Waterstart help/SF Bay Area

waterstart · Joined: 28 Jun 2000 Posts: 63

Where is the best place in the Bay Area to practice waterstarting? (I need to be able to swim or walk back if I cant waterstart to get back on shore.)

prozac · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 105

Alameda is a great place on a High Tide. It hardly ever blows there,... over 15 knots so pack a big sail. Way back in the standard windsurfer days I use to get drunk on the beach and hang on my booms with my feet on the board. Before I even knew how to water start I was water starting. I must thank Miller High Life for my progression. in the sport.

windfind · Joined: 18 Mar 1997 Posts: 562

To learn to waterstart in strong wind go to Bodega Bay in the spring. At the yacht club site the water is 1 to 5 feet deep with a hard sand bottom. You have to go there at a medium to high tide or it is too shallow.

If you dont mind soft mud and can point eought to get across the ferry channel Larkspur has lots of shallow water but the winds is sometimes light in the shallow area.

Mike G.

victor · Joined: 03 Aug 1998 Posts: 479

Marina Bay Parkway. Best when the tide is not too high. Shallow quite a way out and wind is onshore. Path around entire shoreline so you can walk back.

waterstart · Joined: 28 Jun 2000 Posts: 63

Thanks Mike G for the tip on Bodega Bay. I was there over the week end and I loved it. I think that if the wind is good, it is the best area to learn new skills.