Windsurfing
I was wondering how many fellow RV’rs and rv.net enthusiasts also have the windsurfing bug? I would be interested in hearing about, and seeing (pics) of, places you have been and how you outfit your ...
Forum Discussion
Have a couple more spots to contribute. We spent the first few weeks of December down in the Florida Keys. Had a great time. So much fun in fact, that we are going back mid January to stay the rest of the winter. Not much in the way of boondocking in the keys, so the two spots are proper campgrounds.
The first spot was in Key Largo at a campground called Riptide. First about the campground; though it will accommodate larger rigs, it is, like so many of the Florida campgrounds, rather tight for space. Also, even though it is one of the least expensive campgrounds in the keys, it was still ~$50 a night--full hookups w/cable tv. With that said, it was one the best camping experiences we have had. In the winter, Riptide consists mostly of semi-permanent snow birds. The little community, about 40 rigs, is one of the nicest we have seen. Everyone was so friendly, we immediately felt right at home. To give one example; on the morning of December 5th (a Sunday) there was a knock on our door. Our neighbors, who knew that my father-in-law had fought in WWII, were going to a Pearl Harbor commemorative and wanted to know if we would like to join them. Rue, my father-in-law was up for it, so we decided to go along. At the commemorative, the MC acknowledged Rue by name and Company served, and he was then given a Rose to toss off the dock in honor of those who died in the attack. It was a truly unique experience that none of us, least of all my father-in-law, will soon forget.
Now about the windsurfing: Riptide sits on the bay side of Key Largo. The campground road forms a "U" at a small dock with a little beach. Any site in the park is close enough to the dock to transport equipment by foot. Launching was a little difficult in high wind, but negotiable. The bay is great: 5-6' deep, plenty of space, not much traffic and of course, warm gulf water. I windsurfed 3 of the 7 days we stayed at Riptide. The first day I went out, the wind was howling--at least 25 mph with higher gusts. It was so funny--as I was setting up, a crowd of about 20 campers gathered at the dock with a look of "I've got to see this" on their faces. Talk about pressure to perform! Here are some Pics:
The second spot to report is in Key West. First the campground:
Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to stay in the park where we camped. However, for those who have military privileges, such as my father-in-law who is 100% combat related disabled, there is a park on the Naval Base at Key West on Sigsbee. As with most military installations, the accommodations at Sigsbee are top-notch. The park has 80 full hookup sites and about 300 dry-dock spots. The dry-dock spots have no services, however, dump stations, H2O, and bathrooms with showers are near by. There is a constant rotation where everyone is put into dry-dock when they first show up, and entered into a waiting list for a full hookup site. We got into full hookups on the third day. Once in full hookups, you can stay there for two weeks, at which time you return to the dry-dock area and re-enter the waiting list. Campground will accommodate any sized rig, full hookup $21/night, dry-dock ~$14/night.
Everyone was super-friendly on base and at the park. I must admit, I was a little nervous about staying on a military base: I have really long hair ;) However, all the military folk were totally cool. As the camp host told me when we checked in, "Rank means nothing here." In fact, we made friends with several couples whom we hope to see again in a week or so. This is because so many of the campers at Sigsbee stay there the entire winter--as we hope to do the rest of this winter.
The navy exchange and commissary aren't the largest, but they are adequate and very close to the campground. Sigsbee itself is located in a great spot--about 1 mile from old town Key West. Duvall street, Smathers beach, Mallory Square are all easily accessible and even within pretty easy bicycle riding range.
Now, the windsurfing:
Sigsbee is actually a small island that sits just north of Key West. The full hookup campground is located on the northwest side of Sigsbee facing a bay. The bay is pretty deep, so it does swell on windier days. However, the water is warm, and the launch is easy once you get past the rocks with which the Navy lined the shore. There was some traffic on nicer days--jet skis mostly, but not overwhelming. One thing to keep an eye out for though, is when the troops are on maneuvers. Across the bay is the Army underwater training facility which all branches of the military use to train. It is not uncommon to see helicopters dropping divers into bay. All in all the windsurfing was good, but made a little more difficult by deep water causing wind swells. Out of two weeks I went windsurfing 4 days.
