windsurfing darwin.. death on a stick?

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NasiGoreng
NasiGoreng
VIC
260 posts
VIC, 260 posts
25 Nov 2010 2:20pm
Hi,

I want to move somewhere tropical.
As far north as possible.

I noticed theres no "windsurfing NT" forum.

Do people windsurf up there at places where theres no salties, or is it just no one does it cos theres too many stone fish, sea snakes, crocs....

Just wondering...

Nasi

flipper4444
flipper4444
VIC
1214 posts
VIC, 1214 posts
25 Nov 2010 2:26pm
dude dont leave melbourne, we need more windsurfers here if you like sitting around drinking beer every weekend with ya mates at the pub then thats what you will be doing in darwin.. i dont think they do much else
crustysailor
crustysailor
VIC
871 posts
VIC, 871 posts
25 Nov 2010 2:32pm
somewhere tropical?

can't get much better than st leonards pearl bay!
divaldo
divaldo
SA
2878 posts
SA, 2878 posts
25 Nov 2010 2:17pm
go to Cairns, sailing at Green Island and Yorkies can be fun, enjoy wearing a full stocking suit though!
Trousers
Trousers
SA
565 posts
SA, 565 posts
25 Nov 2010 3:09pm
divaldo said...

...enjoy wearing a full stocking suit though!


everytime I've visited the reef up north, the staff have advised (then hired us) protective gear against them pesky stingers. then when you get to the water, absolutley none of the staff wear them!

it makes me wonder.
K Dog
K Dog
VIC
1847 posts
VIC, 1847 posts
25 Nov 2010 3:50pm
Yes - its death if you did that.

FlipX4sq is right. We must unite our forces for the great plan.
h20
h20
VIC
458 posts
h20 h20
VIC, 458 posts
25 Nov 2010 4:01pm
go to Hawaii
K Dog
K Dog
VIC
1847 posts
VIC, 1847 posts
25 Nov 2010 4:04pm
This crazy weather is getting to us all.... just have to ride it out.... it will be bl00dy hot soon
crustysailor
crustysailor
VIC
871 posts
VIC, 871 posts
25 Nov 2010 5:17pm
Trousers said...

divaldo said...

...enjoy wearing a full stocking suit though!


everytime I've visited the reef up north, the staff have advised (then hired us) protective gear against them pesky stingers. then when you get to the water, absolutley none of the staff wear them!

it makes me wonder.


the last time I went to whitehaven beach, all the overseas tourists had the fluoro green/yellow sperms suits on, the aussies just wore boardies/swimsuit etc.
Funniest thing was seeing at least 20 people in the suits all trundle off the ferry barge, wearing facemast/flippers and digital cameras like demented emporer pengiuns
K Dog
K Dog
VIC
1847 posts
VIC, 1847 posts
25 Nov 2010 5:59pm
...but then you hear of stories like that poor little girl who nearly died from those tiny iriganji(sic) jelly fish up North.....

I'd rather look uncool and be happy happy joy joy - than cool and as sore as a str1pper at a Collingwood FC ball..... [}:)]
fletchk
fletchk
SA
93 posts
SA, 93 posts
25 Nov 2010 6:51pm
I sailed up there for a while. Great breezes in the dry season and no stingers then, more hippies and sunburt europeans driving ****ty vans at that time of the year though. I was visiting friends a few months ago and saw some people out windsurfing so yes there is people there doing it. I would not hesitate to go in the dry season but in the wet there are stingers, although there is a wet season Tornado and A class series so still should be ok.
waynos
waynos
TAS
171 posts
TAS, 171 posts
25 Nov 2010 9:15pm
I lived there for two years and that's where I learnt to sail, there was always a good crew of guys at the beach every weekend no matter what the conditions. If it was windy we'd sail if it wasn't we'd all chip in and buy cartons and talk about sailing. We all lived and breathed windsurfing, you would be at the beach after work and all weekend. Don't worry about crocs or stingers, if I could turn back the clock I would go back there right now. Wind there can be a bit frustrating but it blows through 360 deg throughout the season so you get a bit of everything through the year waves / flat water etc.
firiebob
firiebob
WA
3182 posts
WA, 3182 posts
25 Nov 2010 6:57pm
Trousers said...

divaldo said...

