I was just looking through some of the windsurfing photos on this site and came across a lovely one of windsurfing at Green Island, QLD (see "troppo" by firiebob).

It made me want to cry.

I was there in July. I chose Green Island to see some of the Great Barrier Reef because the resort includes free windsurf hire and instruction for guests.
It blew 30 knots day and night the whole time I was there.

Fantastic! You might say.

Sadly, the resort is not allowed to let out their windsurfing gear when there is a strong wind warning.
I didn't even get a foot on a board.
The best I could manage was to sit on the beach and watch a couple of locals (who had brought their own gear) blast up and down.
It wasn't great snorkelling weather either, nevertheless the reef was fantastic.

So if you want great wind, Green Island in July. But take your own gear!

All the resorts have this rule about when there is wind over 20 kts then the smirking watersports person informs you that using hire gear is verboten.They seem to take great delight in enforcing this rule.

How easy is it to take gear on the ferry?
mmm, middle of a cold Tassie winter, cheap airfares, could be a good option.

The FNQ Mob is going to stage a Speed Week at Green Island late in June.

Just put Green Island Speed Week into Google and have a look.

We have sailed there many times and the wind in the winter is phenomenal.

Getting there is no great problem.

I meant you need warm clothes out of the water.
We had come from Perth and had our winter clothes with us for when we got back but we wore them the whole time we were at Green Island! People were envious of our windbreaking raincoats!

I think that Windxstasy must have struck an unusual day if they were cold at Green Island......Mostly there are stacks of people laying on beach and snorkling.
Rarely do we wear wetsuits on the FNQ beaches.
Come to Green Is. prepared for 30 knots plus and if the tides are right the water will be very flat. However be warned there are hazards if you do not get local advice as to where the reefs become exposed.
Today Green had a max of 30c and days above 35c are rare.

I think it good that people are asking questions.

Hi Windxtasy, if you were there on the 23rd or 24th the 2 locals were Troppo and me, if not then prob Al and his Dad. On the 23rd it was gusting to 40 knots up the tower (GI wind meter). You should have come over and said hi.

As said it's very easy to get to Green with your gear, I use an A frame trolley to get my stuff along the jetty and to the rigging area.

I have just been to Perth and back with Virgin, they allow 28kg if you have sporting gear so if you have your wife with you that's 56kg, plenty for me

Give me a yell if you're ever over this way again, more than happy to help if I can.

Troppo 23-07-08


Dr Cam on a light day, low tide

Actually the photo I was looking at is the one with Green Island in the background and three sailors, one red sail and one blue sailing and one in the water.
I don't know how to insert pics in these posts.

Windxtasy said...

Actually the photo I was looking at is the one with Green Island in the background and three sailors, one red sail and one blue sailing and one in the water.
I don't know how to insert pics in these posts.

some bloke on a boat took those and emailed to me so no probs using them.

there are some others that i have as well. if your interested let me know and i can email them.

Rowdy Rosey said...

While we are talking Green Island

Dont forget the Green Island Speed Week 21-28 June 2009

This is todays graph



Just goes to show it even blows on Green in our off season

That looks pretty much like I remember it. Grrr!

Work's an inconvenience

Troppo said...

Westerly??? is there a cyclone up there or something

Yep, been & gone but thinking about coming back.
Cat 1 and hit near Cardwell, just a little blow but mobs of rain again, 370mm in 24hrs somewhere just south of here