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Surfing & waterskiing

Mention surfing in Victoria and most people would probably think of places like Bells Beach or Torquay along the Great Ocean Road. And with good reason. Bells Beach is the home of the annual Rip Curl Pro competition and Torquay is regarded as one of the best surf beaches in Australia.

Although the area from Torquay to Lorne is known as the Surf Coast, there are, in fact, excellent surf conditions available along most of Victoria's west coast. The Bells Beach area is better suited to experienced surfers but there are also many places along the west coast that are ideal for beginners and body surfers. As well as the many beaches along the Great Ocean Road, including Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, there are other good surfing spots around Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland.

Closer to Melbourne, popular surf locations are on the ocean side of the Mornington Peninsula - particularly from Portsea to Gunnamatta Beach near Cape Schanck. At Phillip Island, Cape Woolamai provides great conditions for experienced surfers.

Along the Gippsland coast, areas around Wilsons Promontory provide good conditions. Experienced surfers can also try out Cape Paterson (near Wonthaggi), the Bunurong Coast near Inverloch, Venus Bay and Waratah Bay. In the far east, suitable areas include Red Bluff at Lake Tyers Beach (near Lakes Entrance, West Cape Beach near Marlo and Cape Conran, and Bastion Point at Mallacoota are suitable. Good areas for beginners include Inverloch and Lakes Entrance.

Many of these surfing regions have surf schools or clubs, giving beginners the opportunity to learn under the watchful eye of experienced surfers, and those who are able to surf the chance to further develop their skills.

	Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak	Offering surf lessons, hire of surf & beach gear and mountain bike hire. Alternatively, take a seal kayaking tour with qualified guides as you paddle out to a seal colony while viewing the coast's beautiful hills and reefs from the ocean at Apollo Bay.
	Daktari Surf & Dive	Experience the thrill of surfing a wave with surfing classes held at Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. Group or private lessons available with highly regarded instructors.
	Go Ride A Wave	Offering surf lessons and hire of surfboards, body boards, kayaks and beach gear for visitors to the beaches of Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay and Ocean Grove
	Great Ocean Road Surf Tours	Based in Torquay, we offer learn to surf tours and camps from 2 hour lessons to 5 full days of surfing, with pick ups available in Melbourne and Torquay. Our tours are very personalised and we guarantee small groups. Our lessons and tours are conducted around Torquay, Anglesea and Fairhaven along the world famous Great Ocean Road. We also offer surf hire from our shop at Torquay.
	Island Surf School	Learn to surf in a safe and encouraging environment with real surfers that have real passion. Lessons held at Smiths Beach on Phillip Island.
	Offshore Surf School	Helping people enjoy the wonder of surfing with professional lessons at either Cape Paterson, Inverloch, Sandy Point, Waratah Bay and Wilsons Promontory.
	Out There Outdoors	Hire a kayak, mountain bike, surf board, body board, snorkelling equipment, or take a surf or kayak lesson on Phillip Island. For anything fun outdoors!
	Southern Exposure	Offering specialist learn to surf instruction, sea/river kayaking and mountain biking in areas around Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne
	Surf Sessions	The surfing development experts with instructional programs aimed at beginners, intermediate or advanced surfers. Lessons held at Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.
	Surf Shack	Learn to surf with lessons from the professionals on the beautiful Wilderness Coast at either Lakes Entrance, Cape Conran (near Marlo) or Mallacoota. Everything is supplied including boards and wetsuits.
	Torquay Surfing Academy	Experience the thrill of learning to surf and riding a wave with real surfers teaching real surfing at Torquay
	Westcoast Adventure	Operating learn to surf and bodyboarding classes with fully qualified and friendly instructors at Anglesea, Torquay and Ocean Grove. Enjoy snorkelling in a safe, controlled setting at the sheltered reefs, wrecks and piers at Clifton Springs, St Leonards, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and Torquay.

Waterskiing

Many of Victoria's lakes, and some rivers, provide great opportunities for waterskiing.

GIPPSLAND LAKES:

While virtually anywhere on the Gippsland Lakes is suitable for waterskiing, some of the more popular places are Bunga Arm and Newlands Arm at Paynesville and North Arm at Lakes Entrance.

Another popular site for waterskiing is Lake Glenmaggie, near Heyfield, which is the main source of water for the Macalister Irrigation District. In the Latrobe Valley, waterskiing can be enjoyed at the Hazelwood Pondage, near Morwell, which is a cooling pond for the Hazelwood power station, and also at Lake Narracan, just north of Moe.

Aquamania

Learn waterskiing or wakeboarding with qualified instructors at Paynesville

MURRAY RIVER

In the state's north, the Murray River is a favourite waterskiing destination. Many sections of the river are suitable, with the wider sections in the Echuca, Torrumbarry and Mildura areas being the best places. Many of the large lakes in the Murray region are also popular, including Lake Hume near Wodonga and Lake Mulwala at Yarrawonga. Near Kerang are a network of lakes including Lake Charm and Kangaroo Lake which are worth considering. There is also a ski run on the Gunbower Creek at Cohuna.

The Murray River is also the venue for several ski races each year. The best known of these is the Club Marine Southern 80, which is raced between Torrumbarry and Echuca each February.

ELSEWHERE IN VICTORIA:

Lakes suitable for waterskiing elsewhere in Victoria include Lake Eppalock (between Bendigo and Heathcote), Lake Nagambie at Nagambie, Lake Narracan at Moe and some of the many lakes in the Grampians region.

Windsurfing and kitesurfing

Melbourne is an ideal location for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to the onshore winds that blow from the Southern Ocean. The best places are around the east and north sides of Port Phillip Bay. Favoured places for windsurfing are Albert Park, Elwood, Ricketts Point at Beaumaris and Mount Martha. For kitesurfing, St Kilda, Brighton and Hampton are popular.

Go Kite

Learn to kiteboard at West Beach at St Kilda with our qualified instructors on the latest equipment

The Gippsland coast has a number of suitable areas, particularly around Wilsons Promontory, for windsurfing. Sandy Point is extremely popular, drawing windsurfers from both Australia and overseas. The world speed sailing record was set here in 2005 but has since been broken. For kitesurfing, Inverloch is ideal, while Raymond Island, which is reached by ferry from Paynesville, is a good choice.

Along the Great Ocean Road, try Point Danger at Torquay which has good conditions for wave sailors of varying abilities. Thirteenth Beach at Barwon Heads and Apollo Bay are are other places worth considering.