Have just gotten back into windsurfing after a 20 year break. Got really buzzed and made a lot of headway in summer but winter sailing is proving a challenge and I'm after any advice on getting some quality time on the water.
My skill level confines me to the river but even with a flexible schedule I can't quite get the timing and location right. Others are packing up from a great sail and I've arrived when it's died out - or I'm getting smashed by a front coming through. Im not skilled or strong enough to use big sails in strong conditions- and I don't want to get into foils just yet. I have free ride gear with 4.4 to 6.8 sails.
So far I've found - I have had a good sail in consistent northerlies at lucky bay. Westerlies at lucky bay I just get either smashed or there is not enough to plane. Southwest or southerly at pelican point always seems to be too light when I am there
Any tips on timing and/or location much appreciated. Or is it just luck... there looks like some opportunity in the next few days and I need a good sail.

Unfortunately it is somewhat about luck through winter. If you don't foil then you're pretty much just waiting for those frontal systems to come through at lucky bay.

If your schedule allows for it, and you're desperate, you've got to be there at the beach waiting for it, and rig up as soon as it looks like its starting. Rig for the gusts, not the lulls, because the lulls are generally not sailable on any size sail.

also, watch for the steady forecasts where it doesn't keep chopping and changing day to day. Much like the forecast for this weekend has occurred, they've had sunday looking good for the larger part of the week, so chances are we're going to get some good wind tomorrow. (No, don't quote me on it)


last but not least, be prepared to get skunked plenty through winter. Winter sailing in Perth is for the desperados/keen/stupid among us. I generally have at least one day standing in my wetsuit in the rain, looking out at the wind not coming in, and slowly realising that i'm going to have to derig in the rain and head for home before i turn into an ice block.


hope this has helped

Great advice thanks subsonic. Especially about the forecast not changing. And rigging up before it appears.
we'll see how it works.

Dont worry mate, myself and subsonic will most likely be standing in the rain with you.. :D

Looking at the synoptic chart you would think there is wind tomorrow but after today not so sure.

Last time out in a westerly i sailed all the way across the river then the wind dropped in my 87 litre Patrik slalom board and 5.4.

I somehow managed to pull off a gybe in the last 15 knot gust and slogged back to Melville 20 minutes later very relieved and safe.

Had 3 great sails in the last 3 days. Thanks for the tips!