Moving to WA for windsurfing?

1 month ago
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seadoodle
seadoodle
2 posts
2 posts
12 Apr 2026 1:58am
Anyone here who moved to WA from elsewhere (interstate or abroad)? I'm considering a move and I'd be keen to hear your story.
mathew
mathew
QLD
2167 posts
QLD, 2167 posts
12 Apr 2026 9:10am
There are certainly a lot of WA locals born and bread in the WA waters, likewise there are a lot of people that moved-to WA.

ie: Geraldton is probably a good example where a decent percentage of everyone in town, does/used-to windsurf... having moved there from elsewhere.
Subsonic
Subsonic
WA
3413 posts
WA, 3413 posts
14 Apr 2026 6:58am
Summers here are great. Winters can be quite dismal though. Might get a sail in a fortnight if lucky.

the weather will treat you better North of say Geraldton.
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
14 Apr 2026 12:16pm
Lots of people have of course just like Mat said
maybe ask specific questions as the people who didn't move here might have valid input (I feel left out )
hardie
hardie
WA
4133 posts
WA, 4133 posts
15 Apr 2026 9:38am
I left melbourne in 1994 and moved to WA, WA has been the best part of my life, the climate, the windsurfing, the friendships, the travel, big community of windsports fanatics, but it is what you make of it, you can come to WA and if you have a negative mindset you wont be able to enjoy what WA has to offer
Brent in Qld
Brent in Qld
WA
1471 posts
WA, 1471 posts
15 Apr 2026 7:51pm
Lived in WA from 88-01. Rolled into town thinking of sailing a season after my first visit with the Americas Cup in 87. Stayed. Went overseas ending up in SE Qld for 20ish yrs, learnt how to float and ride on stbd tack. Kids finally flew the coup so moved back to Fremantle in 22. Have always and am still sailing as much as possible.

If the primary reason for moving West is sailing, it's a no brainer. Good crew, lots of options to get on the water for all the iterations of watersports and you'll start smiling as you wear out gear at an alarming rate.

Tips? Take a few bite sized trips to suss the place out before committing. There's work if you have to (wages are generally lower here), housing market's a pain like elsewhere and Emu export is a very ordinary beer. Outside of that it's like anything in life, it's what you make of it.

For my part, the pace and quality of life is hard to match and have found myself happily melting into the landscape.
AUS 808
AUS 808
WA
516 posts
WA, 516 posts
18 Apr 2026 8:55am
We've been here 30 years now, moved from Melbourne & never looked back. The climate & sailing is awesome.
I've just done a couple of laps of Aus & couldn't wait to get home. WA is the best place on earth ??
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
18 Apr 2026 12:04pm
And the best board repairer is here so ..
seadoodle
seadoodle
2 posts
2 posts
18 Apr 2026 11:51pm
Thanks all for chiming in! I'm most curious about the windsurfing community - is it a good way to make friends as an adult? I'm hearing you say that it is, which is great! I really miss the windsurfing community at the club where I learned. There's not many windsurfers where I live (Seattle, USA) and so there's not really a community around the sport here.

I guess a second question would be, what do you do for fun/exercise in the winter?
hardie
hardie
WA
4133 posts
WA, 4133 posts
19 Apr 2026 6:54am
seadoodle said..
Thanks all for chiming in! I'm most curious about the windsurfing community - is it a good way to make friends as an adult? I'm hearing you say that it is, which is great! I really miss the windsurfing community at the club where I learned. There's not many windsurfers where I live (Seattle, USA) and so there's not really a community around the sport here.

I guess a second question would be, what do you do for fun/exercise in the winter?


A big community of windsurfers and ready made friends await you.

Winter we windsurf the storms, and NEasters which are warm and sunny winter days. These are not as reliable as the 6 month summer seabreezes. At times, we Can have 2 or 3 sails a week in winter and then nothing for a few weeks. Winter is big swell time so lots of surfing. Cycling is popular. The nearest snow is about 3800km away. Winter Trips up north to the warmer climates of Western Australia, good easterly winds over winter, from Shark bay to Dampier. Then its up to your imagination and interests?
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12872 posts
WA, 12872 posts
19 Apr 2026 9:49am
Here in Mandurah we have a nice windsurfing community, slappers, foils and wings. flat water on the estuary and occasionally smooth if the weed is right, for those doing speed sailing.
Waves on the ocean, with decent down the line side shore conditions.


