Has anyone had any experience in windsurfing in the Lake Rosseau district (Lake Joseph, Lake Rosseau, Lake Muskoka) of Ontaria, Canada. I'm visiting friends there in July this year and would apreciate any knowledge of the windsurfing scene in that part of Canada.
i once sailed vancouver island on boxing day.
the ski resort was closed due weather so some locals went windsurfing.
was bloody cold....
Hey John,
was posted around the Great Lakes for a while, sailed there quite a bit.
Not an expert, but me reckon Lake Ontario is best for winds, esp. Kingston area.
Far from Muskoka though.
The area you're referring to is all lakes - 100s of them's lakes.
Personally I would prefer being on Huron proper, it's more open ocean.
Have a look at Wasaga beach. Nearest thing to an Aussie beach you'll find around there, minus the weather, blue ring octopi and waves.
Plenty of ockers though...
Serious, have at least a ride there. Perry Sound prob. has nice sailing areas too.
Both should have rentals of sorts.
All the best.
Pierre,
Sorry about the aborted PM yesterday. I hit the send button by mistake. We will be in Canada for 11 days: 7 days at Lake Rosseau, 2 in Toronto and 2 at Niagra Falls. I thought you lived in the region so I thought I'd ask for some advise.
ggh,
I've registered and posted on the windsurfingcanada forum.
Thanks
John
Hey John 632. Sorry for taking so long to reply.
I live in Toronto Can. and have a cottage in Muskoka. Muskoka's allure is dense,cool,green forests,hiding many small, cool, fresh water lakes, made up of many small bays. Surrounded by many hills and granit cliffs. This is the land of Canoes, Sup's, and the triangle windsurfer.
Looks like you got help on WindsurfCan and will confirm a lot of that info to be true. Also try Lake Vernon just outside of Huntsville (its close to Rosseau) on the North side. Take Hutcheson Beach Rd. to the end, there is a reasonable launch with parking there. I have only used it for SW-W-NW. It can be less gusty than some of the other suggested spots. Vernon can swell for good jumping too. Ont. winds are frontal/system driven, especially in the Summer wind is hit and miss. Big wind in this area in the summer can happen though. Spring and Fall is when things can go off big and with a little traveling to Georgian Bay,Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, one can reap huge rewards.
Unfortunately i'm in Hatteras NC USA at the time of your visit, would have given you the tour and lent you some gear. I'm sorting some new purchases and what i'm taking soon, so might be able to leave something for you with family. Stay in touch. Whats your weight ? For 7 days this time of year in this area unfortunately i'm not sure its worth the hassle of bringing or sourcing gear,and if you do only mid to light wind stuff.
Greg.
Greg
Thanks for the detailed reply and generous offer. You are right, 7 days is not enough, especially when there so many other things to do in the cottage country. Can't wait.
John
John:
This is my first post on the Breeze, been lurking on the SUP forums for years....
Basically everything Greg has said is bang-on. Inland (from the Great Lakes)winds are fickle all summer long, and really only can be counted on from Sept onwards. I've windsurfed for years on and off in the Huntsville area - and yes, Hutcheson Beach is the place when there's on-shore.
Good luck in July. Also the beach is super crowded, and not really suitable for rigging/launching at that time. Come September, it's game-on for kiters and windsurfers.
Best to take advantage of all the other water sports really. There's a big wakeboard scene in this area. Give it a try.
Cheers
David S.
