VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Hi guys,

just arrived here in Vancouver the first time and had a look around yesterday at different locations - they all seem to be not to easy: Kwawassan Beach is almost impossible to reach, White Rock is quite populated with people (no space to get out of their way). Centennial Beach requires SE to be save.

Any other location around here, which I missed?

ok, Squamish I'll try tomorrow - but its supposed to be really cold there, is it?

(Maybe this forum is only for Vancouver Island, but some of you may have a hint for a stupid tourist on his way to find a beach)

Thanks
Werner

Kwawassan Beach is almost impossible to reach

Do you mean Tsawwassen? I thought that had quite easy access (maybe not if fighting 3 sailing wait long weekend traffic), you can drive right down the spit to whereever the wind looks best. Park right beside your launch. There is also access to the 'mainland' beach from the bluffs through a new subdivision, though I'm guessing the wind would be mostly gusty no good for kites - could make a landfall there if you couldn't get back to the spit for some reason.

For westerlies (fairly rare unfortunately) you can sail at Jericho or at Spanish Banks near UBC where it's usually a bit windier. Or bring your passport and sail at Pt. Roberts where every direction works. Yes Squamish is pretty cold but quite reliable. Just look at the marine forecast for Howe Sound. Hang around the Jericho sailing centre on a westerly day to meet other addicts.

@more force

yes, I mean Tsawwassen ... went there yesterday on Boundary Bay side, right beside the 'official' Centennial Beach: great condidtions yesterday - had a lot of fun.

@bean

hardly can imagin that it is allowed to go out at Jericho: as far as I can see this is quite populated with sailing boats, people etc.

Where is Pt. Roberts?


Anyway thanks for answering - I will make a short round trip next week and be back next weekend - hope the wind will not be as lazy as now...


cheers
Werner

the point south of Tsawassen is Pt. Roberts and it belongs to the U.S. and yes you have to slalom through some lasers when you sail at Jericho. Enjoy!

Werner: Area of Tsawwassen has three areas you can sail from
-ferry terminal causewayfor a SE or NW, weed fin helps, watch low tide
-Boundary Bay (Centennial Beach) SE, can't sail at low tide, might need weed fin
-Pt Roberts, any direction but North, bad place to have a mechanical and lots of current/tide effects, careful

Try also Harrison Lake, past Chilliwack, 1.5 hrs from Vancouver. Nicola Lake & Stump Lake can be good, E of Merrit, 2.5 hrs from Vancouver via Hwy 5.

If you want real wind in summer, Squamish or the Island (soon only Nitinat & Nimpkish Lakes as the ocean mellows out til fall) r your main BC choices. Tatlayoko lake is a ways off, ha!

Thanks to KUS & bean for that extremely useful summary - hopefully others benefit from this as well.

we'll be leaving this morning for a roundtrip-week - and forcast is not so good anyway. But we decided to spent more time on the Islands - much better wind options there,

cheers
Werner