I might have rediscovered an Interesting "new" potential speed course for N/Eers at Cronulla.

I've often thought that a N/E seabreeze would be off-shore up around the 'Car-Park' at north Cronulla, so today I set off from Wanda beach amoungst about 6 wave sailors and two kite surfers, and headed up-wind after a few proving runs. The trip north took about 8 runs, perhaps less, but I started enjoying some down-winders before I made it all the way. A great journey, as I saw 2 turtles popping their heads above the water (checking me out :) and only one jet-ski, ridden by a very responsible life-guard! Sooooo much better than Kyeemagh can be! Of course, if I drove a 4x4 onto the beach I could have rigged 2m from the water.... It was quite an enjoyable journey but some runs did take me quite a distance offshore which had me thinking about the inevitable (shark... etc) but the worst predator I saw today were about 4 jellies that the turtles had missed! Up north the wind swung to cross-offshore, and the reef protected the water from those evil waves that are so loved by some and so detrimental to SPEED!. The only problem with offshore winds is, as you get closer to shore especially the NE end, the more patchy it becomes, with only the big gusts making it onto the water. Timing helps. But then... wow, some of the gusts coming through the gaps in the sand dunes were oh so very exciting. Just wish I had a few more square cm of sail... the 6.3 was a bit small, but glad I took it as my 7.7 would have been too large for today. All up, a great day in the sun :)

Interactive GPS tracks here... www.ka72.com/Track/t/298054 (click KML link in blue).

33kts in red. >30kts in black.

It must have been a great sail.

gavnwend said..
I have never sailed there it looks like a good spot.Sam from windsurfsnow told be once its gets glassy in that wind direction.looking at your gps tracks you must of scared those sharks away.

Not sure who would be scaring who... Apparently some species can swim at about 30kts for short bursts... www.thoughtco.com/how-fast-can-a-shark-swim-2291556

It costs $25 to drive your vehicle onto the beach at Boat Harbour so most people sail up from Wanda/Greenhills - can be a hard slog upwind on wave gear if you are heading out the reefs - not often worth the effort

The downhill runs home are a blast, but if there is swell at Wanda, slalom gear can get destroyed with little notice - seen it too often

North Cronulla is the beach area between the rock pools and the wall - not often a sailing spot