Welcome to Sandringham Harbour home of The Kayak Shop Australia, the best location to start and finish a day of kayaking in Port Phillip Bay. Why is it the best? Because the Harbour provides a safe location to launch and land in Lee, sheltered from all directions and can be paddled in most conditions. Sandringham is a great place to join us for a day of training, hire a kayak or bring down your own kayak and set off on your own journey.
Start by watching this
Planning for a day of kayaking
There are several important steps that need to be taken when planning for a day of kayaking;
Choosing the right conditions (Interpreting the weather)
Choosing a route
Key safety points
Choosing the right Conditions
Kayaking is all about understanding the weather and making good judgment calls about when to paddle and more importantly, when not to paddle.
The wind is key as it plays the biggest part in deciding whether its a great day for paddling or not. When assessing wind speed we use the measurement knots, as a general rule look to avoid paddling in winds blowing speeds of 15 knots or more ,until you have achieved your basics skills certificate in Sea Kayaking.
To interpret the wind forecast you need to understand Fetch and Lee. Watch this video on Fetch and Lee.
Where to get the weather forecast
Below you will find a list of resources we use to monitor and interpret the weather for our tours, expeditions, courses and hire.
Port Phillip Local Waters Forecast
A great first stop to see what the weather forecast out on the bay is.
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/portphillip.shtml
MetEye Port Phillip and Western Port
MetEye is a fantastic tool and a kayakers best friends for predicting wind.
http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/?loc=VIC_MW005
256Km Melbourne Radar Loop
The best resource to monitor local rain fall.
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR022.loop.shtml
Willy Weather tides
Willy Weather uses a great graphic to show the tide and relevant height.
https://tides.willyweather.com.au/vic/melbourne/sandringham.html
Bay Winds X
For live updates of wind speeds on the bay.
http://baywx.com.au/
Bay Winds X Fawkner Beacon
Fawkner Beacon measures winds speeds in the Northern half of the bay and is the most relevant measurement location for paddling out of Sandringham.
http://www.baywx.com.au/fbeacon.html
EPA
For all water quality updates.
https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/summer-water-quality
Choosing a route
Once you have found a day with good conditions the next step is choosing a route that works with the wind on your chosen day. See the maps below for our suggested routes.
Northern Routes
Green Point
Ideal winds for this paddle are N, NNW & NW.
Lee is offered from the East and South (Remember to always launch and land in lee).
5km return trip.
Brighton Baths
Ideal winds for this paddle are N, NNW & NW.
Lee is offered from the East and South (Remember to always launch and land in lee).
9km return trip.
Southern Routes
Red Bluff
Ideal winds for this paddle are S, SE & E.
Lee is offered from the East and South East (Remember to always launch and land in lee).
8km return trip.
Half Moon Bay
Ideal winds for this paddle are S, SE & E.
Lee is offered from the East and South East (Remember to always launch and land in lee).
9km return trip.
Black Rock
Ideal winds for this paddle are E & SE.?
Lee is offered from the East and South East (Remember to always launch and land in lee).
13km return trip.
Ricketts Point
Ideal winds for this paddle are E & SE.?
Lee is offered from the East and South East (Remember to always launch and land in lee).
16km return trip.
Key Safety points
Fit your PFD, Loosen the straps, put the PFD on and clip/zip up the front beginning with the belly button clip (which everyone forgets), now fasten the sides and shoulders of the PFD to ensure a comfortable and safe fit.
Valuables - are best left in your vehicle or in The Kayak Shop - Carry at your own risk
Wind - know when the wind is it increasing speed, decreasing speed and changing directions. Best practice is to paddling into the wind and come back with the wind
Be aware of and give way to other water users
Paddle on the right hand side of a channel and cross on a right angle.
If it goes horribly wrong head to the nearest beach drag the kayak up to the dry sand walk of shame we won’t be impressed.
Controlling your craft
How to hold your paddle, hold the paddle out front look ensure the smiley face is facing you on the right hand side, place paddle on your head and create right angles with you shoulders and elbows, hold the paddle out front again checking the the blades line up with your knuckles.
Forwards paddle, holding the paddle out in front of you, lock off your arms and rotate your chest and core, this is how you generate power. Use your arms to place the paddle at your toes ensuring all of the colour is in the water rotating your core, bring the paddle out of the water by your hips, place the paddle on the other side and repeat. This is a forward paddle.
Backwards paddle, Just the same as the forwards paddle but this time using the back of the blade you will start at your hips and finish the stroke by your toes. Check over your shoulder that you wont bump into anything. This is also how you stop.
Forward sweep, keeping your hands in the same position on the paddle bring your dry hand to your belly button and place the paddle in the water by your toes. Rotating your core draw a big rainbow with the paddle bringing it out behind you. You will turn to the opposite side that you do the sweep on.
Reverse sweep, same as the forward sweep just in reverse, this is a strong turning stroke for the person in the back of the kayak. You will turn to the same side as you do the stroke on.
Capsize - stay with your craft / Flip the kayak down wind and remount
Bring your PFD and paddle back up to The Kayak Shop
Don’t get blown onto rocks or into surf zones, you will get injured.