I'll be up at Rainbow this weekend and there's a decent SE forecast for sunday. Is there any half decent wavesailing to be had up there? I know there's D.I. that gets a gusty cross off wave but what about Rainbow Beach township area?
Is it worth the drive up the beach to D.I. in a SE?
Have only ever sailed there in a NE'r but looks pretty good for a SE'r though it will be gusty and a lot smaller wave than DI but much less sweep. Low is around 1pm so I'd check out Rainbow first thing in the morning and head to DI if it's no good. I was across there last week and there is virtually no beach as you get close to the track across to DI though so you'll want to leave there not long after low tide.
Thanks Tim!
I am driving up along the beach from Rainbow township to D.I. not over the track from noosa north shore.
Is that the track you mean? I thought you just drove up the beach either side of low from Rainbow township?
So DI works in a SE for wavesailing?
We are planning on driving up there now on sunday, all gear packed, hoping for some down the line action!
The beach track from Rainbow to DI is only passable on a very low tide that's what he means. The big sand dune along the beach near coloured sands has fallen onto the beach bringing all the trees with it. You will have to zig zag in between the trees to get through and it's pretty slow going so it's hard to outrun the waves. I wouldn't count on getting through safely on anything but a low tide and a low one at that and even then you will have to take on the odd wave. You need to take the Freshwater track otherwise which brings you out onto the eastern beach then drive a km or 2 north to the Leisha track which will get you to DI but even once on the lagoon side of DI you won't get to the point on high or even 3/4 tide up. The whole area has changed shape alot in the last 5 years or so.
No worries and yeah I was talking about Rainbow to DI but Qld nacra has given you all that you need to know. The best banks and gutters are up around the Leisha track DI end of the beach if you do head over there though...bit of a bummer I won't be up the beach this weekend otherwise would join you but kind of looking forward to a sail at neil st. Anyway keen to hear what Rainbow is like as have often thought it would be good when everywhere else gets too big in big SE'rs.
Hey Bowsa,
I have sailed the north side of DI a couple of times in a big se'r.
Depends on the sand a lot but the wind does get through the gap between the headland and the dunes. Almost offshore on the waves but you can sail back towards the tip and make it into the beach.
Better with huge swell and big wind because it has to wrap all the way around to get into the bay. Also you have to be able to get your car up there!
I would have thought that Rainbow beach would be too protected or gusty from coming over the hills but never tried.
Good luck, take a few pics if its on!
Martin
Sailed rainbow twice over the weekend. Yesterday cross off small waves and rainy gusty. Today nuking 30 knots cross shore and 2 foot waves! Super fun! Very tide dependent though... as soon as tide went out it was flat. Best on mid to high tide.
Awesome to sail a new spot! Didn't make it up to di this time but want to on the next big se and swell.
