A while back we had a Canberra Windsurfers website that was excellent and gave us somewhere to talk about what was happening in Canberra. It's been offline for 12 months plus and I have spoken to quite a few people who would like to see something back again.

I am not sure if there is any interest but I have created a facebook group that might fill the void.

Just search for - Windsurf Canberra

If you are in Canberra and are interested in staying in touch with other locals join up. No pressure.

BTW - forecast for the next few days looks very promising!!

why not hassle Laurie for an ACT specific area on Seabreeze?

I'm sure there would be as much going on there as in a number of the other states, always been a pretty strong windsurfing crew in Canberra.

Someone told me they were having trouble with sewerage overflow from Qeanbeyan polluting Lake Burley Griffin.There was blue green algae or some other problem so you weren't allowed to sail in the lake.
They did say they were working to fix the problem and I was told a while ago.

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aus301 said...
why not hassle Laurie for an ACT specific area on Seabreeze?

I'm sure there would be as much going on there as in a number of the other states, always been a pretty strong windsurfing crew in Canberra.

I agree, i think we had to ask a few times to get a TAS forum.. one of the best things for windsurfing down here + the GPSTC

Yep they say that a lot. The trick is not to fall in

The main problem with Canberra's lakes is that nutrient washed into the lakes from the city is food for blue green algae. There is also an issue from time to time with bacteria. The longer term solution is the construction of wetlands on the feeder storm water and natural creek lines into the lakes, to filter that run off.

During the colder months there is not much of an issue and quite a number sail either side of the depths of winter (and some even through winter) which can be very enjoyable provided you have the right wet suit like the O'neil Psycho 4/3.

It would be great to have an ACT area on the Forums as a focal point for the ACT crew. While most of the focus is on Lake Burley Griffin, the other two lakes do have their moments depending upon wind direction and season. For example Tuggeranong is quite good in winter southerlies although the runs are short.

It's nice to know what is happening in other states. + 1 for TAS and ACT forums!

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Longlines said...
The main problem with Canberra's lakes is that nutrient washed into the lakes from the city is food for blue green algae. There is also an issue from time to time with bacteria. The longer term solution is the construction of wetlands on the feeder storm water and natural creek lines into the lakes, to filter that run off.

During the colder months there is not much of an issue and quite a number sail either side of the depths of winter (and some even through winter) which can be very enjoyable provided you have the right wet suit like the O'neil Psycho 4/3.

It would be great to have an ACT area on the Forums as a focal point for the ACT crew. While most of the focus is on Lake Burley Griffin, the other two lakes do have their moments depending upon wind direction and season. For example Tuggeranong is quite good in winter southerlies although the runs are short.

I was cycling around there one day in Jun with a good Nw and was disappointed that no one was out..

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sboardcrazy said...
Someone told me they were having trouble with sewerage overflow from Qeanbeyan polluting Lake Burley Griffin.

I think it's more likely to be from the sewerage overflow out of parliament house.
Sometimes it's an assault on the ears so I can't imagine what it must be like to swim in.

Least we forget, each State has a Parliament House! Seriously it is easy to sling off at politicians, but you only see the tip of their work for people and the heavy lifting done in the legislative programs. But back to WS as a political free zone! Though the other State capitals have access to sea water and breezes we in Canberra are land locked which has its compensations with easy access to the great outdoors and the mountains including snow skiing / snow boarding.

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Longlines said...
Least we forget, each State has a Parliament House! Seriously it is easy to sling off at politicians, but you only see the tip of their work for people and the heavy lifting done in the legislative programs. But back to WS as a political free zone! Though the other State capitals have access to sea water and breezes we in Canberra are land locked which has its compensations with easy access to the great outdoors and the mountains including snow skiing / snow boarding.

That would be nice..

i lived in Canberra for three years - the lake was occasionally closed for swimming due to blooms, but many of us sailed regardless. i took my cues from the true locals who seemed not to worry so neither did i, and we were all fine. <-note, this is not medical advice!

Burley-Griffen is top sailing on a summer's evening easterly - after work I'd join the sailors clustered at the point, rigged and waiting for the tell tale swing to kick, then bam! sail 'till dark. great summer sailing.

the winter fronts in ACT are fickle and the water feels only just above freeze point. i tried a sail once in June, fell in and as soon as my head went under, i had instant ice-cream headache. limped back to shore and never did it again.

back on topic - the man behind the ACT windsurfing forum was Jase, who I think moved to the coast not long after I left in 2010. he still posts here forum a lot, so he may be able to advise...

I lived in canberra for a year and a half and the waves didn't get over toe high. Its definatley not a swell magnet and that is why I had to move back to the ocean!

I did sail there a few times and there was always a big crew out.

I think the trick is to appreciate whatever water you have. I was the only one out today (besides the water police "testing" out their anti terrorist boat ???????). Had a great time, hit 30 knots for the first time and even pulled out the old F2 Ride to see if it still worked. Trousers is right - parts of the lake are technically closed for swimming from time to time but out in the middle is fine (again not medical advice!)
Thanks for the feedback re getting an ACT space, I'll follow I up.

