Hi local windsurfers, I am holidaying at Airlie Beach for the next two weeks and it is looking promising for a good SE wind next weekend. I have been told Bowen is the best spot, will anyone else be sailing if the wind happens? Are there any good spots at Airlie? Thanks, Garry
Based on the current forecast there will be a couple of us sailing off Far Beach in Mackay. Saturday looks slightly better than Sunday, should average around 15knots and generally pretty consistent. It's very tidal, high tide is around 11 so could easily sail 9 to 1 without a walk, upside to tidal is that it stays relatively flat. Nice long runs, sandy bottom and nice grassy area to rig. See you there if you're keen!
G`day Thermo, I`m heading up to Bowen on friday for a sail if the wind is strong enough, otherwise will kite. Tides are a bit low,(High 2.6m @9;34am / low 0.7@ 3:44pm). Should be good in the morning at Front Beach.
Not any good spots in Airlie as there is too much headland upsetting the S/E wind. Maybe possible if its blowin its guts out, but a drive to Bowen for the day is well worth it.
From my only time sailing there I have this small piece of advise, if you're not used to sailing there, it's easy to overestimate wind strength, especially if it's straight on shore. We rigged much too small, the wind over the chop creates strong white caps, giving the illusion of stronger wind.
If you're keen you can sail a strong SE from Coral Sea resort area across that bay for a while, the gusts get through there. Also you can sail at Shuteharbour among the boats and Toe eating toad fish! Catch a boat to Long Island and sail the back beach in SE , think it still works, must of worked for me for 4 years! You can also sail between Dent and Hamilton at end of the air strip. And yes Bowen, Mackay (blacks beach is good) Enjoy!
Bowen Rocks on the a S/Easter..love the bump and jump.
Airlie Beach.......ummm errr ..lived there for 7 years (worked in the sail and charter industry) and sailed (windsurfed) it often and had some very very long swims. On a Northerly, sail from the Cannonvale Beach, near the stinger enclosure. The northerly is normally consistent and gives some long runs right over to Mandalay point and some friggin awesome ramps of the front of the marina and Coral Sea...:) ...loved northerly's BUT a south easter in Airlie is a friggin disaster in my mind....I have swum heaps and also seen many others suffer same fate, and have had to be rescued It IS gusty and shifty and can go from 20knts to 0knts dependent on how it funnels through the surrounding hills If you sail Airlie it must be on a board that you can uphaul, sail upwind and in 5knts.....it really can be that shifty in there
So I applied the rule of North wind..Cannonvale ...SE wind Bowen
Thanks for the tips guys, I sailed at Bowen Saturday with some locals and had a great time. I really enjoyed the long runs and consistent wind, well worth the drive and walk out to the water. Look me up if visiting South West Rocks for a sail. Cheers, Garry
