There's not much poetry in my sailing but hopefully you can see some in the conditions (W/WNW 20 - 27 knots, 20/22C) this place dished up whilst we were there after the long weekend....

Dude thats Cape Bridgewater not Portland.

Right Jimbob it is the "Bridgee"... a bit of artistic licence.

Pilley that's a 5.2, the wind cleaner and waves bigger further down the beach, I hope to check Shelly Beach (could see some absolute smoker bombs coming thru down there) next time I'm down that way if conditions are right. The surf guide talks of rips - I imagined wiping out in a strange spot and getting sucked out in a rip whilst watching my kit getting destroyed in the shore break - so on the first trip I decided to play safe (been swimming a lot at Beachport, Goolwa and bigger Day st recently!).
It's a funny place to surf and sail - the waves were really quite 'soft' and the headland (Stoney Hill is 140 m - highest cliffs in Victoria, apparently) has got to be influencing the wind. The wind felts like it should be more side than off in a W'ly so I suspect there's some funnel effect happening?

Cheers Divaldo - your still the Vid Master - I'm da 'prentice.

Great little vid Slim Jim. You're right about the 'funnelling' effect - Westerlies tend to creep a bit North due to the shape and height of the cape. Good to hear that you got an AM & PM sail in too, we managed a couple of nice small waves (jumpers & a bit of surfing) to the East of Portland on the 4th.

There's a spot about halfway to Shelley's called 'The Hole', and basically whatever the conditions are at Bridgy Beach - they are doubled...re; wave, shorebreak, wind etc. Further along to the East of Shelley's there's a very long/big wave that I'm keen to try, although it would be once I get my courage up - only ever seen a jetskier take it on.

The biggest problem this year has been the sand-bar & getting over it. It's a gear-smasher although it looks like you picked a nice small day to get out through it - I was in Geelong for that weekend, but a couple of locals went out at Bridgy, surprised you weren't out there at the same time.

As for calling it 'Portland' - you might as well, that's pretty-much our main beach. I was out there yesterday with Jefin & my young bloke surfing/sup'ing. With my new board (freestyle) & couple of sails I intend on spending some time there in the waves over this summer as opposed to just chop-hopping & blasting.

Give me another heads-up when you're in town next & we'll catch up for a sail.