Hi guys, just writing to see if there has been any progress on the ACT forum?
I am looking to move to Canberra soon.

Daminac. I think that the CBR crowd is more interested in sailing that posting so we've had a few goes at forums, websites, Facebook etc and they haven't really taken off. When you move, come down to Yaralumla Bay when it's blowing (it either is or it isn't, nothing much in between), or go and check out Wetspot Watersports at Fyshwick.

Hi crew
Yep we seem to be a little adversed to being or getting organized here in sunny Canberra. There are still some keen sailors around but we have hit that time in life where work and family have more sway than sneaking off for a day on the water. It has already been a good start to the season with quite a few good days. Sounds like there a few out there that are a bit soft as I sail the lake in winter without booties. Once your feet are numb it's all good. Make sure you come and catch up with all the local sailors when we have the movie night on the 18th of October at the Wetspot. It's free and there will be beers and pizzas on. Please register by emailing ( info@wetspot.net.au ) or calling the shop 6239 1323 so I can have enough beer!
Hope to see you on the water soon.
Scotty

How long and what is the conditions like to the nearest ocean spot to Canberra. On the maps it only looks like a few hours which would be great for weekends.

Broulee is the closest at about 2hrs 20 mins depending on where in Canberra you start from. Wait for a noreaster forecast and if Moruya Heads airport is reading about 11 knots at 11am, expect it to rise and head out. Take the arvo off work.

Gerroa is further at 2hrs 45 minutes but the seabreezes get in more reliably there. The wavesailors prefer Gerroa. Any sort of noreast forecast has a good chance of getting in at Gerroa so you can head off earlier.

With busy lives the local lakes in Canberra are very convenient and from my perspective the informality adds to the flexibility in deciding when. Where I differ from Scotty is the use of booties through winter even allowing for the somewhat mild winter this year! The main obstacles to work around in winter sailing are the short days and getting the wetsuit dried inside out in between sessions.

Hey there guys,

Moved to Canberra late last year (from Southwest Vic coast) and have settled in and ready to get back into some windsurfing. Been keeping an eye out for windsurfers (saw someone out on lake Ginninderra last year). Been thinking of going for a dip there, but am not sure how deep it is etc.

I've still very much a beginner and only took this hobby up a couple of years ago, so still learning to a large extent. I got myself some new learners board and updated kit (after spending a season on an old 90's board) which has made things much more fun.

Any good sources on how to pick the weather?

I'm totally new to this foreign climate up here, also the best places to go. Was hoping to get some general tips etc. on where and when to go. What winds are best etc etc.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Trev

hi trev,

i havn't seen anyone on Ginninderra for years!, most of the sailing happens at Yarralumla and that is better suited to the NW winds we generally get.
seems like a few older/bigger boards have been getting back out in last couple of years, last summer we had a small group getting together after work one night a week, we'll try to get that happening again once it gets warmer.

this time of year we will start to get big westerlies, very gusty, otherwise expect light NW's.
the breeze most hangout for are the easterlies that get in late in the day thru summer.

although alot of the locals only ever sail when its windy and on smaller gear, cruising the lake on a big board in light winds after work beats paddling...

Doug.

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fjdoug said...
last summer we had a small group getting together after work one night a week, we'll try to get that happening again once it gets warmer.

Let's get that happening again! I missed it most of time due to work travel but Ive got a job now with no travel so I'm looking forward to lots of afternoon sailing sessions (when the kids are in after school care!!)

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squinter24 said...

Any good sources on how to pick the weather?

I moved from the coast about 5 years ago. The main difference is that on the coast the wind blows in the afternoon. In Csnberra it blows when it feels like it. I've had some great weekend sessions from 9-12 and the wind is gone by the afternoon. Nor-westerly that is.

In a southerly, stay at home with a bottle of wine.

Easterlys are the best. There are people around that understand them better than me but basically if it is blowing southerly on the coast and an easterly picks up at Braidwood then 2 hours later it hits us.

Hey Pete
Tomoz looks good got 15-20 forecast from the west. I'm gunna get out there and dodge a few of the trees that floated into the lake after all the rain over the past few days. hope to see a few of you out there.

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Wetspot said..

Hey Pete
Tomoz looks good got 15-20 forecast from the west. I'm gunna get out there and dodge a few of the trees that floated into the lake after all the rain over the past few days. hope to see a few of you out there.

I was sitting in the Boathouse talking about Workers Comp Dodging looked like the name of the game. Kids being shipped of to Grandparents in Sydney next week for the holidays and the snow has washed away so it looks like windsurfing season has started!! ...... or I could go with my wife to Floriade......

Cool, I would be keen to get out certainly (on the weekends would suit me better)... Sounds like I will have to go for a drive and suss out Yarralumla.

Thanks, guys

Anyone keen for an afterwork sail and a quiet ale or 2 tomorrow?

Karl from Wetspot was keen for a splash tomorrow, and Scotty was considering cutting his south coast holiday short to catch a session on the lake (given its westerly and that won't be nice anywhere down merimbula way).
Get into it, wish I could join but I'm out of town for the day.
iPhone weather widget suggests Sunday might have some breeze too?