These pics are a few km apart liptons on the estuary and Avalon on the ocean. Something for every body here.

No snow of course, but mountain biking has become a bit of a thing, paddling whatever on the estuary.

Geraldton has better wind than here, stronger and a longer season, no real speed strip, but some amazing bump and jump venues, and down the line waves.

If you're into bigish waves Margaret River is often over mast high

There is a bit of a culture difference here though, we tend to knock down tall poppies, we don't like braggers, or people big noting themselves.
elmo
elmo
WA
8890 posts
WA, 8890 posts
19 Apr 2026 7:08pm
Mark _australia said..
And the best board repairer is here so ..


Though he is very shy and modest
Maddlad
Maddlad
WA
933 posts
WA, 933 posts
20 Apr 2026 11:14am
Winter is foiling time..
kato
kato
VIC
3527 posts
VIC, 3527 posts
20 Apr 2026 7:44pm
seadoodle said..
Thanks all for chiming in! I'm most curious about the windsurfing community - is it a good way to make friends as an adult? I'm hearing you say that it is, which is great! I really miss the windsurfing community at the club where I learned. There's not many windsurfers where I live (Seattle, USA) and so there's not really a community around the sport here.

I guess a second question would be, what do you do for fun/exercise in the winter?


Road trips and surfing
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
20 Apr 2026 6:50pm
seadoodle said..
I guess a second question would be, what do you do for fun/exercise in the winter?


Windsurf.

We don't have a winter like you're used to lol


elmo
elmo
WA
8890 posts
WA, 8890 posts
21 Apr 2026 7:19pm
Mountain(?) biking
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12872 posts
WA, 12872 posts
21 Apr 2026 9:54pm
May not be mountains, but you're riding mountain bikes on steep bush tracks.
GazMan
GazMan
WA
848 posts
WA, 848 posts
27 Apr 2026 9:18pm
decrepit said..
May not be mountains, but you're riding mountain bikes on steep bush tracks.




Obviously you guys haven't tried to ride anything like a decent mountain bike down some of the more extreme downhill single track trails (as opposed to 'bush tracks') in the dedicated mtb parks near Kalamunda, Dwellingup or Nannup (where they have the only double black run in WA) and unlikely you'd be saying "may not be mountains" after sending it down one of those trails!!! Fyi WA has some of the best most varied and well built mtb trails in the country and there's plenty of different trails to keep one entertained when there's bugger all wind! Also imo kayaking another good low wind alternative
Subsonic
Subsonic
WA
3413 posts
WA, 3413 posts
28 Apr 2026 1:00pm
GazMan said..

decrepit said..
May not be mountains, but you're riding mountain bikes on steep bush tracks.





Obviously you guys haven't tried to ride anything like a decent mountain bike down some of the more extreme downhill single track trails (as opposed to 'bush tracks') in the dedicated mtb parks near Kalamunda, Dwellingup or Nannup (where they have the only double black run in WA) and unlikely you'd be saying "may not be mountains" after sending it down one of those trails!!! Fyi WA has some of the best most varied and well built mtb trails in the country and there's plenty of different trails to keep one entertained when there's bugger all wind! Also imo kayaking another good low wind alternative


I remember watching one guys DH bike explode on landing off a long jump at the goat farm. All good fun.
Maddlad
Maddlad
WA
933 posts
WA, 933 posts
29 Apr 2026 12:24pm
GazMan said..

decrepit said..
May not be mountains, but you're riding mountain bikes on steep bush tracks.





Obviously you guys haven't tried to ride anything like a decent mountain bike down some of the more extreme downhill single track trails (as opposed to 'bush tracks') in the dedicated mtb parks near Kalamunda, Dwellingup or Nannup (where they have the only double black run in WA) and unlikely you'd be saying "may not be mountains" after sending it down one of those trails!!! Fyi WA has some of the best most varied and well built mtb trails in the country and there's plenty of different trails to keep one entertained when there's bugger all wind! Also imo kayaking another good low wind alternative


Yep, some of those trails can be sketchy as f.. :P
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
29 Apr 2026 4:40pm
Subsonic said.. I remember watching one guys DH bike explode on landing off a long jump at the goat farm. All good fun.


That can definitely happen if you MTB Lancelin Island too
Brent in Qld
Brent in Qld
WA
1471 posts
WA, 1471 posts
8 May 2026 2:37pm
We spend so much time in the water during summer that some of us are starting to develop extraordinary skills that keep us entertained during winter.


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