Welcome to Newcastle, some great spots around here.

some info here: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=50277

Also here: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?rss=1&whichpage=-1&TOPIC_ID=61889

Also check out www.boardcrazy.com.au I bought a good second hand board from them some time ago.

Also check out wssboards.com.au/ based in sydney but it won't cost much to ship stuff up.

Hawks nest is a great spot too.

You looking for flat water / bump & jump or wave sailing?

James - yes this is the (fabled) sand island spot.

Its tidal - so can vary in quality - its no Sandy pt but is ok in a NE - not sure about anything else - you would struggle to get a clean run at 120 deg for any great length - beam reaches ok - port tack probably gives you a better chance at getting deeper but the southern end starts to gets a fair variation with wind swinging around the point.

Back in the early 90's, I sailed there often - the wind seemed to take a little longer before it kicked in compared to the point - but then when it did I always felt it was a little stronger. (and you could get the lovely smell of avgas every couple of hours from the airport)

Slalom racing would be great down there - as for speed runs - its our best spot that I know of - but I think a slalom board would be the go - to much chop for a dedicated speed board

Be careful sailing Swansea Caravan Park. I sailed there a month ago and hit a shallow sandbank and dislocated my shoulder. That was with a 22 cm fin.

About 20m out past those yellow markers on the right hand side of the photo. As I now need an operation after sailing there, I wont be sailing there again.

I think they are marking out a speed restricted zone for boats, so its safer for swimmers. Its the sort of area where you need to take it easy, ie sailing fairly slowly, out of the straps and harness until you have a reasonable idea where it is deep enough. This would depend on the tides too.

Yeah it looks like a great spot. There were no windsurfers there on the day I took the photos. A few kiters were kiting to the right and going behind an island and back.

The sandbars are a worry but once you know where they are it should be okay.

On the day I took the photos it was a very consistent and strong westerly. We went for a drive up to the northern end of the lake and the wind was gustier and weaker there. On the same day were I normally sail, at Narrabeen lake the wind was its usual gusty self, ie 5 to 30 knots in 30 seconds and swinging about 20 degrees in the gusts.

G'day all,
I sail at Swansea caravan park quite regularly when either the wind doesn't suit coastal sailing or the waves are a bit out of my league.

In my opinion it is the best place to sail in the lake and works in all wind directions except SE'sters. I agree the major issue are the sandbanks. They are easily spotted on a nice sunny day in a north-easterly wind, but when its cloudy in a westerly (with increased chop and a bit more of a muddy appearance) you just have to know where they are from previous experience.

The best thing about the place is the sandy bottoms (only a couple of areas with shells/weed), and the sandbanks (once you know where they are). When you know where the waist deep areas are it is a great place for learning new tricks as you can fall off a hundred times and just jump back on and try again. Much less tiring than water-starting.

Download a photo of the place from google earth and go out there on a sunny day to familiarise yourself.

Of course, if you just want to blast along in straight lines and not get wet then you can do that anywhere.