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> Is there anybody who can give me some information about windsurfing and
surfing in Victoria, Australia.
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> I have to spent 6 weeks from the mid of AUG. on in Melbourne and want to
get wet althouh I know that
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> this time isn't that good. What about rental stuff? And any hints for
snowboarding?
I'm pleased to say you should have lots of fun both snowboarding and
windsurfing in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in August.
First the snowboarding.... not my sport, but when you get into town I
suggest you contact Mordy Surf, Snow and Sail on 9580 1716 (from overseas
+61 3 9580 1716) and they will advise you on everything.... windsurfing
too.
Now the sailing.... Melbourne is situated on Port Philip Bay, a large
circular body of water some 50k across (you can only just see the other
side of the bay in places). Melbourne gets a fair bit of wind, I average
2-3 days a week of sailing as the fronts come through regularly. The
conditions vary from relative flat water (0.3m chop) to real bumpy chop
(2.0m)... lots of fun! There are sheltered spots with flatter water at
Middle Park and Sandringham for learners... and schools there too. One
can rent equipment at a shop called Sailboard HQ in Sandringham... and
it's good stuff - Mistral boards, Gaastra sails etc.
The bay holds hundreds of excellent sailing spots, Point Ormond, Ricket's
Point, Green's Point etc etc etc
Transport? If car rental's out of the question then I guess you could
catch a bus down the beach road.... Middle Park is 8 minutes drive from
the city centre, Sandringham is 20 minutes south, and Mordy (Mordialloc)
is 35 minutes (I live and sail in the Mordy area).
Wave sailing - there are lots of places - and they can be quite big.
Jason Palakow's home town Torquay boasts Point Danger - quite a forgiving
wave sailing place - no white water to go out on - but you can scream in
to the break on the point - real fun... and lots of very good sailors in
the area. There is also Point Leo.... and many more. Torquay is 90
minutes drive from the city.
2-3 hours drive from the city is Sandy Point - where the current sail
speed record was broken by the catamaran 'Yellow Pages'. Flat, flat water
courtesy of a long sand bank and a good South Westerly wind will have you
travelling faster than you've ever sailed.... a bit scary actually. Near
there is Waratah Bay - with fairly good wave conditions.
I trust this has wet your appetite for sailing in Melbourne. The best
months are a little later in the year, but August should treat you well.
I'm in Perth at the moment, but will be back in Melbourne in August and
will see you out in the water.
Mark
Mark 'cecil' DeFriest __ /\ May the wind be at your side
Perth Australia / \_/ \ since it's no good coming
Phone: +61 18 385 153 / \ from up front or behind
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