Hi, I am moving from Wellington to Mackay in about a months time and am trying to touch bases with mackay windsurfers.
I would specifically like to know what size gear everyone is riding and what sort of conditions I should expect, as I am trying to decide whether to bring my gear with me or not.
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Definitely take the gear - around 100litres and 6 - 7.5 metre sails.
Cheers Brian, I guess I might have to invest in some new gear anyway. The biggest sail I use here is a 5.0 and biggest board is 85 litre.
I remember back in the early 90' I sailed Bowen for about 6 months and I was using a 5.7 but from what I can gather Bowen has more wind.
I am a little shocked - you might debate if you are bringing your wife or girlfriend - but if you should bring your windsurf gear????
LOL, I kind of figured that I would need bigger gear, so making sure that if there is wind I will be able to hit the water straight away.
There is still a debate going on as to whether the wife will be joining me. I think the 3 degree temps we have had over the last week may have convinced her to join me : ).
Hi ercorn,I travel down to Bowen often to sail and when its on then most of us are on 80-95 liter boards and 5.2- 6.0 sails but being queensland most of us have bigger gear for those times when one just has to get out.Some of the Mackay sailors come up to Bowen as well when a good system looks like producing a good blow,I was down there a couple of weeks ago and was cursing that I had left my 4.7 in NZ.
Cheers Nigel, I guess its like anywhere the more kit one has the more time they can spend on the water.
At this stage I think I'll invest in a 6.5,bring my 5.0 and 85 litre board and sell everything smaller.
Hi Ercorn,
I lived there for 6 years and thought the best gear to have was:
Big - 8.7+ with a big board while I would alsways try and get out on a 121l slalom I also had heaps of fun in light winds on a 155l + 10m race sail for a period
a semi-floaty FSW - hate jelly fish etc and like to float with a 5.7-6.7m - anything over 15 knots and it will be lumpy with the big tides.
Something small for cyclones - 4.5m + 77l assuming you are not out in the cyclone.
Blacks beach in NE, high to mid tides for speed sailing, far beach (although I never really sailed there which is where everyone sails) in a SE or NE. Bowen is really good also.
Watch out for the jellyfish and the sharks, and the whales and the turtles but particualry the jellyfish.
Cheers, from what I gather there is alot of kitesurfing done in Mackay but not much windsurfing.
Really appeciate the comments. I actually would have prefered WA but my career will take me to Mackay for a few years so will have to make do.
It's quite tough as I enjoy sailing on small gear here in Welly and when I think of the trade-offs,warm weather not much wind vs. cold weather heaps of wind, from a windsurfing prespective I'd rather stay here.
Hmmm...I fell of the wagon on my attempt to relocate back in 2009 but now taking up on the effort again. Will be going to Rockhampton so the nearest beach would be Yeppoon. Probably very similar wind to Mackay? But what made wonder...is the "watch out for sharks and jellyfish..."..what can I do to watch out...what precautions can one take?
I have read the kiteforums and everyone there reckons stinger suits are the go. Actually, when I sailed at Bowen many years ago none of the locals wore them or worried about stingers. Sharks are no concern as I reckon they are well fed and probably more interested in things other than windsurfers.
My greatest concern is lack of wind. I have already factored in no waves therefore will concentrate more on freestyle.
Moving middle of next month.
Sharks are everywhere, no more in Mackay than other areas. The risk of being stung by a box jellyfish is very low, particularly on a windy day, it's just the potential consequence.
Hey Ercorn,
its not all bad, the crocs eat most of the jellys.
I mostly use a 6.6 and 110l but also get a few good runs on the 5.9 and 95l. The tides can be a pain as we have a 6m tide range.
Cheers Phil, I will touch bases with you once I get settled.
I will end up selling my gear before I come over as freight is murder. Added to that I managed to snap my board the other day so I will have to buy a new one anyway.
Will be making the trip to Bowen once I get sorted, so I am pretty sure I know what my future kit is going to consist of.
Arriving around the middle of next month.
Bring some wind when you come to bowen.
Hasn't been the best year.
Give me a yell when you come here.
