Swim docks at lakes are easy to learn on. Squamish and Whistler have a few, not sure about the city though. I tried at dundrave pier, but was too tricky with the big board I had and foot railing on that dock for the running with board in water start I use. Jerry from Pemberton has had success with the drop board and hop on technique at the Ambleside floating dock for getting swell rides to the beach there. Cates park looks to have some good docks, gets some ok wind too I hear.
I've been using a drift sock attached to my flagging handle to just ditch my wing and ride swell (cheap, large alternative to Anchorman). Then wait for it to drift down to me. Pretty good way to practice riding swell with no wing to aid your balance. Can get far downwind of the wing pretty fast though, mine drifts very slow.
Mast stiffness and foil efficiency seen very critical to efficient pumping/down winding unless the swell is pumping. Planning to upgrade my gong kit to the full pro setup, as my current monoblock is way too flexible. Anyone want to get in on a going order/split shipping?