Baltimore Area Boardsailing Association (BABA)

GUNPOWDER FALLS STATE PARK -
HAMMERMAN AREA
Baltimore County - Sandy beaches, grassy rigging space, adequate parking, and the location of many BABA race events and clinics make this a popular launch. The Ultimate Watersports beach concession rents windsurfers (and kayaks, Hobie cats), has certified windsurfing instructors on staff, and provides a friendly and encouraging environment for beginners.
Best conditions are thermal enhanced summer southerlies. On-shore easterlies are OK, even due north winds, but northwest and west winds are disadvantaged because of a wind shadow from the hill up to the parking lot. Southwest breezes usually work from a funnel effect that seems to bend them up the river.
A day use fee is charged and a season pass may be purchased for frequent visitors. It is valid at all Maryland State Parks. The park is on the Gunpowder River, several miles from the open waters of the Chesapeake. It is a 30-minute drive from Towson and about the same from downtown Baltimore (see "Get Directions" in this section).

JACKSON CREEK LANDING - Queen Anne's County Kentmorr Alternative in Queen Anne's Co., MD. Day use or annual permit required. Click on map reference I on the QA Co. website. Best on NE, E, and NW. Grass rigging area and sandy beach, shallow water for about 200 m out.

MAYO BEACH PARK Anne Arundel County - Mayo Beach Park near Annapolis is open to windsurfers with a Mayo Wind permit. Anyone wishing to windsurf at Mayo's "small craft launch area" (cartop boats only) must have a permit available through Anne Arundel Recreation and Parks for $75 annually. Permit applications available here, or contact Darald Lofgren at AAR&P 410/222-1978. A lock has been installed on the gate and permit holders will be given the combination.

NORTH POINT - Northpoint State Park in the Edgemere area of Baltimore County is a great launch for winds with a southern bias in the spring and fall.

QUEEN ANNE'S MARINA - Queen Anne's County, MD - Kentmorr Alternative. Windsurfing friendly spot on the bay - call the marina manager before going to make sure there's not a private party in which case there's no access. Show your appreciation for this great launch by shopping in the marina store. Best in SW, W and NW. Grassy rigging area and sandy beach.

ROCKY POINT PARK - Baltimore County - also referred to as Hart Miller Island on iWindsurf.com, Rocky Point is located in eastern Baltimore Co. This site offers flat water with some chop, good for jumping, in the middle of the river especially during an incoming tide with northwest winds. The iWindsurf sensor is located on the bay side (eastern) of Hart Miller Island. West and northwest winds are offshore to the meter so reported conditions will be lower than those you'll find on the water, especially for the very popular sailing site on the Back River. For these wind directions, the reported gust is a better approximation of the average conditions you'll find on the water.
There are two launch sites on the golf course side, one at the point that is rocky and one down a steep bank that is sandy. The best winds for this site are West, NW, or WNW.
The Baltimore County Sailing Center is located just outside of the park.

SANDY POINT STATE PARK - Anne Arundel County
Sandy Point State Park has a designated area for windsurfers and is a popular spot for intermediate and skilled sailors. However, it is not recommended for beginners, due to a steep drop off at the launch site and a swift current that can often exceed two knots. Local sailors report a lot of chop, as well as large, rolling waves that build up south of the Lighthouse during southerly blows to make "interesting surfing." Admission fee during the season at Sandy Point State Park.
Best-suited for intermediate and experienced sailors, due to sharp drop off and strong current.
Sailors mention that north winds are stronger than reported on the meter, and due southerly winds are cleaner further offshore as blockage by the Bay Bridge lessens.

