Windsurfing near Mayo Beach, MD
- Horn Point (9 km)
- Queen Anne Marina (11 km)
- Kentmorr (11 km)
- Sandy Point (16 km)
- Terrapin State Park (18 km)
Permits are required to launch from this site, unless attending a sponsored event like BABA races (http://www.windsurfbaba.org/pages/racing/racing.htm) or the Summer Thursday night race series.
Permits: $75/year Permit Application (http://www.windsurfbaba.org/pages/launches/Mayo_App_2005.pdf)
Park Rules (http://www.windsurfbaba.org/pages/launches/Mayo_Rules_2005.pdf)
Directions
From Annapolis: Take Route 2 south of Annapolis towards Solomons Island. Turn Left on MD 214 (Central Ave.) Go past Mayo P. O., turn left on Triton Beach road, by old white country store. Follow signs to Mayo Beach Park at the end of Shoreham Beach road.
Google Earth Placemark (http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=EarthSports&Number=228835&Searchpage=1&Main=228835&Words=+windandsurf&topic=&Search=true#Post228835)
Parking
Parking for the "Small Craft Launch Area" is on the grass, inside the fenced area, to the left just as you get past the main gate. Permit holders will be provided the combination to the locked chain. Overflow parking is up the hill in the main parking lot.
Parking and Launching just outside the park's gate is not permited.
Launch Description
Mayo park sits right at the mouth of the South River and the Chesapeake Bay but on the southern side of the river. Best wind directions are NE,E,SE & S. North, NW and West can be OK but if you break down its a long drift to the east shore. SE & S can be really nice when a thermal kicks in. If it's a hot, sunny day, a S or SE wind can increase 10mph during the afternoon. Thermals are best in late spring to early summer, as eventually the bay water temps get hot enough to neutralize the effect.
The launch site has a grassy rigging area and sandy beach, lots of parking, bathrooms, showers and picnic benches. The water is shallow for the first 200-300 meters then drops off. The river swell can get very large depending on the tide. 2-3 feet is normal for winds in the 12-18 knot range and it can get significantly larger in higer winds. The swell is the long rolling variety but can get choppy with increased boat traffic. The water on the inside is good for beginners and the outside swell is good enough to loop. This site is good for all levels.
