Forums > Windsurfing General

Do you sail in winter?

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Created by Harrow > 9 months ago, 18 Jul 2019
Harrow
NSW, 4520 posts
18 Jul 2019 10:29AM
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Do you sail in winter?

I gave it up about 10 years ago. I used to be stupid enough to go out in 50 knot southerlies on Botany Bay in July. I remember I'd lose feeling in one finger per run, so by the third run I was down to my last finger holding the boom and had to head in.

(Banana benders need not respond, I'm already jealous after just spending a week on the reef and don't need to be reminded.)

sboardcrazy
NSW, 7917 posts
18 Jul 2019 10:48AM
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Back in the 80's - 90's I used to love winter westerly gales on Lake Macquarie. I had 10 years off. Came back and went out and muffed the first gybe . I ended up sitting in icey water for ages waiting on a gust.. Brr 12degrees + windchill and water 11 degrees.. That's when I got soft..
These days I sail lighter winds in deeper water ( 10-15kts ) on a board I can uphaul.
The problem with deeper water is it can be gusty with a wide range of wind and big holes. I have to use a big board so I can uphaul but if it gets 20kts plus it's tiring bashing in the chop. I'm using a 111ltre instead of a 90 or 80ltre that I'd usually use.
In stronger wind I sail shallow water so I don't have to lie in icey water for 10mins waiting for a gust to waterstart ..

Wollemi
NSW, 349 posts
18 Jul 2019 11:11AM
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Yes. Only at Wallerawang in the Central West, atm. All three launching areas are on the western side of Lake Wallace... so have done the swim of shame into strong winter winds from the west.
Other inland lakes further out - Carcoar Dam, Chifley Dam (Bathurst drinking water) also have public launch points on western side only, so I won't bother windsurfing (but have kayaked at those places in mid-winter, finishing well after dark - feet ache badly, even in wetsuit booties just lifting kayak out of the water).

elmo
WA, 8659 posts
18 Jul 2019 9:14AM
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Generally it's time constraints, knock of work at 1600 or later, dark by 1730
Which only leaves weekends for the planets to allign.

Then there's motivation of sailing 30+ down to zip in 5 mins and back again. Either blown of the water or waiting around to be.

In all honesty most of winter sailing is crap, you do get the occasional day where everything works, the storm sailing wave crew seem to be the best at it, personally I've had to many long swims when the wind drops out.

That said, I'm twitchin for my next sail, the foil has been a Godsend on those 10 knot days and it's nice to snag a good day on the slapper.

Half way through winter, Woo hoo

mr love
VIC, 2296 posts
18 Jul 2019 11:59AM
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Don't be soft, quite a bunch of us Mexicans sailing last Sunday, Max temp 12 deg, water temp 13.5. Now is when you get the big Westerlies or NW, makes you feel alive!

js68
TAS, 113 posts
18 Jul 2019 1:12PM
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Come and visit Tasmania this time of year. It will make you appreciate how WARM NSW is in winter!

Tardy
4920 posts
18 Jul 2019 11:19AM
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of course ...winter is the best ,strongest wind suit up and get out there ...

Harrow
NSW, 4520 posts
18 Jul 2019 1:20PM
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js68 said..
Come and visit Tasmania this time of year. It will make you appreciate how WARM NSW is in winter!

Haha, yep, was thinking of you guys after visiting a couple of years ago and seeing how chilly the water was in December.

MikeyS
VIC, 1506 posts
18 Jul 2019 1:51PM
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mr love said..
Don't be soft, quite a bunch of us Mexicans sailing last Sunday, Max temp 12 deg, water temp 13.5. Now is when you get the big Westerlies or NW, makes you feel alive!


They are soft, aren't they Mr Love. Sub-10 degree air temp in 30 kts sure drops the wind chill reading.

Apart from booties, I reckon the most useful piece of kit for winter sailing is a hood. Especially if like me you don't have any remaining natural insulation on your scone. 2-3mm of neoprene makes a huge difference, to the point that you can get too hot.

JonesySail
QLD, 1061 posts
18 Jul 2019 1:56PM
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of course, it's called travel and you don't even have to leave this country!

sboardcrazy
NSW, 7917 posts
18 Jul 2019 2:08PM
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JonesySail said..
of course, it's called travel and you don't even have to leave this country!


Maybe next year..

mr love
VIC, 2296 posts
18 Jul 2019 4:15PM
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MikeyS said..

mr love said..
Don't be soft, quite a bunch of us Mexicans sailing last Sunday, Max temp 12 deg, water temp 13.5. Now is when you get the big Westerlies or NW, makes you feel alive!



