Gage Roads Run
North Mole to Sorrento SLSC
Distance – 27km
The longest downwind ocean run on the Perth Metro Coastline. Starts off at North Mole near Fremantle and finishes at Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club near Hillarys Boat Harbour.
Sunset Hill Run
North Mole to Scarborough
Distance – 17km
A great afternoon downwind run for seasoned foilers. Starts off on mellow well groomed bumps near Fremantle and builds in size and speed past Swanbourne. Finish at the Southern end of Scarborough near the Brighton Road carpark and Beach Kiosk. The beach exit is onto a sandy bottom that can get challenging in big surf or swell.
Drummers Run
Port Beach to City Beach
Distance – 12km
The standard mid-length coastal run in Perth. This is a great distance for intermediate level foilers. Leave from the Ampol Rockwall and head for the White City Beach Surf Club building away in the distance. Exit between the rock Groynes in the middle of beach or to the North of the Second Groyne. The beach shore dump exit can get challenging in bigger surf and has snapped a few surfskis and sups over the years.
Swanny Run
Port Beach to Swanbourne Beach
Distance – 10km
The best intermediate distance run on the Perth Coast. Launch from Ampol Rock Wall or North Mole and head out wide past Leighton Beach, Cottesloe Rock Groyne and North towards the Swanbourne SLSC. A steep beach with a few rock outcrops to avoid. The best beach exit point is directly in-front of the Shorehouse Restaurant. If you find yourself washed up on the Nudie beach you have gone too far North.
Dutchies Run
Port Beach to Dutch Inn
Distance – 4km
A short downwind dash best for learners and those getting their sealegs. Paddle out along the Port Beach rock wall and get warmed up. At the end of the rock wall paddle out further into the bumps before heading North. The beach exit is near the first rock Groyne near Dutch Inn. This exit can be rocky on the beach at certain times of year as the sand shifts around and best to have some local knowledge of the area.
Nudie Run
Swanbourne Beach to City Beach
Distance – 6km
A short foil from Swanbourne past the Nudie Beach up to City Beach. This section of the Coast can have some backwash and swell. It makes it fairly technical to ride. Best to stay at least 400 metres off the beach. There is no exit point in this section of the Beach due to the Campbell Barrack firing range “No-Mans Land”.
Dunes Run
City Beach to Scarborough Beach
Distance – 4km
A quick fast section between City Beach to Scarborough takes you past the Sand Dunes and into the Busy Scarborough Kite and Windsurf Beach. Avoid Scarborough on Summer Weekends or Thursday Evenings night markets. This is a popular prone foil or kite downwind section of the coast with moderate shorebreak in summer Seabreeze’s. Combine the Nudie Run and Dunes Run to make a 10km technical coast run.
The Northern Run
City Beach to Sorrento
Distance – 12km
A great option for early afternoon or when the wind is lighter. Head out from City beach and paddle offshore for a few hundred metres. Run up the coast past Scarborough and get as wide out to sea as possible past Trigg point, then aim for Hillarys Boat Harbour and Sorrento SLSC. This section of the coast is a great downwind option for those who live further North and don’t want to drive to Port Beach.
Rocky Run
Trigg Point to Sorrento
Distance – 6km
The shorter Northern section of the Coast past the rocky cliffs near Mettam’s Pool, North Beach and Marmion. Paddle out from just North of Trigg Point boat ramp and get out wide before heading up the coast. This section has well groomed bay style bumps with moderate swell. There are limited exit points along the coast without local knowledge of the reef and beach breaks. Aim to finish on the sandy beach in front of Sorrento SLSC and get a cold shower and wash down on the grass.
The Doctor
Rottnest Island to Sorrento SLSC
Distance – 27km
The Doctor race course is a long standing West Australian SurfSki and Paddle race that takes place every December. A fast paced channel crossing starting on the Eastern tip of Rottnest Island and heads North-East following the swell and bumps all the way to Sorrento Surf Club. Unsupported or solo crossings are not recommended for this run.
