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Waiting for the lake to dry! The Greenbird at Lake Lefroy in Western Australia - August 2008.

Location for land record challenge

World’s best land sailing venue - Lake Lefroy, Australia

Lake Lefroy is 50 kms south of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. It is around one hour’s flight from Perth. It is thought to be the best natural surface in the world on which to attempt the wind powered world speed record.

This is due to the high traction surface, forecastable weather patterns, and the size and shape of the surface area. The sale lake is flat, hard and huge - over 500 sq kms - which provide the ability to run in any direction depending on wind direction..

It has been a popular site for land sailing for over 100 years.

Perfect surface and wind conditions

To have a meaningful attempt at a world land speed record, it must be conducted in very specific conditions on an extremely hard and flat natural surface. The conditions at Lake Lefroy are perfect and, due to very low rainfall levels, are unlike anything closer to home.

Suitable conditions are dry winds, in excess of 25 mph. 30 mph is an ideal record setting wind strength.

Top speed also depends upon the surface condition. Salt changes its consistency with moisture content and temperature. Too cold and wet and it becomes soft, too hot and dry and it becomes fluffy and flakey. Ideal conditions arise a day or two after a light shower. This is because some surface water dissolves the crust and can leave a perfect surface like concrete, once the water evaporates. Too much rain and the lake can flood rendering it unusable.

The Greenbird Mk 1 at Lake Lefroy - which usually expects very low rainfall levels!

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