They are soft, aren't they Mr Love. Sub-10 degree air temp in 30 kts sure drops the wind chill reading.

Apart from booties, I reckon the most useful piece of kit for winter sailing is a hood. Especially if like me you don't have any remaining natural insulation on your scone. 2-3mm of neoprene makes a huge difference, to the point that you can get too hot.


Sunday wasn't a good day to leave my booties at home...barefoot was hardcore.

choco
SA, 3995 posts
18 Jul 2019 4:16PM
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JonesySail said..
of course, it's called travel and you don't even have to leave this country!


cheaper to go OS

kato
VIC, 3340 posts
18 Jul 2019 7:47PM
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Always sail in winter, but lately it's been SUPSurfing. Haven't even broken out the booties yet

Imax1
QLD, 4527 posts
18 Jul 2019 8:14PM
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I do sail in vic winter , however I did knock back a sail to rebuild a deck

Imax1
QLD, 4527 posts
18 Jul 2019 8:22PM
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Anyone been to Aitutaki ? OMG !
It has to be the most beautiful place on earth !
I actually think they dye the water .
I could happily die there .

Faff
VIC, 1165 posts
18 Jul 2019 8:49PM
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Select to expand quote
MikeyS said..

mr love said..
Don't be soft, quite a bunch of us Mexicans sailing last Sunday, Max temp 12 deg, water temp 13.5. Now is when you get the big Westerlies or NW, makes you feel alive!



They are soft, aren't they Mr Love. Sub-10 degree air temp in 30 kts sure drops the wind chill reading.

Apart from booties, I reckon the most useful piece of kit for winter sailing is a hood. Especially if like me you don't have any remaining natural insulation on your scone. 2-3mm of neoprene makes a huge difference, to the point that you can get too hot.

+1.
Add a windcheater top over the wetsuit and you'll be looking forward to falling in.

John340
QLD, 3047 posts
18 Jul 2019 10:02PM
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I got a 3-2 steamer this year. Nice and cosy

JonesySail
QLD, 1061 posts
18 Jul 2019 10:24PM
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choco said..

JonesySail said..
of course, it's called travel and you don't even have to leave this country!



cheaper to go OS


How's that? Keen to know where I can get a winter tropical windy week away for less? this week , cost me about $1k accom and air , and with the variety of shore based activity's on offer day and night.
F&B there is everything from Back packer budget to 5 star , same also for Accom , yes the island is exy but 90% of crew stay in Cairns, so if there is a cheaper better winter destination I'm all ears, :)
ideally id like to stay longer for some of the other activities available also, it's such a winter paradise !

Ian K
WA, 4039 posts
18 Jul 2019 8:34PM
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Select to expand quote
choco said..

JonesySail said..
of course, it's called travel and you don't even have to leave this country!



cheaper to go OS


If all this catches on over here .... You'll just have to catch a train, or toughen up like Kato and sail at your local.

www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/flygskam-anti-flying-flight-shaming-sweden-greta-thornberg-environment-air-travel-train-brag-a8945196.html

www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332394-500-planning-to-carbon-offset-your-flight-you-should-read-this-first/

Subsonic
WA, 2963 posts
18 Jul 2019 9:04PM
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elmo said..
Generally it's time constraints, knock of work at 1600 or later, dark by 1730
Which only leaves weekends for the planets to allign.

Then there's motivation of sailing 30+ down to zip in 5 mins and back again. Either blown of the water or waiting around to be.

In all honesty most of winter sailing is crap, you do get the occasional day where everything works, the storm sailing wave crew seem to be the best at it, personally I've had to many long swims when the wind drops out.

That said, I'm twitchin for my next sail, the foil has been a Godsend on those 10 knot days and it's nice to snag a good day on the slapper.

Half way through winter, Woo hoo


Yep. Me too. Generally finish work too late for after work sailing. Every oppurtunity i can on weekends though

powersloshin
NSW, 1654 posts
19 Jul 2019 6:33AM
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I highly recommend it .
If you have light wind gear there are a lot of very nice days to enjoy in winter. If it's too windy for Botany you can try flat water speed sailing in Budgewoi or Primbee: need weed fins, but you can sail with freeride gear and wave sails for starting.

AUS817
NSW, 391 posts
19 Jul 2019 7:10AM
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Yes of course, nothing booties and a good wetsuit can't solve.

The Windsurfers at Gosford sailing Club sail almost every Saturday of the year. Come join us anytime.

515
773 posts
19 Jul 2019 6:06AM
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Imax1 said..
Anyone been to Aitutaki ? OMG !
It has to be the most beautiful place on earth !
I actually think they dye the water .
I could happily die there .