Rotto Run
Swanbourne to Rottnest Island
Distance – 22km
Perth’s best bay run. Works in strong offshore Easterlies winds, typically early morning in Summer. Leave from Cottesloe, Swanbourne or City beach depending on the wind direction. Best done in a group with a boat support. Land at Rottnest Island in Thompson bay. Be sure to enjoy a pie from the Bakery and morning coffee before heading back to the mainland on the ferry.
The Swan River
The Swan river is a watersports Mecca on any windy day in Perth. Expect to see plenty of yatchs, kiters and foilers out on the Swan enjoying the breeze. The river can provide excellent short downwind runs in winter during a Westerly storm. The best section is between Point Walter and Applecross Jetty. A short 4km distance, that kicks up good bumps when the wind is blowing over 25knots. The river is a relatively safe and easy option for learning to downwind foil and practice paddle ups. Remember to wear suitable safety gear, a wetsuit and high visibility clothing so boats can see you.
Snapper Run
Point Peron to Woodman Point
Distance – 18km
This downwind run is best in a Strong South-west or Southerly. It starts at Point Peron near Rockingham. The paddle out is flat and the wind slowly strengthens as your paddle towards the Bridge to the Naval Base on Garden Island. The run is in swell protected waters, but the bumps develop well in the middle section. Exit near woodman point.
South Beach Run
Woodman Point to South Beach (Fremantle)
Distance – 6km
A Shorter distance run in well protected waters. This section passes through a shallow section of water known as Crazy Waves. It can get very bumpy at times. Worth a look on a Strong South Breeze or when there is too much swell in the Ocean.
Woodies Run
Woodman Point to Coogee Beach
Distance – 1km to 2km
A great winter training ground for entry level foilers. Works best in Westerly onshore winds. Paddle out from the point and head towards Coogee Beach Jetty or as far a you can along the beach. Do a short run up the beach and go again for more. There is some limestone reef by the point but otherwise sandy bottom and no shorebreak.
King of the Cut Run
Dawesville Cut to Secret Harbour
Distance – 24km
One of the best ocean downwind runs in Western Australia. This run starts at the Dawesville Cut channel and heads North along the Mandurah coastline up to Secret Harbour Surf Club. The course was founded by SUP Western Australia and raced every December in the prestigious “King of the Cut”.
Half Cut Run
Dawesville Cut to Robert Point or Blue Bay
Distance – 13km
A great shorter course for downwinding or surf-winging. This shorter distance is logistically much easier and can be run multiple times on a windy afternoon. The finish is near the Blue Bay Beach Carpark and Showers or head further up the coast to Roberts Point (Doddi’s Beach) near TODS cafe. Ample parking and grassy areas. Start at Avalon beach or paddle out from the Dawesville cut. There are limited exit points once you pass Falcon Bay, as the shoreline is very rocky. Ensure you are comfortable with the distance before committing to this run.
Sharkies Run
Dawesville Cut to Falcon Bay
Distance – 4km
Mandurah’s learner run for wannabe downwind foilers. This is the first section on the Cut Run and takes you past the surf breaks of Avalon, Sharkies, Geary’s and Falcon Point. Stay out wide and come in at the protected north facing beach at Falcon Bay. This section of the coast is best suited for learning downwind foil and building the skills needed for longer runs.
Falcon Run
Falcon Bay to Halls Head
Distance – 8km
A shorter option for intermediate downwind paddlers. Start out from Falcon Bay and paddle a good distance offshore. Head downwind and aim for the tall water towers at Halls head and finish at the same spot as the end of the half cut run. The beach exit point requires you to head over the shallow reef at Robert Point, followed by a short 100-200 metre paddle up wind in the protected flat water off Doddies Beach.
Mandurah Estuary
The Mandurah estuary is a great spot for wind sports, kiting, windsurfing, and also wing-foiling. The best launch spots are near Novara Boat Ramp or Dawesville Boat Ramp. There is ample grassy areas for setting up and a short walk into the crab infested waters will get you into foil ready water depths. My advice is to always where booties in the estuary as the crabs will bite your feet! Downwind Sup foiling options are limited in the Estuary as the water depth reduces the wave energy and power.
Foil Seeker 