I have just moved to Brisbane and looking for some tips on wingding spots around the Bay? Shorncliff or Redcliffe are closest, but can also head down towards Manly.
Any tips on locations, tides and hazards appreciated.
You can Ding anywhere on the Redcliffe peninsular from Suttons beach northwards including Queens beach , wind direction dependant. Just chat to the local kiters they will fill you in and the Bay would be epic for downwinding , just need to be careful where you come in at Redcliffe as the tide drains it exposes 100's of metres of muddy rocky sandbanks in some parts, again the local boys will fill you in. If you are on the Gold Coast drop me a message, huge wingding crew here. I've sent you a PM with a mates number who lives up Redcliffe.
There's usually 1 or 2 guys doing it out the front of RQYS at Manly.
Otherwise there is a fair contingency of kiters/windsurfers who probably wouldn't mind an odd duck up at sandstone point/bribie area. Look in the Windsurfing QLD forum.
I think the Sandgate/Shorncliff area is pretty shallow for a fair distance so not great for foiling.
Queens Beach North in Scarborough is the primary spot. 80% of beaches in Redcliffe are deep enough to foil at any tide.
In my opinion the Redcliffe peninsula offers some of the best foiling locations in the Brisbane area. It offers deep water with parking only metres away so no long walks.
Almost any wind direction can be foiled, but primarily NE and SE in summer. Tide doesn't effect the beach's shown though super high makes kite launch sometimes difficult but no problem for wings. The three beaches I have listed are sand, with a grass set up area. Yes, there are rocky outcrops around, but any of the locals will give you an idea of where they are and only really an issue on a lower tide. We have a great crew up here, wings now sometimes out number kites in stronger winds. The BOM station at the end of Redcliffe jetty over reads by about 4 knots, so winging is good when readings are above 19 knots, www.bom.gov.au/qld/observations/brisbane.shtml .
A isQueens North, this is where most of us foil, good parking and toilets. Protected at the southern end in a SE on a mid to lower tide.
B is Queens South, parking isn't as good but protected at the northern end in a NE. Just not too far north due to rocks, stay south of the apartment block.
C is Bells Beach, good for SW in winter.
When the wind is up we get quite a nice rolling swell, bigger when the wind is from the south. Think up to 4 ft faces to play with while foiling downwind. I've done downwinders from Shorncliffe Jetty to Queens on a good SE, or the other way in a NE though not as good as the swell is smaller.
In my opinion the Redcliffe peninsula offers some of the best foiling locations in the Brisbane area. It offers deep water with parking only metres away so no long walks.
Almost any wind direction can be foiled, but primarily NE and SE in summer. Tide doesn't effect the beach's shown though super high makes kite launch sometimes difficult but no problem for wings. The three beaches I have listed are sand, with a grass set up area. Yes, there are rocky outcrops around, but any of the locals will give you an idea of where they are and only really an issue on a lower tide. We have a great crew up here, wings now sometimes out number kites in stronger winds. The BOM station at the end of Redcliffe jetty over reads by about 4 knots, so winging is good when readings are above 19 knots, www.bom.gov.au/qld/observations/brisbane.shtml .
A isQueens North, this is where most of us foil, good parking and toilets. Protected at the southern end in a SE on a mid to lower tide.
B is Queens South, parking isn't as good but protected at the northern end in a NE. Just not too far north due to rocks, stay south of the apartment block.
C is Bells Beach, good for SW in winter.
When the wind is up we get quite a nice rolling swell, bigger when the wind is from the south. Think up to 4 ft faces to play with while foiling downwind. I've done downwinders from Shorncliffe Jetty to Queens on a good SE, or the other way in a NE though not as good as the swell is smaller.
Thanks Airsail that is an excellent guide! I was wondering, does Bell's beach also work with Easterlies? Cheers
We use Bells in a westerly during winter. It might be ok in an easterly but it would have to be strong, exactly what easterlies aren't. If you try, don't drift downwind, it's just rock all the way to the bridge except one small channel near the boat ramp.
We use Bells in a westerly during winter. It might be ok in an easterly but it would have to be strong, exactly what easterlies aren't. If you try, don't drift downwind, it's just rock all the way to the bridge except one small channel near the boat ramp.
Thanks airsail, that's very helpful :)
Conditions in SEQ
For all the new wingers, we are currently in our southerly season but rapidly heading for the doldrums. These start around 1st May and stretch to the August westerlies if they arrive, and then September for the summer northerlies.
Think very light winds, 5-10 knots max.
You will still find the kitefoilers getting out but it might be a bit of a dry spell for wings.
Winds get very fickled, can pop up for a day or just a few hours. You just need to be ready to go if the opportunity presents itself.
Tim
Just an update on Brissy north winging spots.
With these big southerlies there has been heaps of chop about, good for the experienced but not so for the beginners.
I had a look at the area in front of the Humpybong yacht club at Woody Point yesterday in the 15+ knot SE. It's sheltered from the chop by the jetty so although not totally flat, a lot better than Queens or Suttons. Best on a higher tide but if you don't mind a walk ok on low too.
A few pebbles on the shoreline but after that it's a soft mushy bottom, not sand but not mud. Booties maybe if your inclined.As a bonus you can touch bottom a far way out so makes the learning process easier. Grassy set up right on the shoreline with plenty of parking. Will handle South around to ESE but may be gusty with more easterly.
You would have to say Redcliffe is ideal for it.
It is, had a good session in the westerlies last week at Humpybong and Bells Beach. We have every wind direction covered.
Thanks airsail for all those useful posts. Have just moved to Cleveland and was wondering if you recommend anywhere in this area for Wing Foiling. Just bought the Duotone Unit and am thinking about what board and foil to get. But was hoping you might know some good spots near here. I have heard that Wellington point or Thompsons Beach in Victoria Point are good. Any experiences there? Are they sandy or rocky? Wanted somewhere safe to learn. Any thoughts much appreciated.