...enjoy wearing a full stocking suit though!


everytime I've visited the reef up north, the staff have advised (then hired us) protective gear against them pesky stingers. then when you get to the water, absolutley none of the staff wear them!

it makes me wonder.


It's called covering your a*se, stingers are a problem on the coast in the warmer months but there is always a chance they can be and occasionally are found on the reef. I only ever wear my stinger suit on the coast and must say at my age I'm a sight to behold in my mesh suit, might have to take up kiting to fit in

Back on track, FNQ is generally not too bad to windsurf, main season is winter (no gay suits), coastal water in muddy looking, no waves and the winds gusty, on the reef the waters clear and generally good wind, suits me Here's the big but, we have gone through a few average years with this the worst I can remember

Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
25 Nov 2010 7:36pm
Maybe cos Darwin has no wind? As well as the crocs and stingers and seasnakes and no surf shops or WS shops or light beer, or.......

Move to Carnarvon or Exmouth

Not quite tropical, but they are getting there as both are hot and the latter gets cyclones so can't be too far off what you'd call tropical

and both have roaring seabreezes.

NasiGoreng
NasiGoreng
VIC
260 posts
VIC, 260 posts
26 Nov 2010 9:21am
cheers guys for the feedback.

unfortunately i work in financial services, and im limited to a desk job due to a heart problem that sometimes rears its ugly head.

so somewhere to rural is unfortunately a no goer. it has to be a largish town with some insurance co/ banks etc for me to earn coin.

Townsville has a load of FS jobs going and thats pretty warm.

Must hire a van and drive up the coast, see whats on offer....

Hmmm maybe it will end up being QLD, but that north coast of WA is sooooo tempting too!!

K Dog
K Dog
VIC
1847 posts
VIC, 1847 posts
26 Nov 2010 10:07am
NasiGoreng said...

cheers guys for the feedback.

unfortunately i work in financial services, and im limited to a desk job due to a heart problem that sometimes rears its ugly head.

so somewhere to rural is unfortunately a no goer. it has to be a largish town with some insurance co/ banks etc for me to earn coin.

Townsville has a load of FS jobs going and thats pretty warm.

Must hire a van and drive up the coast, see whats on offer....

Hmmm maybe it will end up being QLD, but that north coast of WA is sooooo tempting too!!




Sunny Coast in QLD is very nice and warm most of the year. I really miss the warm water in Summer up there
SlicerDicer
SlicerDicer
179 posts
179 posts
26 Nov 2010 7:21am
NasiGoreng said...

Hi,

I want to move somewhere tropical.

Just wondering...

Nasi



Maui Buddah!
Rossx
Rossx
QLD
55 posts
QLD, 55 posts
26 Nov 2010 9:38am
Nasi. I sailed there for 20 yrs before retiring to FNQ. More sailing here than Darwin but there are two seasons in Darwin with totally different conditions. Dry season sees the SE'ers and they can be very good, offshore but clear water, no stingers and no teabaggers. Wet season you get great W winds if the monsoons are in, but dirty water with 1 to 2 mtr wind waves making for some good fun. Even better if a cyclone starts up. Don't worry about crocs, we never hurt one all the time I was there.

Used to be up to 20 sailors there in the dry but a lot went over to kites because more consistent lighter winds. Probably only a small number of sailors ther now but lot of kiters. Only ever sailed there with a 6.0 mtr and when the wind was up it was great.

There is a guy named Geoff who runs Fun Supply and he sells gear.

In FNQ bought bigger gear and don't work so therefore more sailing hear. The ocean is great in the winter, warm and good SE winds. Lake Tinaroo is a great summer season sailing spot, no crocs, stingers etc but huge barra.

