High water launches on Lake Ontario

[Brian Piper]

So, last Friday the winds seemed pretty good and I’ve been keeping all my kiting gear in the car so I headed up to Durand to see if I could get in my first Rochester session for the season and…the beach is gone…

So, where are folks launching for now until the water levels go back down?

I was going to head out to Wendt or down to Seneca but didn’t want to do a long drive and run into the same conditions so I thought I’d ask the group.

Thanks!

Brian

[windydoug]

This is a great question Brian.

I sailed at Durand about 2 weeks ago and their was still about 8 more feet of beach than what your pic now shows.  What a difference.  I’m lucky to be a windsurfer and don’t need the beach, so I can’t really weigh in on kite launching but thanks for sharing this pic here.

I do know that some of the crew has been launching at Montana Beach just to the east, but I have not been there yet.  Hopefully some of the guys will weigh in here.

Wd

[Brian Piper]

Wd,

Thanks! I actually saw some guys launching out there a month or so ago on foil boards and didn’t realize that was a normal launch spot.

Brian

[mihelbergel]

What about Ontario Beach Park, just northwest of Durand. I have not been there this year, but the beach is usually 5 times wider than Durand, so should be ok still. Short drive from Durand. Seneca Lake should also be ok to launch a kite, although I have not been there in a month. Tough getting in the water this year. Even as a windsurfer I have been literally swimming out between trees. Might be worth learning to drift launch the kite this year.

[Scott]

Brian, I’m not a kiter either but I see plenty of them! Geez they’re everwhere! lol

Yes, I couldn’t believe the beach at Durand either. A couple of us had a theory that kites might be able to launch just a hundred yards east at the dip in the terrain but not sure. Most kiters are still able to launch at Montana at the Seabreeze Pier on the west side. The property they actually launch from is just adjacent to the beach and is private, so don’t launch there unless you check with another local kiter who knows the rules. They sail there in WNW to NE winds (I think I got that right).  If it is too east I believe they launch from Charlotte Beach or like Eric states Ontario Beach in Charlotte. Kite with a local to get the rules I don’t windsurf there.  Happy sailing, be safe.

[Brian Piper]

Great info. Might try to go out today so we’ll see if there’s any more beach anywhere.

Thanks again!

[mihelbergel]

If you get a chance to post an update on what you find, Brian, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m curious as to where you find accessible beach. Anyone know how Ontario Beach Park is looking this season? Thanks!

[Author]

Posts