Hi Everyone,
I want to get back into windsurfing and I live in West Footscray.
I'm looking for a decent size stretch of clean water nearby just to do some sailing for fitness.
There's a lake called Cherry lake (Google cherry lake altona) nearby & I wonder if anyone who has sailed there can let me know what it's like?
Also, are there any other water reserves/lakes close by that might be better?
Thanks Peter
Hello, Peter.
Welcome back to our sport.
Re Cherry Lake, you might have a look here: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Victoria/Cherry-Lake-Altona-Windsurfing?page=1.
I think the closest beach to you is Altona (on The Esplanade), otherwise a trip to Middle Park may be required. Not sure about parking fees at Altona, but MP asks for money on Beaconsfield Parade. Further along at Elwood, you can park for free on Ormond Esplanade.
MP and Elwood work on a S to SW (and we love the afternoon sea breezes in summer). Other people may be able to advise you about which wind direction is best for Altona.
During summer, on a warm day, I would expect that beach-goers would pack the parking spaces at all 3 sites.
Hope this helps.
Hey peter,
I suppose I must be the old timer of Cherry lake because
A. I have only seen one other person sail there in the last few years.
B. As you would guess from the other post on seabreeze every body else thinks its horrible and stays away.
Yes, the mud is unpleasant the first time you step in it and its not exactly the most scenic location, but I think its the best place in the western suburbs to sail in a Northerly. Its hip deep, so if you break anything you walk back....unlike sailing in the bay where if you break anything youre going out Port Philip heads. Also Northerlies in MEL tend to go up and down and waterstarting is a prob out in the bay when it drops. On the lake its all beach starts.
-Best location to launch for is car park near the tennis club at the western end. Grass is nice to rig on.
-There is a bird sanctuary at Western end which is marked off by a line of buoys in the water ....don't go west of line.
-Launch into water at the southern end of the line of buoys as there is a few rocks that are right in front of the car park.
-I have never seen the no swimming sign mentioned in earlier post and in all my time no one has ever questioned me being there, including all the council workers and police who stop to have a chat regularly.
I have been sailing there for over 30 years and last time I checked in the mirror I haven't grown two heads 
As Northerlies are MEL's most common wind (I would love if November sea breezes were year round, but their not) so I spend a bit of time down there...probably 20 times a year, but strictly Northerlies only. Its surrounded by trees on West, South and East sides. So much so that it works when its Straight NW but in shadow if its WNW. Factories to the North in the distance but they don't seem to affect anything.
When its any other direction its over the bridge to Middle Park where the wind is constant.....and a final handy hint ....If you park on the Northern side of Beaconsfield parade its free parking for four hours.
Love to see you (or anyone else) down there for a speed run on a big Northerly
Greg
Despite my comments in WindmanV's link, Cherry Lake is/(was) actually a really fun spot to sail. Completely safe in that you're never far from land in any wind direction. A great place to improve your gybes (if only to keep your feet clean).
