Windsurfing Seattle

Seattle windsurfing provides numerous opportunities to get out on the water for some fun and recreation. Lake Washington is just one of the destinations of choice and is conveniently close to the city center. A good place to go if you want to windsurf on Lake Washington is Warren G. Magnuson Park. The second largest park in Seattle, this 350-acre expanse boasts a mile-long stretch of Lake Washington shoreline.

Seattle Windsurfing Locations

Magnuson Park in North Seattle entices with its easy launch site and is especially ideal when north winds are blowing in. Should the winds be south winds, on the other hand, then Newcastle Beach near Bellevue is among the top picks for where to go. Here, the reward for the rather long walk to the launch site is a huge sand bar that allows windsurfers to walk out almost a quarter-mile before swimming. Newcastle Beach is an especially good place for learning how to windsurf, as are Coulon Park in Renton and the Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center at Stan Sayres Park. Many beginners actually go to Coulon Park or the Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center to take lessons. Other windsurfing locations near Seattle include Waverly Park in Kirkland, the Alki Point in West Seattle, Lowman Beach, Jetty Island, Edmonds, and Everett. This Seattle windsurfing map can give you further insight into the overall possibilities.

Best Time of Year for Seattle Windsurfing

The spring and fall typically offer the best sailing days if you are looking for big wind conditions. During these seasons, it’s not uncommon to get winds between 15 and 25 miles per hour. Usually the winds are not sustained, coming in gusts instead. Spring and fall storms tend to bring the strongest winds, so be on the lookout for them. As for the other two seasons, summer brings plenty of beautiful warm days where the winds are typically 5-15 mph, while winter is when some of the best southerly winds move in. Since the Seattle windsurfing conditions can vary according to day and season, surfers are encouraged to always bring their big sails. Even on lazy summer days, it is typical for Seattle windsurfers to bring their 8.0-10.0 sails. On those pineapple express days when a storm front rolls in you could bring out the 5.0.

Seattle Map

Seattle exists under a persistent grey sky that somehow makes its emerald hills and Puget Sound waters more dramatic. It is the city that gave the world Starbucks, Amazon, Nirvana, and the most beautiful ferry commute in America.