(adapted from old website)

Lanier is Atlanta's closest big body of water, about an hour north. I-985 runs along the east side and GA-400 along the west. GA-20 runs along the bottom from Buford to Cumming and connects 985 and 400. GA 369 runs across the middle connecting Gainesville and Cumming. (For the curious, the Olympic rowing events were held on the upper/northern part, north of Gainesville where the lake is much narrower.) When it blows hard, local sailors head this way. When fronts come through, the 4 mile fetch in front of Van Pugh can offer decent 2-3 foot ramps which tend to be better on starboard. During the "season" (October through May) winds can be from 7.5 to 4.5 as fronts allow with a few 3.5 days thrown in. The big days are usually accompanied by cold air so neoprene is a necessity. The lake temperature can vary from 45ish in deep winter to bathwater in the summer. Nonetheless, some locals will sail year round as long as the air temperature is above freezing. Check out our weather pages for phone numbers for local conditions.

Lanier is much calmer in the summer and is readily accessible to novice windsurfers. However, due to its proximity to Atlanta, the southern part of the lake can get very crowded from May to August and the more northern sites should be considered. After Labor Day begins the best part of the year as the water stays warm even into November and traffic drops off dramatically as football season starts. The 45-55 degree blasts of cold air are tempered by a dip into 65 degree water. Even in the middle of the week, parking is crowded at Van Pugh when a front rolls through. By New Year's however, the lake will have lost much of its warmth and the real cold weather sailing begins.
A last note: Lanier is at the foot of the mountains and therefore the underwater contours are as steep as the surrounding land. This means at many "beaches" the drop off can be quick. Children and weak swimmers should be aware. Marked swimming areas tend to drop of more slowly but be forewarned. Likewise, rocks and semi-submerged islands can stick up as quickly. Respect reef markers, especially when the lake is below full pond.

This is page omits many parks on Lanier and Allatoona, because they are less than optimal for windsurfing. Usually, there is a better alternative close by. Requirements for a good launch generally are open, facing the wind and on a open body of water. Trees and hills wreak havoc on the wind flow for a fair distance downwind from 6 to 10 times their height and more.