As Firie indicated there seems to be a drop in wind here in the tropics in recent years. At least its warm and no shortage of rain. Good luck
sboardcrazy
sboardcrazy
NSW
8333 posts
NSW, 8333 posts
26 Nov 2010 12:08pm
Rossx said...

Nasi. I sailed there for 20 yrs before retiring to FNQ. More sailing here than Darwin but there are two seasons in Darwin with totally different conditions. Dry season sees the SE'ers and they can be very good, offshore but clear water, no stingers and no teabaggers. Wet season you get great W winds if the monsoons are in, but dirty water with 1 to 2 mtr wind waves making for some good fun. Even better if a cyclone starts up. Don't worry about crocs, we never hurt one all the time I was there.

Used to be up to 20 sailors there in the dry but a lot went over to kites because more consistent lighter winds. Probably only a small number of sailors ther now but lot of kiters. Only ever sailed there with a 6.0 mtr and when the wind was up it was great.

There is a guy named Geoff who runs Fun Supply and he sells gear.

In FNQ bought bigger gear and don't work so therefore more sailing hear. The ocean is great in the winter, warm and good SE winds. Lake Tinaroo is a great summer season sailing spot, no crocs, stingers etc but huge barra.

As Firie indicated there seems to be a drop in wind here in the tropics in recent years. At least its warm and no shortage of rain. Good luck


I think we are getting it!
Codie
Codie
QLD
2 posts
QLD, 2 posts
26 Nov 2010 12:39pm
Nasi, we have a nurse out here on Lizard + flying doctors. I've enjoyed the spoils of this place selfishly for too long. Have been the last of the windsurfers here for a while now, surrounded by a small tribe of (3-4) kiters (which i do in 12 - 18 kts). We all get along well but i could really use some sailing mates to enjoy blasting with. Mainly B&J in a pristine lagoon on the high tide and flat water blasting/freestyle on the low tide. No jellies as we're too far out from the mainland, no croc's, clear warm water and consistent wind - average 20 knots for the dry season (May to Nov) and a few good days still even in the wet season. I would sail most days after work and each weekend.

For the rest, I know it costs a lot to get here and there are logistics in getting gear here. But we do have a small camp ground, there is a barge which can bring/return gear from cairns, if u get a few together, a charter flight costs nothing, and you have a local who can help.

I sailed with a Belgium traveller who hitched a ride on a yacht with his girlfriend a few months back. When he appeared on the lagoon beach with a rig and board, I had to wipe my eyes. Mirage?? Have I been here too long? We sailed, swapped gear, had beers and talked sailing. Reminded me of what this sports it's all about.

The lady and I take 2-3 months off a year to sail other parts of Oz in Jan - Mar to share some waves, but thought its about time I pushed you guys to experience this. I know the season is ending, but think about it for next year for a visit - and Nasi, if there's an office job going (not that there's many here!)...I'll wave a flag.


firiebob
firiebob
WA
3182 posts
WA, 3182 posts
26 Nov 2010 2:25pm
Codie Maaaaaaate,

I can see a few of the FNQ mob giving you a visit next year, if all the moons align I'll organize it. The flat water low tide has got me thinking as we are in the GPS challenge and any windsurf holiday is a good holiday, might be easier than I thought as we're in Cairns anyway. Camping suits me.

Can you please PM me your email address. I'll leave you alone till next year then I'll bleed your brain on best way of doing it etc.

Cheers Bob.
ginger pom
ginger pom
VIC
1746 posts
VIC, 1746 posts
27 Nov 2010 9:10am
NasiGoreng said...

cheers guys for the feedback.

unfortunately i work in financial services, and im limited to a desk job due to a heart problem that sometimes rears its ugly head.

so somewhere to rural is unfortunately a no goer. it has to be a largish town with some insurance co/ banks etc for me to earn coin.

Townsville has a load of FS jobs going and thats pretty warm.

Must hire a van and drive up the coast, see whats on offer....

Hmmm maybe it will end up being QLD, but that north coast of WA is sooooo tempting too!!




be an insurance rep in a small town. There's loads of work going for them at the moment cos a whole swathe are about to retire.
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