Canberra (ACT)
Canberra, the national capitol of the Australian federation of states, is 3 hours drive south west of Sydney. Situated on a table-land within the 'great dividing range' Canberra is near rural districts and towns of heritage interest.
2.5 hours drive to the south are the snow-fields of the Kosciuszko National Park, while 2.5 hours to the east of Canberra are surf-beaches.
Canberra's water based recreations include sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and rowing. Land recreations include cycling (road & mountain), running (incl. cross-country & orienteering), bush-walking, golf and field-team sports.
National institutions to visit in Canberra in addition to the Parliament Houses (both Old and New) and the High Court, include: art galleries, botanic gardens,
institute of sport, library, museum, science & technology centre, and war memorial. There are great views of the city from the telecom tower on Black Mountain.
Lake Burley Griffin |
Posers Point Yarralumla |
Lake Tuggeranong |
Lake George |
Lake Ginninderra
LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN (Man made lake)
East Basin near the boat house restaurant. Good grassy rigging area with best breezes being east, south east and westerly. Watch the pebbly bottom as it eats fin tips. Great for beginners on longboard or slalom.
Blue Gum Point
Yatralurnla Bay southerm site of clouds west basin.
Best winds from the east win good chop. Small grassy rigging area with launching from either side of the willows trees.Old Hospital northern side of West Basin.
Huge rigging area, drive to within 5 metres of the waters edge. good for westerly breezes once out of the lee of the islands
POSERS POINT YARRALUMLA
Rigging is on the point near the carpark with public toilets.
Good sailing in westerlies and great for families on the weekend with
BBQ facilities. Safe learning area.
LAKE TUGGERANONG
Short runs. Shallow water around edges. Great in southerlies
but gusty winds in all other directions as they bend around the mountains
in the Tuggeranong valley. Ample car parking and grassed rigging areas.
Launch on eastern side either at the small bay adjacent to the Sea Scout's
base or from the point at the nearby park. 2006: Revised
details supplied by Philip Purcell - a long time sailor at this location.
View pictures of Lake Tuggeranong
LAKE GEORGE
About 30km north of Canberra along the Federal Highway. Heading
out of Canberra turn right as soon as you see the lake on your right.
Great sailing in easterlies 15-25 knots constant breeze in chest deep
water with up to 3 feet chop. This is a huge shallow waterway that in
drought partly reverts into paddocks hence the fence post that can be
seen across the lake. There is no wire strung between the fence posts
but you should still keep a lookout for them or the star pickets. Great
for longboard or slalom sailing.
LAKE GINNINDERRA
Is located about 14 km North West of Parliament House. It is
a manmade lake that is in a "U" shape and is about 1.5km long by 200m
wide. There are 2 areas to rig up. Both are on the western arm of the
lake, at the northern end. There are launching sites on both sides of
the lake and the choice really depends on the direction of the wind.
The lake is best sailed in NNW'ers but the runs are very short. The
water here is mainly storm water and run-off from a creek. The water
is reasonably clean when we have regular rain. It is located near a
shopping centre and gets rubbish in it. This is probably the worst
place to sail because of the clumps of trees around the lake make for
very shifty winds. However, if you only have enough time to sail here,
do it.
For information on the Canberra area contact
Wetspot Watersports
(formerly Second Wind Outdoor Products)
11/68 Wollongong Street
Fyshwick ACT 2609
Ph (02) 6239-1323 Fax (02) 6239-1123
www.wetspot.net.au
