Skiing at Walpole

[Noddy]

Heading down to Walpole on the 29th, can you ski anywhere down there. Deciding whether to take the wakeboards or not.

[Mark M]

Yep....

[Noddy]

Cool, thanks for that.

[Mark M]

Originally Posted by Noddy

Cool, thanks for that.

Only kidding Noddy, that's offshore I don't think there are any ski areas in the inlet.

Send Dror a PM for confirmation.

[Noddy]

Yeah nice one, didn't really have much of a look when I first looked at your pic.

Is it possible to actually get out the mouth into the ocean, looks like it might be a bit dicey.

[jpcqw]

no

[Mark M]

Originally Posted by Noddy

....
Is it possible to actually get out the mouth into the ocean, looks like it might be a bit dicey.

Yes depending on the tide and the condition of the sand bars at the mouth.

Send Dror a PM, he is the 'pole local expert.

[Dror]

To my knowledge there is no dedicated ski area in Walpole, however that doesn't stop people from doing it and during Christmas and Easter especially there is usually someone out skiing on the inlet. The rivers and all of Walpole inlet are restricted speed areas so I wouldn't suggest skiing there but I would imagine that if you found a quiet spot somewhere in the Nornanlup Inlet that you probably wouldn't have any dramas. If you want to make sure then maybe a call to DPI would give some clarification.
The mouth of the Nornalup Inlet is always open so you can access the ocean but you need to be very careful. The depth of the bar is always changing and it is quite common to get waves breaking across the bar if the swell is up. I have seen a few people come unstuck because they just blasted out and where suddenly confronted with a wall of water. If you want to go out make sure you stop and assess the condition of the bar before crossing it. Watching the entry for a few minutes will tell you if there is any large enough swells coming through to break right across the bar.
I am not sure how Mark got the Google maps image in there but I will try to do that and mark the area to go out and the area where it breaks.

Cheers, Dror

[Dror]

Ok worked it out. I have tried to mark the main points. The red line shows the path you need to take to get out. The gap between the shallow reef and the rocks is quite small but this is the channel. Make sure you stop well before you get to the area I have circled to watch for breaking waves. You can see the white water on the image where the waves have broken when this photo was taken. Once you decide to go don't muck around. Bring the boat on to the plane and drive out, don't just idle out at 5knots.
I don't want to make it sound like it is impossible because on a good day it really isn't a drama but as I said there have been people who have underestimated it and payed the price of an overturned boat.

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by Dror

If you want to go out make sure you stop and assess the condition of the bar before crossing it. Watching the entry for a few minutes will tell you if there is any large enough swells coming through to break right across the bar.

When it comes to Bar crossings - You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away and know when to run.

[Noddy]

Thanks for that Dror, will have to suss it out when we're down there.

[DJC2]

Just got back from Walpole - signs at the boat ramp say no skiing in either of the inlets

Cheers
Darren