my daughter's looking at getting back into windsurfing, she lives at tweed ,where is the best flat water,she mentioned kirra beach and the spit at sea world
Hiya Keef,
we were just up there and I saw some guys blatting back and forward on the Broadwater. Lots of sand banks etc, looked really nice.
Try the local windsurf shop Surf FX at Southport. They know the area well.
Larko.
Hi Keef, have a look at the Qld forums, there's a Pryde demo week kicking off 30/10 in Southport. Most of us flat water guys sail at the bottom of North St. There is always someone there if the wind is blowin.
If she is interested in kiting the guys at Surf FX can arrange that as well. Your daughter would never be alone, cheers Nick
There is not a lot of flat water down the south end of the coast.
The estuary at Currumbin is OK for learning on a large board, though the wind will be gusty and swirly. Probably not too bad on a NW. It's very safe, that's for sure.
The Broadwater is good, but a good 40-50min drive from Tweed Hds.
If she can water-start, then Currumbin-Palm Beach is a better bet, as there is always a crew there, and it's pretty safe too.
Kirra is very good on a N-NW, when we get them, and the usual suspects gather there pretty quick in those conditions.
There are plenty of kite shops offering lessons and she would not be alone for long. Kiters seem to be pretty good at looking out for each other, helping rig/launch/land etc, and girls always get special consideration. I think Roar at Currumbin do kite stuff as well as SUP, but I could be wrong. There is another shop opposite Von Bibra too, near the river.
Kirra is very popular for kiting, lots of space with few other beach users to bother, and it's really a magic spot. Good facilities, lots of nice eateries for after, and very close to TW.
I learnt to windsurf in Currumbin Estuary over 20 years ago. It is ok during Summer with the northerly winds, and for a beginner the lagoon is ok in Sth as well. The beauty of the estuary is that it is reasonably quiet and very clean. You don't see many windsurfers in there anymore though.
Back in the day I even sailed Jack Evans boat harbour a few times, which is between Twin Towns and the Tweed Mall. Again ok for a pure beginner to get on the water but the wind is difficult in there and it will be very unlikely you will another sailor there (the Way family used to run a school and hire business in there during the late 80's/early 90's).
If you are looking for flat water with someone to sail with the Broadwater will be the best option by far. Many take off from North st.
Kirra in a N/NW is usually really nice, but as the tide moves and the wind invariably gets a little stronger a decent size shore break can come from nowhere. I know a few seasoned flat water sailors that haven't made it out through there on what we would term a small day. So without knowing her skill level, just worth mentioning.
thanks guys for all your help, ill send her a link and she can read the feed back from you guys, she had a sail in July on green island (fist sail in 15 years) on my CA55SL and KA CONCEPT 5mt, she didn't have any problems sailing out and back but just a bit rusty on the water starts, 2nd cam kept popping off due to lack of down haul
she did say currumbin looks a bit gusty, and 40 to 50 min isn't a long drive to the broadwater
ive modified an old longreef hardcore(this Friday it hits the water
)and id like to see her on it (with gps of cause )for the burrum speed week next year
Currumbin is no gustier than the Broadwater. Sounds like she has all teh mad skillz she needs to do fine there. Worst case scenario, she does the Currumbin Triathlon.
It's great in N-NE winds and pretty steady, but promises much and delivers little on southerlies.
Shearwater Esp at Runaway Bay gets all the action on a southerly. It's tide dependent, but safe. Still holey but, even when it's blowing well.
)and id like to see her on it (with gps of cause )for the burrum speed week next year
