Since moving from my 80s longboard to a 120L board two sessions ago, I've developed a dislike for water deep than I can stand in. I'm slowly getting the hang of water starts but don't want to waste energy maneouvering the rig, and uphauling is a pain (I weigh 85kg).

It looks like a bit of Northerly wind might be coming our way on the weekend. I haven't sailed at Cremorne lagoon, but that would seem to be the best spot to go for that wind direction? Where do you park / rig up and is there a reasonable size area that is less than say 1.5m deep?

Thanks!
Klaas

Klaas the lagoon is not bad in a northerly, though keep an eye out on the forum there may be a few of us on Pittwater.
Both are shallow so sounds like what you're after.
The rigging area on the lagoon is Honeywood Drive. Take the 1st left turn after the Cremorne turnoff. Go down into the 50k zone, you'll make a hard right hander the about another 50m turn left onto the reserve. Go to the far end of the reserve. Gets pretty shallow in low tide but ther's a channel so you can stick to that
Happy sailing

Thanks a lot for that. Where abouts do you go on Pittwater? In what wind is Pittwater worth sailing?

Looks like we might get a little wind over the weekend after all, yippee.

Have a look at getting a flotation vest, they a fantastic and quiet a few people wear them. They a great for flotation(obviously), also provide some protection and they keep you warm. Once you get one of these you won't need to worry about where you sail, but it is always nice to sail in the shallows

Something like this, which I have and really like:

http://www.mysticboarding.com/products/men/impact/razor/grey/

Have a talk to Damo(jay sails), that's where I got mine from.

Hi Jezstrt, I tried sailing with my whitewater kayaking buoyancy aid but I found it made getting into the harness lines tricky as I couldn't see the hook (the buoyancy aid sticks out a fair way in front of me). Are these vests compact enough to avoid this issue?

Initially you will probably find you have the same issue if you a still learning to get into the harness, but after a few sessions with one on you will find that you don't need to be able to see your harness hook when hooking in and you just go on feel.

When your comfortable in hooking in I would give your kayaking vest another go and persevere with it for a couple of sessions, because when you get used to it you will wear it all the time

The vest also makes the water starts and resetting the rig easier. it makes everything a little easier, for the small amount of bulk.

like Jez says get used to hooking in and then try it again.

Thanks for all the tips. I'll try it again once I get used to the harness on the new board.

Now I just need some good wind that fits my schedule to get some practice in!

Xarvia, Id say that a designated windsurfing orientated vest will be much easier than the kayaking one . There is definately a lot less vest in front of you with windsurfing ones. A lot of guys are using the Neil Pryde vests, my wife has one and wont sail without it.

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buzzy said...

Xarvia, Id say that a designated windsurfing orientated vest will be much easier than the kayaking one . There is definately a lot less vest in front of you with windsurfing ones. A lot of guys are using the Neil Pryde vests, my wife has one and wont sail without it.

I think you meant 'A lot of guys girls are using the Neil Pryde vests..'

Cross dressing doesnt make them girls

Xarvia, I have a Neil Pryde one and it's great, no bulk and it's cut away where the harness hook is for a waist harness, also perfect for a seat harness. I have no trouble hooking in with either harness on.