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Fogland Overview
U.S. Sailing Certified Windsufing Instructor, Paul Lebeau teaches at Fogland every day during the season. Call (321) 795-5470 to schedule a lesson.
Fogland Point extends out into the Sakonnet River and is as exposed as they come. This area is often hammered by high winds as evidenced by the trees -- what few there are -- stunted and blown sideways. Sandy Point State Beach is just across the river from Fogland Point. This public beach is open year-round and does not have the locals-only restrictions of the surrounding town beaches.
The Sakonnet River has a strong current. In opposing winds, this current generates huge swells that make uphauling impossible. Fortunately, Fogland Beach has a protected area to the south and a cove to the north so you can find wind/water conditions to match your skill level.
You can park right on the beach and rig, no carrying gear long distance. The north cove is a great place for beginners. Paul Lebeau also offers gear rentals.
Parking fee $5 during the week, $10 weekends in season; season pass $75
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| Season: |
All Year |
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| Ability Level: |
Intermediate-Advanced |
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| Parking: |
$5 ($10 on weekends) in season; season pass $75 |
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Maps & Directions
For Fogland Beach, take Route 24 south to Route 77 south. After 6.8 miles from the 24/77 intersection, turn right onto Pond Bridge Road. Go left at the "T," around very sharp right curve, and continue to Fogland Beach.
Sapowet Point is just north of Fogland (Route 77 to Seapowet Avenue).
For Sandy Point, turn off Route 138 onto Sandy Point Road and follow to the end.
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Sensor Notes
The sensor is located on the southern end of Fogland Point. The meter has a clear fetch in all directions and provides a true reading at 10 meters. However, a windsurfing mast is only 3m, with the center-of-effort somewhere between 1-2m. More than any other site in the network, what's happening at Fogland at 10m can be radically different from that at the water's surface.
Fogland Point forms the narrowest part of the Sakonnet River and the river banks rise steeply to either side. These steep banks and narrowing of the river are what make Fogland such a hot location when the wind is blowing along the axis of the river (north/south). However, these banks strongly affect cross winds as well: due easterly/westerly winds will dip down in the center of the river before lifting back up and over the windward shore (note the word "over"). Under these conditions, both the windward and lee shore will have a near-windless eddy, or wind shadow. Out in the center of the river, how close the wind comes to the water's surface is a function of water and air temperatures; the warmer the conditions, the closer to the surface one will find winds.
In warm conditions, a sailboat will most likely encounter the full strength of "cross winds" as reported by the meter. However, rarely will the wind come close enough to the surface for windsurfers. Thus, windsurfers should not use Fogland readings out of the east and southeast and will most likely be happier sailing somewhere else such as Third Beach (after clearing the wind shadow of Flint Point).
The closer the wind aligns to the river's axis, the greater the chance the wind will reach the surface. In the late spring though early fall, NE,SE,SW, and NW winds frequently reach their respective opposite shore. For example, Sandy Point might work in a sou-easter, but there might also be an eddy as mentioned above that keeps the strongest winds offshore. You're actually better off at Island Park or Third Beach in a South East wind. South Winds- try Island Park, just watch for the rocks close to the western shore of the Sakonnet River. There are not many, but they're visible only at low tide. North East try Third or Common Fence Point.
Given the Fogland meter's clean fetch, anything out of the north will accurately reflect conditions at Third Beach. The same holds true for southerlies at Island Park.
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