Canberra + Lake George for sailing

LBG is the place to sail, Normally the warning signs don't stop the locals sailing but the lake gets very cold very quick. I've sailed in some cold places including Jindabyne and I rate LBG as being colder. There are a few other lakes in Canberra where the guys sail but the runs are much shorter then LBG. The guys launch down the southern end past the yacht club, Westerly or Easterly winds are best for LBG. It's under 2 hours for the guys to shot off to the coast, They frequent Gerroa, Jervis Bay, Sanctuary Point, Broulee and Merimbula. Lake George use to get sailed back in the 80's when it was full but It's been a long time since that has been the case. Many of the guys talk about how great it was and they can't wait till it's full again. The problem being that it's farming land, while they remove the wire fences when it starts to fill they leave the fence posts in place??? Sounds like fun to me It also has a few urban myths that come with the lake about fishermen that have disappeared and never been found and a plane that crashed never to be seen again even though that lake dried up....A bit of an Aussie Bermuda Triangle.

We used to sail Lake George as recently as about 15 years ago, but it hasn't really seen enough water to sail the western side since then. When it was full the predominate wind sailed out there was an easterly, which once you knew what to look for was pretty easy to spot a few hours before it hit, and during summer would get to 15-20knots regularly late in the day.

There was at one stage a farm gate we had access through and an area of the lake that had most fence posts removed thanks to the local windsurfing club.

JH is correct, there are a lot of stories about the danger of the lake, when full it is very big and the wind comes up quickly. A group of RMC cadets got lost out there and I believe were never found.

There is also a theory that it only fills up when a certain lake in NZ is empty. Was a good place to sail during summer years ago, not sure anyone ventured out there in the winter winds though.

In those conditions, it was unusual that no-one was out on LBG. We normally ignore the "closure"; the police don't enforce it. I had a sweet session on LBG this afternoon (NW, 15 - 20kt).


We had regular races on Lake George in the 80's. The fence wire was a major problem, so we would remove sections, and mark the passages with old mast pieces. But, every so often, a rush of blood to the head, and you would forget about the lurking wire with dire consequences.

The wire was one problem; the muddy bottom of the lake was another. Gooey, smelly mud. You couldn't help dragging some onto your board when you beach-started. Even when in chest-deep water, it was best to water-start, vs. beach-start.



In 1956, five RMC cadets drowned. Their bodies were recovered. The lake is shallow, and, with a long fetch, can get quite a rolling swell. It has claimed many lives (sailors, fishermen, canoists).

Lake George is a treacherous waterway. Even if it fills again, I don't think I'll be in a hurry to sail it.