BajaNomad - San Felipe windsurfing

San Felipe windsurfing

Solarlove - 9-3-2019 at 07:46 PM

Hello, new to this group. Been surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and whale swimming down in South Baja but as a San Diego resident I’ve been interested in what I can do on a trip to San Felipe. My husband and I would be very interested in heading down and renting/taking lessons windsurfing. I know there are places down south and would not rule that out in the future but I have been interested in checking out San Felipe for a while now, but don’t think I’d drive down with out knowing for sure I can make reservations to rent/take a lesson or two. Does anyone here know of anyone or anyplace that rents/gives lessons? And what is a good season for beginners? (Also any input on where to stay or eat or tips on driving welcome😁) Thank you!!!

JZ - 9-3-2019 at 09:08 PM

Most ppl kite board these days. Very little windsurfing. The best kite boarding that I've seen in Mexico is in San Carlos, Sonora. 80 miles straight across from Santa Rosalia.

It's world class in the winter months because the wind blows consistently from the NW and there is a big reef that blocks the ocean waves. So you get the fast wind without the rough waters.

San Felipe is awful for water sports. I've heard there are good places to kite board on the East cape, but haven't seen them personally. I'm guessing some very good spots in the Seven Sisters as well.

For Kayaking, again avoid SF like the plague. No islands, no coves, terrible tides, dirty water. Gonzaga bay is very, very nice for kayaking. Loreto and La Paz are world class. Incredible places to go/see. Lots of spots on the Pacific as well.

[Edited on 9-4-2019 by JZ]

mjs - 9-3-2019 at 10:27 PM

JZ doesn't have a very high opinion of the San Felipe area and while he's entitled to his views it clouds his response.

Can't help you with any info on lessons or rental but we get organized groups of kite boarders a couple times a year along with individuals and an occasional a windsurfer. Trick is to be here (south of town) when the conditions are right.

Maybe somebody with experience can give you better information.

JZ - 9-3-2019 at 10:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mjs

JZ doesn't have a very high opinion of the San Felipe area and while he's entitled to his views it clouds his response.

Can't help you with any info on lessons or rental but we get organized groups of kite boarders a couple times a year along with individuals and an occasional a windsurfer. Trick is to be here (south of town) when the conditions are right.

Maybe somebody with experience can give you better information.

In a place like San Carlos, the conditions are good 70-80% of the time from late November to late February.

In SF, you get good conditions less than 15% of the time, plus you don't have a reef to calm the waves and the wind is blowing you offshore. Very dangerous.

[Edited on 9-4-2019 by JZ]

David K - 9-4-2019 at 05:33 AM

The very first place I saw a sail attached to a board was at Bahía Santa María, 25 miles south of San Felipe... This was the early 1970s. The calm water in the bay there seemed ideal for the new sport. I still see windsurfers (sailboarders) there.

In 2006, I photographed some kiteboard surfers at Bahía Santa María from Shell Island...

gnukid - 9-4-2019 at 07:14 AM

San Quintin can be good. San Felipe can be good but you need to time it with the tides. San Carlos, Baja near El Rosario is one of the great windsurf in waves spots.

[Edited on 9-4-2019 by gnukid]

David K - 9-4-2019 at 07:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

San Quentin can be good. San Felipe can be good but you need to time it with the tides. San Carlos, Baja near El Rosario is one of the great windsurf in waves spots.

www.solosports.net

mojo_norte - 9-4-2019 at 08:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

San Quentin can be good. San Felipe can be good but you need to time it with the tides. San Carlos, Baja near El Rosario is one of the great windsurf in waves spots.

www.solosports.net

They're beginners so West Coast is out

4x4abc - 9-4-2019 at 08:40 AM

well, as for Windsurfing trivia:
San Felipe (or south where David saw them) was the first place Windsurfers were ever used.
The 2 inventors Hoyle Schweitzer and Jim Drake were from Los Angeles, but to not draw too much attention before filing a patent for this new thing, they tested them far away from Los Angeles - in San Felipe.
Now you know.

