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Bells Beach
The place to go in a firm Easterly for advanced HG, this is the starting point of the
Coast Run. Beautiful, varied coastline with a sizable flyable stretch in the right conditions.
Takeoff
Winkipop
(E-SE)
30m / 100ft asl. Rated Advanced, HG only - the local foreshore committee does not permit PGs to take off or land on Winkipop launch. The vegetation
here is sensitive to trampling. Hang gliders must set up on the west side of the road then carry across. Do not set up on launch as this will jeopardise
the site! It is your responsibility to ensure the gate is closed after you. Please ask spectators to keep out of the fenced off area. It is not
advisable to takeoff at Winkipop in a light wind. There is no beach ... ever!
Southside
(SE-SSW)
35m / 120ft asl. Rated PG Restricted, recommended PG only. Park at Southside carpark and take the track at the end of the carpark.
Setup and launch from the astroturf area only. Due to rotor from the cliff edge, this takeoff can be tricky for hang gliders.
Jarosite
(E-SE)
75m / 250ft asl. Rated Restricted. To get to this launch, drive west past the Southside carpark turnoff for about 400 m until you see a dirt turnout
with a walking track. Follow the track until you come to a meeting of five tracks. Take the leftmost one to launch. It's a fair way if you're carrying a hang
glider.
Landing
PGs can topland on Southside, and in an emergency HGs can topland on Winkipop launch (in front of the road and fence). Otherwise, land on the beaches.
Southside (past Bells to the right from Winki) is the closest, but can disappear in a high enough tide. Jan Juc at the surf life saving club to the east,
and Pt Addis to the west offer somewhat larger beaches. HGs generally aim to get to at least Anglesea, often with sizeable unlandable sections on the way.
Flight
The first flights to Apollo Bay were achieved in early 1990. These are now a regular occurence in most firm Easterlies. Not yet achieved
in paragliders although each season the local distance record is being broken. The flight is very difficult in various places and your first try should be with
another flyer already experienced with the run.
Hazards/Comments
There are minimal landing areas available along the entire coast run, and even less at high tide, so treat this run with extreme caution.
Be aware that these popular beaches will always have people on them regardless of the weather conditions. It is recommended that all pilots fly with instruments
and UHF radio on channel 16. Be warned, highly experienced inland XC pilots have come to grief on this run.
Map information
