Windsurfing in Richmond VA?

rableach · Joined: 03 May 2000 Posts: 3

I moved to Richmond, Va in January and now that the weather is warming up I am looking to start windsurfing again. I am looking for a good flat water spot without having to drive for hours?
Does anyone know of any good places in the Chesapeake bay area ?
Thanks
Raymond

wevans · Joined: 29 Aug 1999 Posts: 17

Raymond,

I used to live there. You can go sailing in the Swift Creek reservoir if youre not too picky about wind. They dont allow swimming, but they do allow windsurfing no matter how many times you fall in. Wink

About an hour away you can go sailing on the James River down by Williamsburg where it really starts to get wide. I used the colonial parkway as a launch a number of times although Im not there arent rules against it.

If youre up for a trip to the bay (1.5-2 hours) then you might as well head to Hampton. If youre going there, then check out the launches section of www.windvisions.com.

rableach · Joined: 03 May 2000 Posts: 3

Thanks for the help.
I am picky about wind so I guess I am going to do some travelling!
Any decent windsurf shops in the area?

wevans · Joined: 29 Aug 1999 Posts: 17

I think the closest shop is Beach Sports down by Buckroe Beach (in Hampton). www.beachsports.net

logosz85 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Birmingham, MI

Looking at relocating to the same area and equally picky about the wind. Kinda in a situation where I need to pick between Richmond and Baltimore. Richmond is a lot closer to Nags Head where I think it is pretty good. Any more input on type of gear typically used around this area..Big floaty boards and Schooner sized sails or sinkers with socks tied to the masts cause its soooo windy. I am hoping for the later of the two.

ccyne · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 133

There is a decent contingent of windsurfers in the Hampton Roads area (Williamsburg to Va Beach). Check out this website http://www.windvisions.com/index2.html it has information on the local scene including the letsrig mailing list, check the archives and it will give a bunch of information on what local conditions are like. There is also a club called W.E.T. http://www.sailwet.com/. Personaly I live between Richmond and Williamsburg and have a decent launch on the James when the wind is blowing East to SW.
I have often wondered about the Colonial Parkway as a launch, between the York and James Rivers you could sail any wind direction. It is a national historic park so I would think access wouldn't be a problem but I really don't know. Richmond depending on which side of the city you live is about 4 hours from Hatteras. Hope that helps.

logosz85 · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 24 Location: Birmingham, MI

Excellent advise on the web sites. Cape Henry looks real good and isn't too far from Richmond.

jpf18 · Joined: 13 Aug 2000 Posts: 223 Location: San Francisco

chadperkins · Joined: 10 Dec 2001 Posts: 36

Coming from Richmond the best sailing arear are Buckroe and the York River. The York has a really strong current and only works in a few directions.
Buckroe is good on all directions except west and north west. In the summer Buckroe gets a thermal quite often. This results in on shore winds with some good waves. If you are coming down get on the WET email list, send out an email, and I am sure someone will meet you down there to sail.
Also the Outerbanks are only 2 1/2 hours from here. That is some of the best winds on the East Coast.
Chad

jenkinsatg · Joined: 08 Sep 1999 Posts: 1

Best w/o traffic through Hampton is to head for Gywnn's Island, great launch in front of Islander hotel on left as you cross bridge onto island; good for all N winds...there's also a public beach nearby across from Stove Point which is great in NE....hour and 20.

There a few regulars that show up from Richmond and Matthews County..