Looking at camping at the Bawon Heads Foreshore Caravan Park for a few days at the end of this month. I was wondering about windsurfing on the Barwon River inlet just on the non beach side of the bridge. In summer it looks too busy to be allowed to get any speed up in that area and has speed restrictions. Are these enforced during winter when there will only be the odd fisherman around? Any advice much appreciated.
Would consider Inverloch but caravan is in storage in Torquay and I don't like towing it too far.

I have sailed there a few times although Red is probably the real person to talk to. If there is a westerly blowing you can get some great runs along the bank in front of the Riverview caravan park (Ocean Grove side). I have done a run of around 25 knots just as the water police went by on jet skis. As long as you are not causing any issues with anyone, they seem to not worry about us. The sand banks are a trap and thats where I have broken a couple of booms.
Wind can be a bit gusty.
If you want flat water blasting either Lake Connewarre (wind se - sw) or Pt Henry (Nw - Sw) are 2 other options that are within 20 min drive.
I dare say Red will probably be able to give you a little more info.

I was looking at google earth last night and it looked like the river opposite the caravan park would be a great speed run in a NW. Anybody have any experience with it ?

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mr love said...

I was looking at google earth last night and it looked like the river opposite the caravan park would be a great speed run in a NW. Anybody have any experience with it ?

Wind has to be almost exactly n - nw or else it seems to be very gusty/swirly. Fairly strong tidal current there as well. Red has sailed it a lot more than myself. I only break things when I sail there. If its North this weekend, I may go there myself rather than Pt Henry.

Yeah, let us know what you think if you get there. Maybe the Riverview Caravan park might be better???

good spot - but spoiled by gusty winds. Have sailed there in a W, -NW - N and NE and all have been gusty and holey. If (when) it gets a steady breeze and can have a great run along the sandbar ( i've done 34.5 kts in a lucky gust) . Be aware, Downriver there is an old bluestone wall (submerged between the two channel markers) that can eat fins on low tide. Other than that a good fun spot that has potential (and is only 5mins from home!!!)..

Is that this place?

thewindmap.com/#-38.28185207916798,144.4873809814453,13

Sorry to push this site. I have no affiliation to it. Just think it's a good idea. Especially seeing as most of the posts on this forum seem to be about places to sail.

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ginger pom said...

Is that this place?

thewindmap.com/#-38.28185207916798,144.4873809814453,13

Sorry to push this site. I have no affiliation to it. Just think it's a good idea. Especially seeing as most of the posts on this forum seem to be about places to sail.

Thats the river but the run is a bit up river. If you zoom in you can see the caravan park - basically where the 'C129' sign is. I tried to add a site but it wont allow me to put it on the river. It ended up putting it on the main road lol.

I've sailed here around a dozen times over the past few years. It can be great given enough tide & wind. It's really only an option on a North through to North Westerley and the land on the Barwon Heads side does interfer making it fairly gusty. When it comes together it is a fun flat water strip offering some loooonnnng runs. Also great grassy rigging areas half way up the narrows.

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Paul Curtis said...

I've sailed here around a dozen times over the past few years. It can be great given enough tide & wind. It's really only an option on a North through to North Westerley and the land on the Barwon Heads side does interfer making it fairly gusty. When it comes together it is a fun flat water strip offering some loooonnnng runs. Also great grassy rigging areas half way up the narrows.

Are the grassy rigging areas on the Barwon Heads or Ocean Grove side?
(heading over there on monday for a few days)

We rig on the Ocean Grove side. There is a large green toilet block just off the road - the rigging area is just in front of that.

Rigging area




Overview



Hope this helps.

Thanks Oceanblue and others. Can't get any clearer than your maps. That's great!!!