hi im on my way to gladstone for work.
wondering how the wave sailing is in that area.
& what gear to bring.
Bump'n'jump I'd say. My experience here is at BUndaberg, but Gladstone would have similar overall conditions, I think.
The continental shelf runs out a few mile there restricting water depth to a max of 30 feeet on high tide. The length of the coal-loading jetties gives you an idea how far, so deep ocean swell is gonna be restricted. It does lie in a swell window between Fraser Is and teh reef though, and there is good surfing just a littel south at Agnes Water, close to 1770.
A little further south is Elliott Heads, which has excellent flat water, B&J and onshore riding. It's a feasible day trip from Gladstone, and an easy overnight.
The wind is strong in that part of teh coast esp in autumn and spring. I would use a 4.5/5.3 frequently on a wave board or B&J and some seasons saw a lot of 4.0.
I went up 10 days ago and it was howling. This is the time of year for strong SE trade winds, and ther was traditionally a big slalom comp on at Elliott Hds every Easter. The caravan park still gets booked out wiht windsurfers every year at Easter. They can persist until June, so there are a few months yet. In winter, teh high pressure systems sit higher, and teh trade winds shift north, so tropical Qld gets great wind then.
