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boffe said..
Great guys thanks for the infos! Keen to join! Last question: what's wind to expect usually? And most important, proper upright fin or weed fin is required?!?
thanks!!
I'm living at Jimmy's, still just figuring it out really, here's my advice.
Typically Jimmy's will have a moderate nor easter. You'll look at the big blue flat bay and think it is 5kts, but it will be 15kts.
Marine rescue Port Stephens have a tower with wind observations, i find it easiest to access via willy weather, port stephens, and make sure i'm on that station.
But don't let that fool you either, it might say 25kts, but Jimmy's 25kts is different. I'm not sure why, maybe wind shadows from dunes or something, but i use much bigger gear here than anywhere else for same strength wind. Take off like 25% of the wind speed i'd say.
Seabreeze Bennetts beach is what i find the best for forecasts.
Volume is definitely your very good friend here, and big fins.
I'm 70kg and often ride Formula board to get into the flat water up close to the spit at the eastern end. It is probably one of the best places in the world for boards like that. Whatever can get you closer to the sand spit at the eastern end is where the flat is. Foils will have no problem getting in there and gliding through the holes.
90ltr board is ok out wide in more wind, but there's more chop there. I'm enjoying 120ltr here lately with big weed fin.
It's crystal clear deep water, but sometimes the odd bit of ribbon weed can lift with currents and might grab pointers.
It's rare that i use smaller than my Ezzy Lion 6.5 sail here.
Very experienced sailors might be fine on smaller kit if strong, but i still struggle on smaller stuff here.
As James said, if it's a southerly, then that's way different, small gear and chop skills needed.
Camping - yep, Reflections Jimmy's beach will be where most sailors stay. You can walk down to launch spot from there, super nice spot. Be aware there are two Reflections in Hawks Nest, one is over by main beach, one is at Jimmy's.
Mungo brush national park is 20mins up the road and nice camping too. White Tree bay or the Wells can be good launch spots for sailing the lake.
Parking at Jimmy's will be tight and does require a walk of gear about 120m to water line. This is from the caravan park launch spot where the crew had the briefings last year, and where all sailed from for the event. Small gear struggles to get out from wind shadow there.
There are other launch spots aswell if needed.
I got a permit from council to drive on the beach, you need a dr to write you a letter to recommend beach access based on some physical ailment. $110 bucks, need a proper 4x4, 12psi tyres and some very good soft sand driving skills. I'm not recommending that option to people visiting as it's alot to figure out, just saying that's how i do it, and how about 500 kiters have been doing it each season lately
Next best option would be 'the fish shower'. Along the road heading to Winda Woppa, you'll see a big dirt parking area, that's decent in a NE. Or anywhere further along Winda Woppa, the western end traveling along the Boulevard, the sailing line is good heading out to the spit from there but rigging space out there is hard. Wings and smaller gear go well from Winda Woppa as there is less wind shadow there.
Renting a house at winda woppa would be nice, a few sailors do this throughout the year. Leave gear rigged and sail from out the front yard really.
The sailing area can be accessed from all these spots. Heck, experienced sailors can even access it coming from the other side, Shoal Bay. But ask Byron how that looks in strong wind, too scary for me.
In short, it look's like this