Porteau Cove

[drummermom]

Is there a wind sensor there? I’m a next level crappy winger so would rather not end up drifting out to sea. What is a safe direction?
Any helpful suggestions for the area?
Thanks

[drummermom]

Come on people! I know some of you have answers. Cough. lol

[Brian C]

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.

[drummermom]

Thanks Brian. Not the news I was hoping to hear but appreciate your response.

[JonathanP]

Also look at the tides/current. I've found it a bit difficult to stay upwind on a few outflow days with a dropping tide. We can get some nice outflows in the late Summer/fall before it gets too cold though!

[Brian C]

There are some fall days that work for inflow too , but it is less reliable. I see that a friend is planning to try windfoiling there today, hoping that the frontal boost works.

[cjsknight]

Agree with Brian - early season more reliable. Many good days this season winging w 5m / 1225cm foil with a Pam Rocks reading of SSE 10-11. This time of year the correlation between a good PR reading and wind at Porteau. I tried to wing Saturday, was out in good conditions for maybe 15m when it completely died. I remember some good inflows last yr late Sept and into Oct though. MAYBE today will work!

[cjsknight]

OSR today would help! Does Pam Rocks S11 = wind at porteau today?

[drummermom]

I’m going to head up. Should know within half an hour but unsure if I can post. Will do my best.

[cjsknight]

I was there 12:30-2:45. Wind was awesome. But Pam Rocks 12-13 so no surprise. Was that you guys rigging as I left?