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Current
Weather and Waves at the Long Island Buoy
about 30 miles due south of Fair Harbor
Windsurfing in the Bay:
Fair Harbor is great for learning
to windsurf. I taught there for several years. There is a large shallow
area on the bay by the Hobie Cat area extending to Dunewood. Depth 1 to
3ft. The advanced windsurfer finds strong North and North-East winds (5
to 6 sq.m.) mostly in the early and late season and during the summer
for usually 6-8 hours when a cold-front comes through. South-West winds
during summer afternoons (thermal) can reach 6 to 7 sq.m. The Bay offers
these conditions: bump & jump (in the channels/deep water) and pure
speed sailing (shallow areas). Great opportunity to work on your
windsurfing jibes. Weed-Fins are a must most of the time, except spring.
Windsurfing in the Ocean:
The ocean offers in my opinion
and sailing skill (advanced intermediate) little opportunity to
windsurf. The shore break is rather difficult to get through in solid on
or side-onshore conditions. Off-shore conditions are left only to the
expert. See pictures below. But once you have obtained the appropriate
skill-level east and west-southwest winds bring exciting windsurfing.
For definitions of
wind strength and terms go to this page. |
