Squamish

[Brian C]

Turns out it was Rob Mulder and a friend out foiling. Rob say it was at least 20 knots out in the bay, which explains why I didn’t really need my 6.6. Great day!

[Alton]

Day 27 - Epic day in Squamish. Overpowered on 7m + surfboard in SW 25-30. Gusty by the Spit - some called it Hood River conditions ... but steady wind and smooth small waves down at Nexen. 2 hrs of fun in Nexen.

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[Alton]

Day 28 - Yet another epic day (2 hrs) in Squamish. Early start at 11am on 9m + surfboard in SW 20-25 ... then overpowered on 7m in SW 25-30. Fun riding down at Nexen.

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[Brian C]

Just got back from 3 days at Bear Cr on Harrison Lake. Typically not as windy as Squamish but very steady, clean freshwater with nice lake swell, and uncrowded.
Tue and Wednesday we had light but very steady sailable winds (6.5 Tue and 6.0 Wed) that were perfect for our friend to practice foiling. Today delivered much better wind: I was lit all afternoon on 4.7 and Mokka on 4.2. Only 4 of us on the water too!!

[lucas]

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I was at Harrison last week, the marina is definitely lighter than Squamish but bear creek was off the hook, I sailed 4 of the 5 days I was there 12m and 9m on a TT at the marina and 9m and 7m at bear creek. I think the temp gradient has to be bang on for Harrison to be stellar. The off shore and side off shore winds are a bit spooky especially when I was on my own at bear creek but the swell is so much cleaner father down the lake making for super fun boosting and slashing. The Swell in the middle of the Harrison lake was bigger last Thursday than Squamish yesterday, locals at Harrison were saying that Bear creek blows at least 5 kts more than at the Marina. Last Pic is the launch at Bear creek and second pic is the campsite on the water.

[Brian C]

Lucas, I agree.
The Launch at Breakwater Spit (Rivtow) near Harrison marina is lousy for windsurfing (offshore wind with a huge wind shadow) and the wind is usually too light to be worth the drive.
Bear Creek, on the other hand, is well worth the trip when the setup is right. Yesterday it was 10 kts stronger there than at Rivtow, side onshore and very steady. Great camping too.
The best weather setup is a strong temp gradient from coast to interior, the day before a weather change, like yesterday. Just a good thermal will usually produce nice sailing at Bear Creek but a bit of a frontal boost is even better.

[Alton]

Day 29 - Good timing. Scored 1 hr on 9m+surfboard in SW 20-25 then another hour on 12m in SW 16-18. Smooth water.

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[Alton]

Squamish forecast for today ...

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[Alton]

Day 30 - Awesome late afternoon session (2hrs) in SW 20g25. Demo'd a brand new 9m Core Section (wave) with my surfboard. At first I disliked the gutless feel with a soft spongy bar ... but then I figured out this kite loves to be cranked aggressively and works nicely in gusty conditions. Amazing drift - never outran the kite on fast gybes.

Kite Clash was nicely organized giving the regulars (non-competitors) tons of room to launch.

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[shmish]

Day 30 - Awesome late afternoon session (2hrs) in SW 20g25....

When do you make the call to drive up to Squamish? Do you look at the weather indicators and if you see the wind speed rising, then there's a decent chance for a late afternoon session?