Windsurfing near Maryhill St. Park
- The Wall (3 km)
- Rufus (5 km)
- Celilo (11 km)
- Avery (17 km)
- Doug's Beach (32 km)
Maryhill has a large, grassy, treed day-use area complete with parking, restrooms, and showers when they are in service (seasonal). It is about 200 yards from the parking area to the launch, just west of the swimming area. The day use area is shared with a big state park. Get lucky with a waterfront reserved site and you can sail from your campsite.
Being about 2 miles downstream of the John Day dam, the current can be quite strong. There is an eddy current along the launch shoreline that will pull you 'up' river if you schlog or miss a jibe in close. The launch itself is quite long and mostly smooth pebbles. It drops off quite quickly at the shoreline.
Best in a SW wind, often very gusty otherwise. There can be a significant wind shadow along the launch. When everything is right, it is a wonderful place to sail. It's usually a sail size less windy than at Celilo. I have about a 50% hit rate for good days when I stop here.
If it's right and the wind is solid, do the downwinder to the Wall, and let the swell just get bigger as you go. This makes for an epic afternoon of fun.