This is a preliminary notice letting you all know that the Lake George Speed Sessions will be on again in early 2014.

This is not a formal competition, and is not sanctioned by Windsurfing SA or the Australian Windsurfing Association as we are unable to provide the necessary safety and recovery resources over such a long event window. Therefore, you sail at your own risk, and you only make it competitive if you want to. Otherwise it is a chance to sail on Australia'a finest flat water to see what numbers you can achieve on your GPS. It is just you and your GPS.

Details are being finalised at the moment, but I can confirm that The Beachport Hotel will once again be the major sponsor, with substantial backing and support by the best South Australian breweries - and don't we love that!

The sessions will once again run from January 1st to March 31st, giving each participant their own chance to catch good winds at a convenient time throughout that period. From my experience, you need more than one trip to the lake to do this. The first time you sail it, you are often just freaking out about the exceptional conditions, so you need to go back again (and again) to then focus on what it is you want to achieve.

Current reports are saying that the water level is high for this time of year, which means that the lake should hold it's level well into March for the strong SE'lys that bring the speed.

The Beachport Motor Inn 08 8735 8070 offered discounted rates to event participants this year, and will hopefully offer the same again for 2014.

The Beachport Hotel 08 8735 8003 has a minibus currently idling in the garage, ready to take people anywhere they need to go.

The Southern Ocean Caravan Park 08 8735 8153 has new owners (linked to the Beachport Hotel) and they're kindly offering deals on cabins for participants as well.

Please contact me (Chris Dimond) if you have any queries about the event or if you would like to assist with sponsorship - chris at dimond dot com dot au, or 0419 035 031.

There's a small group heading down there over the October long weekend (Oct 4-7). The conditions are far from flat at that time of year, but the camping is good, the beach fishing and 4WDing are good, the campfires will be roaring, and it'll be a nice few days to get away. Might be worth the trip if you want to get familiar with the place.

Let's hope for a windy summer, and PB's for everyone on the lake!

Remember, you participate in the Lake George Speed Sessions at your own risk.

Stay tuned...

Excellent Chris, I will be coming over for sure No Doubt a few of the other Tassie guys will be keen as well

Already got the boss notified

Tempting, very tempting...

A definite for me. Look forward to catching up new friends and setting some decent speeds

I'm in as well.

At this stage Binny and I are planning for a couple of weeks early January 2014, hopedfully see some of you there

Great stuff Chris!!!
I think you will find there will be an influx of New South Welshmen in February as most of our GPSTC members are all frothing to get down there and experience some SA hospitality and the legendary flat waters of LG.
You are doing a great job and we all look forward to making the long drive for some wicked speed fun!!
Bring on Feb.
Cockroaches, Marauders, Illawarra Speedsters, Gustbusters and Demerits.
Cheers,
Larko.

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bushfire said..

A definite for me. Look forward to catching up new friends and setting some decent speeds

Sounds tempting Bushy. When are you planning to head down? Team trip maybe? Will have to have a chat next time I see you.

Great stuff chris - looking forward to it. Can't wait for october weekend too....

Awesome! should be a good season at LG.

Is camping, in a tent or perhaps a camper trailer feasible at the caravan park, ie finding somewhere in the park sheltered, out of the wind and sun? I'd be looking to go in February after school holidays for two or three weeks at minimal cost.

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Mobydisc said..

Is camping, in a tent or perhaps a camper trailer feasible at the caravan park, ie finding somewhere in the park sheltered, out of the wind and sun? I'd be looking to go in February after school holidays for two or three weeks at minimal cost.

Hi Moby,

Beachport is a great town year round, but especially in summer. The Southern Ocean Caravan Park 08 8735 8153 is the pick of the two parks for a two to three week stay, as it is tucked into the dunes near the back of the town. It is very protected from the strong winds, but still walking distance to the shops, pub, jetty etc. The drive out to the rigging and launching area of the lake is about 20 mins.

February and March have been the best months over the last few years. The weather is hotter, the winds are stronger, the water level is lower and it is flatter. All of this equals FASTER!

If you have time, a quick visit in October, or Dec/ Jan, might help you to get your bearings?

Cheers, Chris.

Hi and what about January, is it too crowded, is it still possible to find camping accommodation?

Thanks to everyone for last years prizes, Dan and I donated our prizes to the Luderitz fundraising night sight unseen. Opps We both then tried to buy them back via the auction. We were very impressed by the Hydrodynamics Boom and the Coopers esky and added a good total for the night.

^ yep, if I'd have seen the esky I definitely wouldn't have donated it!! Went for a good price to support Spotty, Hollywood, daffy and Tony to luderitz so not disappointed.

Hanging out for another good LG session. Got 50hrs time in lieu acrewed so ready to leave at the drop of a hat on a good E forecast feb-mar.

cool I might have a go

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jimbob SA said..

cool I might have a go

Not to far to drive is it jimbob??

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powersloshin said..

Hi and what about January, is it too crowded, is it still possible to find camping accommodation?

Like most coastal towns in January, Beachport is busier, but there is always somewhere to pitch a tent. There are two caravan parks in town, and there are opportunities to camp out by the lake. The pick of the lakeside camping would be out on the spit, but that is not where we launch from at that time of year.

Keep an eye on the weather, and contact either of the parks with as much notice as you can give to improve your chances of securing a spot.

Fantastic. Now can we just delete September, October, November and especially, December please?

Oh sooooo tempting!

Cya there in October, who's reserving spots on the spit? Jimbob? mate buddy pal

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Aus06 said..

powersloshin said..

Hi and what about January, is it too crowded, is it still possible to find camping accommodation?

Like most coastal towns in January, Beachport is busier, but there is always somewhere to pitch a tent. There are two caravan parks in town, and there are opportunities to camp out by the lake. The pick of the lakeside camping would be out on the spit, but that is not where we launch from at that time of year.

Keep an eye on the weather, and contact either of the parks with as much notice as you can give to improve your chances of securing a spot.

Whoa its not always a given that you can drive across the top off the lake and sail of cockys point in Feb, the last 2 summers have been very low water levels, some years you can still sail along the spit at easter, I only let crew onto this area once I knew they it was ok to drive across there, if the wind swings to the west the water can blow into cockys and block of the way out. (hey choco)
at the moment the lake is full right up to the spit and you need to drive through a foot of water around the drift to get there, you can take the high track over the dunes. lake water is actually going out to sea through the channel though its nearly sanded up

.will be good to catch up with everyone but unfortunately I have no leave this year in Feb but will be out sailing when I can.

Not sure the missus will fall for the line I need to go at least twice so I can get used to it.

^^ Just pick two dates about 14 days apart and don't leave the lake in the interim.

What are the prevailing wind strengths at Lake George SA during February? Is it pretty reliably windy there too? My wife and I are considering a trip to SA and spending a week or two at Lake George and another week travelling around SA, Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills and some of the places they grow grapes for wine.

Se seabeezes in feb normally 23 to 28 but over 30 at lot of the times usually have 4 days on then 3 days average, need a high sitting in the bight as for wine coonarwarra has about 30 wineries and is about 40 minutes away from Beachport there is also some wineries near robe.

I will be over again this year. For at least 4 weeks, great fun and good people last year, can't wait.

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issac said..

I will be over again this year. For at least 4 weeks, great fun and good people last year, can't wait.

Flying in this year

Yeah we'll be back, maybe a bit longer this time.

Looking forward to 5 days at Lake George from next Thursday to the following Monday. Hoping for some serious wind, but I'll be happy with anything...

I haven't sailed in ages!