Dying for a session

[mjamero]

Where do you English Bay sailors go this time of the year during the summer doldrums? We are in a windless stretch and I'm getting... twitchy.

[grantmac]

Squamish isn't that far.

[Alton]

Year to date: I've scored 56 sessions at Squamish. I can't say the same for English Bay.

[john m]

Try breakwater beach at Harrison lake.5.2 and foil for me

[shmish]

Lots of days at Squamish and Porteau Cove. My new name for Porteau is "Canada's Kihei." PC has been 5.5 with a foil, no problems water starting. My guess is 15-18 knots. Wetsuit is optional. I sailed for 1h45m the other day in boardshorts but was a bit chilled at the end. Today was cooler so wore my wetsuit.

Squamish has been from 4.6 to 5.5 (52cm wide to 65cm wide). Even needed 4.2 last week.

[mjamero]

Try breakwater beach at Harrison lake.5.2 and foil for me

I've been meaning to give Harrison a go for a while. Is Harrison pretty reliable on a daily basis or are there special conditions for the wind to show? Don't necessarily need a lot of wind but, need enough to at least get planing on my biggest gear (fin not foil).

[Pavel]

Hey Mark,
For Harrison, look for SW forecast and decent temperature gradient. Pretty much what we had everyday last month or so. I’ll be there on Tuesday and Wednesday if you want to join me for a session.

[john m]

Harrison is windy most sunny days, look for west wind on Juandefuca and southwest wind in Aggasiz and Abbotsford Airport and inflows of 20 in Howe Sound. The Harrison Windsports Society has a free wind meter, or you can check yesterdays wind on i windsurf for free..Today is averaging 17 miles per hour,I guess 8.5 sail on fin. Look for the gravel parking lot on the south east end of the lake past the marina. I usually sail from 2 till 4pm though you could sail later than that. Both Saturday and Sunday look good.

[Mike]

Like John & Pavel said about looking at a variety of forecast models for SW. Summer is usually reliable when you see day after day of wind and if your current sailing day has the same set up.

Years ago my goto fin gear was a 135L freeride board and 6.5 and 8.0. Covered almost all typical summer Harrison days. Formula folks did probably better. If you can make a go of it on a typical Jericho day (light and steady wind) then, by comparison a typical Harrison day is stronger wind than that but more gusty. I'm not sure if you have windfoil but it's generally really nice for that (3.7 to 6.8 sail size). Rig for the gusts and fly through most of the lulls.

[mjamero]

Thanks for the tips. Very helpful. What time does the wind typically pick at Harrison?