Grenadines?

[ricki]

Does anyone know much about typical wind conditions in the Grenadines in early June? How about launches/conditions on Grenada? Windjammer has a great Cyber-sailor (sign up online for free) promotion for May, $499. USD for week long cruises.

http://www.windjammer.com/fleet_yank..._2.html#hotels



Thanks!

[BigR]

That sounds awesome Rick.

I don't think you'll be jonesing for wind there as May-June seems
to be consistently 4-5 Bft

http://www.windguru.com/int/historie...ble=0&gl_csv=0

Since these are trades look for launches on the NE side of the island.

A place called Sandy bay beach looks promising

[jk]

Yo-

This place is unreal. The wind is gonna be lite. Take a 16 or equivalent with a bigger board. The water is clear, the air is warm. Check this out
I just got back from the G's and made this video:

http://www.eclipsefilms.com/Odyssey2.mov

It's all in the Grendines!

-jeff

[ricki]

Great job on the video Jeff! I was trying to get in touch with Gavin about it but his email seems to be down and I understand that Clinton is in SA.

So, the trades will taper off then you think? If we were talking about the upper Antilles around BVI, St. Martin, etc. that is what I would expect. I understand the trades in the Windwards go pretty well through June but perhaps not? If I can manage to carry a 14 m (my lightwind kite these days), and a 9 m I should be covered either way.

Did you have any favorite launches there?

Thanks for the wx info Raul. I often forget to look for that sort of thing outside ikitesurf, unless it is an accident I am evaluating, strange.

[jk]

I think it can be windy anytime down there. Overall when we were there, you needed a 12-16m. I tried to fly a 10 and it just wasn't enough. I think the windy season down there is the winter months. Take your big gear and you'll be set. Clinton was flying a 9 at times though. The others were flying 11 and 12's. I flew the 16. The best thing about the trip was the awesome boat, the great crew, and crystal clear water. Those guys have it down!!

[BigR]

Thats a great vid Jeff!

[ricki]

That sounds familiar. Up north in BVI and St. Martin, the best winds are in the winter, the Christmas winds. In BVI anyway they can become fairly fitful and non-trade like in the summer. Went through two HiHo's there with on and off trades. It was largely off in St. Martin in October. Moving a bit further down, Antigua was pretty good in July aside from disruptions from the odd tropical system. I've never been this far SE in the Caribbean. I was hoping that the same latitudes just above South America that serve up those excellent winds for the ABC islands largely year round aside from August and September and the odd tropical system hiccup might extend east into the Windward Islands. May have to incur some extra baggage charges to bring my lightwind board, a UG 150 cm XXXL.

Thanks for the advice. Where was your favorite spot there for riding, the Tobagos?

[ricki]

Just heard from Gavin.

Hi Rick,

May and November are historically the worst months for wind in the tropics
as they are the transitional months between the trade season and the
hurricane/cyclone season (depending on Atlantic or Pacific). So,
unfortunately you're going down in the worst month. For good wind beta,
check out windgurus monthly data and you will see what I mean. 3% of the
time in May you have force 5 or better (over 15 knots). A good portion of
the time we can expect 11-15, which works, but definitely bring your big
kites and surfboards.

We didn't find any remarkable waves. There's a good place (it's on the
video) on the windward side of Canouan which you can access with a shallow
draft vessel, or anchor on the leeward side and take a taxi over, although
the resort there doesn't look fondly on kiting, so stay south of the resort.
Lots of great kiting on the south end of Grenada, Union has an awesome
flatwater site, Tobago Cays are very crowded, but by May things should have
thinned out and you can follow your nose there. Didn't get to Mayreau and
didn't stop in St Vincent (pretty steep- can't imagine there's too much).
Clinton kited a very small island off the south side of Bequia, but it had a
super dicey launch and land- all reef. He made it look easy but the rest
of us just watched. Good waves (sorry, can't remember the name- "Petit"
something or other, in the guides as a lunch anchorage).

Union and Canouan and the south end of Grenada will be our focus on return
at the end of the month. Found a cool spot on the north end of Grenada,
near Sugarloaf island, but you need strong winds as the current is viscious.

Good luck, have fun!

Gavin

Sounds like a great cruise they had down there. Should be scenic, windy? I guess we'll see.