David K - 9-4-2019 at 09:12 AM

I will see if I have any photos of the windsurfers in the 70s, since it may be historic!

4x4abc - 9-4-2019 at 09:27 AM

those images would truly be historic
you might be the only one with images of the Mexican roots of Windsurfing

I started in the late 70's in Kenya

1977

David K - 9-4-2019 at 09:50 AM

Found one... from 1977... at Bahía Santa María...

Scan0470.jpg - 144kB

AKgringo - 9-4-2019 at 11:10 AM

In reply to the original post, have you considered Puerto Penasco/Rocky Point? Although it shares the same tide issue that San Felipe has, I remember the beaches and water being nicer than S.F!

I have not been there in 20 years, so I cannot recommend going there without further research, but it is only a couple of hours further for you to drive. I have not been to San Carlos (Sonora) in over thirty years, but I liked it way back then!

The only windsurfing I ever did was in the early 70s, when my brother moved from Santa Cruz to Truckee CA and brought one with him. I never got very good! High altitude, cold water, constantly shifting winds....Donner Lake and Tahoe were tough places to learn!

Solarlove - 9-4-2019 at 12:36 PM

Wow what’s response. I may not be any further along in finding rentals or lessons but I’ll look into the places mentioned and instead of exploring northern Baja and hoping for a road trip destination to try a new sport I’ll stick to the southern spots it’s a quick flight anyhow. Ventana looks like a good spot next time we are down no tide issues and professionals to learn from before I head into the wind... of course I’m sure it warmer and clearer as well. Thanks for the pictures and historic information, it was great read for my lunch break and has me excited. Thanks again everyone!

Solarlove - 9-4-2019 at 12:39 PM

And MJS I would love to hear when you plan a trip if we could! My interest was definitely for wind surf than kite surf though my husband would probably be into either 😁

JZ - 9-4-2019 at 02:05 PM

Here is kite boarding in San Carlos, Sonora.

https://youtu.be/GKTBVCIQ_z8?t=113

mtgoat666 - 9-4-2019 at 04:37 PM

Ventana is THE place to go, in season. Several outfits there run classes. Mostly kites.

Solarlove - 9-4-2019 at 06:26 PM

So I have to ask you all one more question. I feel windsurfing looks safer and possibly easier... opinions? I currently surf and sail and that has an appeal that they would go together, why does it sound like it’s a thing of the past?

4x4abc - 9-4-2019 at 06:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Solarlove

Wow what’s response. I may not be any further along in finding rentals or lessons but I’ll look into the places mentioned and instead of exploring northern Baja and hoping for a road trip destination to try a new sport I’ll stick to the southern spots it’s a quick flight anyhow. Ventana looks like a good spot next time we are down no tide issues and professionals to learn from before I head into the wind... of course I’m sure it warmer and clearer as well. Thanks for the pictures and historic information, it was great read for my lunch break and has me excited. Thanks again everyone!

La Ventana is your best bet
both windsurfing and kitesurfing
good schools
no swell
moderate wind in the morning for learning

David K - 9-4-2019 at 06:55 PM

Harald, any thoughts on the historic value of my photo?

4x4abc - 9-4-2019 at 08:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Harald, any thoughts on the historic value of my photo?

don't know - 10 years earlier maybe

David K - 9-4-2019 at 09:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Harald, any thoughts on the historic value of my photo?

don't know - 10 years earlier maybe

But, you said...

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

those images would truly be historic
you might be the only one with images of the Mexican roots of Windsurfing

I am disappointed! LOL

Welcome to BN

windgrrl - 9-5-2019 at 11:53 PM

Check out Vela Baja, associated with a “boutique” hotel on the beach in Los Barriles, about an hour north of the San Jose del Cabo airport:
https://velabaja.com/
They are open mid-Nov. to mid-March.
Easy transfer to LB from the airport, a small tourist town with everything you’re looking for and then some. Fantastic mountain-biking and trail-running. Windy season is Nov-Jan. Water is warm up to November and then again in Feb. El Norte wind cycle wanes late January, but shoulder seasons are less crowded and may be a better bet for beginners. Sailing/wind direction experience will help with learning. Lessons for both are about the same cost, some think kiteboarding is quicker to learn and advanced tricks in both take years to perfect. Kiteboarding is more popular. Cost of a board and kite or sail quiver are about the same. Smoother water in La Ventana, more amenities in LB. Lessons are a great idea. With the lucky winds and perseverance, people are usually up and underway in a week or two.

