Stars and planets have aligned,
Can get to Green Island for the nationals from WA, but need a checklist to do so and am calling out to seabreezers for assistance.
Flights will be sorted.
Am looking to book accommodation on island.

But more importantly...
Registration
Sail Numbers
What size board and sails i.e. what wind strength can we expect?
Schedule of races.
Can be there Monday through to Friday but some limitations.
Can the girl get a tan whilst I am sailing?

Sorry, but this has (as always)come on in rush. Any help appreciated, but I also will do some research in meantime.
Thanks in advance

Sorry guys,
Just did a bit of research and found the website which answered half my own questions.
Tips still appreciated.
Thinking 110l board and 3 sails but open to suggestions.
Bit outa shape but should be better than cold and windless wa (and a bit closer than maui)
Thanks

Ok, first snag.
Called qantas and baggage length limit is about 200cm.
Any clues?

Fly Virgin ...

A 110 with 3 sails should be the go.

Yes, everyone will get a tan, especially us Taswegians!!

You won't be the only one out of shape ...

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longwinded said..

Ok, first snag.
Called qantas and baggage length limit is about 200cm.
Any clues?

Not sure who where the 200cm for Qantas come from? Some boffin I would suggest.
Think you will find that it's 'Jetstar' that cant take boards because they can't fit them in their planes literally.
You wont need 3 sails, 2 is fine, wind generally will be 12-25knts.

Tip is pack your board in 1 x bag, this will be under 10kg easy no issues.
The other bag is your rig/sail bag say it gets to say around 15kg put them through oversize, one of the bags they will allow , the other you will get stung say its not normally much.

Your personals take on your carry on bag.

Done this set up both with Qantas and Virgin many a time, no issues just get there early to make it easy for all and smile a and be friendly helps!

DONT put all your gear in one bag, it will be too big/heavy for them and you will be in trouble, don't pack too much stuff, travel light, you don't need much gear the conditions are very consistent.

Invest in some 'blow up roof racks' and bring with you, gives you the option of putting gear on car rather than in if required.

Key to it all is not too much gear, you need to get your gear on/off boats too (if you don't get it on the barge) so light and less is good here also.

As for swimming Tanning, this pic is what the 'spectators' have to deal with!....wind is around the corner a bit, so plenty of shelter, water is warm as also!

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AUS02 said..

Fly Virgin ...

A 110 with 3 sails should be the go.

Yes, everyone will get a tan, especially us Taswegians!!

You won't be the only one out of shape ...

^+1 Yip Virgin were the best of the bunch last time I travelled

I'm flying Qantas. 2.7m is the length i'm allowed...I also bought extra baggage for only $30.

A 110ltr board and 2 sails will get you done...that is most of us used last year.

At the airport they have maxi cabs that take the gear easily....

Basically this is a very easy trip....look forward to see you there....

All good advise here, I haven't flown Cairns to Perth with my gear for a couple of years. Last time I flew it was Qantas, straight across with one stop in the middle, no problem with 1 board 2 sails and the other crap. All the other times with Virgin, a lot cheaper at the time but you have to go via Brisbane or Melbourne etc, makes it a long day, might have changed. If you take your partner you can spread the load. As said, one side of the island is in a wind shadow, sun bakers all along.

Anyway just do it, it's an awesome place to sail, a great experience. Last year I transported a few from airport to town and back but this year I'll be out of action, if in need put the word out.

Cheers Bob.

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longwinded said..

Stars and planets have aligned,
Can get to Green Island for the nationals from WA, but need a checklist to do so and am calling out to seabreezers for assistance.
Flights will be sorted.
Am looking to book accommodation on island.

But more importantly...
Registration
Sail Numbers
What size board and sails i.e. what wind strength can we expect?
Schedule of races.
Can be there Monday through to Friday but some limitations.
Can the girl get a tan whilst I am sailing?

Sorry, but this has (as always)come on in rush. Any help appreciated, but I also will do some research in meantime.
Thanks in advance

Great that you can come.

Registration on the website is easy. Make sure you join up with your local club or WindsurfingWA beforehand. They can allocate you a sail number or you can pick a non AUS number and hope that nobody else will have it. It makes it easier for the race crew if you have proper sail numbers. Talk with Orth Stickers there in Perth.
windsurfing.org/files/info/Sail_Numbers_Special_Offer.pdf


Making numbers with electrical tape is a last resort if you run out of time. They can be hard to read from the beach with sun behind when the finishers are recording results.

We had no issues getting a maxi taxi from airport to hotel last year. 2 sailors and gear plus my wife and kids. Taxis are everywhere in Cairns and seem to appear as soon as you call up to book.

Last year we flew Qantas and no dramas. As long as each bag is under 23kg and less than 3m you are sweet. Prepay for the extra bags (flat rate of $35?) meant no hassles. Excess baggage can be expensive if you just pay at the airport. This year we are going virgin. They have a similar deal for baggage.

Have a good trip.

No problems with Qantas from Tas last year, just make sure there are no Jetstar flights involved. Absolute maximum 32kg, you pay per kg over 23kg. I had 2 bags that were 32kg last year, no probs just paid extra. Buy extra baggage online before hand and its all cool. As JF said, Maxi Taxi from Airport. Staying on Island is definitely the go if your old like me, so relaxing with sunset drinks and room service at the pool is very worth while.
80kg used 107 and 7.0 last year, if I had a 7.8 I would of used it, 15-25(a bit softer than WA 15-25)

Longwinded,
May i suggest that instead of pre booking both the emergency exit rows to fit you in the aircraft that you book two seats for all your crap and have the missus drop you off pre packed at the oversize baggage drop off.
The lower gm of the aircraft will make the flight much more comfortable for everyone and primal wookie calls emanating from the cargo hold will keep the hostess suitably distracted long enough for your missus to syphon the alcohol trolley down to you.

Thanks for all the help guys. Unfortunately, as quickly as this looked as though this was going to come together, it started falling apart. Held onto the dream over the weekend, but work pulled the rug out from under me yesterday.
Will still be in Cairns on Monday for original work commitment that got this dream of sailing in tropical weather started.
Anyway thanks for the help, and will pop over to the island to say g'day whilst I am there.

I cant get sail numbers done for you now. But in the future I do sail numbers for a lot of the Aussie crew. Fully custom or to IFCA specs.email me if you need some in the future info.royalprints@gmail.com

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NZL252 said...
I cant get sail numbers done for you now. But in the future I do sail numbers for a lot of the Aussie crew. Fully custom or to IFCA specs.email me if you need some in the future info.royalprints@gmail.com

Love the 2nd one.. Only good if you are a good sailor though..could be embarassing..

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sboardcrazy said...
Love the 2nd one.. Only good if you are a good sailor though..could be embarassing..

That is easy solved with a black-marker and the words "Not Quite ".

darryl is no slouch anyway....