More info on Sandy Point please

Moved to Melbourne to be near Sandy Point, and looking forward to this season. I see that it works in a W through to E, but thought it's probably meant to be sailed in a SW for the speed run? What's the best direction for it?
Is it tidal?
This Thursday and Sat looks like it might be great conditions for some speed (if it doesn't get TOO strong!) - what's the opinions out there?
And finally, where else to sail speed in VIC (Inverloch?)
Thanks, and happy sailing.
Chris

Hi Zeeber,

I am not an expert on Sandy as I mainly sail Inverloch ( Listed in the top 50 flat water spots in the world and Sandy was not even mentioned) Hehe
Boy are the Pit Crew annoyed about that one. Sandy is the better place for flat water to sail when it is on and in my belief WSW is the best wind direction and will work well on an E.
Invy will have a flat water spot somewhere on the Inlet in most wind directions with SW, WSW, SE and E probably the best. Anything with N in it you are better off making the road trip to Swan Bay as Invy gets very gusty. We had the Pit Crew raid us on one E day and they clocked 40 - 46kts at Area 45 Boat ramp at Mahers landing 5 minutes out of Inverloch. So Invy is not a place to ignore. Good local crew but I am biased because I am President of Inverloch Windsurfing Club.

Check out our website at

www.inverlochwindsurf.org.au

or our facebook page at

Inverloch Windsurfing Club

Good way to check out when people are heading down and where they will be launching from.

Yep, sadly speed fortnight has been cancelled this year. A few NSW people are still coming down over the school holidays

IWC has a Speed weekend on in late October this year. Date to be confirmed. Sailors broken up into 3 groups depending on 2 sec peak or 5* 10 sec average. Average over 2 days competition anywhere within the boundaries of the Inlet.

The sand bars from the Rotary Park you mention we call the middle bank and have had members clock 36kts there

Sandy Point (Shallow Inlet) works best for speed sailing on a WSW. Somewhere from 265 to 230 is probably ideal depending on the strength of the wind.

For fun blasting on flat water, SW is the ideal angle or even just a wee bit more south. On that angle you can run the full length of the channel and gybe back from each end.

Best tides for WSW to SW are outgoing to low and for an hour or so on the start of the incoming tide. If it is a low hig tide it can still be good right through the tide but a fast incoming tide can make big waves (woop-de-do's) on the speed course.

Strong easterlies are great fun and 40 knots plus speeds are common on the right tides. Easterlies need low tides to expose the sandbar but watch out for really abrupt shallow sandbars just out from what looks like the perfect speed course. They can be quite dangerous if hit at speed.

Wednesday looks like a possibility but the wind angle forecast is touch and go. Tides best in the morning. If it does come together it could be epic!
Saturday does not looks as windy but the angle and tides could be better.