I first started windsurfing at Shallow Inlet in 1992 on a trip with Melbourne University Windsurfing Club. At that time I recall that there were very few dunes at the inlet, including where we park our cars. The wind barrelled across from the surf beach uninterrupted and it was possible to sail on a WSW and even a Westerly. It was amazing.

Fast forward 20+ years and the dunes have grown exponentially and have essentially ruined our great sailing spot. There are huge dunes at the car parking area, and now there are dunes growing all along the spit which are growing bigger year by year. It has been impossible to sail on a WSW for some time, and now sailing on a SW is getting pretty crappy. In the next 1-2 years the dunes on the spit will likely close out the wind completely so that it will only be possible to sail Shallow Inlet on an Easterly. The great days of sailing the bend on a perfect SW at Shallow Inlet will be gone forever.

As I understand it this has all been an unnatural process as a result of an introduced South African grass. The native grasses that exist in the area are unable to take hold in the harsh weather conditions, but this exotic "weed" can put down deep roots and hold its place, leading to sand collecting on the lee side of the grass with resulting growth of bigger and bigger dunes and then more vegetation taking hold. I am not totally sure of this but I understand that this South African grass was introduced to stabilise the dunes further up the beach near Sandy Point township but of course it has made its way down to the spit.

So... have we lost the premier flat water windsurfing spot in Victoria (or even Australia) forever? Is there anything that can be done to recover our great spot? Is there any environmental authority that might be interested? Or is it all too late?

With sadness, disappointment and frustration,

Windobsessed.