VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Hi all. We recently moved up to the peninsula and I'm scoping out my new sailing venues. Bazan Bay is about 5 minutes away. Is it any good?? Is it similar to Willows on a SE??
I'm looking for alternatives to Island View if it's too big there. I've been on the water twice in the last year so I thought I'd start off with something a bit more mellow. Wind is good, but I'm not sure I'm up for the whole shorebreak thing just yet. Maybe next week
Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, do I need booties yet?? I hate booties so I'd prefer to go without if possible.

THANKS!!

Bring on the wind

Rob

Yes, it can be fairly good. It typically has the same water conditions(swell ) as Nitnat would have for the eqivalent wind. It is therefore a lot tamer than Island view. If you launch on the Sidney side of McTavish Rd, it will be onshore and can be difficullt to get offshore. The ideal places to launch are the public access points at the end of Amity and/or the one about 200m further towards Mt. Newton X Rd.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?oe=UTF-8&hl= ... y%20v8l1m6

The wind is direct side shore in this area(opposite direction to Nitnat though), so it is easy to get out . There is a small wind shadow until about 100ft from shore. On bigger gear it is a short sail to Sidney Spit(just watch out for swirly wind at the north end of James I.). I used to sail there alot, but much prefer the IV conditions now. Worst case scenario is that if you break something, you drift into the sidney shore.

Yes you need booties, it is all rock, barnacle and oyster shells, + the water gets frigging cold.

Hope that helps.

I just got a pair of OR's Coldfire booties, fantastic. Easy on/off, super warm (though its not January yet!). Highly recommend them.

Hotline booties at cost,going out of business sale. Cody in victoria 370-6029 only a few sizes left.Excellent foot wear.

Try launching from the beach below the seniors complex (Ferguson rd.) ... Not much beach but your in the lee of Cordova spit. Great for those 30+ knot days. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om= ... 25749&z=15

If you are going to do that Jl, you may as well launch on the spit itself. Apparently it is park and reps from the IR have told me its OK to access the launch down the road through the reserve. Would this be a good kiting spot for those who can stay upwind but don't want to struggle with shore break? Great open launch area. I'm thinking of trying there for some flat water blasting next >30 knot day.

No comment 'secret spot'

more force 4 wrote:Would this be a good kiting spot for those who can stay upwind but don't want to struggle with shore break?

Kiters don't have a hassle with shore break. They can just body drag through it. Remember, Kites are fully powered on the first downstroke. They blast through shorebreak.

New years 2006 I.V. was 35+ with only U.L.R. & Watson making it out ... @ the same time Saanichton Bay was fit for mere mortals !!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij907AvdBhA

Penguin wrote:Kiters don't have a hassle with shore break. They can just body drag through it. Remember, Kites are fully powered on the first downstroke. They blast through shorebreak.

i hate seeing kiters loft themselves up over walls of incoming foam,. thats just plain cheatin!