1 posts
My company is designing a lake, wind surfing is one of the activities the client would like to provide.
I would like some feedback on some design considerations. Is there anything I should know when designing a lake to make sure our surfers are happy.
I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks.
WA
6277 posts
Make it big, wet and windy.
VIC
980 posts
A nice grassy rigging area close to the shoreline with car parking facilities -- so you dont have to carry the rig very far.
Knee to waist deep, sandy bottom that extends several hundred meters to encourage beginners.
WA
23647 posts
Lakes are normally very gusty due to the small area and the fact that there is normally hills around it somewhere. Until you get up to really big lakes of course.
There are no design considerations really ....... because I bet your client is a resort or similar and they intend to have beginners learn to windsurf on it? If that is the case, at least waist deep (long fins on some boards) and that is about it.
WA
1492 posts
yer mark would be right there, unless it was at the bottom of a big mellow valley that could funnel the wind.
I've often pondered this while spending endless months waiting for wind. you could have a wave machine at one end of the lake pushing waves straight at you, and on the side some big *ss fans, like the indoor but bigger, the lake would have to be at least the length of a modern speed course, so you could turn the wave machine off and do some speed runs or slalom, then switch it on and it's jump fest. a pool like the massive one in chile would be perfect.
I'm sure the wave machine and wind machine would pay for itself pretty fast. and you could put wind turbines oppisite the fans so you can use the wind for power too, almost pay for itself.
NSW
2005 posts
If the lake is longish and narrowish, then look at prevailing winds during the sailing season, and ensure the lake in the direction of the wind, with a take-off point somewhere downwind, on the sides. But not upwind, lest the wind will be off-shore (BAD).
That means you get cross-shore, cleaner winds. Of course it also means a run is shorter, but the wind will be clean and real good for improving on jibes and freestyle.
If the lake is roundish, then look at prevailing winds, and make sure take off points are on-shore or cross-shore, but never ever off-shore. Offshores will turn people right off.
Grassy area getting to water. Parking nearby. Deep grassy area for onlookers and their families. Make sure doesn't attrack geese or such pathologically defecating animals. Dunnies aplenty with 4-fold toilet paper.
VIC
401 posts
Agree about the grassy rigging area and sandy, metre deep (so boards with big fins can sail but people can still easily sail) but overall the most important thing is the wind. and in particular the angle of the lake to the predominant breeze.
I'd consult the Bureau of Met for stats on the winds (or else us here on the forum!) and design it so that you get a reasonable (at least 500m) run from where you launch. I cant recall the exact best angle of the wind for windsurfers - but i somewhere from 80 to 135degrees i think is pretty good. Probably best to look this stuff up than take my word for it.
So yeah, check out the local winds and for windsurfers, make sure that they can get a decent run from the launch site, a shallow but not too shallow bottom, grassy rigging area and soft (preferably sand) bottom surface. A hose/shower to rinse off with would be nice too!
Oh, and can you build in a wave machine too???
WA
1922 posts
what location is the lake?
try DEC website they have info on artificial lakes. (dept of environemnt and conservation in western australia) for the midge and algae bloom problems, edges, depth, etc. send me a pm and I can put you onto a good designer.
VIC
1509 posts
Make the water drinkable. And if you think I'm being facetious, I invite you to drink the water from one of the lakes I have sailed in.
