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Keswick Overview
A note from the local beach warden follows. The city of Keswick has closed the beach at Glenwoods to kiteboarders AND windsurfers. The reasons are many, but the primary reason is too many kiters from outside the area were using the whole beach, preventing others from enjoying it. The locals tried to enforce a policy where kiters and boarders were contained to only part of the beach but they were unsuccessful in self policing. So, Glenwoods is now CLOSED to kiting and boarding.
Other beaches, such as Claredon, may also close if people do not follow the rules posted at the beach. So, please obey the posted beach-use rules.
Claredon Beach Park is the most popular launch site in Keswick. The launch slopes slowly and is sandy with rock. Booties are required only when it gets too cold. The water temperature is about 20 degrees C in the summer. Trees line the north perimeter of the park where the parking lot is located, making a protected rigging from the wind on land. The park is all grass, and you can rig right by your car. There is a small building with changing rooms (although you can't count on them always being open).
The park is good for slalom sailing and is a forgiving area for beginners and intermediate sailors. The prevailing winds are westerlies, but can be sailed from north to south. The water becomes choppier as the wind increases, but since the south part of Lake Simcoe is narrow, waves never really build.
Launch sites on the North Shore produce bigger waves and are geared toward more experienced sailors, especially when the wind is really blowing. If the wind is strong from the northwest, consider Willow Beach, about 15-20 minutes on Metro Road. If you drive on, you'll pass Franklin Conservation Area, Mossington Park, and Sibalt Point consecutively, all good on north winds. Take note that Sibalt Point is a point, so if you get blown a little east, you might have a long swim ahead.
If the winds are south-southest, consider Roche's Point. Go north on Metro Road from Keswick for about 10 minutes until you get to Boucher Drive, then turn left. Park and rig along the road, and launch at the end of the street.
Daily fee required in summer at Sibalt Point.
The City of Keswick now restricts parking at the Roches Point site. Only those cars with resident status cards in their car windows can park. They will ticket cards parked illegally.
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| Water: |
North shore launch has larger waves |
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| Ability Level: |
beginners, intermediates |
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Maps & Directions
Claredon Beach Park is about 1/2 km from the main road on Lake Simcoe. Take the 404 and exit at Highway #9, then go west for 1 km -- or take the 400 and go east for about 14 km until you hit Leslie Street #12. Follow signs to Keswick, north on Leslie for at least 15 km. In Keswick, Leslie Street turns into The Queensway South. Look for a 5-point intersection at Queensway, Morton, and Metro Road. Go through the light onto Metro Road (through traffic), take your first left, then hold left (like a hairpin turn). Continue for 100 meters and follow the road right (Morton Road) until you get to the water.
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Sensor Notes
The sensor is located about two km south from Claredon Beach Park at Glenwoods Bay Marina. It receives clear wind from all directions, except northeast and east when the reading could be a little low.
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