Welcome Chuck!

I now live in Louisville, but I grew up in Paducah and I sailed all
over Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in the 80's. Since getting back to
windsurfing last year, I have only sailed on KY Lake once and on
Barkley quite a few times. KY Lake is an amazing body of water.

You asked about launching locations. That depends on your skill level
and the weather conditions. A great place to launch is on the little
point of land near the public beach at KY Dam State Park. You can park
about 50 feet from the water, rig on a grassy hillside, and once you
hit the water you are in the main lake with fairly clean wind. I have
not launched there in since the 80's but I have scouted it and it looks
pretty much the same as it was then. One side of the point has small
gravel, and the other side has larger gravel and rocks about the size
of softballs, so wear shoes and watch you equipment when waves
approach. This spot is also nice because the barge lane is on the
opposite side of the lake, so it is easy to stay clear of the barges.
Of course being in the main lake can hand you some pretty big waves if
the wind is from the South and brings in the big rollers down the lake.

If you want a more protected area, you can launch at the bottom of the
main parking lot at KY Dam Marina, and sail the marina. You may want to
leave the back area and go in the open area along the break wall.

Kentucky Lake Sails in Grande Rivers is also a nice place to launch
since it is on the open main lake, but after about 100 yards, you have
to cross the barge lane to get into the open lake. When I launched from
there this past Memorial Day weekend, I parked next to some boat
trailers and my SUV was about 20 feet from the main lake. The wind was
not good that day, but the location was great. Another advantage of KY
Lake Sails is that since this marina is primarily for sailors, you will
find more sympathy from traffic on the water.

Happy sailing and best regards,
Creston

_______________________________________________
Creston B. Parker
Louisville, KY 502-386-3296
Website = http://www.CrestonParker.com/windsurf
YahooGroup = http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/windsurfky


On Aug 18, 2005, at 5:16 PM, Chuck Beasley wrote:

> Just returned to windsurfing after being away for years.  Have had a
> few sailboats in between.  Picked up some used equipment but it is way
> more advanced than my late '80s stuff.  I am from Southern Illinois
> but within easy driving distance of KY Lake.  Would appreciate anyones
> experience regarding launch spots there.
>
> Thanks,
> cb
>
>
>
>
> Visit http://www.CrestonParker.com/winsurf for windsurf locations and
> conditions.
>
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