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Santa Barbara Windsurfing?

 
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melpel



Joined: 10 May 1998
Posts: 234

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:58 am    Post subject: Santa Barbara Windsurfing? Reply with quote

Looking for windsurfing places around Oxnard CA (Ventura County). Have sailed a couple days at Leo Carrillo already.. has been good.

On iWindsurf I see the port Arguello sensor outside Santa Barbara is generally reading mid/high 20's. Can anyone tell me about windsurfing in that area?

Not looking for the big waves at this point, but do like 20-25 mph winds. Moderate waves OK, main concern is shore break... not up for replacing my gear after a beach launch. Places like Leo and davenport have nice launches into good open water conditions.

Suggestions...?
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jp5



Joined: 19 May 1998
Posts: 3394
Location: OnUr6

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try Ledbetter beach.
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swchandler



Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 10588

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Melpel,

There are many viable sailing spots along the South Coast, but many of them are not always super reliable offering consistently dependable winds. Fortunately you have the C Street and Ledbetter sensors to get some idea about the wind. The important thing to keep in mind is that the majority of spots don't always work off the same wind, although they can sometimes. The following are some of the spots you might want to consider:

Port Hueneme (A morning spot on Santa Ana winds in the Fall. Almost straight offshore winds)

C Street (a point break with a rock bottom. There are usually waves, but they aren't the inside out kind that readily bust up equipment. A favored kiting spot, but there's lots of room to move.)

Ledbetter Beach (sand bottom, but lots of kelp and eel grass, so a weed fin is pretty mandatory.)

Isla Vista (The far west end. Mega kelp beds offshore, but some the best open ocean sailing on Winter and Spring clearing winds. Waves can be good, and they aren't usually too nasty. Unfortunately, lots of tar can be all over the place at times.)

Haskills Beach (Located between the Sandpiper Golf Course and the Bacara Resort, with parking at the Bacara Tennis Courts. Best on Winter and Spring clearing winds. Some kelp, but less problematic than Ledbetter and Isla Vista. Sand bottom with excellent open ocean conditions.)

El Capitan State Beach (It works well on downslope Sundowner winds coming out of the NW over the mountains. The wind is side off, but tending to be more offshore in nature. Stay away from the point. This place can be 20-25 knots when its glassy in Santa Barbara and Goleta.)

Jalama Beach (Arguably one of the most difficult spots around, and the waves can be inside out and huge at times. Still, there are times when the wind is good and the waves are small, but there's no question that the wind can be quite fickle. Often, there can be a dead zone right through the lineup. It's located between Point Arguello and Point Conception, but what's going on the PA land sensor and the PC buoy don't always hit the beach at Jalama. There's no public access to PA, as it's on the Vandenberg AFB), and Jalama is a single point destination, requiring that you return the way you arrived on Jalama Beach Road).

Well, that's a short survey of some of the more known spots. Of course, there are more spots, but they tend to be less dependable in nature. Enjoy!
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kurtmagness



Joined: 08 Jul 2006
Posts: 68

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Windsurfing has kinda died out in SB. Kite boarding has taken over many because the wind in the channel rarely gets over 18 mph. Typically ledbetter in SB proper gets 12- 18 mph between 2-5pm and thats it. The local crowd of kiters hang by the catamarans just up from the harbor. Jalama is the 20-30 mph spot and has a good local crew of windsurfers and kiters. It's really the only spot left that has more than one or two diehard windsurfers trying to get on a plane on big slalom boards and 7.0 m sails. There are many days when the shore break is not that bad, but there are epic conditions alot. 6 ft shore pound 20+ mph wind and cold water. Many of my friends used to go there but one time being worked in the shore break is usually enough to make you think twice about going out again. Winds can be very finicky and it's a long drive on a one way road, major commitment, but a beautiful place too. You will defiinately check it out. C- street ventura every now and then gets a good blow in the winter/ spring. Most windsurfers have switched to kites because they are more fun in the lighter wind conditions in the channel. you watch this site alot and always carry your gear with you. The wind likes to shut down fast so when you start seeing every body heading for shore , you'd better too.
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swchandler



Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 10588

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kurtmagness' report is quite realistic in nature, and it offers a slightly different perspective than mine. The South and Lower Central Coast are more challenging than many area of Southern/Central California, particularly with the lighter winds that are fairly common at and below the junction, but the rewards can be totally awesome for those focused on the game. Pretty tricky sometimes, nevertheless, very rewarding on occasion.
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melpel



Joined: 10 May 1998
Posts: 234

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 8:22 pm    Post subject: Thanks... Reply with quote

Too bad about no access to the PA sensor - that looks like the spot to be. Will need to make the drive to Jamala... not sure I'll get in the water and risk the gear though... will see.

Thanks for the tips -saved the dialog for my next WS hunting trip to SB.
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melpel



Joined: 10 May 1998
Posts: 234

PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 8:22 pm    Post subject: Thanks... Reply with quote

Too bad about no access to the PA sensor - that looks like the spot to be. Will need to make the drive to Jamala... not sure I'll get in the water and risk the gear though... will see.

Thanks for the tips -saved the dialog for my next WS hunting trip to SB.
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