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BrowneToby said..


I'm definitely shark paranoid but the Macleay river looks like a likely haunt for the bull shark.

Lol, fair call. Ironically you'll find more sharks here in the freshwater reaches of the river than the salt. Only seen 3 whilst sailing in three years, so wouldn't worry too much.

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PhilSWR said..
I haven't talked to one person that has sailed here that hasn't headed off stoked and raving about the joint.

Except me

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BrowneToby said..

I'm definitely shark paranoid but the Macleay river looks like a likely haunt for the bull shark.

What makes you say that Mr BrowneToby? Just cos it's a big estuary or something in particular?

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needsalt said..

BrowneToby said..

I'm definitely shark paranoid but the Macleay river looks like a likely haunt for the bull shark.

What makes you say that Mr BrowneToby? Just cos it's a big estuary or something in particular?

I've heard the manning river at Harrington is also popular with bull sharks and the water and bottom conditions in the photo are very similar to the manning i.e. clear and sandy. And there's also the fact that the local fisho's clean their catches nearby.

If I'm feeling a bit sharkophobic I generally don't fall in much as fear makes me concentrate lol. You would have to be very unlucky to get attacked but odds are a funny thing. The more you push them the more they shorten.

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Cluffy said..

needsalt said..

BrowneToby said..

I'm definitely shark paranoid but the Macleay river looks like a likely haunt for the bull shark.

What makes you say that Mr BrowneToby? Just cos it's a big estuary or something in particular?

I've heard the manning river at Harrington is also popular with bull sharks and the water and bottom conditions in the photo are very similar to the manning i.e. clear and sandy. And there's also the fact that the local fisho's clean their catches nearby.

If I'm feeling a bit sharkophobic I generally don't fall in much as fear makes me concentrate lol. You would have to be very unlucky to get attacked but odds are a funny thing. The more you push them the more they shorten.

Your lucky I'd fall in and wave my legs around waterstarting a lot in those sorts of conditions..

Sharks, smarks. Get out and have fun

Here's a short clip from the same day Cluffy was out. Just needed bigger waves- and I needed a smaller board...

I think sailing in such clear water as that you would soon see something if it was around. Middle of the day, clear water, more likely a shark would be injured by a fin strike rather than the other way round.

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PhilSWR said..
Sharks, smarks. Get out and have fun

Here's a short clip from the same day Cluffy was out. Just needed bigger waves- and I needed a smaller board...

Looks great. I'll have to try and get there although if its 10-20kts I only have cammed sails until the 5.8m Kult . I imagine I'd need 18kts/20kts + for that and then the conditions may get a bit dicey.
Love to get back into some jumps and get a gybe on a wave..
Only got the 115 freemove ( + 45 over my weight ) so maybe too big or the 95 ltre Tabou rocket..I've got waveboards for over 20kts but then maybe be too hary for me..

Sue, your 5.8 KA Kult and 95 Tabou will be a sweet combo. Just add 14-18 knots (typical seabreeze here) you'll be right.

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needsalt said..

BrowneToby said..

I'm definitely shark paranoid but the Macleay river looks like a likely haunt for the bull shark.

What makes you say that Mr BrowneToby? Just cos it's a big estuary or something in particular?

Yes I've spent quite a lot of time up there. Family connections on a farm at rainbow reach not far from the jerseyville bridge. They never swim in the river having been there for generations. Phil is right, they head up into the creeks. Having said that my concern only extends to the river. the gaol looks great, I can't believe i've never sailed there it looks so good, but i had a break from the sport for the best part of 20 years and only focussed on surfing - hat head, scotts and grassy.

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needsalt said..

BrowneToby said..

I'm definitely shark paranoid but the Macleay river looks like a likely haunt for the bull shark.

What makes you say that Mr BrowneToby? Just cos it's a big estuary or something in particular?

needsalt said..

BrowneToby said..

I'm definitely shark paranoid but the Macleay river looks like a likely haunt for the bull shark.

What makes you say that Mr BrowneToby? Just cos it's a big estuary or something in particular?

Yes I've spent quite a lot of time up there. Family connections on a farm at rainbow reach not far from the jerseyville bridge. They never swim in the river having been there for generations. Phil is right, they head up into the creeks. Having said that my concern only extends to the river. the gaol looks great, I can't believe i've never sailed there it looks so good, but i had a break from the sport for the best part of 20 years and only focussed on surfing - hat head, scotts and grassy.

More beautiful SWR with Phil making a cameo in this one!
Cheers
Marty

Nice work Marty, sweet looking vid!! Last time I sailed there was late 80's and lots of hammerheads around

Thanks. Been windsurfing there since the eighties (1986) when on holidays and seen my fair share of aquatic life in those years but never let it worry me. I basically learnt to windsurf there and spent more than enough time in the water and nothing bad ever happened (apart from the stacks). I think you would need to be really really unlucky for something to nibble on you. On the plus side there are always people snorkelling so they are more like bait than us
Cheers
Marty

PS. Never windsurfed in the river either but after checking it out a 30+knot Northerly would be awesome as it's very flat. Maybe and hour either side of high tide would be optimal.

Looks great.I suppose you're used to the conditions but it looked pretty lumpy for a slalom board?

Sue there is nothing fun about being on slalom gear in rough water. It's not what you would typically use at SWR but I have nothing else these days. I stood on the shore and watched Phil for over an hour because I didn't really want to take my gear out as you noticed it's pretty lumpy. I sold all my bump and jump gear except a small board and this is the type of gear you need to enjoy the bay more. I don't think anyone would ever be "used to" slalom gear in rough water. It's hard work and I found most my time just backing off the throttle to not damage a board. Something like a Phil is on (Carve) is a great choice for the bay so it doesn't punish you. Anytime you see a guy on slalom gear in rough water going fast my hat's off to you as it's murder on body and gear.

PS - I had to go out and join Phil with what I have as it's still an awesome place to windsurf. I'm more than happy to plod along on the slalom gear just to have a windsurf there. My peak speed was only 25knots but that's still fast enough for some fun. SWR is all about fun and not so much about numbers.

Cheers
Marty