Am new to the sport. Live on the north side of Brisbane and am considering sailing at Woody Point in front of the sailing club. I have a Starboard Rio. Is this location ok for windsurfing at beginner level. The reason I am considering this location is that it appears to have flatter conditions than around the front at Redcliffe. What wind direction/tides would be best. Thanks.

Pretty good spot in a southerly. Just watch as you get a bit of a wind shadow in a south-easter and the increase in wind as you get out might catch you a bit. Might have a short walk on low tide but no real hazards straight in and off the beach. Good idea idea to wear booties. Deeper water as you head out, so no beach starts unless you are in close.

Can sail in a northerly off where Endeavour Esplanade Meets Oyster Point Esplanade at Scarborough end. Again a bit of a wind shadow in a north-easterly and is only an hour or two either side of high tide really. Pretty flukey wind if you stay close to shore and only rock wall all along the rest of the shore North and West of there, but hopefully on the Rio with the centre-board you shouldn't have too much trouble staying upwind. Reasonably shallow until you get out a fair way, tide dependant. Stays pretty flat mostly.

Or if you don't mind a bit of a drive, and would prefer some company, there is a good spot at Sandstone point. Pretty shallow and flat water. Only a few hours either side of high again and only works in southerlies. But don't tell anyone as it is a secret. ( See the Sandstone Seabreezers Posts)

We live at Woody Point and are just getting back into it. We used to sail different spots here 25 years ago but at the moment our confidence isn't really great enough for us to sail here. Haven't tried just in front of the sailing club however - but the wind would need to be quite south. Most southeasters would give a wind shadow off the beach. We used to sail at Bells Beach, where the jet skis etc go. It was good, but I was pretty competent back then at sailing in the chop. I wouldn't recommend it for a learner as you could end up on the rock wall.

We sailed Scotts Point beach a lot, and Queens Beach is great but they are really quite big chop.

So we've been mostly going up to Sandstone Point!

On a good day, it's worth the drive up to Boreen Point too. We've done that a couple of times and had a great time.

You could go to bells beach which has a sandy beach but you just have to put up with the jet skis. Woody Point is known for stone fish so be careful.

It's a decent spot. All above is correct. Basically the more south in the breeze the less wind shadow. Once you get out past the jetty it picks up and so does the chop. If you go there is worth first having a stroll out to the end of the jetty, specially if there is much easterly in it, because you get a better idea of the actual wind strength. Booties are a must. Feel free to pm me if your going out on a weekend (works to far away for me to squeeze in mid week sessions unless it's quiet an the boss is (edit: Not) around)

Thanks ballast. Will have a go at Woody Point in a southerly. Might have a try out at Sandstone Point as well - not too far away from me..

If you are just starting out and have a Rio (which I believe has a centreboard) all you need to do is choose light wind mornings just about anywhere on the Peninsula. One good spot is the end of Osbourne St in a North-Easterly at mid and low tide. There is lots of sand underfoot and the water is very flat. But really anywhere will do as long as it isn't windy. If you want to sail on windy days, as other have said you need to scoot up to Sandstone point, Golden beach, or the Sunshine Coast lakes. The Redcliffe chop will knock lumps out of you and erase your desire to windsurf in about five minutes flat.

When you get some experience up, or just want to check things out, come up to Queens Beach on any windy day - usually a few good (and friendly) sailors out.

I learnt at woody point. Great place for it. Just be aware of small rocks and what not. Southerly wind at high tide would be ideal.

At low tide in an easterly I just go out at Pelican Park. Nice grassy set up and sandy bottom. Easy

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Dr Gas said...
At low tide in an easterly I just go out at Pelican Park. Nice grassy set up and sandy bottom. Easy

Bells beach?