Wind ?

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Langdon
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Joined: 04/19/2016 - 18:03
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Wind ?

Is Dolphin Island or Gulfport a good place to go in the summer for windsurfing?

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
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Re: Wind ?
LGarner wrote:

Is Dolphin Island or Gulfport a good place to go in the summer for windsurfing?

I'm assuming you mean Dauphin Island?

Maybe someone will correct me on this but the Gulf is a bit warm to kick up a reliable sea breeze this late in the summer and there is always the threat of afternoon showers.

If you are already planning to go always take your gear. The times I've been someplace wet and didn't/couldn't bring my gear are seared painfully in my memory. If you are wanting to just have the chance for some wind, I'd think that the Atlantic would offer better chances with a bit cooler water. I could be wrong.

Later this week looks breezy but there seems to be a lot of rain in the forecast. Hard to tell if that's wind all the time or just when a million volts is flying around.

https://beta.windguru.cz/117730

Sometimes you can get a good breeze before the rain comes in but don't push your luck. It's scary as sh*t to be caught out if it gets electric or suddenly blowing thirty. Have a good radar app on your phone and study it carefully before you go out. Keep always an eye to the windward horizon and any evidence of thunder or lightning. As my climbing guide told me, don't do something that won't let you be a chicken another day.

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nitro
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Joined: 08/26/2003 - 15:07
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Re: Wind ?

Hey Langdon (FYI this is Chris C from Augusta). It was 30 years ago this summer I took my first windsurfing lesson down in Gulfport. The nice thing about sailing there it is really easy park by the beach and get your gear to the water. Also, unlike most ocean launches, the barrier islands really keep the shore break to a minimum making it a good place for less experienced sailors. The water also stays waist deep for a good 100 yards out. I believe there is a decent kite surfing presence in that area, so if you get a 10kt+ breeze, you will probably have other people on the water with you.

The downside -- the beaches and water ain't much to look at and the sea breeze this late in summer is minimal. You are certainly more likely to get wind down there then here this time of year, but don't hold your breath.

As William said, if you are going to be there anyway, definitely bring your gear!

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Langdon
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Joined: 04/19/2016 - 18:03
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Re: Wind ?

Thanks Chris,
Looking to do a 2 or 3 day trip. ( 6 hours drive radius)
Would it be better to go toward Charleston? Decent places to practice?

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nitro
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Joined: 08/26/2003 - 15:07
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Re: Wind ?

Let's say you have weekend in mind for your trip and you don't mind making last minute plans. So you are looking at the Atlantic coast versus the Gulf coast (6 hour drive). The Gulf is much more user friendly for learning since there are multiple protected bays and waterways to sail on (Destin and Choctawhatchee Bay, Pensacola and the Inter-coastal waterway, Port Saint Joe Park, etc...). If there is any chance of an at least 10-15kt+ forecast, I would head to one of those places. If forecast is really bad, I would then start looking at the Atlantic coast. I would not recommend Charleston for your skill level. I really like sailing St. Simons island. There is a sailing club right on the beach, and when the tide is down, there is almost no shore break. Jacksonville has Huegonot park, which is a protected place to sail but you need to make sure the tide is high during sailing hours.

I can give you more details for many of these places.

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FoilDodo
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Joined: 03/19/2008 - 23:50
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Re: Wind ?

I heard it's been windier than normal at HHI. I like to check this when I wonder where in the world it's blowing... today– left coast, DR, Puerto Rico, ABCs, maybe something spooling up off the western Mexican coast?

https://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-83.92,12.23,296

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