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		Launches - scroll down to read BABA-centric descriptions and then click the links for more information. Gunpowder \| Jackson Creek Landing \| Mayo BeachPark \| Northpoint \|Queen Anne's Marina \| Rocky Point Park \| Sandy Point \| GUNPOWDER FALLS STATE PARK - HAMMERMAN AREA Baltimore County - Sandy beaches, grassy rigging space, adequate parking, and the location of many BABA race events and clinics make this a popular launch. The Ultimate Watersports beach concession rents windsurfers (and kayaks, Hobie cats), has certified windsurfing instructors on staff, and provides a friendly and encouraging environment for beginners. Best conditions are thermal enhanced summer southerlies. On-shore easterlies are OK, even due north winds, but northwest and west winds are disadvantaged because of a wind shadow from the hill up to the parking lot. Southwest breezes usually work from a funnel effect that seems to bend them up the river. A day use fee is charged and a season pass may be purchased for frequent visitors. It is valid at all Maryland State Parks. The park is on the Gunpowder River, several miles from the open waters of the Chesapeake. It is a 30-minute drive from Towson and about the same from downtown Baltimore (see "Get Directions" in this section). JACKSON CREEK LANDING - Queen Anne's County Kentmorr Alternative in Queen Anne's Co., MD. Day use or annual permit required. Click on map reference I on the QA Co. website. Best on NE, E, and NW. Grass rigging area and sandy beach, shallow water for about 200 m out. MAYO BEACH PARK Anne Arundel County - Mayo Beach Park near Annapolis is open to windsurfers with a Mayo Wind permit. Anyone wishing to windsurf at Mayo's "small craft launch area" (cartop boats only) must have a permit available through Anne Arundel Recreation and Parks for $75 annually. Permit applications available here, or contact Darald Lofgren at AAR&P 410/222-1978. A lock has been installed on the gate and permit holders will be given the combination. NORTH POINT - Northpoint State Park in the Edgemere area of Baltimore County is a great launch for winds with a southern bias in the spring and fall. QUEEN ANNE'S MARINA - Queen Anne's County, MD - Kentmorr Alternative. Windsurfing friendly spot on the bay - call the marina manager before going to make sure there's not a private party in which case there's no access. Show your appreciation for this great launch by shopping in the marina store. Best in SW, W and NW. Grassy rigging area and sandy beach. ROCKY POINT PARK - Baltimore County - also referred to as Hart Miller Island on iWindsurf.com, Rocky Point is located in eastern Baltimore Co. This site offers flat water with some chop, good for jumping, in the middle of the river especially during an incoming tide with northwest winds. The iWindsurf sensor is located on the bay side (eastern) of Hart Miller Island. West and northwest winds are offshore to the meter so reported conditions will be lower than those you'll find on the water, especially for the very popular sailing site on the Back River. For these wind directions, the reported gust is a better approximation of the average conditions you'll find on the water. There are two launch sites on the golf course side, one at the point that is rocky and one down a steep bank that is sandy. The best winds for this site are West, NW, or WNW. The Baltimore County Sailing Center is located just outside of the park. SANDY POINT STATE PARK - Anne Arundel County Sandy Point State Park has a designated area for windsurfers and is a popular spot for intermediate and skilled sailors. However, it is not recommended for beginners, due to a steep drop off at the launch site and a swift current that can often exceed two knots. Local sailors report a lot of chop, as well as large, rolling waves that build up south of the Lighthouse during southerly blows to make "interesting surfing." Admission fee during the season at Sandy Point State Park. Best-suited for intermediate and experienced sailors, due to sharp drop off and strong current. Sailors mention that north winds are stronger than reported on the meter, and due southerly winds are cleaner further offshore as blockage by the Bay Bridge lessens.				Check this Out! For more wind and launch details in our area and throughout the United States, check out BABA sponsor iWindsurf. Get Directions Gunpowder Falls State Park Rocky Point Park Mayo Beach Park List of more mid-Atlantic launches - A list compiled by a former professor at University of MD - lot's of good information - but not a comprehensive list. The Wind Map - Windsurfing and Kitesurfing spots world-wide. Information on this site is contributed by users and Mid-Atlantic area folks have been adding to it.