When most people think of windsurfing in Australia they immediately think of the vastness and so-called empty breaks of the west. Not much has been said of anywhere else really and it was about time someone did.
Story Ben Newson Pics Craig Spottiswood and Ben Newson
I recently had to travel to Melbourne for work and just happened to sneak in a bit of windsurf kit. Melbourne is home to VB (Aussie beer) and AFL football and at my time of visit the Formula 1 GP.
Melbourne’s people love sport, coffee and, as I found out, don’t mind a chat. I met up with a couple of my mates, Al McLeod and [record speed sailor] Craig ‘Spotti’, Spottiswood who filled me in on the plan-of-attack for the weekend over a few quiet ones.
After a bit of discussion the boys decided that a spot at Phillip Island would be firing so we loaded up the ute ready for the drive down the coast the next morning.
PI is known for its little penguins and motorbike GP, but has recently become a national surfing reserve with a rich history dating back to the 1920s. It hosted the national wave sailing titles back-in-the-day and on my visit to the island I found out why. My first view of the surf was a mast-high, straight hander that was 300m long. The only problem was that all 300m broke at once. One heavy beach break, that’s for sure.