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crashpile
Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 40
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 12:14 am Post subject: Gorge windsurfer coming to West Palm Beach area |
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I am visiting sunny Florida for a few days around Christmas and wonder if there is windsurfing nearby. I am an intermediate and sail in the Columbia River Gorge. Thanks in advance. |
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p914
Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 71
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 7:59 am Post subject: |
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The wind is pretty iffy around here if you are used to sailing the Gorge. There is Lake Mangonia if the wind is strong enough. Don't count on sailing much though. |
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akrausz
Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 158 Location: FL
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:30 am Post subject: |
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The wind is definitely iffy. Assuming you will need to rent gear, Miami is your closest option (over an hour drive):
http://www.sailboardsmiami.com/ |
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kites393
Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 5
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:29 am Post subject: |
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plenty of wind during the season. Ride the ocean on side and onshore days. Lake Mangonia on offshore days. |
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d0uglass
Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1286 Location: Bonita Springs, Florida
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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Jupiter Inlet, just north of WPB, is one of the best wavesailing spots on the East Coast, and it has clear blue warm water all year. There are other good ocean launches, too, some of them really easy, like Fort Pierce South Jetty. Check out the East Central Florida Windsurfing yahoo page for site info and to get local advice on sites between WPB and the Cape Canaveral area to the North.
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ecfw/info _________________ James' Blog: Windsurfing Equipment Size Calculator
http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html |
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SuzieQ
Joined: 04 May 2000 Posts: 98
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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There are plenty of sailors in Hutchinson Island, Stuart, sailing off the causeway between the mainland and the island. This is a 30 min drive north of WPB. There USED to be a great rental there, not sure if it exists now. There is an active US Sailing School, further north, on the western shore of the river. I would call them for updated local info.
On any windy day, you will find many friendly sailors at the Causeway. They can give you the lowdown. The weather is frontal dependent, but if lucky, you could find some wind. Good luck!! |
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glenherman
Joined: 05 Jan 1998 Posts: 45
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 5:22 pm Post subject: windsurfing Palm Beach |
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I am one of the windsurfers who regularly sails at the Boynton Inlet
There are four of us left.
It is a world class wavesailing spot
I am always amazed that no one else comes here to sail these conditions
The only visitor we ever get is jingebritsen from Jupiter, FL.
The wind is a lot more sporadic than the Gorge, and somewhat lighter
We live for the cold fronts which give us 2 or 3 days of wind, first north then northeast then east wind.
Fronts can come one after the other or be days apart.
I have plenty of equiptment that I would be glad to lend to you for free.
If you want to take it up to Jupiter where the waves are a little better, you are welcome to do it.
We usually use 100 liter boards and 6.3 sails.
We get plenty of 5.2 days as well when a 90 liter board is good
Waves range from knee to shoulder high, with some head high days also.
The launch here is for experts only as it a a gnarly shore break.
Great wave riding out on the sand bar about 200 yards offshore.
Lots of flying fish and deep blue water on the outside
Do not go to Lake Mangonia!
Ahead of a cold front, there will be one day of a cold west wind. Although you could sail the Lake that one day, it is a million times better to go to Wiggins Park on the west coast of Florida for that one day.
Maybe jingebritsen can respond about the conditions and the launch at Jupiter |
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akrausz
Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 158 Location: FL
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Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: windsurfing Palm Beach |
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glenherman wrote: | The launch here is for experts only as it a a gnarly shore break. |
Hi Glen,
I need to watch and learn how you guys get in and out. I sailed at the inlet last Friday just before dusk, and got munched coming in. Sure was a nice session otherwise.
Andre |
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ctwindsurf
Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 88
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 9:06 am Post subject: |
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Andre.......no need to get cleaned up coming in unless the wind shuts totally off.
I feel the easiest way to come in is to ride a wave to the beach. As you approach and the wave begins to jack up sink the tail and fall off the backside of the wave, as it crashes ride the crumbling remains until you are close enough to collect your gear.
As every wave is unique, be prepared to either jump off the back early or to run up forward of your board with the mast tip in hand.
Good tips; Don't linger in the shore break
Be prepared to use extreme amounts of Mast Foot Pressure
Try to keep your fin clear of the sand |
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jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 5:53 am Post subject: |
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some comments are good on this thread, some not very accurate.
ctwindsurf is the visitor from jupiter, not me.
west coast trips are quite needless. there are plenty of spots like stuart and further north for westerlies.
side off is rare, and lots of people waste it by seeking flat water conditions when it does happen in other venues like lakes and estuaries. this stems from advice geared for beginner and early intermediate sailors. once one has experience, and is a bit more skilled to advance to waves, one should not heed this sort of cautious advice any longer.
getting caught up in a shore pound cycle can be remedied in several ways. first, don't linger as ctwindsurf suggests. second, don't come all the way in near shore once out, stay outside of the middle and inside breaks. speaking of breaks and resting, be aware that certain tides disallow any energy savings by coming in for a rest. the relaunch may be harder still.
most of all, when one is sailing in the surf. think, plot and time one's launch. after some practice, it becomes quite easy. _________________ www.aerotechsails.com
www.exocet-original.com
www.iwindsurf.com
http://www.epicgearusa.com/
Last edited by jingebritsen on Thu Dec 26, 2013 3:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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