I sail on the GC but am over in Perth working and fudged a day of today. Went down to Pelican Bay 10 mins from Perth CBD for a quick sail and WOW the sport is strong over here. It remind's me of GC 10 years ago. OH and when the DR comes in hang on, i went from comfortable to over powered in one run, but what a blast. Here's a quick photo of the rigging area with the sailing in the background.

Awesome mate. It's growing here every day as well so hopefully before long it will be like it was 10 years ago. The main problem here was a lack of wind and with the weather returning to the old patterns I am sure the base that has been set up for the affiliated clubs, will allow the strong growth of the sport in the next few seasons.

Right now there are four clubs affiliated to Windsurfing Queensland, each one of then is generating and income through memberships, which can then be used to hold events and promote the sport in a number of locations and disciplines. As the clubs expand, so to will the sport. As windsurfers the best way to help the process is to get behind the clubs by becoming a member and joining in on the events or if you are motivated and passionate then start your own affiliated club. We have all the forms and guidance to make it a very easy process.

Nice way to spend a fudged day off by the way. Am hoping to get down there sometime in feb.

I've just been sailing pelican point every day for the last week (just got back to QLD today). Great spot and the scene over there really is huge!

Yep, being an ex WA sailor, summer is fantastic over there. North side of woodmans pt was a favourite of mine back in the day. Lancelin is also well worth the drive.

To state the bleeding obvious WA stands for 'Windsurfing Always'.

The locals can get fussy on conditions but when you get it so often its easy to be picky! A lot of WA locals just own wave kit! So many different spots to sail.

8 days sailable out of 10 earlier this month, and that was Perth which is by far less windier than further North, then when we left it blew another 7 straight!

Some say Lancelin is as windy as Geraldton but i say nay..Gero is windier stronger more often (was lucky enough to live there for 4 years) ..down south not as windy as often, but serious surf and nicer countryside.

WA is great state to live in and great state to visit, the weather is amazing, not just the wind..so sunny, so warm, so dry(no humidity) no freakin rain! It's a joke Qld is called the 'Sunshine State' Cause WA gets way more blue sky! Everyone is really laid back, outdoors fit types, they enjoy their place in the sun..and I'm pretty sure the girls are way hotter!


2 weeks in WA can easily be more windsurfing than what you get here in a year!, and I mean windsurfing not 'sailboring/boarding'.
It's an expensive state , but if you do the trip solo you can do it on the cheap if you want, camp etc.

I always try and find a way to get over there, Have been lucky enough to sample windsurfing at Gnarloo, Coral Bay, Ningaloo, Coro, Sunsets Gero, Cervantes, Lancelin, Perth coast, Rivers, Saftey bay, Mandurah, Busselton, Marg river, Albany, Esperance...(saw a PWA wave event there, all the big names), have tried to keep up with Bjorn Dunk in Lancelin bay, no chance! Seen some amazing locals rip like/better than pro's at places like Gnarloo, Marg river, Lancelin and Scarborough Beach(seriously the hardest spot to sail!)

Be warned, 'non windsurfers/kitesurfers' may not find the state as great as you do! Cause the wind really does honk, and can make their life crapola!
The strength of the wind there is so much stronger also, you just get windy to windier when its on, where as here you get crappy to windy more often than not, WA wind makes windsurfing easier! true!

Depending on where you are Oct-March the seabreeze(20-30knts) will blow on average 3-5 days per week, it tends to go in spats, blows are hard for a few days then has a rest day, then back on...the only killer is if a Low comes down from up Nth.

In the 90's heaps of East coast and Euros spent all their summer in WA, many still do not just as many (Aust $ has effected the backbackers). And yep if you can't tell once you have lived over there as a windsurfer, you will never ever really be able to settle/cope for the crappy east coast wind!
Add kitesurfing to the mix and you have some serious wind sport participation rates in WA, all ages, all types its a great vibe.

JonesySail,

Thanks for the input - I have a trip planned there in 4 weeks with a kite mate of mine. Pure boys trip and I want to make an annual event of it.
I sailed Perth once but couldn't go north due lack of time.
What's your suggestion? Heard up straight to Lanclin or Geraldton? Tips to stay there?
Thanks

Joey, how long you got over there? and what type of windsurfing do you want to be doing....Kiter will need to bring way smaller kites than what he's used to here!~

I've had mixed results wind wise the last 5 trips over but love the joint, fellow sailors so friendly (as every where I guess) with top spots, every thing Jonesy said. As an ex Sandgrouper I'm trying to work out how to move back, might just chuck the job and caravan the West Coast's endless summer

Well i work over here and have sailed more in 2 weeks than on my 3 week brake back home. Yes is good sailing but i wouldn't live here.

Lancelin - Lancelin lodge backpackers, also have motel style rooms (few) Trish and Trev are the owners and set it up for windsurfers!~ nice pool also!.
www.lancelinlodge.com.au/

Geraldton - Sunset beach Caravan park is handy as you can sail straight out the front, but sessions cut shorter their as the wind swings Off Shore late, but also handy as is on the Coronation Beach side of town!
www.big4.com.au/
Couple of backpacker places in town also.

Perth, have found a couple of places through stays.com www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/wa/perth/hillarys
(private houses with pools bit more $$up on the Nth Side around 'Hilarys), where you can then sail Pinaroo, Mettams pool, reef off Hilarys (if you want to play with white pointers) or drive to the river for flatwater 30-40 min off peak, also quicker Access to Lancelin if you just want to head up there for a day trip, not silly as often windier there than Perth by a lot (1-1,5hr drive), Hilarys is a residential area, if you want nightlife etc need to head back to City/Freo.

You need weed fin/s, and watch out for limestone reefs and Noahs, and think twice before sailing Scarborough beach on a big day, the shore break/rip is tricky as and eats gear, have no idea how those guys sail it!...Cottlesloe sth (used to be called Dutchies) or Leighton beach in that area are much easier to sail.

Enjoy the trip!

And to add salt to the wound...
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Western-Australia/Longest-run-of-seabreezes-for-ages/

Hey Jonesysail, a group of us are thinking of a trip to Gerro next week, probably Thursday until Tuesday. How do you think we will fare with the wind?

Tickets are booked, lets hope the doctor is doing his rounds next week

Thanks JonesySail

I will stay for a week and let the teabag mate of mine know about his sizes.
I am looking for some waves and sideshore wind. Little aerial practice and down the line sailing would be nice ....

Will post something once I'm back.

Scotf

Please give a heads up once returned.

Rip it!!!

Will do, will hopefully get some footage to share.

safety bay, rockingham is also worth looking at. bit weedy though, so a weed fin is a must.

as i mentioned before, woodmans pt is a great ocean spot, 15mins south of freo, you can sail northside and come flying in to nice, flat water, or sail the south side and get wind blown "bump n jump" waves.

just keep in mind, some of these sailing spots don't see alot of general public traffic and cars are prone to getting broken into.

some cool pubs in freo, also home of Little Creatures and Sail & Anchor [redback beer] and you cant go wrong food wise there also.


woodman pt. arial shot, pinch from somewhere on seabreeze

Good luck on the Wa trip boys , Gero graphs look great M-F, enjoy!