Surfing & Watersports
Surfing (JF Bergeron photo)
Squamish means "Mother of the Wind" in the local Coast Salish language, and for avid windsurfers, that's nothing but good news.
Wind-Surfing at the Squamish Spit
Particularly between April and September, windsurfing conditions are optimal due to the consistent southerly thermal winds at the Squamish Spit. Some consider this one of the top-10 windsurfing locations in the world.
Advanced wind-surfers, wearing wetsuits, love to catch air and do tricks at this long breakwater, situated at the mouth of the Squamish River where it flows into Howe Sound. Speeds can exceed 37mph/60 kph. Equipment can be bought or rented at a variety of stores in Vancouver.
The Squamish Spit offers a gorgeous, mountain-ringed setting for spectators. Bring the whole family out to watch, under the supervision of volunteers from the Squamish Windsports Society.
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The society assists with launch areas, toilets and change rooms, a rescue boat, first aid, and much more.
The Squamish Spit was the venue for the 2005 North American Continental Windsurfing Championships and the 2008 Canadian Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championships.
For those still developing their wind-surfing skills, a local lake like Alice Lake is a great bet.
Kite-Surfing at the Squamish Spit
Fans of kitesurfing (also known as kiteboarding) are also in luck in Squamish. In 2005, extreme sports fan and global entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson kite-surfed at the Squamish Spit to promote his Virgin Mobile phone service.
There are several kite-surfing schools regionally, including the Vancouver Kiteboarding School and the Jericho Sailing Centre, in Vancouver.
Jet skis and small boats can be rented in Squamish for use on Howe Sound as well. Ask about this at the Squamish Adventure Centre/Visitor Centre.
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