by Brian C » Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:48 am
I have been windsurf foiling there several times this summer. Wingers seem okay in the same conditions. In general you need a decent Howe Sound inflow for Porteau to work. The closest sensor is upwind at Pam Rocks and it reads low for Porteau. If the sensor reads 10 knots or more from the south/SW/SE then it is usually whitecapping and sailable at Porteau.
Most days have the best wind from about noon - 3 pm. The strongest days have thermals boosted by a frontal push, typically the last sunny day before a weather change.
Like most thermal locations, it seems to work best in spring and early summer, and becomes unreliable in late August. I was there on Saturday and the Howe Sound marine forecast looked good, the wind was good at Squamish, but it was too brief and weak to sail at Porteau. I think the inflow season is mostly over for this year.
Some people also sail winter outflows (north winds) at Furry Creek but they are extremely cold and only recommended for experts with dry suits. Porteau Cove is also in a windshadow for the outflow wind, so not favoured.