GasHazard said..
I want to avoid boat traffic, rocks, fierce currents, and chop.

From what I have seen you maybe chasing a unicorn... will not go there, too many idiots on the water.

MarkSSC said..

GasHazard said..
I want to avoid boat traffic, rocks, fierce currents, and chop.

Better off trying the popular spot near the lighthouse at Golden Beach. No current, minimal traffic, no rocks. Chop is not excessive, especially if you are sailing in light/moderate winds.

Yes that was my first choice but it's more out of the way. I guess I'll start there and see how I go.

MarkSSC said..

GasHazard said..
I want to avoid boat traffic, rocks, fierce currents, and chop.

Better off trying the popular spot near the lighthouse at Golden Beach. No current, minimal traffic, no rocks. Chop is not excessive, especially if you are sailing in light/moderate winds.

Some helpful understanding hints about Golden Beach and Wing Dinging
Sandbanks
Submerged logs and sticks
Lowtide runs are small
High tides - debris from Bribie island washing into Golden Beach
Other Wind Dings running into each other due to not looking where the f.... they are going! There are some great pics of this!
Other beginners clogging up a small sailable area
Not being familiar with runs and you decide to follow a windsurfer who has a 36 cm fin running through 40 cm water - it happens!
The odd day that it is 15 knots or more - you will be Wing Dinging by yourself - When the wind picks up the wingers become scarce
Walk of shame is viewed by many surrounding buildings, public areas
Then there is the normal traffic, other watercraft, jet ski tours, kiters, windsurfers, Swimmers,

Apart from these few points - should be a good day out for Beginner Wing Dings.

Nikita said..
I would not recommend Golden beach if you're driving from the Gold Coast. The runs are short and the current can be strong if you don't time the tides right.
Much better option if you're coming from the GC is Inspiration Point in Manly. No current, no boats, and the least chop you'll get anywhere that I've seen.

The tidal run is not there any more since the ocean broke through Bribie island

MarkSSC said..

Nikita said..
I would not recommend Golden beach if you're driving from the Gold Coast. The runs are short and the current can be strong if you don't time the tides right.
Much better option if you're coming from the GC is Inspiration Point in Manly. No current, no boats, and the least chop you'll get anywhere that I've seen.

The tidal run is not there any more since the ocean broke through Bribie island

Shhhh

Heaps of places on Moreton Bay, no current, no shore dump and small chop. Try Wellington Point on the Southside or Queens Beach North on the northside. The Redcliffe peninsula takes all wind directions so even ok in winter westerlies.

agree it does seem to slowly be silting up. Wondering what it's like at bulcock beach now in a se. Sailing across the inside of the old river mouth

So Golden Beach is not recommended. Shame, it looks so nice.
I guess Inspiration Point is no good at low tide. Are there any hidden rocks there?

Bit of wind on the radar this long weekend. Perfect winging weather at golden beach. Everyone should get on it

MarkSSC said..

AusMoz said..

Sailed about 260 km in the last 3- 4 weeks there at various tide levels. There are channels of water that take the 38 cm comfortably at low tide but you got to stick to the route or you hit the sand. A lot of half sunken logs in the sand as well that I skimmed across - wingers will find them easily if the choose to sail over them

The overcast conditions make it tricky as well. The water depth is much easier to determine when the sun is shining.

Can guarantee I wasn't sailing in clear water!

Looks like you had a great day!! After seeing the freeway traffic I cancelled a trip on sat but had an epic session 2 weeks back. The water on the Sunshine Coast is very dirty currently because of all the rain. Typically it's much cleaner, especially with incoming tide.

looking at your photos, for the non beginners you might also consider launching at the power boat club beach and foiling to the bar and back in a SE wind. Really long runs in flat deep water. As is always be very careful in outgoing tide. Some would say avoid the mouth in an outgoing tide as it's dangerous in those conditions