INTRODUCING SYDNEY - Sydney - page 46

Sydney's Beaches

Being a city built around the water, it is no wonder
that many of Sydney's recreational activities involve the
sand, sea and sun. There are many harbour and surf
beaches throughout Sydney, most of them accessible by
bus (see p231) . Even if you're not a swimmer, the beaches
offer a chance to get away from it all for a day or week-
end and enjoy the fresh air and relaxed way of life.

or leave litter on their beaches.
To hire a surfboard, try Bondi
Surf Co on Campbell Parade,
Bondi Beach, or Aloha Surf
on Pittwater Road, Manly. If
you would like to learn, there
are two surf schools: Manly
Surf School and Lets Go Surfing
at Bondi Beach. They also
hire out boards and wetsuits.

Scuba diving at Gordons Bay

SWIMMING

SCUBA DIVING Harbour beaches such as

Camp Cove, Shark Bay and
Balmoral Beach are generally
smaller and more sheltered
than the ocean beaches. The
latter have surf lifesavers in
distinctive red and yellow
caps. Surf lifesaving carnivals
are held throughout summer.
Call Surf Life Saving NSW for
a calendar of events. District
councils also provide their
own lifeguards, who wear
blue uniforms. Rules about
swimming are rigorously
enforced, so try to familiarize
yourself with beach signage.
The beaches can sometimes
become polluted. The Beach
Watch and Harbour Watch
Info Line gives information
about pollution levels.

There are some excellent
dive spots around Sydney,
especially in winter when the
water is clear, if a little cold.
More favoured spots are
Gordons Bay, Shelly Beach,
and Camp Cove.
Pro Dive Coogee offers a
complete range of courses,
escorted dives, introductory
dives for beginners, and hire
equipment. Dive Centre
Manly also runs courses and
introductory dives, hires
equipment and conducts boat
dives seven days a week.

WINDSURFING
AND SAILING

There are locations around
Sydney suitable for every
level of windsurfer. Boards
can be hired from Balmoral
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
School . Good spots include
Palm Beach, Narrabeen Lakes,
La Perouse, Brighton-Le-Sands
and Kurnell Point (for
beginner and intermediate
boarders) and Long Reef
Beach, Palm Beach and
Collaroy (for the more
experienced windsurfer).
One of the best ways to see
the harbour is while sailing.
A sailing boat, including a
skipper, can be hired for the
afternoon from the East Sail
sailing club. If you'd like to
learn how to sail, the sailing
club has two-day courses
and also hires out sailing
boats and motor cruisers to
experienced sailors.

DIRECTORY

Balmoral Windsurfing
and Kitesurfing School
Balmoral Sailing Club, Balmoral
Beach. Tel [phone].
www .sailboard.net.au
Beach Watch and
Harbour Watch Info Line
Tel [phone].
Dive Centre Manly
10 Belgrave St, Manly. Tel 9977
4355. www .divesydney.com.au
East Sail
d'Albora Marinas, New Beach Rd,
Rushcutters Bay. Tel [phone].
www .eastsail.com.au
Lets Go Surfing
128 Ramsgate Ave North Bondi.
Tel [phone].
www .letsgosurfing.com.au
Manly Surf School
North Steyne Rd, Manly.
Tel [phone].
www .manlysurfschool.com
Pro Dive Coogee
27 Alfreda St, Coogee.
Tel [phone].
Surf Life Saving NSW
Tel [phone].
www .surflifesaving.com.au

SURFING

Surfing is more a way of life
than a leisure activity for
some Sydneysiders. If you're
a beginner, try Bondi, Bronte,
Palm Beach or Collaroy.
Two of the best surf beaches
are Maroubra and Narrabeen.
Bear in mind that local surfers
know one another well and do
not take kindly to “intruders”
who drop in on their waves

Rock baths and surf lifesaving club at Coogee Beach