Spring is here. Summer is coming. With the warmer weather more predictable westerly’s are beginning to flow in to English Bay.
My hope is that this thread can be a reference for information on the various English Bay launch locations and how they relate to each other.
As far as I am aware, the viable sailing spots in English Bay are all on the south shore. From West to East they are:
Acadia
Spanish Banks
Locarno Beach
Jericho Sailing Center
Jericho Beach
Kitsilano?
To begin: When and why is one location preferred over the other?
I usually launch from the Sailing Center. My last windsurfing session from there was a good one. As usual though, once I sailed further out I could look west and see windsurfers ripping in and out from Locarno. Further west I could see several Kiters at Spanish Banks (too far to see windsurfers). I usually do Jericho because it’s where I learned and it’s familiar. It is also convenient, safe, accessible even on low tides, and has a good following of other windsurfers for camaraderie. However, I am very much aware that the pier on the west side can cause a wind shadow. I have launched from Locarno a few times but it can be a chore getting in and out on a low tide. Also now that they have those new signs in the water there is not as much room.
So what are your thoughts on English Bay?