SunDevil - 9-6-2019 at 05:07 AM

Here is a link to a page with a good overview of Sea of Cortez winds. The page also has a forecast link.

https://blog.weatherflow.com/understanding-baja-winds/

wiltonh - 9-6-2019 at 11:44 AM

I have windsurfed at San Felipe in the past. It was an okay place to learn but at that time you needed to bring your own gear. The water is quite flat which is good for learning but you need to understand the tides. If you leave at high tide and come back several hours later, you may have to walk or drag your equipment across several hundred yards of sand.

The other issue is shrimp boats. They have cables that extend out many times their boat width. There will only be a tiny ripple in the water where that cable is connected to their under water gear.

If you have never done either windsurfing or kiting there are several things you should think about. The learning time for kiting is probably 1/5 or less than windsurfing. The safety issue is also a concern. There have been a lot of equipment changes with kiting that make it much safer but it will always be more dangerous than windsurfing. With a windsurfer you can always drop the sail and remove the power. A kite can have issues where you need to eject the gear and people down wind can be affected.

As of last year I do not know of any beginner lessons at La Ventana but I would check out:

https://prowindsurflaventana.com/

as they have the gear and do lessons for more advanced sailors.

There are lots of kites and windsurfers at La Ventana. There is an island about 10 miles off shore that makes a wind tunnel which causes the wind to be stronger than in many other areas. It also causes the shore break to be less than places like Los Barriles.

JZ - 9-6-2019 at 11:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wiltonh

I have windsurfed at San Felipe in the past. It was an okay place to learn but at that time you needed to bring your own gear. The water is quite flat which is good for learning but you need to understand the tides. If you leave at high tide and come back several hours later, you may have to walk or drag your equipment across several hundred yards of sand.

The other issue is shrimp boats. They have cables that extend out many times their boat width. There will only be a tiny ripple in the water where that cable is connected to their under water gear.

If you have never done either windsurfing or kiting there are several things you should think about. The learning time for kiting is probably 1/5 or less than windsurfing. The safety issue is also a concern. There have been a lot of equipment changes with kiting that make it much safer but it will always be more dangerous than windsurfing. With a windsurfer you can always drop the sail and remove the power. A kite can have issues where you need to eject the gear and people down wind can be affected.

As of last year I do not know of any beginner lessons at La Ventana but I would check out:

https://prowindsurflaventana.com/

as they have the gear and do lessons for more advanced sailors.

There are lots of kites and windsurfers at La Ventana. There is an island about 10 miles off shore that makes a wind tunnel which causes the wind to be stronger than in many other areas. It also causes the shore break to be less than places like Los Barriles.

Great post.

4x4abc - 9-6-2019 at 01:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wiltonh

There is an island about 10 miles off shore that makes a wind tunnel which causes the wind to be stronger than in many other areas. It also causes the shore break to be less than places like Los Barriles.

this site explains well why La Ventana sometimes has stronger winds:
https://blog.weatherflow.com/understanding-baja-winds/

brucedog - 9-6-2019 at 04:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Solarlove

And MJS I would love to hear when you plan a trip if we could! My interest was definitely for wind surf than kite surf though my husband would probably be into either 😁

Sorry I can't help you with lessons and instructor info but I will say this: I windsurfed for over 30 years and then learned to kiteboard three years ago at age 55 (after years of resisting). Not only is it easier to learn but the equipment is so much smaller and easier to transport. My wife also learned two years ago and she is a better kiter now than she was a windsurfer after 25 years.

La Ventana is the best spot in Baja to learn and Los Barriles is second (slightly more challenging with more wave action). The best wind blows from November through April. Sadly, windsurfing instruction is becoming very rare but there are numerous kiteboard instructors all over the world. Hope this helps