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Windsurfing Sites
Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield, MA
From the South
Take route 128/I-95 North. Then Exit 39, Wakefield. At bottom of exit ramp turn right, almost immediately turn left at the light, adjacent to the auto dealership. As you go along, the lake will be on your right. Follow the road around to the left as it circles the Converse building. Sailors launch from the north or east sides of the lake, depending on wind direction.
From the North
Take route 128/I-95 and take exit 39. At end of ramp, take a left. Go under highway and take a left at the light. Follow instructions as in previous paragraph.
Pleasure Bay, South Boston, MA
Pleasure Bay is a completely enclosed tidal pond, approximately 3/4 of a mile in diameter. It is best in SW- S- SE, O.K. in NE, NW is very gusty. It has protected flat-water sailing. The wind is usually somewhat up and down. Summertime launching restrictions may be in place until 6:00 on good days. Being ringed by streetlights is an advantage for sailing late in the day.
Driving directions
From the south – Take exit 15 off 93 S. Follow signs for Columbia Rd, S. Boston or Castle Island. Follow the shore all the way to Pleasure Bay. There’s a monument and small lot to the south of the bay. Many sailors park there, although you can park anywhere around the bay. You can also launch into Boston Harbor from the lot.
From the west – take Rt. 90 E to South Boston, exit 25 to Summer St. Go across the channel and take your 4th left on East Broadway. That brings you out to Pleasure Bay. To the right is the south parking lot, or park anywhere around the bay and rig on the grass.
Powder Point Bridge, Duxbury, MA
A tidal bay protected by a barrier beach. We usually sail on the mainland side just south of the Powder Point Bridge. Best wind directions are southwest, south, and southeast. At very low tides, people with long fins may have a problem for an hour or so.
All the north wind directions are usually sailed on the north side of the bridge, where water depth is very tide dependant. Northeast can be fun for speed runs on flat water but you will run out of water at low tide. Northwest is the least steady and is still sailable at low tide but for a short run.
Northeast is also good on the ocean side for wave-sailors. Unfortunately, during the summer parking on the ocean side is restricted to Duxbury residents with stickers.
Sometimes in the spring and fall, Duxbury can have better winds than the Cape beaches if the southwest wind is front-driven rather than thermal.
Driving directions
Off Route 3 take 14 E (Congress St.). Bear right to stay on Rt. 14. Cross Rt. 3A at light and street becomes St. George Ave. Turn left at the “T” intersection with a large concrete block (flagpole) in the center of it (Washington St. and Powder Point Ave.). Continue on Powder Point Ave. until you come to the wooden bridge. There is a small dirt parking lot to your right. It is possible to park on the beach below the lot, but 4-wheel drive is recommended.
West Dennis Beach, West Dennis, MA
Ocean site with a salt pond behind the beach. Most sailing is done on the ocean side, best in a SW wind. It is fairly shallow at low tide but gets some chop. The chop gets larger out past the small rock island. There is no shorebreak except in an unusual SE wind. Stay out of the lifeguard area, in season, marked by buoys. The pond side is good for beginners or for any level in a NE or NW wind. SW is offshore on the pondside but it is shallow and mostly enclosed so it is very safe. It has less water at low tide but is generally still usable.
Driving directions:
Take Rt. 6 to exit 8. Take a right off the exit ramp. Follow Union St. until Rt. 28 then go left. Go over the Bass River Bridge. Take right at Kena’s Auto Body onto School St. Take a right onto Lighthouse Rd. Beach is on the left. Expect a parking fee. Designated boardsailing area is at Chair 11.
Nearest Board Shops
Inland Sea Windsurf Co.
85 School Street
West Dennis, MA
508-398-1333
888-465-2632
Kalmus Beach, Hyannis, MA
Ocean site but somewhat protected from waves, no shorebreak. Best in a SW. It can get some chop in strong winds. Has a sandbar at low tide that is about waist deep. Stay out of lifeguard area, in season, marked by buoys. Also, be aware of Ferry channel. Stop before going that far or watch out for ferries. The bayside is O.K. in N winds but in season it may have too many moored boats.
Driving directions:
From Rt. 6 take exit 6 (Rt. 132). Follow Rt. 132 (Iyannough Road) through Hyannis Center. Exit the rotary on Barnstable Road (about 80 degrees). Barnstable Road turns into Ocean Street. At a sharp right-hand bend in the road, turn left into the parking lot.
Nearest Board Shops
Inland Sea Windsurf Co.
85 School Street
West Dennis, MA
508-398-1333
888-465-2632
Fogland Point, Tiverton, RI
A tidal bay/river near Newport. Best in a S, SW, or N wind. There are 2 places to launch – on the south side or in the cove. The cove is good in N or NW winds. NE comes across the land and tends to be pretty up and down. S or SW winds are offshore in the cove but it is mostly shallow so it is still popular in those conditions. The south side can get some chop in the middle in a SW, especially on the outgoing tide.
Driving directions:
From 128 take Rte. 24 S to Tiverton, RI; exit at Rte. 77 S. Go 6.5 miles, turn right onto Pond Bridge Road. At end turn left, then right onto Fogland Point Road. Beach enterance is 1/4 mile on the right. Proceed to the end of the road to find windsurfing site. Summertime beach fee.
Nearest Board shops
Island Sports
86 Aquidneck Ave.
Middletown, RI 02842
Ph: 401-846-4421
Ninigret Pond, Charlestown, RI
Most sailing is done on the salt pond behind the barrier beach. Cleanest wind is NE but this site is sailed in all wind directions. SW is side offshore but is still popular, even for beginners, since most of the sailing is over a sandbar. If you do short runs you can stay in waist deep water. Sailing on the oceanside is possible in SW winds but expect heavy chop with some shorebreak.
Driving directions:
From Boston take I-95 S to exit 9/Rt.4 S (left side exit), Rte. 4 will merge into Rte. 1S, go past signs for Ninigret Park, another 5 or 6 miles, make U-turn at the sign for East Beach Rd/ West Beach Rd, go past West Beach Rd, turn R onto East Beach Rd. and follow to the end, continue past first parking lot down dirt Rd to second lot by the pond.
Nearest Board shops
Island Sports
86 Aquidneck Ave.
Middletown, RI 02842
Ph: 401-846-4421
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