Have seen some old posts about Hamo, but unfortunatley none were in the know, so will ask again.

Hamilton Island, Any 'real' windsurfing gear available on the island, or is it BYO?

Its absolutely windsurf and kitesurfable, especially this time of year...off the island on the Dent island side near airport was the old spot 'Jonno" where ever he is (I'm sure someone on here knows him) was a legend of the island for like 15+years with the watersports up there and he windsurfed all the time off the island.

Has anyone got any modern news on whats available up there.

I'm heading there next week and there is a wicked forecast on the go...keen to make the most of it.

Any news would be good.

Strictly BYO,there is an island in the Whitsundays that has some old 1980's gear but not to be used if there is a strong wind warning out.Hamilton gets some good wind so its a pity that it's not utilised.

I used to work on a boat based in the Hamilton Marina, sailed that passage almost every other day, was fantastic.

Just dont get to close the back of the Hayman Island jet boat!

Thanks Black attack, the Ferrys are perfect ramps for jumps?!
Are you talking about sailing between Hamo and Dent?

I am going up there to a conference later in winter - anyone know what it costs in excess bagage for Board, mast boom & a couple of sails? - do you bundle them up in a package or deos that get a bit heavy and you do a couple of packages - any airlines better than others?

I used to work for Jono in 1988/89 summer after fiishing school. He was a legend on the island. We had a cyclone that year and sailed Catseye Bay during it. Keith Williams was Lord of the Island back then.
I went back last year with my wife. Weather was wet and windy so I went to beach sports to grab a board and go for a blast. Well that wasnt going to happen because when the wind hits 15kts at the airport no more sailing due to, yep, insurance liability!
My recommendation take your gear or find somone who lives on the island with gear as there are a few guys still sailing up there. Failing that chill out and put ur feet up!

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hitch said...

I am going up there to a conference later in winter - anyone know what it costs in excess bagage for Board, mast boom & a couple of sails? - do you bundle them up in a package or deos that get a bit heavy and you do a couple of packages - any airlines better than others?

If its a short trip I would reconsider taking it all. It can be blustering SE for 3-5 days then nothing for a week to ten days considering on the cycle of high pressure systems moving through the bite. Depends how desperate you are if you want to chance it. If you can leave your descision until a week to 10 days before hand give me yell. Ive had a little experience in the weather around the whitsundays, 20 yrs.
Nice golf course. Take your clubs.

Update on Hamo..Was warmer..definatley windy and some great sailing spots if you can get your gear to the best location ...BYO is the only way..the watersports (a topic for another discussion) is one of the reasons why new people dont try windsurfing, they should put the crap they had on offer in the tip, the SUP was little better and Cats only go out when there is no wind..point of having sailing at all? to the back of the Airport is a big bay that opens up to the S-SE as does the dent passage..off Dent also would be great..and out the front if you can bog out (floaty boards required) when the wind gets East in it , it hammers in the front passage...
There is heaps of potential..if your up there in the Windy season MAy-Sept and can bring your own gear and straps to tie to the golf buggy roof, do so as you will get some great wind, floaty board, no need for a sail bigger than 7.5. would say 6m range best..(also base on 4 years of Whitsudnay life prior!).. Get into it,

Hitch,

if you are heading up around September, chances are it will be smoking most afternoons. A bad sail is still better than a good game of golf!

that said, I have played a few rounds lately, nothing else to do!

Do you guys know Dennis Winstanley former windsurfer World Champion lives on the Island? He is who you should talk to. Very nice guy.