Now that summer is coming up and I have built some skills, where is the best place to start wavesailing? Ideally within an hour of Hornsby but I don't mind occasionally driving further.
Also what are the basic skills and knowledge I need so that I don't die? I figure it's probably best to start in about 10 knots on a nice floaty fsw and cross/cross onshore breeze. What about tides, etc.? I'm not much of a surfer so very little background knowledge.
Does anyone know of some good guides to get me started? Youtube doesn't seem to have much
Thanks in advance!
I think Collaroy is a place, but I am not a wave sailor.
First priority for you would be to learn the safe way to launch and come back, the power of the waves is enormous on a rig and if you are in the wrong place you can get hurt badly.
I have only sailed it once in a NE but Umina is probably a good option? someone else might be able to confirm.
You have the right idea with a floaty board but 10kn is probably too light, just look for a wind speed you are comfortable in. Keep it simple and just worry about wave height ideally 0.5 - 1.0 ft till you get comfortable and avoid the shore break.
Spot guide:
nswwavesailing.org/spot-guide/
I have only watched a few of these but TWS have a video series:
I sometimes sail at Umina in SW/S/SE winds. The swell is usually pretty small and the wind cross to onshore depending on the direction. It's quite safe there, you'll just need avoid the low tide because of the sand banks.
I have heard epic stories of sailing it in NE but I have never seen it work! It would be offshore anyway so probably not recommended in your case. 
Let me know if you come this way, I am often the only windsurfer amongst all the kiters/wingers.
Sounds like Umina is the way then! I will shoot you a message if I plan on going.Select to expand quotelehic said..
I sometimes sail at Umina in SW/S/SE winds. The swell is usually pretty small and the wind cross to onshore depending on the direction. It's quite safe there, you'll just need avoid the low tide because of the sand banks.
I have heard epic stories of sailing it in NE but I have never seen it work! It would be offshore anyway so probably not recommended in your case.
Let me know if you come this way, I am often the only windsurfer amongst all the kiters/wingers.
Long reef beach is the go with a southerly wind (swell needs to be small for a beginner though and the wind swell can pick up fast if the wind is honking).
Wanda is the go on a north east sea breeze with 2-3 foot of swell for a beginner. Low tide is ideal.
Or treat yourself and drive to Gerroa on a NE sea breeze. It likes a southerly swell and will often be 5-10 knots windier than Wanda on the same day.
I second Long Reef on a NE'er breeze (side to slightly side off from memory). I used to sail here many moons ago (since moved to QLD) and if a NE'er was blowing it was the place to be. Also sailed here on a southerly, and broken my ankle on the bombee.
Also VERY highly recommend Gerroa down south. Sailed here many times (maybe not enough). EPIC on a NE'er too. But if it's a strong NE'er maybe not recommended, as the headland accelerates the wind a lot. Sailed here on a 4.2 and was waaaay overpowered, .. But so was everyone else too. It's a side off wind on a NE'er so perfect for wavesailing.
Umina can be a great spot but you have to get the tide right. If you have an incoming tide you can have the tide moving in towards Ettalong, a Nor' Easter runs side-offshore (in the opposite direction) with some really flat water and small swells running through it. Sounds like you might be after something a bit larger than what's usually on offer there.
I have sailed it when it works and it is brilliant but again... you have to have a few things come together.
There are a few jet skis around but they stay more to the deeper sections and where the break is a bit churned up. The advantage is that if you haven't sailed there for say 5 years and you get excited and go blasting out too far into the wind shadow of the headland and then find yourself in a tide that's moving you further into the shadow, you might be able to get help (and a tow) from said jet skis. 
. That was my most recent experience anyway 
. by the time I managed to get a tow and then paddle back to the wind zone, I was stuffed.
I'll still check it out again when the Nor'easters start despite a big false start last Summer
I'd also recommend Umina, though I've only sailed it once. Here's what I wrote about it in a NE:
It was only 10 knots and thigh high on the sets but otherwise as good as I hoped.
I started at the easternmost surf club (those two similar clubs only 500m apart must have caused some confusion and arguments "but I was there waiting for you") which in in the middle of the beach then sailed my way upwind to the bar (far eastern end of beach), getting bearaways all the way up. The wind, which was cross-shore then to 30 degrees off at the bar, was hardly any gustier than an onshore at an open beach, apart from when I headed south out to the bar and it dropped to almost calm for 10 minutes, not sure if it was the hill upwind or the whole beach died, I think a bit of both, strange one ...
Nice, smooth little bearaways, breaking far out for their size. Similar to Merimbula.
To which I'd add, it seems to be about knee-high on average. And breaks gently, but because of the wind direction you can get good speed bearing away on the wave.
Umina can be very good. But the sand banks change all the time . So at times it closes out. Especially at low tide. Other times , it's great.
Unless you are very light weight, ie sub 75kg, can I suggest starting out on a sup sail, a windsurfer LT , or a kona. Go for really small waves. Learn how to catch the waves and get out. Get some respect for the conditions. And most importantly not get hurt early on.
You need a strong north Easter at umina. I've had more luck with westerlies on a small southerly swell.
Beware the run out current . It gets really strong. Another reason to start with a big floaty board.
Toowoon bay is also great with southerly. Avoid if South West. Also I'd say avoid weekends and public holidays because there are too many kites.
I've heard that north entrance is very good in a north Easter. This is a full on ocean beach break, so make sure the waves are small.
I've also visited Geroa . It's great. But don't make my mistake and sail too close to the headland. It's very gusty.
You need to make the effort and go further down the beach.
This isn't my board... But something like this is a good start. Or something bigger. Great for riding small waves . Not good speed for jumping though. Just a great riding platform.
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Stand-Up-Paddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~kv04t/Starboard-Windsup-8-10.aspx
If you are planning to come up to the central coast. Send me a seabreeze email. I have a few wind sups. You could borrow one . May be go out together.
Has anyone ever tried mid Avoca in NE?
in front of the lagoon might not be too gusty and low tide not too much shore break?
Select to expand quotekateontour said..
Has anyone ever tried mid Avoca in NE?
in front of the lagoon might not be too gusty and low tide not too much shore break?
yes I have tried few times, not that good. Gusty and when the seabreeze is strong the wave pick up quickly and it is not really easy to get out. Wamberal is much easier and less gusty for that setup
Select to expand quoteSaltySkiffies said..
Sounds like Umina is the way then! I will shoot you a message if I plan on going.lehic said..
I sometimes sail at Umina in SW/S/SE winds. The swell is usually pretty small and the wind cross to onshore depending on the direction. It's quite safe there, you'll just need avoid the low tide because of the sand banks.
I have heard epic stories of sailing it in NE but I have never seen it work! It would be offshore anyway so probably not recommended in your case.
Let me know if you come this way, I am often the only windsurfer amongst all the kiters/wingers.
Umina is pretty good and easy on SW to SE winds. Pretty safe as the wind is mostly onshore or side on and the shallow banks means that you can stay close to the shore and stand up if you fall in in some places. Once you are a bit more confident you just sail a bit more upwind to get the bigger waves at the offshore end of the sand bar
that's how it looks fb.watch/fGgGWFuG9M/
The NSW WSA weekend!
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/New-South-Wales/NSWWA-Season-Opener-and-Extended-offer-for-Early-Bird-season-discount-?page=1
