Off to Inverloch tomorrow to check it out for the first time. Wondered if any of you good people could help me to avoid killing myself by giving me some pointers....such as:

1. Where's the best rigging/launch point for a relative beginner. I'm now up and ''tacking'' (...ish) - but won't be going out too far and don't want to end up down wind

2. Any other tips welcome. If you see a new Go and an Aerotech sail heading out of the inlet then feel free to give chase.

Cheers

Rig and park at the angling club its maybe 400 m east of the pier. Nothing to be worried about at Inverloch only hiting your new fin on the sand if the tide is low so try to sail in th channel . Ive said it before Inverloch is the best spot in Vic to learn to windsurf imho
Hope you have a good day

Nice spot. The entrance to the inlet can develop a pretty fierce current (~5kts) when the tides are changing. The tide will be outgoing from around 2pm onwards. If you get swept out there's plenty of beach to land on downwind... unless its offshore.

Good stuff - looking forward to it.

Hi Croweman. Did you get down to Inverloch on Saturday? Half a dozen guys out by the afternoon....just curious if you managed to make it down as the conditions were surprisingly good.

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ejmack said...

Hi Croweman. Did you get down to Inverloch on Saturday? Half a dozen guys out by the afternoon....just curious if you managed to make it down as the conditions were surprisingly good.

How much wind did u get down their? We had about 10 to 15 at bono a bit frustrating but still worthwhile. Did anyone sail further north on the bay it would be interesting to compare the strength of the wind.

Jman - I'd say the same strength, maybe 12-14, w-sw. Light, but I was planing nicely on my 133 litre and 7.5m sail as were many of the other guys there. Quite flat even without the exposed sand bar on the higher tide. Great day.

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ejmack said...

Hi Croweman. Did you get down to Inverloch on Saturday? Half a dozen guys out by the afternoon....just curious if you managed to make it down as the conditions were surprisingly good.

Is it 'uncool' to admit that you bottled it?? Or is it acceptable within the windsurfing fraternity to know your limits - and live to fight another day?

I got down there at about 10am - parked up by the Angling Club as suggested and walked down to the beach. Beautiful spot - but there was just too much wind for a new kid on the block like me - I've still got stabilisers on (not that new kid anymore... - pushing on a bit now). There was only one guy out and he was clearly enjoying himself - but my confidence wasn't there. A small group were wakeboarding on a jetski, whilst some other windsurfers turned up and pretty much did what I did, which consisted of looking at the inlet, shaking your head and saying to yourself ''you've come all this way, get in you girl'', walking back to the car to take the gear off, thinking better of it, looking at the inlet again to see if the wind had dropped, convince yourself that it had, walkback to the car again....and then go into the township for a pie, a donut and a bout of self reflection about how your balls have gone since you hit 35. I'll be back - next time in the afternoon when hopefully there are more bods around - glad to hear you all had such a great time in the afternoon.

I left at about 11.30 and went to Lysterfield - which was OK but I think even I'm now outgrowing it. Suppose at least I got to sail and get some practice in. Not to be disheartened, I went to Rye today for the first time which was great. Clear water, shallow and fantastic conditions (for me). I was out for the best part of 4 hours. It's amazing how shagged you feel at the end of it!

Probably get back to Inverloch next weekend if the weather's looking good. Say hello if you see a newish CR-V.

I'm guessing that was me as I was there from about 10am onwards. A little surprised I was the only one out actually.

I'm pretty sure you would have been fine if you had decided to sail. The wind was quite light and reasonably consistent. The only problem I see at Inverloch is the current, which can occasionally be quite strong. But on Saturday it wasn't a problem.

Will keep my eye's open for the CR-V next weekend if we get down there.

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ejmack said...

I'm guessing that was me as I was there from about 10am onwards. A little surprised I was the only one out actually.

I'm pretty sure you would have been fine if you had decided to sail. The wind was quite light and reasonably consistent. The only problem I see at Inverloch is the current, which can occasionally be quite strong. But on Saturday it wasn't a problem.

Will keep my eye's open for the CR-V next weekend if we get down there.

Were you on a Starboard with another on the roof rack?

Yes. The Xtrail by the exit to the carpark.

Hey Evan good to see you got out. Croweman - it is ok to know your limits and sail to that especially when you are new to the game. Better to walk away whole and equipment in one piece rather than broken boards( don't laugh Evan) or bones!
I ended up at Lysterfield on Sunday arvo. As usual 12 kts gusting to 20 kts. Short bursts of wind. Put the 8.5 mtr up and was able to hold it(despite a bung shoulder) in the gusts. Did not take the GPS out but I am sure would have gone close to my pb.
The two things about Lysterfield is that it teaches you to be nimble with your body movements as you are constantly in and out board & falling over backwards and how good it is when you get to Inverloch and have constant wind - yeh!!!! Looking forward to my next road trip to Inverloch. Will keep and eye out for the CR-V

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Old Salty said...


