Windsurfing

Beaver is an ideal venue for beginners as the lake is only waist to chest deep in all areas, giving the reassuring feeling that if anything does go wrong then you can walk back to shore in any direction. The standard of sailors at Beaver is quite high and the advanced windsurfers at the club have a wealth of knowledge that they are keen to pass on. The main attraction however, is the friendliness of the hardcore sailors and you will always be made to feel welcome.

The windsurfers at the club tend to just want to windsurf and they do not generally take part in the racing held on a weekend at the club, but this is an option and I am sure that sailors would make you welcome. There are quite a few windsurfers now equipped with GPS and there is actually a Trophy in existence for the fastest time recorded in the year at Beaver.

As far as conditions go Beaver works best in most wind directions really apart from a dead northerly. West to South West winds are the best direction blowing directly across the main lake and producing some really nice flat water cruising. If strong enough it can create quite a bit of chop along the way which can produce some great bump and jump conditions.

Easterlies are rare but when they come they can be nice and clean as they are uninterrupted by trees and so make for some nice blasting. The chop doesn’t get too big either so nice for freestyle if you are that way inclined. In the right direction, South Westerly, the small lake is near perfect for speed runs and for GPS times.

Northerly can be gusty and occasionally pretty impossible but if you’re dedicated enough, sometimes it works well right at the bottom of the lake. If the Northerly has any west in it you can chance a sail from the clubhouse up to the far corner and back depending on the wind shadow next to the shore which isn’t really much fun when present!

Most directions will have something for everyone from nice bump and jump, which can at times be substantial chop, to the flat water for freestyle or perfecting gybing.

There are grassy areas for rigging/de-rigging with access to the water using the slip ways. The club house offers good facilities including toilets, showers, tea/coffee making.