Here's a pic of the bay--across the bay you can see the swim training facilities.
The first spot was in Key Largo at a campground called Riptide. First about the campground; though it will accommodate larger rigs, it is, like so many of the Florida campgrounds, rather tight for space. Also, even though it is one of the least expensive campgrounds in the keys, it was still ~$50 a night--full hookups w/cable tv. With that said, it was one the best camping experiences we have had. In the winter, Riptide consists mostly of semi-permanent snow birds. The little community, about 40 rigs, is one of the nicest we have seen. Everyone was so friendly, we immediately felt right at home. To give one example; on the morning of December 5th (a Sunday) there was a knock on our door. Our neighbors, who knew that my father-in-law had fought in WWII, were going to a Pearl Harbor commemorative and wanted to know if we would like to join them. Rue, my father-in-law was up for it, so we decided to go along. At the commemorative, the MC acknowledged Rue by name and Company served, and he was then given a Rose to toss off the dock in honor of those who died in the attack. It was a truly unique experience that none of us, least of all my father-in-law, will soon forget.
Now about the windsurfing: Riptide sits on the bay side of Key Largo. The campground road forms a "U" at a small dock with a little beach. Any site in the park is close enough to the dock to transport equipment by foot. Launching was a little difficult in high wind, but negotiable. The bay is great: 5-6' deep, plenty of space, not much traffic and of course, warm gulf water. I windsurfed 3 of the 7 days we stayed at Riptide. The first day I went out, the wind was howling--at least 25 mph with higher gusts. It was so funny--as I was setting up, a crowd of about 20 campers gathered at the dock with a look of "I've got to see this" on their faces. Talk about pressure to perform! Here are some Pics:
The second spot to report is in Key West. First the campground:
Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to stay in the park where we camped. However, for those who have military privileges, such as my father-in-law who is 100% combat related disabled, there is a park on the Naval Base at Key West on Sigsbee. As with most military installations, the accommodations at Sigsbee are top-notch. The park has 80 full hookup sites and about 300 dry-dock spots. The dry-dock spots have no services, however, dump stations, H2O, and bathrooms with showers are near by. There is a constant rotation where everyone is put into dry-dock when they first show up, and entered into a waiting list for a full hookup site. We got into full hookups on the third day. Once in full hookups, you can stay there for two weeks, at which time you return to the dry-dock area and re-enter the waiting list. Campground will accommodate any sized rig, full hookup $21/night, dry-dock ~$14/night.
Everyone was super-friendly on base and at the park. I must admit, I was a little nervous about staying on a military base: I have really long hair ;) However, all the military folk were totally cool. As the camp host told me when we checked in, "Rank means nothing here." In fact, we made friends with several couples whom we hope to see again in a week or so. This is because so many of the campers at Sigsbee stay there the entire winter--as we hope to do the rest of this winter.
The navy exchange and commissary aren't the largest, but they are adequate and very close to the campground. Sigsbee itself is located in a great spot--about 1 mile from old town Key West. Duvall street, Smathers beach, Mallory Square are all easily accessible and even within pretty easy bicycle riding range.
Now, the windsurfing:
Sigsbee is actually a small island that sits just north of Key West. The full hookup campground is located on the northwest side of Sigsbee facing a bay. The bay is pretty deep, so it does swell on windier days. However, the water is warm, and the launch is easy once you get past the rocks with which the Navy lined the shore. There was some traffic on nicer days--jet skis mostly, but not overwhelming. One thing to keep an eye out for though, is when the troops are on maneuvers. Across the bay is the Army underwater training facility which all branches of the military use to train. It is not uncommon to see helicopters dropping divers into bay. All in all the windsurfing was good, but made a little more difficult by deep water causing wind swells. Out of two weeks I went windsurfing 4 days.
Here's a pic of the bay--across the bay you can see the swim training facilities.
