Map: Long Island Windsurfing

Drag your cursor to move the map around.  Click on the "<<" in the upper right corner for a list of sailing sites..  Use the zoom control on the left side of the map to get a closer look.   Locations in purple are the principal launches that the Puffins (and most East End windsurfers) use.   I've begun listing best wind directions and some other basic details.  Jonathan Ford at Windsurfing Hamptons  is a great source of information on Long Island launches...give him a call (631-283-9463) if you need info that's not here.  So are the good people in the Yahoo LI Windsurfing forum (thank you Ely for the bulk of the info!)

If you sail from a spot that's not on the map, feel free to add it (or leave a comment with the details) 

If you want to add information for a spot that's already on the map, the map won't let you add it directly.  Either leave a comment below, or email the info to me and I'll add it ASAP.
Lastly, if you have a question about any of the launches leave a comment, and either I'll get back to you (if I have the answer) or I'll reach out to find someone who knows.   

Every one of these sailing spots can be tricky...even dangerous...in the wrong conditions, particularly the ocean launches.     I strongly recommend that you not sail any of these spots by yourself, and if you're new to a spot, don't sail without discussing the place with a knowledgable sailor who is already there.

The first time I ever surfed the web (circa 1994) a friend showed me Yahoo.   I entered "windsurfing long island" and was introduced to Mike Creutz' Windsurfing Sites on Long Island.   It's the original Long Island windsurfing web site, and I'm glad it's still around.

Comments

[neurstev]

I have just opened your amazing mag. I have perused about 25% of the provided material and my jaw is still paralzed, stuck in the open position.

The PP is extraordinary and in one place you have it all: THE WOW, THE WHOA AND THE WAY.

Warmly,

Former WindMeat

[Ely]

Hi Michael,

Really nice job with the map although I couldn't load it with Safari 1.0.3. It worked fine with Firefox. By the way, it's Crab Meadow Beach, not Crab Money. Although with the right tide and NE winds, you're really sailing "in the money"!

[Peconic Puffin (Michael)]

Doh! Crab Meadow is now fixed. The map loads for me on Safari (I have 1.3.1). Thanks again for the info!

[eric anderson]

sailing at shirles brookhaven park is great for flat water sailing in due north to due south winds on a north to west wind you can sail over to the flats off fire island and really do speed runs directions william floyd pkwy south make rt at 1rst traffic light past the 7-11 go to end make left

[rofovnifo]

Hi

Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much!


G'night

[chuck warish]

I live in commack and am looking to try a windsurfing lesson
I have no experience
please contact
chksplace@yahoo.com

[Vasiliki]

Dear all,
great website. I used to surf a lot but for a few years I stopped. I want to start again. What is the best location for renting in Long Island, with flat waters and easy winds ? But I need to rent the surfing equipment.

Thank you.
Vasiliki

[Michael]

Hello Vasiliki,

For equipment rental contact Windsurfing Hamptons at (631) 283-9463. There are a number of good flatwater spots on Long Island...the most convenient will depend on where you're located. In the Peconic area Napeague and Mecox are the best choices.

[Jonathan]

Does anyone know of any good windsurfing location in Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye, etc? I recently moved to Westchester. Thanks.

[Michael]

Jonathan,
You might try joining the Yahoo Hudson River Windsurfers' Group. Perhaps we'll hear from some other Westchester sailors...the only two I know sail Long Island and the Hudson.

[Alfonso]

I am new to the NY area, and coming from Jacksonville, FL.
How is windsurfing in Long Island, wind speed, water temperatures, dead periods?

Thank you.

[michael]

This blog chronicles the last two years of my own windsurfing on Long Island, which should give you a basic idea. Windsurfing on Long Island is very good, though we don't have very predictable conditions. Spring and Fall are windiest (winter is good as well, though the temperatures mean a drysuit is an absolute neccessity.) Summer is lightest. August can be "dead". July and August can be sailed in a bathing suit, but wetsuits are necessary for the rest of the year.

We get any and all windspeeds. If I was going to own three sails, I'd have (at 165 lbs) a 6.2, a 5.5, and a 4.7. I own sails up to 7.0 (some people go larger) and down to 3.4.

For information on Long Island windsurfing I recommend three primary sources: The Yahoo Long Island Windsurfing Forum, which is a message board community of many of Long Island's windsurfers (and a great place to ask questions), Windsurfing Hamptons, which is the main windsurfing shop on the island (a great shop with a very helpful owner named Jon Ford) and last (and least) this blog, though there are other Long Island windsurfing blogs (Windsurfing the East End and Drysuit 2).

Welcome to the area! We're in prime sailing season right now.

[Todd Gordon]

I would like to give my wife the gift of beginner windsurfing lessons. We live in Shoreham, NY. Can anyone suggest a good place for lessons and rentals? Thanks. TG

[the editor]

Todd, give Windsurfing Hamptons a call. They'll know who the nearest instructor to you is. In terms of equipment rentals I don't know what's available on the north shore...it's possible that instructors up there will have beginner rigs to use during lessons.