Info on

Hello all -

My wife and I are considering a windsurfing vacation to the Magdeline Islands around the 2nd week of August, for about 10 days.

I would like information from people who have been there - is it really that great? We are driving from NJ, so it would be a long haul.

What kind of wind, water and air temps should we expect? Where are the best places to go to windsurf? Can anyone recommend any place good to stay near the windsurfing? The smallest sail I have is 5.0 - should I buy a 4.5 or 4.0 before going? (hopefully you'll all say yes to this last one!)

Thanks as always for your help.

Marc,

Bring everything! I was there 2 weeks late Aug/early Sept 2001 for the Canadian Championships. Some days, a 9.6 was not enough for Formula racing.

Another day, a 4.2 on a wave board was fully lit up for slalom racing. Pleasure sailing, I would have been another sail smaller.

My best day there had to be the perfect 5.5 wavesailing day at Corfu beach - 8-footers, side-on conditions. Did my first back-loop (did not set out to do one, it just happened)

Stay anywhere on the lower part of the islands and you are not far away. The lagoon has good flat-water, protected sailing. If you are into waves, the wind direction (and strength, current, etc) will tell you where to sail.

Lagoon water is very warm, ocean water is rather cool. Air temp can be around 10-25C, 55-80f. I think it was generally 70s each day.

You may pick up some more info at the following site: http://www.coupedesiles.com/

Have fun!

To answer your wind question, check out the wind averages on the follwing pages. The long, costly ferry ride is a pain, but since you are going down for longer than a week, its not soo bad (unless you are towing a trailer, they will charge you by the foot!).
http://www.magma.ca/~slaby/wind/shippagan.htm

I was in Shippagan, NB around that time last year and had freidns on the island at the same time. One day they were 4.2 way overpowered whereas I was comfortable on the 4.2, so the wind is less, but comparable. If you do get a big day, you could try downhaulling your 5.0 like crazy and sailing a flatwater bay. I believe you can handle at least a meter bigger than normal when sailing flat water compared to waves/chop.

Hopefully someone else can fill you in on the accomodations situation.

If you can afford the extra cost/time it is definitely worth it!