Wasaga Beach Overview
Leave your booties at home as this is probably the friendliest launch site around with miles of white sand beach. The best winds are from the northwest (cross-onshore starboard) and west (cross-onshore port), but Wasaga can be sailed in south (cross-offshore), southwest (sideshore), and north. Other winds just don't happen. Both Wasaga Beach and Allenwood Beach are good for all ability levels; beginner on light wind days to expert-only on high wind days. There is no shorebreak, but the waves can be tricky for inexperienced sailors on the sandbars close to shore. The swells on the outside can reach almost mast-high after a day or two of good wind. Normal wave conditions with 5.5 to 7.0 sails are 2-4'; 4-6' on a 5.0 day.
At Allenwood, rock shoals to the north and south are hazardous but are easily seen with no surprises. Stay away from the mouth of the Nottawasaga River (2 km to the south) as there can be strong undercurrents on high wind days. Located at the lower end of Georgian Bay, the warm surface water is blown to this beach. It is generally 5 degrees C warmer than the rest of the bay and can reach 25 degrees C in the summer.
Most favourable winds are northwest and west. Good for all sailing levels; beginner on light wind days to expert-only on high wind days. Although busy on hot summer weekends, parking is not a problem when it is windy; ample parking at Beach #6, parking for 20-30 cars at Allenwood. From Allenwood, a variety store is 1/4 km away on River Road east; for Beach #6, just head back to the main strip where you'll find lots of shops and restaurants. If you are sailing in the area and need to replace or buy some gear, your best bet is Fathom, 498 Huron Street, Collingwood, at 705-444-6606. As for Rogue Wave, they no longer operate a retail shop for anything other than custom composite boards which they manufacture near the launch site at Allenwood. They operate from April to October and can be contacted at 705-361-1221 for a tour of the factory or board information. Next time you're sailing at Allenwood, we hope you'll mention to Lee or Carla at Rogue Wave that you're a member and your appreciation of their support.
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Maps & Directions
Both Wasaga Beach and Allenwood are 90 minutes from downtown Toronto. To get to Wasaga Beach #6, take Highway #26 west of Barrie and follow the signs. Allenwood Beach is next to Rogue Wave, 5 km northeast of the main bridge in Wasaga Beach on River Road wast at the foot of Concession 11.
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Sensor Notes
The sensor is located at the dune line in front of Rogue Wave at Allenwood. The sensor's view of the wind is perfectly clear for at least 180 degrees from south through west to north. The shoreline faces west-northwest, so the closer the wind direction is to east, the more offshore it is. Offshore wind causes the sensor to report a lower wind speed and a larger range.
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