GUNPOWDER FALLS STATE PARK -
HAMMERMAN AREA - Baltimore County, MD - on the Gunpowder River.
Wind Map
Best Wind Directions: N, NE, E, SE, S
Sandy beaches, grassy rigging space, adequate parking, and the location of many BABA race events and clinics make this a popular launch. The Ultimate Watersports beach concession rents windsurfers (and kayaks, Hobie cats), has certified windsurfing instructors on staff, and provides a friendly and encouraging environment for beginners.
Best conditions are thermal enhanced summer southerlies. On-shore easterlies are OK, even due north winds, but northwest and west winds are disadvantaged because of a wind shadow from the hill up to the parking lot. Southwest breezes usually work from a funnel effect that seems to bend them up the river.
A day use fee is charged and a season pass may be purchased for frequent visitors. It is valid at all Maryland State Parks. The park is on the Gunpowder River, several miles from the open waters of the Chesapeake. It is a 30-minute drive from Towson and about the same from downtown Baltimore (see "Get Directions" in this section).

JACKSON CREEK LANDING - Queen Anne's County MD - Kentmorr Alternative
Wind Map
Best Wind Directions: NE, E, and NW.
Day use or annual permit required. Click on map reference I on the QA Co. website. Grass rigging area and sandy beach, shallow water for about 200 m out.

MATAPEAKE BEACH PARK, Queen Anne's Cnty, MD
Map Launch Photos WAIVER REQUIRED
Best Wind Directions: S, SW and W
Matapeake is about 2.5 miles south of the Bay Bridge on Kent Island in Stevensville, MD. Sandy beaches, grassy rigging area, adequate parking, bathrooms and club house for lunch during the summer. Great launch when the wind has a westerly component, although NW is not ideal. Matapeake is closed to the public if there is a private party. Check Clyde's calendar for Matapeake closings before heading out. Waiver required - please fax or mail the waiver before arriving at the park.

NORTH POINT - Northpoint State Park - on the Chesapeake Bay.
Map
Located in the Edgemere area of Baltimore County - a great launch for winds with a southern bias in the spring and fall.

QUEEN ANNE'S MARINA - Queen Anne's County, MD - Kentmorr Alternative - on the Chesapeake Bay
Wind Map
Best Wind Directions: SW, W and NW.
Windsurfing friendly spot on Kent Island - call the marina manager before going to make sure there's not a private party in which case there's no access. Show your appreciation for this great launch by shopping in the marina store. Grassy rigging area and sandy beach.

ROCKY POINT PARK - Baltimore County - on the Back River
Wind Map
Directions to BCSC and Golf Course Launches
Best Wind Directions:
Golf course side launches - W, NW, or WNW.
BCSC beach launch - E or NE
Also referred to as Hart Miller Island on iWindsurf.com, Rocky Point is located in eastern Baltimore Co. The Baltimore County Sailing Center is located just outside of the park. The golf couse side launches offer flat water with some chop, good for jumping, in the middle of the river especially during an incoming tide with northwest winds. The iWindsurf sensor is located on the bay side (eastern) of Hart Miller Island. West and northwest winds are offshore to the meter so reported conditions will be lower than those you'll find on the water, especially for the very popular sailing site on the Back River. For these wind directions, the reported gust is a better approximation of the average conditions you'll find on the water.
There are two launch sites on the golf course side, one at the point that is rocky and one down a steep bank that is sandy.