SAILING PLACES

Rio Vista is located on Highway 12 between Fairfield and Lodi (west to east) and between Antioch and Sacramento (south to north). Windcraft (916-777-7067) is on Highway 160 approximately 5 miles south of Rio Vista and 5 miles north of the Antioch bridge - adjacent to Brannan Island State Park (916-777-6671) - premier local windsurfing park - appropriately named Windy Cove. If you're lost, simply call Windcraft.

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The Sandbar (Cliff House) - Sacramento County Park. The Sandbar is a good beginner to intermediate launch site. There is limited parking, porta pottie, and a few picnic benches. This site can tend to be crowded on weekends with fisherman and sun bathers and Windsurfing Instruction Clinics. The wind is usually lighter than other sites and the river is shallow enough to learn water starts.

Glass Beach (The Dairy) One of the first regularly used launch sites. Limited parking, no facilities, and usually crowded with fishermen and sun bathers. Close to the road when you're not in the water so gear cannot be left unattended in the parking area. This site can get windy on south and north winds. If you can sail well here on a 4.0 day, you can sail most anywhere. The chop is steep and closely grouped.

Windy Cove (Brannan Island State Park) A State access for Windsurfing. Plenty of parking, restroom and shower facilities, great launch. Camping available across the street, but make reservations because it can be sold out. Good place for families as park Docents provide nature walks and canoe tours. The park has made many site improvesments based on suggestions from windsurfers. Annual passes can be purchased and are good at all state parks. This site is located across from one of the cuts in the Montezuma hills. It is also the widest part of the river offering more variations of conditions than anywhere else on the river. Site of the Rio Vista CARE benefit windsurfing events. Also used by ABK Lesson Camps. Flat water to Huge ramps off the point of Decker Island. Good on South or North wind days. A favorite spot to sail. One can sail upwind behind Decker to complete solitude or sail to Glass Beach. No need to carry equipment across or next to a road here. Very safe launch site.

Power lines (open levee area) Power lines is about midway between Windy Cove and Sherman Island Access. The entire straight stretch of road offers roughly the same conditions with numerous small launch sites along the way with an assortment of names. High winds and chop. One porta pottie site at the power lines parking zone. Limited parking and fishermen dot the side of the levee. Watch for fishing lines when sailing close to shore. Great place for short river runs because of the many pickup points but once behind Decker Island only get out is to sail upwind back to launch or downwind to Windy Cove - be aware of this because wind can and does stop blowing. Usually crowded with a variety of sailors and sailing skills. Must cross heavily traveled road to access river along this entire stretch of levee. Beware of litter, glass, and fishing hooks.

Sherman Island Access (County Park) A County Park access for windsurfing, fishing, boating, jet skiing. Fee for parking. Day parking along the levee outside the park has been overcrowded and the windsurfing club constructed a parking lot funded by donations. Limited parking, porta pottie, no overnight camping. Good to poor launch access depending on how far you walk your gear. Start for the ultimate river run to Windy Cove. Sacramento County is reviewing this access for extensive improvements that will particularly benefit windsurfers.

There are other launch sites, however, they are really just within sight of all these main spots, and not greatly different in conditions. One of the most asked and argued question seems to be where does it blow the hardest or the most. Vic Swanson, who sails and has raced in the Delta as long or longer than anyone else, says it blows hard and as often equally between County Park and Glass Beach. Each year is a little different from the last. Sail all the spots and choose a few favorites for yourself. Wind direction greatly influence the strength on any given day at any given site. Explore!

RANCHO SECO

Rancho Seco Lake is a great learning lake located 25 miles south of Sacramento on Highway 104. The water is comfortably warm in the summer and no gas motors are allowed. Great camping facilities, fishing and trails to walk around the lake. Good for taking your families. Interesting site because of the closed nuclear power plant nearby. For over 12 years, Windcraft ran a windsurfing school at this lake. This is a great place to teach your friends.

Vic Swanson's personal insight:*

"Here's the deal. Having sailed for more years than I care to mention, those of us that sail regularly know a secret. And now it will no longer be a secret. Either from Windy Cove upwind on a South blow or from the Powerlines downwind the waters between Decker Island and Montezuma Hills are the most engaging between sailor, elements and solitude that can be found in the area."

 

* Windsurfing, having gone through many years of maturing, is still very much in need of participant support. I would encourage you to support those entities that have provided access and facilities for your enjoyment. These sites are increasing and improving and for the few dollars that it costs now to ensure their continuance it is not only inexpensive but it is a cheap investment to ensure the future enjoyment of these sites."

 

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