Windsurfing in Florida
Kevin Krueger
In 1992, I requested information on Texas, this year it is Florida. More
specifically, I will be in the Southern Florida area (Lauderdale, Palm Beach)
around March 19th (business, not Spring Break -:)). I have been calling places
for rentals and they seem to be almost non-existent. I have three options and
I would like those knowledgable to respond (please)
OPTION 1: On site rentals - where ? Who ? I have heard Biscayne Bay is cool.
OPTION 2: Rent from a local shop and bring gear to any site. I will have a
car, so I am wondering if the prices are better. If I don't have
to rent on site, where are some other choice spots ?
OPTION 3: Bring my gear from cold ole Chicagoland. It would cost $100. Perhaps
wasted money if no wind.)
Thanks for any thoughts and help.
Pat J. Pinchera
that great Bahamas Regatta photo on the cover :)
Obsession Watersports
222 N Federal Hwy
Dania, FL (Ft Lauderdale)
(305)-921-5802
Also, try Windsurfing Madness, in Ft. Lauderdale
(305)-525-9463
If I were yyou, I'd rent. Just bring your harness, booties, wetsuit, EZ
Rig. It's a lot easier. Maybe you'll get another storm like last week
(25-40 kts, 60 kt gusts)
Pat
'P19'
Ralf Darpe
>From: p...@sloth.mlb.semi.harris.com (Pat J. Pinchera)
>Subject: Re: Windsurfing in Florida
>Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1993 18:24:31 GMT
>Keywords: Florida, windsurf, need wind, need sun
I am writing from Germany, I was in Florida in 1991. I am a windsurfer and I
thouht that it would be a great spot to shred, but I was very disappointed,
because there was hardly no wind. I think Florida is very extreme in it`s
weather conditions . You have hard storms and then you have no wind for
weeks. If somebody is planning a real windsurf holiday, I wouldn`t tell him
to go to Florida. Can you convince me that it i s a good spot?
Ralf
Pat J. Pinchera
>Hi Pat,
>I am writing from Germany, I was in Florida in 1991. I am a windsurfer and I
>thouht that it would be a great spot to shred, but I was very disappointed,
>because there was hardly no wind. I think Florida is very extreme in it`s
>weather conditions . You have hard storms and then you have no wind for
>weeks. If somebody is planning a real windsurf holiday, I wouldn`t tell him
>to go to Florida. Can you convince me that it i s a good spot?
>
>Ralf
You are correct. We tend to be a "feast-or-famine" windsurf destination.
I say this based upon my last 9 years (has it been that long?) of
windsurfing here, especially these past two where I've really gotten
into the regatta scene. But the original poster was going to be here
for other reasons (business, vacation, I forget which) so you can see why
I recommended he rent rather than take the trouble to bring his own
stuff. If you are a real die-hard and don't mind driving a couple of
hours to your spot, you *could* find somewhere where there's wind,
either in So. Florida, the west coast, Daytona, etc. But we are not the
Gorge! However, we are a great vacation destination where windsurfing
would just be another side attraction (besides the Mouse). Oh well,
enough defending the reputation of Florida. Did I mention that there are
many famous sailors from Florida? No? How about Mike Gebhardt, two-time
Olympic medalist, Alex Aguerra, Doug and Janie Hunt, and Robbie Naish
(well not really, but it sounds good! :-)
See ya,
Pat
'P19'
Frank Mueller
> In article <WWS164.5....@ku-eichstaett.dbp.de> WWS...@ku-eichstaett.dbp.de (Ralf Darpe) writes:
> >Hi Pat,
> >I am writing from Germany, I was in Florida in 1991. I am a windsurfer and I
> >thouht that it would be a great spot to shred, but I was very disappointed,
> >because there was hardly no wind. I think Florida is very extreme in it`s
>
> You are correct. We tend to be a "feast-or-famine" windsurf destination.
It all depends. Mostly on the season. And on your flexibility.
(1) You cannot plan to go for it Sunday afternoon or so.
(2) Forget it during summer unless you don't mind to go into a thunderstorm.
Some desperados actually don't mind this at all, they seem to get some
kind of thrill out of this.
(3) Best times are early Spring and late Fall. But there are good conditions
at unpredictable times all year round.
(4) The best places are probably the East coast (Melborne, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami)
and especially the Keys (around Marathon).
(5) I keep it this way: Go in to work, call up the wind numbers and watch the
wind speed. The meterology department is in my building, and there's a
wind meter! Then take off immediatly when it blows. As a tourist, this
should really be no problem for you.
(6) Get used to gusty winds. It never really blows at a constant speed.
Following these points, I've had a blast at around 15-25 Mph during the last
two weeks, just about every third day. There was a day at around 25+, but I
was on the road. And then of course the century storm. Well, we've read about
this before when someone reported from Melborne. I wish I could have seen this.
Frank
Kevin Smith
>Ralf
Ralf,
Florida sucks, it's overpopulated with tourists, there's toxic waste all over,
you have to wear sunscreen SPF 398675 and we have negative wind. Hmm negative
wind? I wonder whether Eric Sanford has coined this term. :-) Well I don't
think we have to convince anybody that it is a good spot. Most of the time
people request information because they are coming here on vacation and want
to know where to go, rent etc. Oh I forgot to mention that I live in Florida
too. There's plenty of wind here during the winter when those fronts roll
through here from the north. During the summer it's calmer but there's a sea
breeze on a lot of afternoons. Hey wait a minute, I'm trying to convince you
and I said I wasn't going to do that. Anyways sorry to here you were here
during a lull, do what I do during a lull, go diving! (see sig below)
--
kevin Smith O |~| T uunet!modcomp!glsdev!kevin
MODCOMP, an AEG company /\_ |_| I if (windspeed < 15)
1650 W McNab Road /\ ;====== | L go_diving();
P.O. Box 6099 / / |~~~~~~~l T else
Fort Lauderdale,Florida 33340-6099 go_windsurfing();
Matthew Davey
>Florida sucks,............ we have negative wind.
Well, that clears that one up, then. So, how about Virginia? I am
heading to the States for the summer, and it looks like I'll be
staying in Charlottesville, but am hoping to get in some windsurfing
at some stage (naturally). Anyone have any word on locations /
conditions in Virginia?
--
Matt Davey Familiarity breeds contempt -- and children.
mcd...@maths.tcd.ie Mark Twain.