I've got maybe a week or ten days anywhere I like in Australia or perhaps NZ in the second half of November. I wing a lot, and am struggling along the downwind SUP journey. Where wild you recommend I go for good conditions and a chance to improve my DW? Would be good to hook up with a friendly local crew.

Perth.

Perth

Perth calls that month Blowvember for a reason. Also perfect for DW practise due to miles of accessible white sand beaches with almost no rocks/headlands to contend with. Flatwater paddle up group on Saturday mornings run by local DW SUP young gun Hugh Mitchell who also runs private coaching sessions. I forget how lucky we are here...

Perth

Think thats pretty straightforward then. I'll get a place in Perth for a fortnight. It would be great to meet some of the local crew and ride together.

West Oz race will be around 20th to 28th NOV 2025
There are three short 12km evening sunset races
West coast downwinder (25km) on the Saturday 22nd November 2025.
These are surfski events but this year we had circa 50 foilers enter.
A lot of local crew on the water everyday it's windy and sharing the foil froth.
Easy car shuttles and able to get 4km, 10km, 17km or 25km downwind runs in daily.
Near Scarborough or Cottesloe are good places to base yourself.

I'm piling on to this thread to ask a follow-up question. If we're planning on being in WA a week or two before the races to explore the surrounding area, would it be better to go north from Perth up to Geraldton? Or south down to Esperance via Margaret River & Albany?

Probably won't have the logistics to do downwinders, but we will have wing and prone gear so preference would be for some nice wave action.

Select to expand quote

zarb said..
I'm piling on to this thread to ask a follow-up question. If we're planning on being in WA a week or two before the races to explore the surrounding area, would it be better to go north from Perth up to Geraldton? Or south down to Esperance via Margaret River & Albany?

Probably won't have the logistics to do downwinders, but we will have wing and prone gear so preference would be for some nice wave action.

If you've never been.. Gerro . Love the place

Best to be flexible with travel and accomodation plans and follow a forecast.

Margaret River / Dunsborough / Augusta
Good November through to Feb for wind.
Lots of camping and accomodation options. Great food and drink options everywhere. Waves all year round. Epic big wave winging spots and some prone chip in zones. Tow or Boogie heaven.

Albany / Bremer Bay / Esperance
best time for wind Jan to Feb IMO.
Needs strong Easterly winds.
cold clear sharky water.

Geraldton
good seabreezes Oct to Jan
coronation beach north of Town is place to camp.
Limited facilities. No power.

Ningaloo / Exmouth
September to November for wind.
National park campsites, book ahead for best spots.
Flat water, wind, waves, turtles, whale sharks. Prone foiling up by the lighthouse at the Cape. Gets very hot and can have cyclones after Christmas.

Lancelin
Easy drive North for the day from Perth to score waves. Lancelin holiday park is right on the beach and epic place to stay. Mainly a tow foiling spot or winging, kiting and windsurfing when wind is in.

Mandurah
One hour south of Perth. Head to Falcon or Halls Head. Some prone waves available. Downwind runs or waves when the swell is in. Lots of local crew.