Hi guys,

I am new to windsurfing and super keen to progress quickly. What are the best wind directions in St Kilda, Elwood and Aspendale? Any other tips for good spots to learn?

All tips more than welcome and appreciated!


Thanks

Hello, Habbott,

Elwood: South and south-westerly. Westerly is dead onshore and the shore break is deadly on a rising tide.

Sorry, don't sail at St. Kilda.

Aspendale: S-SW but will also work in a westerly.

You might also consider Parkdale which works in a S-SW and can be very good in E-SE.

If you're new to windsurfing, suggest you don't go out in anything over 15 knots. Other windsurfers on the beach can help you if you can't judge wind speeds yet.

Might be better to ask the question in the Victorian forum.

Hope this helps.

Anywhere on the east coast of the bay will be gnarly if it is dead onshore . Good fun if your up to it . The rollers can get over head high in 20 kts . Even though it's not surf in the breaking zone it can damage rigs , body and soul close to shore . The problem is they are so close together , no time to uphaul between waves . Or waterstart . It's hard enough to step start in those conditions .
Upside is the waves are slow and rounded and only crumble at the top . Easy fun , just don't fall off in the crunch zone .
When in this area , I'm not sure if it's better to let the board go , or hang onto it someway , till your past the worst parts .
You will blow in quickly and there are no rips , so it won't take long till your feet touch ground .
Having said that I've trashed two sails doing this , a mate broke a mast .
Sideshore with a little onshore , is flat and friendly .
A proper 15 kts is more than enough for serious fun .

If you're a beginner I would strongly suggest to try Inverloch. It is good in pretty much any wind direction without north in it. Another spot near Inverloch is Area 45 - sailable in any wind. The biggest advantage is flat water, very beginner-friendly. I guarantee that in just 2-3 sessions in Inverloch you will make a better progress than in 2 years of struggle in Port Phillip Bay's choppy waters

Northerlies, because they point to Queensland where the water is warm!!!

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MarkSSC said..
Northerlies, because they point to Queensland where the water is warm!!!

Northerlies point south... so that would be Tasmania.

St Kilda is good because you can launch from behind the breakwater, then you can sail out into the open water - good in a SW to SE. A summer seabreeze is likely to be a few knots more than anywhere else.

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mathew said..

MarkSSC said..
Northerlies, because they point to Queensland where the water is warm!!!

Northerlies point south... so that would be Tasmania.

St Kilda is good because you can launch from behind the breakwater, then you can sail out into the open water - good in a SW to SE. A summer seabreeze is likely to be a few knots more than anywhere else.

Point taken. Should have said southerlies. That's where all the cold air comes from! I've lived in the ACT and Victoria for a number of years so the difference is noticeable.

I mostly sail from St Kilda West Beach. About 500m west from Zu Boardsports, there is a ramp which gives easy access to the beach when carrying kit. I tend to rig up in the grassy area in between the traffic as there is lots of space.

Lessons are available from Zu (highly recommended you take some if you haven't before - this will help you progress quickly) and so is kit rental.

St Kilda is pretty good in SW and W winds. It is onshore which can make launching a little tricky if you aren't used to it and also staying upwind.

Gusty in E but still sailable.

No go in Northerly as it is offshore - I head down to Green Point in that case!