Windsurfing in Newfoundland and Labrador
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![[Newfoundland map]](nfldsurf.gif)
We hope this listing (by no means complete) authored by
THE BREAKERS WINDSURFING CLUB, will help you find the
perfect combination of wind and wave wherever you travel in Newfoundland and
Labrador. The windy season in Newfoundland is all year round. In the summer
months a southwesterly seabreeze assaults the province on most sunny days,
pushing upwards of 20 knots in many places. Some words of caution: salt water
temperatures can be bitterly cold. Rocky shores and cliffs are unforgiving
and can continue un-interrupted for miles, a major consideration if you plan
any distance sailing.
Where to go ?
In the heart of city of St. John's, visit Quidi Vidi Lake,
except June 1 to the first Wednesday in August, when it's available only on
Sundays, as the lake is reserved for the use of rowers practising for the
annual St. John's Regatta. Ample parking and a grassy rigging area. Long Pond:
located behind University residences on the Memorial University
campus in the capital city, this small, shallow lake is a popular recreational spot.
Weeds can be a problem in late summer. Grassy banks and good rigging conditions.
The city sponsors lessons and board rentals are available with proof of certification.
In Paradise, abutting St. John's, is Octagon Pond, a great lake for windsurfing fun.
It is used by the Breakers Club for the Far Eastern Championships and
for the first half of the Labatt Lite Wednesday Night Summer Series. Lots of parking and grassy
rigging conditions.
Twenty minutes from St. John's (highway 60), and a popular place
for sea-going boardsailors. Visit the pebble beaches at Foxtrap, Topsail, Chamberlain's,
Cherry Hill Lane, all accessible by car. Water temperatures are cold, wetsuit a must.
Tilton Pond 1 hour from St. John's, five minutes north of Bay Roberts (highway 70).
Accessible by car on the south side. Small grassy rigging area. Clarke's Beach one hour
from St. John's. Excellent pebble beach, sandy bottom, waist deep water.
Point Verde, twenty minutes from Argentia Ferry Terminal gets great
wind - no recent reports available.
North on Highway 80 from TCH is Dildo Bay. Grassy rigging area, a
pebble beach and constant winds. New Melbourne: a "surfsailor's paradise." Recommended for
its shallow waters and steady swell.
Holyrood Pond: Launch from Holyrood Pond Provincial Park, a good place
to camp out. Ocean sailing available nearby at Point La Haye beach. There is also good flat
water sailing on the barachois (lake) behind the beach. Path End is at the north end of Holyrood Pond,
outside the Provincial Park, and is accessible from the road before Point La Haye.
Shoal Harbour (6) next to Clarenville, launch from public wharf. Thorburn Lake
Provincial Park (6) launch from picnic area, ample parking (watch for planes, it's a seaplane base)
short drive west of Clarenville. Terra Nova National Park (7) Malady Head and Newman Sound provide
ample camping facilities with hot showers. There are also three other excellent windsurfing spots
in the area: South West Arm (8), Eastport Beach (8) and Sandy Cove (8).
Rushy Pond (9), in Beothuck Provincial Park, five minutes from Grand Falls.
Camping and grassy rigging area. Sandy Cove (10) on Fogo Island, 1.5 hours north of Gander.
Beautiful sandy beach with constant winds. Water temperature cold, wetsuit a must.
Golden Sands (11), a private park, on the shores of Freshwater Pond, with
camping and cabins. Freshwater Pond Provincial Park is on the other side. Shallow water and a
sandy bottom for more than 500m. About 80 kilometres to the south, Point May (12) provides pebble
beach for an easy launch into the swells of the open strait.
One hour by ferry from St. Barbe will bring you to the sandy beaches at Forteau
and at L'Anse- au-Clair (housekeeping units here).
Shallow Bay Park (14). Local boardsailors recommend camping right next to a
five kilometre beach of white sand. Equipment can be kept in a sheltered area just off the beach
adjacent to the campsite. Big surf and strong side shore winds. Most consistent winds when the
water is warmest from mid-August to mid- September. Parsons Pond (14), ten miles north of Gros Morne
National Park. Moulting Pond beach, community playground & board rentals. Deer Lake Municipal Park
(15) 50 km east of town hwy 1. Sandy beaches, waist to shoulder deep water. South Brook Park (15)
near Pasadina Hwy 1. Sandy beach, deep & cool. Outer Bay of Islands (16) 40 km from Corner Brook
route 450 near York Harbour. Ocean, pebble beach at base of the Blomidon (pronounced blo-me- down).
Mountain produces venturi effect. Blackbank Provincial Park (17), near Stephenville. This is another
area of high wind, big surf, a sandy beach and campgrounds. Cheesman Provincial Park (18), features
strong wind, waves and a sandy beach.
Headquarters is in St. John's, but enthusiastic members
can be found in many parts of the Island. In Paradise (near St. John's)
Wednesday evening is a good time to find most local boardsailors at the
weekly fun regatta, held at Octagon Pond from the first Wednesday in June
until Regatta Day (first Wednesday in August) and then at Quidi Vidi Lake
until the end of August. Beginners are welcome anytime... Instruction and
assistance is offered every Wednesday. This is a "fun" regatta and all are
welcome. Experienced sailers always keep a safe distance from those who are
not so familiar, in fact we have two fleets racing at the same time...
Experienced & others! We really do.
Scene from Far East '93 Championship
This page was created by Fred Wilson, fwilson@newcomm.net
Stolen (well, Fred said I could !) and Updated June 5, 1996 --
Randy Dodge
randy@InfoNET.st-johns.nf.ca
