Flying sites

Take-off – Long Reef SE

Direction: NNEESESSWWNW
Coordinates: -33.7423, 151.3130
Altitude: 9 m
Region: New South Wales, AU
Landing: 0.0 km from the take-offView on map ↗

Take-off description

A grassy area part way along the walking track on the southern face. The grassed area is at best level and at worst slopes backwards away from the ridge. In order to launch you will need to be a few steps down the steep 'goat track' that goes directly over the edge. There is space for only one pilot at a time. If other pilots are present, they can hold your leading edge up which will simplify things, although experienced pilots regularly launch here un-aided. Because the hill rises towards the east, pilots flying eastwards tend to be lower and 'hug' the cliff those flying west are usually higher and often pass out to sea. This is opposite to the normal right of way rules but the pattern helps everyone to stay up.

Getting there

33.74232:S, 151.31297:E On the southern face of Long Reef Point, 45 minutes drive from the city. Park in the car park on the northern side (near the golf club) then walk along the path past the lookout and around to the southern side. Please do not walk across the Golf course. Alternatively, use the Long Reef beach car park and walk along the Greenlink track. There are parking meters in both car parks.

Weather

The two main hazards with this site are the launch and the small areas to land below the launch at high tide. If you choose to scratch here in light conditions at high tide, you will probably get your gear wet. On launching, the steep slope means that your wing will quickly overshoot attempting to fly parallel with the apparent wind coming up the face. You need to be prepared to check it early. The normal approach is to just kite the wing and walk backwards up the slope a few steps back onto the level ground before turning and taking off. However should you fail to control the overshoot be prepared to become airborne facing backwards. In light to moderate conditions launching is relatively easy, however good ground handling skills are required in strong conditions. Novices are encouraged to get some help with their first few launches from this site. By having another pilot hold the leading edge of the wing up, the need to be standing down the slope is reduced and thus the chances of the wing over shooting is negated. When the wind is from the west of south conditions become more gusty and the lift becomes uneven. It is strongly recommended that Novices do not fly this site in these conditions.

Rules / airspace

Lower Level of controlled airspace is at 2500

Comments

A relatively straight ridge facing SSE with a steep to very steep slope. The ridge runs from beach level at the western end, up to the crown of the headland and then turns slightly south east down to sea level at the eastern end. It is covered in a mixture of tussock grass, low bush, exposed rock and shale. Little to no trees survive on the ridge due to the salt air.