Tofino

[Ryan]

Anyone know where to sail in Tofino this weekend? The wind might blow from both directions. Jen and I are heading over.

[C36]

SE
No direct experience, but here is what I have heard
> flat water Harbour in Ukee (Redbaron has sailed there)
> Take a look at Wikinnish Beach (sideoff), Long Beach (unlikely), Schooners Cove (kite hike out there), or North Chesterman (sideoff)

NW
This direction I have sailed at all three spots
> North Chesterman (onshore) - tide should be high enough to have lots of water
> South Chesterman - needs south swell to work (side-off) - tide should be high enough to have lots of water
> Long Beach (side-on to side-off - can be unsailable if winter swell is pumping

You may also want to do a search for 'Tofino kiteboarding guide' and there is a good thread on BWD about SE option in Tofino (pro's and con's) - I'll post a link tomorrow if I remember

[Faceplant]

I've kited south Chestermans on south east. Not very fun. I was told it can be gusty, and this was true. It would go from 5 to 25kt in a heartbeat. You'd make it to the outside, the wind would die, etc. Like Dave says maybe in UCKEe. Look for muscle beach, or twin rivers. Lots of fetch there and no hills to affect south east wind.

mussel beach.PNG (886.09 KiB) Viewed 20135 times

[gabrielb]

2c,
we are in winter mode. As romantic as it may sound to discover new spots, this time of the year may not be a good time.
You'll probably be the only kiter and if anything goes wrong you are on your own, even signaling surfers won't be of any help.
Rip currents sneak up on surfers, I had to paddle non-stop for 30 minutes to get out of one a month ago, and I can't imagine doing it with a kite and a kite board.
Stick to popular spots Chestermann (North and South), even on a weekend (6C) is deserted. Don't be tempted to hike anywhere. I've done it and unfamiliar beaches have rocks only seen at low tide. Play on the safe side and coming summer venture some more.

+thawing semi-frozen hands is more painful than kidney stones ... good 7mm spare gloves stashed somewhere is the best advice I can give for self-rescue.

F, I'll try Mussel beach next time, not far away , closer than Florencia beach, hopefully it's surfable.

[LeopardSkin]

Ryan & Jen [paraphrased by LeopardSkin]...
You'll probably be the only kiter and if anything goes wrong you are on your own...

[Ryan]

Thanks for the tips, very helpful. Dave, I also found your pictures and report from this year which help a lot.
We're on windsurfers, we won't try anything stupid, if things are crazy we will be storm watching.

[Michael]

Jordan River might be another option for Sunday but best to check with the BWD crew. I don't know enough about it but it might be an option. Have fun!!

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Also IV I hear can be epic on a strong SE and it looks like they might get it.

http://www.bigwavedave.ca/wiki/index.php/Island_View

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[Ryan]

Thanks Michael, all look very good. We booked in at Tofino though so hopefully we can find somewhere to sail on at least one of the days. I've tried to sail at Tofino a number of times but the wind has never cooperated.

[Jaybrown]

Here's a little JR down the line action from a while back. This was a great day of surfing that turned into an awesome day of windsurfing when we got blown off the water! As soon as the gloomy rainy weather cleared out the SW-NW kicked in and it became a little piece of heaven .

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baH9Yq6dQ9s&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

[Ryan]

Hey Jay, that video is private.