South Australian Beaches
Mid Coast
Locations south of Adelaide to Goolwa

Aldinga | Waitpinga | Normanville | Sellicks Beach | Victor Harbor | Middleton | Port Elliot | Goolwa | Winter Waves

Known to locals as "The Funnel", SELLICKS BEACH (50Kms South) is the gully wind location. Sailed when the South-West seabreeze has not arrived on Metropolitan beaches, but light South-East winds are prevailing. Water surface conditions range from smooth to very choppy, as winds tend to be very offshore. When Sellicks is "On", it makes the Canary Islands look tame. Winds will range from 20-50 knots. Out of the question for longboards or inexperienced short-boarders.

TIPS: Only sailed after 4pm in the afternoon as this tends to be prime land breeze time. Ultimate conditions for it to work are light South-East to East winds in Adelaide and warm to hot land temperatures. Beware of bullet gusts.
RATING: ***** (Speed/Slalom sailors)

WINTER WAVES

NORTHERLIES

Seaford, Southport
- excellent reef breaks when shore's swell in the gulf, with great conditions for jumps and bearaways .
- wave size 1/2 to 3 foot.
- stony bottom hard on feet and fins.

Murray Mouth
- great long wave rides, and nearly always has swell.
- wave size 1 to 5 foot.
- either need a 4WD or wade/sail across from Hindmarsh Island.
- sharks - if you worry about these things

NORTH-WESTERLIES

Middleton Beach ( Day St.)
- excellent wave sailing spot with mid-size crumbly waves, and long rides.
- wave size 1-4 foot
- popular winter wave sailing spot
- notorious dead spot in the "impact zone" , about 50-100 yards off shore.

Goolwa Beach
- mostly sailed in North-North Westers when the wind is too off shore at Middleton
- wave size about 1/2 foot bigger than Middleton
- due to large sand hills, wind is very gusty.

Waitpinga
- great spot when the swell is small at Middleton, or for the brave on bigger days.br> - doesn't have the famous wind hole like Middleton.
- wave size 2 to 8 foot - a gutsy thick wave!
- watch for large sets, turbulence and rips dangerous when the swell is over 4 foot.

WESTERLIES & SOUTH WESTERLIES.

Snapper Point (Aldinga)
- fantastic spot for huge aerials, with relatively flat water before hitting the break.
- good back hand and bear away wave rides on good days.
- too shallow to sail at low tide
- takes a heavy toll on gear
- hell trip down the cliff to get to the beach.

Middleton - "the Point"
(turn down to the sea at the Middleton Pub.)
- excellent wave riding and jumping in big westerlies.
- "the best wavesailing around". according to one local.

SOUTHERLIES
- Seaford and Southport
- as above.

In South Oz. the best wave sailing is in the winter, so get Yourself a decent "steamer" and get into It. And remember, it's only cold when you're not sailing!!!

see also - Winter Waves in Adelaide