Hi Breezers..

Im going to be staying in Blacksmiths for the 3rd week of March and would appreciate any local knowledge you'd care to share. I'm mostly interested in open water/flat water paddling (I'm only comfortable surfing ankle biters in all honesty). The folks we're staying with may or may not have access to boards, so advice on a good shop to hire from is top of the list.

I've been in touch with the Lake Macquarie Sup Club on FB to get in on a social paddle or two.. Any other groups in the area? Newcastle looks like it has a good scene..

Thanks in advance..
Cheers, David S.

There are plenty of places around Blacksmiths to paddle:

Swan Bay (between Marks Point & the airport)
Swansea Channel - be mindful there can be some strong currents between the bridge & Marks Point.
Salts Bay - 7-10 min a car or paddle across from Blacksmiths.
Black Neds Bay - 5 min in a car or paddle across from the boat ramp just off the highway.
Coon Island is good for some cruising also - 5 min by car away.

Then there's the lake. Plenty of places to paddle regardless of wind strength or direction.

The guys at Kite & SUP in Warners Bay may be able to hire you a board.

You could very easily paddle at a different place every day.

Thanks Magilla, appreciate the info. BTW, will be in Melbourne area for a couple days the week before. I'm looking forward to hooking up with any of the SupVic crew around at the time.

You'd be most welcome. Where in Melb are you staying?

Happy to hook you up with a board when you're here.

We're making up our itinerary as we go, so open to suggestions.. Only plan so far is the first 5 days visiting friends in Sydney, and our last week or so in Blacksmiths - probably doing day trips from there. So basically about 10 days in between to drive south to Vic and then make our way back.

Thanks for for the offer of a board.. I graciously accept.. You Aussies are the most hospitable bunch anywhere.. I'm quickly getting stoked beyond words about our visit..

Happy to fill you in on a quite a few little hidden gems within an hours drive of Blacksmiths.

Straight through, it's a bit under 10 hours from Melbourne to Blacksmiths and about 8.5hours from Sydney to Melb.

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magillamelb said..
Happy to fill you in on a quite a few little hidden gems within an hours drive of Blacksmiths.

Straight through, it's a bit under 10 hours from Melbourne to Blacksmiths and about 8.5hours from Sydney to Melb.

Being keen on the road less travelled, I'm thinking 2-3 days to Melbourne. Couple days there, then onwards to Torquay and beyond. We can high tail it back North as necessary. We've got a friends holiday house available to use in Blacksmiths the last week of our visit.

This is trip is shaping up to be all time.. (Except for the right hand drive.. LOL)

You won't be the first one to change gear and end up winding the window down or step into the car and wonder where the steering wheel is....

Hi David,
Magilla has laid it out pretty well for you as far as places to go and who to see for a hire board opportunity. Blacksmiths always has a few suppers out on the beach, the waves behind the break wall are usually pretty small and manageable and if that's not your liking you can simply paddle out up towards Red Head for a bit of flat water on the right day. All those places mentioned on the lake and at Swansea are great and will be better at different tides and winds. Black Neds is a great sup location at high tide and you can get in amongst the mangroves and spot fish, birds and get eaten by sandflies if you like that sort of thing.
When you get here look me up, I can likely meet you at some time if I am not at work and show you around the area. There's also the Newcastle sup crew and several other groups that you could likely hook up with for some local knowledge and hospitality.
All the best

Thanks Dak. Are you part of the Lake Mac SUP club crew? PM me your contact info if you want.. I'll look you up for sure.

Cheers

Before you come up hit Lake Mac Sup Club up on Facebook and we can hook you up with some company to paddle with. There is always some one paddling of an arvo or a sickie can be taken for a mid week surf session . There are quite a few members on that side of the lake so there would be no shortage of takers. Talk to Dave at Kite and Sup and he can definitely hook you up with something. Enjoy your stay and have fun.
Cheers Mutley

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Barneyrubble said..
Before you come up hit Lake Mac Sup Club up on Facebook and we can hook you up with some company to paddle with. There is always some one paddling of an arvo or a sickie can be taken for a mid week surf session . There are quite a few members on that side of the lake so there would be no shortage of takers. Talk to Dave at Kite and Sup and he can definitely hook you up with something. Enjoy your stay and have fun.
Cheers Mutley

Thanks Mutley, will do. As you Aussies say, frothing..

The Ocean Sweepers Training Squad is in Newcastle - check them out on Facebook.

Also 19th March is the Newcastle SUP Club launch day - SUP races and events for the whole family - check them out on facebook too for updates www.facebook.com/newcastlesupclub/

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BluePlanetAus said..
The Ocean Sweepers Training Squad is in Newcastle - check them out on Facebook.

Also 19th March is the Newcastle SUP Club launch day - SUP races and events for the whole family - check them out on facebook too for updates www.facebook.com/newcastlesupclub/

Thanks Blue Planet. I will check out both those links..