I am thinking of trying a downwind run from say Ricketts West Car Park to Brighton next time we get a strong SW seabreeze. Has anyone else tried it that can offer any sage advice? I'll need a partner in crime with a second car too.

I've done Hampton to Middle Park before in a mostly Westerly several times.
Staying on a single tack can ache,
but biggest blunder is to let the wind die and find yourself 5km from home ( i was sailing back too) tottering on a board with no wind in the sail but the waves are still coming.

I think logistics & backup probably most important to save frustration.

I was planning a Mentone to Rye run once, then it quickly became Mentone to Frankston, then Mentone to Aspendale..... then nothing.

Still keen on doing it but decided that might need to start with something smaller and work up. Also the guys that I was going to do it with werent keen on the idea so doing it on my own was just plain dumb.

I could be tempted to try it, but you will probably be waiting for me at the finish line because I'm not that quick.

Some of the best waves in the bay are between Black Rock and Sandringham yacht clubs. Nice reef breaks further out and great little sand bar barrels on the inside. The cliffs protect them from the wind so they get nice and clean. Watch your fins on the reefs.

Why not just ride upwind from Hampton then ride back again? It's easy to do. Find a break you like. Hit it a few times. Move on downwind or upwind as the mood takes you.

You can get from Hampton to Black Rock in about half an hour. That's quicker than shuffling cars and much more fun.

There's no point going on to Ricketts. The waves aren't that good in a S-SW.

I do this almost every time there's S-SW over 20 knots. (I do it now on a kite. I used to do it a fair bit on a sailboard.)

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Gorgo said...

Some of the best waves in the bay are between Black Rock and Sandringham yacht clubs. Nice reef breaks further out and great little sand bar barrels on the inside.

I saw some people surfing there last Sunday - for real - surfing south of Sandringham!!!

I would be happy to do Gorgo's run. Sounds like a lot of fun. Know that section well as I used to paddle it regularly in my kayaking days. Have heard Gorgo rave about that section before. Don't know why I haven't tried it.

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waggles56 said...

I would be happy to do Gorgo's run. Sounds like a lot of fun. Know that section well as I used to paddle it regularly in my kayaking days. Have heard Gorgo rave about that section before. Don't know why I haven't tried it.

me too, sounds great - maybe this Sat A.M. with SW predicted. Ill post again if it's looking good.

I'd be interested in that... good practise for the Lancelin Ocean Classic.

I've been intending to do it for a while.... leave from Elwood, in a Northerly -> aim for Frankston.

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mathew said...

I'd be interested in that... good practise for the Lancelin Ocean Classic.

I've been intending to do it for a while.... leave from Elwood, in a Northerly -> aim for Frankston.

Wouldn't a NW be better for a Elwood to Frankston Run? Or even WNW?

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jermaldan said...

mathew said...

I'd be interested in that... good practise for the Lancelin Ocean Classic.

I've been intending to do it for a while.... leave from Elwood, in a Northerly -> aim for Frankston.

Wouldn't a NW be better for a Elwood to Frankston Run? Or even WNW?

I'd give Mentone to Frankston a go; Or Elwood to Sandringham....

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purplehaze said...

waggles56 said...

I would be happy to do Gorgo's run. Sounds like a lot of fun. Know that section well as I used to paddle it regularly in my kayaking days. Have heard Gorgo rave about that section before. Don't know why I haven't tried it.

me too, sounds great - maybe this Sat A.M. with SW predicted. Ill post again if it's looking good.

If the wind is up and you give it the thumbs up purplehaze, I will be in it. I know Gorgo takes off from Hampton Beach usually. Perhaps leave from near Hampton LSC???? Best wait for the wind first i guess.

anyone whos keen for a run on Sat PM with your phone number. Keep fingers crossed for a bit of wind.

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jermaldan said...

mathew said...

I'd be interested in that... good practise for the Lancelin Ocean Classic.

I've been intending to do it for a while.... leave from Elwood, in a Northerly -> aim for Frankston.

Wouldn't a NW be better for a Elwood to Frankston Run? Or even WNW?

You aren't thinking "deep" enough...

Any Northerly direction should be ok.

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purplehaze said...

waggles56 said...

I would be happy to do Gorgo's run. Sounds like a lot of fun. Know that section well as I used to paddle it regularly in my kayaking days. Have heard Gorgo rave about that section before. Don't know why I haven't tried it.

me too, sounds great - maybe this Sat A.M. with SW predicted. Ill post again if it's looking good.

Except that it isn't really a downwind run.

In a SW'er you could:
- start at Gnotuk
- sail across to Ricketts
- up past Sandringham,
- ... and so on
-> stop when you are done.

Oh well we'll give it a run and test the sailiing conditions, the "downwind" will be comming back to Hampton I guess.