I'm knocking on the 30knots, have had a 2sec 30.something, but have not been able to crack the 30knots average for a few years now. I guess my main problem is that Sandy Point is 180km from Melbourne, and of the times I've been there, it was sometimes not sailable (too westerly). Since moving to Melbourne in April, I've only been there about 6 times. I know I need to practice more, but sail almost every day at Elwood where conditions are very different.
Is there anywhere close to Melbourne that offers flat water sailing? I'd like to do some tweaks to the equipment and technique, but find when I sail in bumpy seas and seabreeze conditions, it is not constant enough to make a judgement on the finer tweaks...
It's real important to get a few knots extra - the big brother lives in NZ and we have a little bet on...whoever is fastest on GPS speedsurfing on 1 May has bragging rights for the next year - and he is in the lead (not by much!)

Cant believe its near on 9 hours and nobody from VIC within one of the GPSTC teams hasn't answered your yell for help
If you havent signed up (yes its all free) then take a look and jump into one of the teams.
gpsteamchallenge.com.au/
These guys will have you slaughtering big brothers score in no time.
All the best.
Mineral

Zeeber... Swan Bay!

Inverloch - 1.5 hrs drive from Melb. Closer than Swan bay. Has sand and grass rigging area. No need for Weed fin or booties and toxic mud wash down as with Swan Bay Sorry Red. I must admit I enjoy Swan Bay when I sail there Also voted one of the top 50 flat water spots in the world

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zeeber said..
It's real important to get a few knots extra - the big brother lives in NZ and we have a little bet on...whoever is fastest on GPS speedsurfing on 1 May has bragging rights for the next year - and he is in the lead (not by much!)

Get a speed weed and head to Lake George in late Jan or Feb.

Come down to Invy on a nice WSW or Easterly ( This Sun ) and we,ll sort ya out. The record in a easterly is a 44kt 5x10 and 40kt 2sec in a sw
Lots of people who can help.

Sunday might be a bit early to call... :) Sandy is likely to be good blast for an Easterly tomorrow and Thursday (but probably not super-fast).

Zeeber, if you are keen to really bump up your PB, you will want to get down there when there is a South-Wester blowing... The Windguru website for Sandy Point can give a pretty good indication... or just ask on here!

There are a few folks around that can give a few tips - just introduce yourself.

Thanks everybody you basically confirmed what I already suspected, that there's not a good flat water spot closer to Melbourne. Whether Swan Bay, SP or Invy, it's still a couple hours drive (currently looking for work, so counting the $$$s too - anyone need a business analyst?)
I was hoping there's a spot closer where I could practice daily...
I appreciate the offers for help, and will definitely take you up on it when I'm there - in the meantime, sailing good old Elwood - E 22 today.

Zeeber... Williamstown behind the Yarra breakwater is a spot where mid 30 knot runs have been down. Works on a N-NW and a high tide.. but.. mud and rocks but 10 minutes from the city.

Cheers, Red - will check it out.

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red said..

Zeeber... Williamstown behind the Yarra breakwater is a spot where mid 30 knot runs have been down. Works on a N-NW and a high tide.. but.. mud and rocks but 10 minutes from the city.

Make sure to wear booties... as the eel's squirming under your feet, is rather unnerving.

Red, AFAICR, there was a fence around it - is there still one?

Matt, don't know haven't sailed their in 7 years! You can launch from the marina as well but its a bit of a wind shadow to get out...