One of my mates went there last year kiteboarding and loved it.
Its another flight.
We were in Raro last year for partners 50th in March and only light winds.
Tried to hire windsurf gear at Muri Lagoon to teach my teenage daughter but all gear broken.
Great paddle boarding and awesome snorkelling

Back before kids, Winter is hard core especially wave sailing in Taranaki with all the snow feed rivers.
I had to cut my arms to above elbow to avoid forearm pump so would were thermals under wetsuit.
Didn't like the feel of booties wave riding so your feet would feel likes slabs of meet walking across rocks.

Not so hardcore these days but if its sunny and consistent wind I will still get out for blast

mark62
490 posts
19 Jul 2019 6:14AM
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In the Uk, some of the best days are during the winter months, solid clean winds not to be missed. These days, 4 to 6 degrees (plus wind chill) is as cold as I will go. Hail stone is not unusual. 5mm or 6mm fleece lined wetsuits, new hood, palm-less mitts, thick boots and a flask of coffee in the car are all mandatory. You feel a bit like the Michelin man with all the heavy duty stuff on, but it keeps you warm as long as you keep moving, and not stand around talking.

JakeNN
351 posts
19 Jul 2019 6:20AM
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choco said..
cheaper to go OS


+1
Cheap and way better

Plainview
WA, 175 posts
19 Jul 2019 2:23PM
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I started out in the North Sea off Aberdeen, Scotland. WA winters are not cold by comparison. But as mentioned above, the wind sucks in the winter here in WA especially as we are so spoilt in the summer. So I windsurf a bit but my attention generally switches to biking in the winter.

Tony Polony
NSW, 337 posts
19 Jul 2019 5:22PM
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Hi Harrow, I generally get two sessions per month May - Aug in and around the South Coast NSW. Last August however was amazing with a number of moderate NE breezes that aligned nicely with weekends.

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
19 Jul 2019 5:44PM
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Winter northerlies in Melbourne are a thing of joy. Usually accompanied with some kind of sunshine and 20-30 knots. Can get up to 50 knots. Gusty but fun.

Gannets and dolphins often feed on schools of bait fish on the stronger days. It can be mayhem with the gannets diving down and the dolphins jumping up.

Tardy
4920 posts
19 Jul 2019 3:50PM
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Select to expand quote
515 said..

Imax1 said..
Anyone been to Aitutaki ? OMG !
It has to be the most beautiful place on earth !
I actually think they dye the water .
I could happily die there .



One of my mates went there last year kiteboarding and loved it.
Its another flight.
We were in Raro last year for partners 50th in March and only light winds.
Tried to hire windsurf gear at Muri Lagoon to teach my teenage daughter but all gear broken.
Great paddle boarding and awesome snorkelling

Back before kids, Winter is hard core especially wave sailing in Taranaki with all the snow feed rivers.
I had to cut my arms to above elbow to avoid forearm pump so would were thermals under wetsuit.
Didn't like the feel of booties wave riding so your feet would feel likes slabs of meet walking across rocks.

Not so hardcore these days but if its sunny and consistent wind I will still get out for blast


I've sailed a lot at muri lagoon ..took my own gear ..but worth it ..the locals use all captain Tama s gear and wreck it
,after talking to the locals they said May is the wildest month ,so the last 2 time i went in May i was not disappointed
sailed all the way down to fruits of Rarotonga and 20-25 knot everyday no wetsuit ,but I looked at Aitutaki ,but the plane would not take gear at that time ..
but yes IMax it is a amazing lagoon ..and worth dieing there for ..
this is me today ,iPhone shot ,our water was 19 ,so i guess that puts me in the soft cock zone ..i love july ...it blows all the time ..but cool ..


FormulaNova
WA, 14049 posts
19 Jul 2019 4:37PM
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Ian K said..

choco said..


JonesySail said..
of course, it's called travel and you don't even have to leave this country!




cheaper to go OS



If all this catches on over here .... You'll just have to catch a train, or toughen up like Kato and sail at your local.

www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/flygskam-anti-flying-flight-shaming-sweden-greta-thornberg-environment-air-travel-train-brag-a8945196.html

www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332394-500-planning-to-carbon-offset-your-flight-you-should-read-this-first/


Our train infrastructure is rubbish! For all the talk about people needing to use it more, its not built very well.

I hope its more efficient when run for freight, but I suspect our rail links between cities are only used by those that have some need to travel by train, or they have discounted tickets and want to use it as part of the experience.

Catching a train from Sydney to Melbourne would take ages, and you may get shuffled onto buses for part of the trip.

I don't think its going to catch on over here. We don't have enough desinations that are reachable via train or convenient.



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"Do you sail in winter?" started by Harrow