Warriewood

Warriewood is an intermediate-rated coastal cliff site north of Sydney, rated that way because of how far the beach sits below and behind launch if the lift doesn't hold — first-timers are expected to check in with the local club before flying here. Launch is a small grassy park on the western, lower and gentler section of a northeast-facing cliff that rises to a taller vertical face toward the ocean end, with pilots soaring out over a sea cavern locally known as the 'blow hole'. After launching, pilots turn left toward the beach and work the lower slope for height; only once level with the sandstone lookout should they cross onto the taller main face, since there's often a dead patch lower down where lift disappears and the glide back to the beach gets long. On strong days pilots push on from here to Cooks Terrace and return low around the northern end of the ridge — out of sight of launch — and if the wind swings north, rotor off the Cooks Terrace headland can affect the beach landing.

Launch & conditions

Launch is a small grassy park on the cliff's lower western section. Always turn left toward the beach after launching, and don't cross onto the taller main face until level with the sandstone lookout — there's often a dead zone lower down with a long glide back if you sink out.

Getting there & local rules

On Narrabeen Park Parade: coming from the south, turn onto Ocean Street off Pittwater Road, follow it past Narrabeen Lagoon, then turn right at the second (northern) roundabout onto Narrabeen Park Parade. Parking is on the roadside.

Local rules & hazards

Airspace is capped at 2,500 ft and flying over the houses isn't allowed. If the wind swings to the north, rotor off the Cooks Terrace headland can affect the beach landing, and pilots returning from Cooks Terrace come around the ridge's northern end low and out of sight of launch.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Warriewood, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Warriewood with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.