Green Island Queensland
Situated on one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef, is another of nature's rare gifts – the beautiful Green Island. This ancient coral cay is home to over 120 species of native plants, colourful bird and marine life and beautiful coral gardens and is a true tropical paradise.

Green Island is also one of the most spectacular locations for windsurfing in Australia, and participation in our trip will be a lifetime experience for those taking part.
Be confident we're working to give you the very best opportunity to be a part of something really special.

Week one "Freeride Week" will be the perfect opportunity to polish and improve your windsurfing skills and get to the next level with professional tuition from one of Australia's best instructors.Week two "Competition Week" will see the Victorian top riders compete in the Slalom and Freestyle nationals. The Zu would like to invite all top competitors in Victoria to come to Queensland to represent our state during this week.

Dates:
Freeride Week: Sat 15 June – Sat 22 June
Comp Week: Sat 22 June – Sat 29 June

Freeride week: $ 970

Included:
• 6 days of Professional Coaching
• Daily Island transfers
• Gear transfer to and from Green Island
• Luxury Accommodation in Cairns
• On Island gear storage
• Safety Boat

Optional:
• Latest Starboard and Severne gear rental ($395 week or $95 one day)
• Scuba Diving from $105
• Snorkel trips $40
• Kayak hire $18

Not included:
• Flights
• Food and drinks
• Transfers from airport

 

Competition Week $ 600

Included:
• Gear transfer to and from Green Island
• Daily transfers to the Island
• On Island gear storage
• Luxury Event specific accommodation in Cairns
• Event entry fee
• Safety Boat

Optional:
• Latest Starboard and Severne gear rental ($395 week or $ 95 one day)
• Scuba Diving from $105
• Snorkel trips $40
• Kayak hire $18

Not included:
• Flights
• Food and drinks
• Transfers from airport

Green Island might not quite be on everyone's doorstep, but the tropical tradewinds and mid-winter wonderland that await "Melbournians" arriving in Cairns mid-Aussie winter, just has to be experienced to be believed. Stepping off that Airbus into the warm tropical breeze rustling the palm trees, any distance or perceived logistical problems fade fast... Hard to believe you're still in Australia... No customs queues... No I-94... No TSA... No attitude... Nice.
Hours later, standing in crystal clear turquoise water 30kms from the mainland, under a bright blue sky, while a warm 20 knot tradewind rattles your 6.5 – as the rest of Australia freezes windless – it's difficult to comprehend. Until you do it.
This is the real deal. For those who haven't (yet) we want to share the experience.

 

Windsurfing at Green Island:

With consistent 15-25 kt SE tradewinds and an inside "arena" formed by smooth water inside the Reef Ponds directly in front of the main beach area, Green Island is the perfect place to improve your sailing. The flat water makes Gybing a breeze and the long runs on high tide make is a perfect venue for Slalom sailing. The freestylers will enjoy the all-tide reef ponds with perfect smooth water for their next transition.

 

Your Windsurf Coach

Steve Flack is a ZU Boardsports instructor and teamrider and one of the top windsurfers in Australia.
Steve has been teaching windsurfing internationally for a four years now and received his qualifications in Vassiliki (Vass), Greece in 2009 and has worked amongst some of the best windsurfers in the sport, Andy 'Bubble' Chambers, Max Rowe and Colin 'Whippy' Dixon. They helped him land his first Vulcan and from then on he was hooked on freestyle.

Steve has since been teaching in Greece and Dahab, Egypt working for Club Dahab. He started off teaching beginners how to get into the straps, and by the end of his time there he was teaching all ages and genders everything from forward loops and downwind 360's to Vulcans and Spocks!

Steve is currently The ZU Boardsports instructor for advanced lessons so you can be confident you'll be in good hands!

 

Cairns accommodation

Back on the mainland, it's a different scene! As the sun sets, downtown Cairns streetlife really comes alive with an energy and vibe that just has to be experienced. An endless array of tropical dining venues around the Marina and world famous Esplanade offer all manner of eating (and "rehydration") options. Staying close to the action is vital, and scoring a great property with suitable facilities at the right price is the challenge.
Our mainland event base is Getaway on Grafton, a premium group of 2 bedroom /2 bathroom apartments a couple of blocks from the Esplanade and marina. www.getawaycairns.com.au

Getaway apartments have been specifically chosen as the ideal mix of quality accommodation, practical location, sensible price and personal service. Make no mistake, this property currently ranks #5 of all Hotels in Cairns and won 2012 Traveler's Choice Family Award by independent review tripadvisor.com.au

 

Competitor transfer to Green Island

The Zu customers and competitors will be able to travel to and from Green Island each day on a modern hi speed catamaran shuttle using the provided week long transfer pass. First departure from the Reef Terminal is 0830 daily (boarding 0800) and return arrival to Cairns a social 1700 approx each evening.
Equipment transfer to Green Island
The bulk of windsurf equipment will be transferred to and from Green Island by the supply barge serving Green Island. At this time, the Cairns pickup and drop off point for equipment is Getaway (147 Grafton St) as barge dock access is restricted.
It is anticipated that equipment will be transferred outbound from aprox 1pm Saturday 22 June, with late arrival transfer Sunday 1 pm 23 June. Return equipment transfer via barge should arrive around midday Saturday 29 June and be available for collection for departure by early/mid afternoon Saturday 29 June.
Competitors should note that equipment transfer capacity on the Great Adventures catamaran shuttle is extremely limited for bulky items, and should not be relied upon for equipment transfer as excess load will not be carried.

 

Equipment storage on Green Island.

The ZU will provide on island overnight storage for our customers equipment during the course of both weeks. In Competition week, the competitors should understand that storage is all care but no responsibility and equipment is stored at owners risk.
Week Two: The Event

Slalom is a well established major National championship run annually at a rotating choice of venues around Australia. Slalom racing is now the predominant style of international racing and features fast, short heats of 6 or 8 racers crossing back and forth over an "M" or "8" shaped course with race leg distances normally 300-500m in distance. Results are sorted by progression through a multiple heat system.

 

Freestyle, although popular internationally, has not enjoyed a strong competition history in Australia. Exciting recent enthusiasm, interest and participation sees a stronger local potential for Freestyle as a growing National class and 2013 sees Green Island Nationals hosting the inaugural AWA Australian Freestyle championships. Riders compete over a timed series of short heats to score maximum style points by riding and tricking within a small defined on water judging area (normally about 300 x 300m).

Freerace is an evolutionary discipline proposed by Ian Fox as the future of an ongoing national championship. It offers enormous potential for participants worldwide thanks to the availability of competitive freeride and freerace equipment and hi quality wearable GPS units. Riders compete over a set period of "real time" without any fixed course but within a defined and limited area. All sailing distance accumulated within an allocated time and sailing area limits accumulates to define a winner.

 

Things To Do in Cairns
There really are an incredible number of other reasons to take the trip North during winter. Green Island Nationals is all about fun, and having one of the best winter sailing locations in the world at one of the most entertaining destinations in Australia is about as good as it gets.
You've come a long way, don't go home without sampling some of the action and highlights! Home to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns and Far North Queensland is one of Australia's most exciting places to visit with a wide variety of tours, activities, and attractions.

Come join us to one of the best flatwater windsurfing locations in Australia, just of the coast of Cairns. Master your gybes with our professional coaching or start training for the freestyle & Slalom nationals in week two, your choice !  (more info soon !)

 

15 June -29 June