For those of us just starting out in windsurfing;

Just had a great weekend of windsurfing at westlakes on 2 seperate beachs.

Westlakes is a great spot to learn as it is flat water and surrounded by houses so you cant get into too much trouble. It does get a little bit gusty between the houses but this is good for learning how to handle the power of the sail.

I am putting this up here as a warning however that if you do go, please be careful on the beaches and wear surf shoes or old sand shoes.

On the first beach we found a small pile of needles that had been discarded and on the second, I managed to find a sharp piece of glass which I lodged in my foot.

Cuts and bruises are going to happen while windsurfing from rocks and other objects so dont worry too much about it but when it is due to careless people throwing trash into our lake, it can lead to a nasty infection.

I will continue to sail at westlakes as it is a great spot if you are by yourself or just learning but please be careful where you tread around the shores.

Cheers, Luke.

An watch out for the floating cats

ha ha funny

It was a little while ago, but I certainly enjoyed sailing in the lake. Just be aware, there are signs posted around the place - apparently you're not meant go in the lake within 7 days (I think) of it raining as the storm water drains off there. Don't know exactly why but it has something to do with nasty bugs and germs. May want to check it out.

Boggy lake is a better and safer spot to learn and when the sea breeze kicks in is a great spot for blasting.

Boggy lake is a better and safer spot to learn and when the sea breeze kicks in is a great spot for blasting.

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thommo72 said...

apparently you're not meant go in the lake within 7 days (I think) of it raining as the storm water drains off there.

haha.. yeah, ask Lee or Koshi about the ** tube experience . Lee and K's first and only sail there I think. West Lakes is safe during summer. Winter, is a bit dodgy as you mentioned. The storm drain water goes into it (hence the ** tube experience). It's a good place to go when you are a beginner and you are struggling at the beach. At least you can pack up, go to the Lakes and get a sail in.

People mention Blue Ringed Octopus hazard ?. Yeah, they just come right at ya , but seriously, when I lived in Darwin, I used to fish at the East Point coral reefs a lot at low tide. Sometimes I would surprise one in a shallow pool and these animals could move quicker than I could fast walk. I had a run to catch up to them. The story goes in the early 1950's, a navy sailor picked up one and put it on his head and consequently got stung and died. This was either a sick or old octopus to do this. There is no way you can normally get near them.

Yeah, I havent been to boggy yet but was told it is difficult for beginners if they dont know how to stay up-wind (which I can so will try it some day).

Also, with the storm water, I wouldnt go taking big mouthfuls from the lake but in terms of it being safe, I spoke to Matt Stringer who conducts his windsup school there and he said that is reasonably safe just not right after the first big storm of winter as it washes all the crap into the lake.

Cheers, Luke.

That is crap.....any wind with some south in it is very safe at boggy as it is cross on (most days in summer)......It is only the speed freaks that want to get up wind at boggy to get flatter water. as a beginner you most likely would be sailing in the morning before the seabreeze kicks in and then the water is flat even with the wind blowing it is pretty flat unless you are try to break a speed record.

If you want to progress fast the best place to do it is boggy. The problem with west lakes is it is too gusty. In addition boggy only gets to neck deep so you can walk back from any part of the lake if you get into trouble.

Thanks Mate, I had only heard that boggy was not for beginners, that was not from personal experience.

Now that you have said that, I will be very keen to go and give it a try especially if the wind is more consistent.

Thanks Mate,

Luke.

Ill Second that, Boggy is good for beginners. Just that it has been out of action for a while ( no to low water). Ill be looking at doing an intermediate day out there sometime soon. Just not much there for anyone else who isnt windsurfing. If your partner want to come along and isnt a mad keen wind junky like the rest of us.

Boggy is back and better than ever....no longer boggy it has a sand bottom in the lauch area and that area is bigger and better than ever.

I missed out on the early morning winds in the metro area on Saturday due to other commitments but headed down to Boggy Lake in the afternoon. I've never actually sailed there before but was pretty impressed with it all. Good rig up area and launch areas, plenty of open waters and lots of wind.

Where o where is this infamous boggy lake? (map would be great) Had a fabulous session down at beachport and would love some similiar conditions to hone in on some skills.

Half way between langhorne creek and wellington, go through the gate and drive across the paddock to the water.

Measured it out on the weekend. About 15 km from Langhorne Creek, about 100 metres before Brinkley Road. Gate on right hand side. There's a map (PDF format) of it on the Windsurf SA site.

Hey Karina,

15.1 kms from the T junction at langhorn creek, [ turn left to Wellington.]

The gate is on the right, and is made of iron and has a red cats eye reflector in the middle of it, cattle grid at the base of it, go too fast and you'll miss it.

you can see the car parking in the distance, a few hundred metres.

and the smell of excitement is in the air!!!!

[but if its a northerly, that may be the cow pats]

Enjoy!

P,S going out Friday arvo if anyones keen.

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koshi said...


going out Friday arvo if anyones keen.

it looks like friday might be alright...if the day lives up the the BOM's promise, I'll skip out of work early and see you at Boggy mid afternoon.

I'll be there too (appending weather report).

J

Boggy lake fact sheet with map.

www.windsurfing.org/files/FactSheet_Boggy_Lake.pdf

Got it, Thanks a squillion. Now to plan my week and work around the forecast.