Downwinders

• Alki Point
  • Dynamics similar to West Point (described below) with good surfing options on a strong S/SW wind against a flood current, creating ideal conditions for many laps. A large back eddy often forms north of the point, steepening and smoothing out the waves as one passes the point. Also possible to do a downwind run to West Point and beyond (or vice versa). Plenty of street parking near Alki Point Beach.
  • Alki - West Point - Ballard Locks 8 miles video (paddler went on 7 miles more to Montlake)
• Lake Washington (watch for boat traffic)
  • Cedar River - Enatai Beach 5.5 miles
  • Wild Race - Length of the Lake 2014
  • Juanita Bay - one of those catcher's mitts that will catch you for a run with S, SW wind. video
    • (washdown station at Juanita Beach Park with non-freeze showers on all winter)
    • Evergreen Point - Juanita Bay 4 miles video, video2
  • Sand Point
    • ​​​​​​ ​Adams Street boat ramp - Sand Point 8 miles
    • Madison Park - Sand Point 3 miles video
  • Conditions on Lake
    • 520 bridge webcam
    • WindGuru Magnusen Park
• Shilshole Bay
  • Ballard Elks Club - Olympic Beach Park (Edmonds Marina) 10 miles video
  • SalmonBayPaddle
    • Shilshole Downwind Description, 4 Shilshole Bay Downwind Runs
  • Webcam
  • Downwind Video 2019
  • Tug Wakes, Freighter Wakes
  • Golden Gardens downwind laps
  • Shilshole Bay - Apple Tree Lane (27th Ave NW?) approx 6 miles? video
• West Point (Discovery Park)
  • A local favorite spot
  • Launch locations
    • Ballard Elks Club (public beach) .2 mile paddle to the point. Street parking unless you are a member, but over the years, I've quickly unloaded the boats in the turn around circle and then parked on the street, with no complaints.
    • Discovery Point Beach but the beach parking lot is small and requires a permit from the Discovery Park office.
  • West Point is at the south end of Shilshole Bay with Discovery Park on the southside facing Elliot Bay
    • North/NW wind with ebb current: If the wind is blowing out of the north or northwest at 15-25 knots, the 20 miles of fetch from Everett/Whidbey Island can generate 2-4 foot windwaves. When combined with an ebb current, large white caps form. Combined with gusty winds, the wave action can be somewhat chaotic and challenging. A large back eddy tends to form on the south side of Discovery Park beach, and one can sometimes surf a wave around the point into a protected lee where the waves become smooth and almost glassy, just tiny wind ripples. Conditions become truly challenging when a strong north wind weather front moves in with winds greater than 25 knots and waves in the 3 to 5 foot range.
    • South/SW wind with flood current : Similar dynamics as above, just from opposite direction. However, there is a sand bar and shallows extending off the point which creates more consistent surfing opportunities and good lap intervals. Flood current max speed is rarely over 1 knot, but even a slight .5 knot opposing current steepens the waves significantly, opening up the possibility for long wave train rides.
  • West Point - Golden Gardens 2.5 miles (south to north boundary of Shilshole Bay) easy downwind video
    • Downwind laps video
  • West Point Lighthouse - Edmonds 10.5 miles video (1.5 miles upwind from Ballard to Lighthouse then downwind)

Surfing Boat Wakes

• Boat Traffic
• Lake Union
  • Lake Union Video
• West Point/Discovery Park Beach
  • West Point Boat Wake Surfing
  • Tugboat wake surfing video
  • …