Other Places That We've Sailed
Fiesta Key Florida
For several years, Fiesta Key has been the winter destination of choice
for SPSC members. Located on Florida Bay just west of Islamorada, Fiesta
Key offers excellent sailing for all skill levels, from beginning longboarders
to bump&jump shortboarders. The winter winds are typically northeast
to east 10-30 knots, and make for a side to side-on launch. The launch
is a little tricky and the shallow coral bottom in the launch vicinity
will munch fins, and slice feet. Once aboard, watch out for the two north-trending
sandbars on either side of the campground; the westerly one is marked
on the outside by a channel marker, the easterly by a short piece of pvc.
There is a third sandbar out in front of the bridge, which you might encounter
on a north wind. FYI, the sandbars can hold stingrays, and an east wind
which cranks for 2-3 days will bring portuguese man-o-war into the bay
(if you go snorkeling after an east blow, be sure to snorkel on the downwind
side of the boat!). Regarding amenities, the KOA campground is far from
primitive and includes a swimming pool, two hot tubs, a marina, a store,
hot showers, and a bar & grill. The campground is lushly maintained
with gorgeous invasive exotics, and the campground staff are windsurfer-friendly.
More information regarding this year's trip.
Maui, Hawaii
We spent 2 weeks on the North Shore of Maui. Most of our sailing was
done around Kanaha and Sprecklesville Beach. The vast majority of our
sailors' collective experience has been in flat water and steady wind,
with a few token wave sailors in our midst. The conditions in Maui, by
contrast, were choppy inside the reef with some smallish waves on the
reef and big swell on the outside. Most of our sailors found the conditions
challenging, but wonderful. Those interested in waves sailed upwind from
Kanaha to Sprecks and spent the majority of their time on the reef. The
intermediate sailors, of which I was one, enjoyed making runs out to the
reef and back, practicing turns and learning to handle the chop and small
waves. Those new to shortboard sailing took advantage of the daily wind
to practice their waterstarts and turns, all returning to Shell Point
with more confidence and skill. We all agreed that Maui was heaven, the
only downside of the trip being the long and expensive plane trip. Definitely,
two weeks is the minimum to make it worthwhile if you're coming from the
east coast. Oh yeah, and the food is terrific if you like sushi and fresh
fish.
The Gorge, Washington The
Gorge offers access to excellent conditions for every kind of sport that
I take an interest in and then some: windsurfing, hiking, camping, snowboarding,
mountain biking, skiiing, kayaaking and rafting, etc. Not to mention the
fact that you walk around the entire time you're there saying, "Oh
my god, this place is so beautiful!" I'm not sure how long it takes
to get over that. I didn't in the 10 days I was there. Anyway, about the
windsurfing, since this is a windsurfing site, the conditions on the river
are quite unique in that the wind is blowing up the river and the current,
natch, is flowing down the river. Therefore, sailing upwind is not the
challenge that ocean sailors are accustomed to, since the force of the
currents offsets the tendency to stray downwind. Proficient waterstarting
is critical here, if you can't get back on your board fairly quickly,
you can find yourself downcurrent in a hurry. We made our visit in the
spring and wetsuits were definitely necessary, I understand that is the
case all year long, especially if you are a southern species of windsurfer.
During our visit the water was about 65 degrees, but not uncomfortable
in a decent wetsuit. The food was great in Hood River, the camping in
the county campsite was fabulous, the people were super nice and shop
(Big Winds) was totally decent to us. A don't-miss windsurfing vacation
in our opinion.
Caberete, Dominican Republic We
visited the DR in the summer of 1999 with one intermediate windsurfer,
two advanced windsurfers and an observer from another planet. While the
OFAP's review of this spot might be the most interesting and objective,
I'm the intermediate so you will hear my version. The town of Caberete
was very busy and charming in a third world kind of way. That is to say,
people trying to sell you stuff constantly and traffic wizzing by on the
highway consisting of bikes, donkeys, delivey trucks, taxis, hambre perros,
and pedestrians all fighting for space. A little spanish is good, you
don't need alot of money or a car and the lodgings are cheap. We rented
our gear from Vela, very decent and informative. The sailing was either
on or off. When it was blowing, the sailing was just great with small
swell increasing to fairly big waves on the reef and big swell on the
outside. Unfortunately, the wind only blew 2 out of the 9 days we were
there and there's not alot to do in Caberete without wind.
Charleston, South Carolina Station
59 for NE to SW, Station 10 (across from Ft. Sumter) for W/NW, both located
on Sullivin Island. Also check out the windsurfing store (Sailsports)
before you get to the island on the right. There, Fast Eddy will tell
you some local tales and may lead you to a free sample at the local Microbrewery
(run by board heads). WindTalker: (803) 883-9817, NOAH report: (803) 747-5859.
Tampa / St. Petersburg / Clearwater, Florida
On the I-275 causeway on the St. Pete side right next to the bay bridge.
Any wind direction, but best for NE to S. Flat water on the bay side,
waves under the bridge (strong currents!) and on the Gulf front. Also,
at Ft. De Soto, last exit on I-275 coming from St. Pete before the bridge.
Strong wave conditions and flat water on small inlet for SW to NW, but
very strong currents possible in the waves; launch from North Beach. More
launch sites for any wind directions from several other beaches of the
park. Another launch site is off Dunedin causeway, all directions except
for E. Flat water and chop sailing. Yet another place is Howard Park:
take Klosterman off US 19 between Tarpon Springs and Palm Harbor. Take
the causeway to a small key which offers flat water on the inside (very
good for beginners; shallow enough to stand up), chop sailing on the outside.
Any wind direction except for E. Camping: Ft. De Soto. Hot Showers. Windsurfing
stores: Tackle Shack (Pinellas) and two other places (one makes the MultiSail).
Microbrewery: Hops and another (better) place (name?) on US 19, just north
of the 580 intersection.
Sarasota, Florida On the Ringling
Causeway to Longboat /Lido Key next to downtown (all directions but S)
or across the bay from the recreation area next to the marina on Lido
Key (for S). Very popular site during the winter time. New store AquaSports
next to the airport, also rents equipment at the causeway during the weekend.
Wave sailing from any beach front possible. No camping. No showers. Microbrewery:
Sarasota Brewing Company.
Bahia Honda, Florida
Florida Keys. Launch from the State Park (S winds) or from the "horse
shoe" (N winds). To get to the horse shoe, take the first right when
coming from Miama, as soon as you get onto Bahia Honda (or was it the
key between Bahia Honda and Big Pine?). The horse shoe has strong winds
during the winter cold fronts, no wetsuit required! Flat water sailing
(mind the corals!) and good wave sailing under the bridges. You can drive
onto the horse shoe during low tide but it does get flooded during high
tide; move your car in time. Camping in the State Park or at the Big Pine
Fishing Lodge. Some camp sites exposed to strong winds, others sheltered.
Both camping facilities have hot showers. Windsurfing rentals in the State
Park. Big Pine also has a pool and a charter boat for snorkeling trips
to the Looe Key National Park reef. Worth a trip during no-wind days,
but wear wetsuits any time of the year; snorkeling gear provided. Diving
trips and groceries on Big Pine, night life in Key West (about 30 minutes
drive). Microbrewery: Kelly's Caribbean Bar Grill and Brewery, Key West.
DO NOT SPEED on Big Pine! The area is strictly patrolled (day and night)
to protect the Key Deer population. |