Windsurfing near Leesylvania State Park
- Mason Neck (7 km)
- Marshall Hall (17 km)
- Kims Beach (21 km)
- Collingwood (24 km)
- Belle Haven (27 km)
$4 access fee, grassy rigging area, best in NE to S winds but works in NNW if you get around the point. Also works ok with SSW.
Intermediate to advanced area due to currents around the point and gradual drop off to over head deep within 30 yds of shoreline.
Two launching areas. Launch A is found by going past the boat launch, following signs to Freestone Point. Take last right prior to cul-de-sac (labelled "Picnic Areas", I think), then park facing river. Grassy rigging area and 50 yd walk over open ground to small beach... rip-rap to NE and SW of launch area, but sandy bottom everywhere with some sticks and logs. Best on NE through to SW, but walk out to windline on N and even NNW for good times.
Launch B is nearer the boat ramp... park in the E corner of the lot and walk 50 yards to the sandy beach NE of the breakwall. Grassy rigging areas at ends of lot, or rig on concrete. Watch the signs cross to the beach area (very effective at ripping rigs. Sandy bottom everywhere with some sticks and logs. Very good launch on due S and NE,, but for anything with more E in between those can get a lot of double bounce off the jetty. Also, big parking lot often full (yes, full!!!) on weekends (esp in AM) with way too many jetskis/and powerboats around... careful as many are drunken buffoons who don't have a clue of right of way. Excellent for teaching on SW to SE due to jetty protection.
Launching from the beach at Freestone Point is tempting, but strictly verboten by the Park Rangers, due to the currents as the water rounds the point and the fact that 90% of drownings at Leesylvania have happened there. Bummer, as this would be most excellent on N-NE (and even NNW, once out of the shadow of the hills to the N). I've had success with going in at Launch A, working way upwind, and coming ashore to the N of the fishing pier. Don't stay there long, and wear a life jacket, and they likely will not complain. If they do, be nice and they won't get torqued.