The two things about Lysterfield is that it teaches you to be nimble with your body movements as you are constantly in and out board & falling over backwards and how good it is when you get to Inverloch and have constant wind - yeh!!!! Looking forward to my next road trip to Inverloch. Will keep and eye out for the CR-V

I was almost thinking the same thing when I was out at Rye on Sunday - the constant wind made it loads more enjoyable - although the regular dippings remain a hallmark of my 'technique'! Couple of old guys out on Lasers at Lysterfield on Saturday afternoon and they couldn't quite understand why anybody would want to get their feet wet on a sailboard. One other hazard out at Lysterfield on Saturday - a mass 'baptism' at the causeway end. Struggled to avoid taking half a dozen new converts out with a 170 lt Go. Now that wouldv'e made an interesting news item on ACA

Croweman/Ejmack, i droped in to see how you all were going in the arvo, saw the xtrail but no one was home.Give me a pm if your comming down and want a hand and i,ll see what i can do. Good to see a few new converts to the sport.

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kato said...

Croweman/Ejmack, i droped in to see how you all were going in the arvo, saw the xtrail but no one was home.Give me a pm if your comming down and want a hand and i,ll see what i can do. Good to see a few new converts to the sport.

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CROWEMAN said...

kato said...

Croweman/Ejmack, i droped in to see how you all were going in the arvo, saw the xtrail but no one was home.Give me a pm if your comming down and want a hand and i,ll see what i can do. Good to see a few new converts to the sport.

Hi Kato

Appreciate the offer - look forward to a few tips.

Not being the superstitious type, I'll dare to say this weekend is looking fairly decent for a trip. Anyone else have plans to head down there this weekend?

I am on for Sunday
Be great to see a few others head down.
Hey Jman what about you and the russian and flaky. Maybe even con Matt out of Sandy Point - may be not that sure after seeing the wind forecast for there

High tide will be about 8.30am. I think the wind wont hold out much after lunch, so maybe before lunch.

Hey Matt

perhaps you could join us slow coaches after lunch at Inverloch after a morning session at the Pit

trying to work out if I can carry my gear inside the car as well as the whole family for a day out this weekend at inverloch...
with any luck though the roof racks will arrive tomorrow in the mail
(can only hope)

I'll head down and say hello - and to catch a few tips. What time's good to get started?

I plan to be there around 11 ish

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Old Salty said...

I am on for Sunday
Be great to see a few others head down.
Hey Jman what about you and the russian and flaky. Maybe even con Matt out of Sandy Point - may be not that sure after seeing the wind forecast for there

Hi Doug,
I wont get to Inverloch this weekend plan to sail in the bay, looks like you will get some good wind and maybe even a pb if the tide is low enough for the speed run

Thanks to the guys that gave me plenty of tips down at Inverloch today. It made for a great day's sailing. I'll nail that beach start yet!

Looked as though you were doing quite well!

I'd say get yourself a harness and some lines and you'll be able to sail for a lot longer.

Seeya there next time!

Hey Croweman
Those hands looked a little sore - get yourself some gloves.
It is like any new thing - the more time you spend at it the better you will get. Those beach starts will come. Try it on dry land with boom and mast only set up on board and put board on a box and have a look on youtube.
Good to meet you

I could almost commit the perfect crime and get away with it - no skin on fingers means no fingerprints...

Be good to know where's looking good for next Saturday - green card applied for and (grudgingly) granted. Something to do with having to buy Xmas presents on Sunday given that I'd 'disappeared' from 4pm Friday until 6pm Sunday.

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CROWEMAN said...

I could almost commit the perfect crime and get away with it - no skin on fingers means no fingerprints...

I find I get blisters super easy myself. Take a look under my profile at the ones I got earlier this year in Fiji. And I was wearing gloves! (half fingered). Sorry Doug, I have to disagree with you - Sail naked I say (hands that is) I don't like gloves, they tire my arms a lot quicker than without. I've found now that I'm committing more to the harness there's less chance of getting blisters. Just my opinion. I have a pair I never use, your welcome to try them next time Croweman.

I've always had problems with blisters early in the summer but had an awesome trip to Dahab a month ago and sailed with a great crew from the UK and US who put me onto superglue. Apply a light coat over worn areas before heading out and it makes all the difference. I thought it was bull**** until I saw all these guys applying it and decided to try it - it works! No more gloves for me as they've always just caused blisters around the seams and I've found them to be a general pita.

give a light coat of supaglu a try