located within the Melbourne metro area. Staff will give some good location information.
Flat water locations
Anywhere in Port Phillip Bay at certain times. Big waves in big northerlies.
Inverloch
Sandy Point
*Don't know about locations on west side of Victoria
In Perth
Pelican Point - on the river - hire and sail on the spot
Safety Bay - near the Bent St boat ramp- hire and sail on the spot
NSW
A lovely spot I came across to hire and sail on the spot is Wallis Lake
near Tiona Park (South of Forster) - and a lovely cafe too!
