The Underground Text of Windsurfing in Western Australia

Introduction

One of my dreams as a youth was to travel down-under and see Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Why this dream? I am not sure exactly but I think the romantic attachment was perhaps the Kangaroo. To a Midwest boy these are strange creatures.... I remember thinking I got to see one of these animals before I die. Later on the mystery and desire intensified as I read about the Great Barrier Reef, all those poisonous animals, and the Emus. Then later on, in my twenties, I dated an Aussie girl who not only spoke with a very peculiar accent but who also dished out a plethora of funny quips. And who could miss the two crocodile guys in the media: Crocodile Dundee and the late Animal Planet guy. Then, by no design, windsurfing took over my passions and I left the down-under dream back in the archives of my past until a common thread brought them together. Mainly, there are a great many professional Aussie sailors I met in passing; such as Jason Polakow, Scott McKercher, Ben Severne, and Grubbie. I also heard about the fantastic west coast sailing.

Sailing Spots Exmouth  -  Long drive; Bring snorkeling/diving gear ... Gnarloo  -  Considered best windsurfing wave in the world ... Coronation Beach  -  Hang with the Euros in this good cheap place ... Geraldton (Sunset Beach)  -  Stay at the nice caravan park ... Geraldton (St. Georges)  -  Good beginner spot... Geraldton (Point Moore)  -  The most convenient all around spot ... Green Head  -  Small town, break is way off shore ... Cervantes  -  In proximity to Pinnacles ... Lancelin  -  Greate waves within a drive to Perth ...

When to Go

Helpful Links

Staying Connected

At A Glance

• 01. Fly to Perth. Call Red Car to rent/buy are car. Arrive in Perth in morning.
• 02. Drive North to Geraldton.

Tips/Opinions/Notes

• It seems like Aussie banks charge a ton for exchange fees. To encourage tourism there should be no exchange fees on the optimum or a maximum of 3% at the worst. Use your credit card or debit card. With Debit cards you can always get extra cash back. Credit cards will usually charge an exchange rate fee of around 3%. You can also use the ATM to withdraw money but this is usually a little higher rate, more likely 4%, plus the ATM bank fee. All said, I think the credit card seems like your best bet whenever you can use one.
• when sailing around the Geraldton area be aware of the lobster pot lines and buoys you see everywhere. Many people snag their fin and get catapulted. They are especially hard to see late in the day because the glare is high late in the day. Winds generally do not pickup till after 1Pm.
• Those damn american politicians! Why are we not fully metric? Without a doubt it is a better system, yet I am in Australia still doing the conversion in my head.
• I wish there were more inexpensive options for travelers who sleep in their vehicle. Maybe expand the lot at Point Moore and add a $5 vehicle fee to park overnight, with restrictions and rules of course.
• I think an expanded Coronation Beach (more camping) would be nice as well as specific rigging areas that would be easy on the gear. I have seen some places in the gorge that actually have some old carpet squares to the lay the sails on.
• Do not drive @ night and stop driving 1/2 hour before sunset. Do not start driving until 1/2 after sunrise. The driving is risky and dangerous because many animals including Kangaroos, goats, and sheep wander the roads @ night when the desert is cool.
• The wind is unpredicatable and windsurfers are a passionate group who will sail until dark. After derigging and eating they may not be ready to find a place to stay until well after 8Pm so I do not understand why the Caravan Park's seem so annoyed when a willing and paying customer arrives for an overnight stay.
• Be ready to see the ubiquitous road kill on the highways when you are out of the urban areas.
• Why did someone create the right hand versus the left hand side of driving on the road which varies from country to country? Was there a practical reason for this variation? What difference does it make? This must have been a big joke for someone.
• Australia, at the time of this writing was pretty expensive for the USA traveler. The cost of gas in Australia was about $5/gal in the winter of 2006. Produce is incedibally high. Remember Aussies like to drink so if you go out on the town and want to keep your Hard-Core drinking reputation theb be ready to lay down some cash for alcohol.
• You gotta love those drive through liquor stores.

Recommended Reads

• A Sunburned Country, Bill Bryson - fun read on australia
• A Teacup in a Storm, Mick Conefrey - What explorers are all about

Fun Facts