Windsurfing near Coal Point
- Swansea North (3 km)
- Green Point (3 km)
- Valentine (4 km)
- Marmong Point (8 km)
- Shingle Splitters (8 km)
- Brightwaters Baths (10 km)
Nearby Windguru Forecasts
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General Description
Nice spot on Lake Macquarie with good bump n' jump in the chop when it blows. Also features good flat water sailing in the shallows over the sand islands to the south. The area has public amenities, lots of grassy rigging area, plenty of parking and is generally uncrowded. The rigging area is sheltered and there is a short wade out (only about 10m) from the launching area to the wind line. The launching area is surrounded by trees and houses making the area very poorly suited to kiteboarding.
Wind
This area is generally best in the North Easterly sea breezes that often reach around 25kts during the spring and summer (from November to March). Also sailable when the wind is blowing from the south or south west, although under these conditions there are better spots to launch from on the lake. Average air temperature during the summer is about 25 degrees C, water temperature around 20 degrees C.
Hazards
As the lake is fully enclosed there is no risk of being washed out to sea, however learners may find it difficult to make it back to the relatively narrow launching area when windy. Blue ringed octopii (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_ringed_octopus) are found in the lake, these have an extremely venemous bite that can be fatal. Fortunately they are very timid animals that only bite when provoked (just don't try to pick one up and you'll be fine). There has been an increase in shark spottings in the lake since the ban of commercial fishing several years ago, however most are small and no attacks have ever been recorded.
Equipment
Limited spares are available nearby (10 min) in Toronto at Lifestyle Marine (http://www.lifestylemarine.com.au/), however for most equipment you'll need to travel to Board Crazy (http://www.boardcrazy.com.au) at Belmont, about a 1 hour round trip. Sailboard hire on the lake is limited to longboards at Warners Bay.
Other Information
Current (http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN60700.shtml) and forecast (http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN10060.shtml#HUN) wind conditions may be found on the Autralian Bureau of Meteorology (http://www.bom.gov.au/) web site. Coal Point is in the lower Hunter region and sits between Nobby's Head to the North and Norah Head to the south.