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Windsurfing on Donner Lake??
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johnnyo



Joined: 16 Mar 1999
Posts: 29

PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:56 pm    Post subject: Windsurfing on Donner Lake?? Reply with quote

I'm going to end up spending 3 weeks up in Truckee this August. Anyone have any real luck with wind on Donner around that time? Yes, I know I'll be missing great sessions in the Bay! Thanks.
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crashman



Joined: 15 Jul 2002
Posts: 83

PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sail it all of the time. I usually am on a 5.9 and a 105 liter board. Gusty sometimes; not others. Water is nice. Boat traffic is not too bad.
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watermonkey



Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 108

PostPosted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 11:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was at Caples Lake (near Kirkwood) last weekend...I woke up to an east wind of high teens one morning. Anyone know if that's a regular thing? It's not like I'm going to drive up there to sail, but still...
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coachg



Joined: 10 Sep 2000
Posts: 3549

PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I spend a week on Donner every summer, usually the first week of August. I normally sail 5 out of 7 days there. Wind usually comes up around noon and blows till around 5 or 6 then shuts down. Figure 12-24 mph, up and down every couple of minutes. A 115 liter board and 6.5 sail takes care of most days for my weight of 170 lbs. But to extend you sailing time I'd bring at least a 7.5 for back up and a 5.5 just in case.
Normally I wear a shorty but with the extra late snow I will bring a full wet suit this year. There is a park on the north side that is about in the middle of the east & west ends that you can rig and launch from.

Great scenery.

Coachg
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dfthrash



Joined: 21 May 1998
Posts: 27

PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have been sailing Donner Lake occasionally for over 20 years and agree with the posts above. At 190 lbs, I find it is easier to ride out the lulls on a 140 litre board and my usual sail is a 7.0 or 7.5. Donner is best on a west day and much better when the wind is building so earlier in the afternoon can be far less gusty. There are several places to rig and good launches in the Donner State Park picnic area. On south days, consider Boca reservoir, 8 miles east as it can be more filled in. We often call the airport aviation weather at (530) 587-4599 to get a sense of the overall direction before deciding where to go. Washoe Lake, south of Reno, is often windy but it is muddy. Gold Lake, 50 miles NW of Truckee, can also be good and has similar wind to Donner. Have fun.
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dogjohn



Joined: 08 May 2009
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You might want to check out Stampede Reservoir, which is just north of Boca mentioned by someone else. I was at Stampede once for a dinghy regatta several years ago and was wishing I had my gear with me. The wind was probably 18-25 one day and 15-18 the second day. That was the only time I've been there, but some of the locals did mention that Stampede was generally windier than most of the lakes in the area. It's a beautiful place with some nice campgrounds.

There is a wind sensor at the reservoir, but I can't find the link to it right now.
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dfthrash



Joined: 21 May 1998
Posts: 27

PostPosted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 5:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stampede can indeed be windy due to the clean western exposure. When the Nevada desert heats up, we get afternoon winds usually from the west or SW and Stampede may be more consistent than Donner or Boca. I have been up there many times but have never seen anybody on a sailboard or kite. A link to any wind sensor would be great. I think I'm going to give it a try...
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crashman



Joined: 15 Jul 2002
Posts: 83

PostPosted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 6:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stampede is very low and it is affecting the wind fetch. The two islands are one big one right now, and the rock shal to the east of the island is for sure a fin-catcher right now so watch out, but I agree when it is good it is a hoot out there.
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dfthrash



Joined: 21 May 1998
Posts: 27

PostPosted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Crashman - where is the best place to launch in a "normal" or "near-normal" year at Stampede? Thanks...
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heidikearsley



Joined: 11 Mar 2010
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:55 pm    Post subject: windsurfing at donner lake this weekend Reply with quote

I plan to be on Donner Lake this weekend. Anyone know what to expect for wind??
I called the marina thinking I could rent a beginner board for my friend to learn and play around, but there are no rentals!! Rolling Eyes I plan on bringing a small 3.5 sail for my friend and my 5.7 to dink around on... hoping for at least 17-20??
someone let me know!! I'm leaving early tomorrow.
Heidi
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