windsurfing Pensacola

bpbates · Joined: 19 Mar 2000 Posts: 47

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdaigLx7S7k&feature=youtu.be

Good wind this weekend

Milsurf · Joined: 03 Nov 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Tybee island, GA

Looks like fun! I scored all last weekend up here in GA as well!

Carvedup · Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Posts: 2

bpbates,

I've been windsurfing around Pensacola since 1981. Both my adult children sail and I have two good friends that sail with us. Beyond that we hardly see any boardsailors out any more. Just plenty of SUPs. Usual spots for us are Fort Pickens gate and the gulf across from Fort Pickens gate. Johnson Beach is first choice with a hard east or southeast wind.

Let me know if you want to meet up sometime. I miss the good times we had back when the sound was full of windsurfer. Pensacola used to be a windsurfing destination. When Surf & Sail was forced to close things just went down from there.

Sometimes I hit the gulf on a weekday after work for an late afternoon sail. Not always the best wind, but what a nice place to be.

outcast · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724

I sailed there a bunch in the 87-91 time frame
Tom Pace was there at the time.
I Forgot the name of the shop on the bay....maybe it was Surf and Sail...Good times....was Mark the owner?
I had a mug hanging at McGuires (might still be there!)

Now I live in the tundra....it was lighter wind but fun sailing....must be really good on todays light wind gear

apierce · Joined: 07 Dec 2015 Posts: 16

Bpbates:
I enjoy your posts and videos. I stayed in Pensacola two years ago for first and only time. There was 20+ SE winds and waves the whole week and me with no gear. I could have launched into the Gulf from our condo. I only saw one sailor (maybe you) and was glad to see someone scoring these conditions. Warm, windy, snow white sand and emerald green water. It looked like the bay or sound sides have potential too. I am definitely coming back with gear.

Andrew

Carvedup · Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Posts: 2

yes it was Surf & Sail. Mike & Susan Mead where the second owners. Pam Jordan was the original owner. Mike and Susan expanded the shop after they bought it. It was such an awesome place in the 80s. Lots of triangle races and freestyle competitions. Weekdays during the summer where filled with BBQs and fun races in the after work hours. It would probably be there today if not for the land owner not renewing the lease so the property could be converted to an RV Park.

Tom Pace is still around. Great guy to hang with. He usually comes out for the big blows. Kiting is bigger now. I tried it for a few years. It was fun, but I decide that it's more of a young persons sport if you're not out doing it on a regular basis. I do think that windsurfing will rebound. When it does I'll still be here.

October is my favorite time of the year.