Sport Today

by **GODDARD/FRANC** » Sun, 26 Nov 1995 04:00:00

REPLYTO 1:330/317 UUCP

PID GIGO+ sn 395 at panda vsn 0.99.950801

Subject: Lake Arenal, Costa Rica
Organization: InfoRamp Inc., Toronto, Ontario (416) 363-9100

I would like to go to Lake Arenal, Costa Rica with my wife.
I understand it can get very windy. Does it blow every day
all day or does the wind depend on fronts so that the wind
varies from day to day. My wife does not yet water start,
but has sailed at Cabarete, DR. Is Lake Arenal too advanced
a location for her? Are there times in the day that the wind
diminishes or does it start light and build during the day?
She could probably handle anything up to 15 knots of wind.
We are trying decide among, Adicora, Margarita or Arenal.
We are attracted to Costa Rica also for the non windsurfing activities.
Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

TIA
Eric Goddard

---

* Origin: Usenet: SATINS/Net330 uucp gateway * PandA's Den BBS *In (1:330/317)

by **Marian Trnk** » Thu, 30 Nov 1995 04:00:00

Quote:

>I would like to go to Lake Arenal, Costa Rica with my wife.
>I understand it can get very windy. Does it blow every day
>all day or does the wind depend on fronts so that the wind
>varies from day to day.

As far as I understand, the wind is caused by thermal pattern, not fronts.
Locals mentioned that wind depends on sun at the coast and clouds in the
mountains (high vs. low pressure, just like the Gorge).

Quote:

> My wife does not yet water start,
>but has sailed at Cabarete, DR. Is Lake Arenal too advanced
>a location for her?

Swells get few feet high, the launch is close to the downwind end of the lake.
The stronger the wind, the higher the swells. If she can waterstart in few
feet high swells, she'll be fine.

Quote:

> Are there times in the day that the wind
>diminishes or does it start light and build during the day?

The wind is really strong in the morning, slows down in the afternoon.

Quote:

>She could probably handle anything up to 15 knots of wind.

It definitely gets bigger than that...

Quote:

>We are trying decide among, Adicora, Margarita or Arenal.
>We are attracted to Costa Rica also for the non windsurfing activities.

Except for car rental, visit to Arenal is cheap to US standards (food,
accomodations). Jungle nearby offers interesting horseback riding, volcano
views, hot springs, Pacific beaches within 2-3hour drive. It is not
a nightlife place, so if you are looking for hotels with swimming pool walking
distance from sandy beach, Arenal is not it.

Marian

PS: Single men paradise too...

by **Paul Lany** » Fri, 01 Dec 1995 04:00:00

Arenal is a terrific place to sail if you're experienced. I sailed there
for a week a few years ago. Bump and jump conditions: 3.5 to 5 meter
sails and boards ranging from 240 to 265. I would not recommend it for
someone who does not know how to waterstart.

good luck.

Paul

by **Goddard/Franci** » Sun, 03 Dec 1995 04:00:00

Quote:

> I would like to go to Lake Arenal, Costa Rica with my wife.
> I understand it can get very windy. Does it blow every day
> all day or does the wind depend on fronts so that the wind
> varies from day to day. My wife does not yet water start,
> but has sailed at Cabarete, DR. Is Lake Arenal too advanced
> a location for her? Are there times in the day that the wind
> diminishes or does it start light and build during the day?
> She could probably handle anything up to 15 knots of wind.
> We are trying decide among, Adicora, Margarita or Arenal.
> We are attracted to Costa Rica also for the non windsurfing activities.
> Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

> TIA
> Eric Goddard

I got some great responses with this posting. Thank you.
I have a question now about what the windsurfing is like at
Bahia Salinas on the Pacific coast, near the Nicaraguan border.
Could we go there as an alternative and what size board would you use.
Thanks again.

Eric Goddard

by **Bill Zeul** » Sun, 10 Dec 1995 04:00:00

Quote:

>I have a question now about what the windsurfing is like at
>Bahia Salinas on the Pacific coast, near the Nicaraguan border.
>Could we go there as an alternative and what size board would you use.
>Thanks again.

>Eric Goddard

First of all, there is no place to rent at Bahia Salinas, it is VERY
isolated - nothing there but a few cows, never saw another person sailing
nor on the beach. The times I have been there (in Feb.), I used my 8'2"
board with a 3.7, but it is an easier place to sail than on Lake Arenal.
The water is & air are much warmer (80+ and 90 respectively), the water
is shallow for easy launching, beach starting and small shore break/chop,
the wind is pretty much on-shore, and small swell in the bay. It is a
great to sail - I highly recommend it, and afterward you can drive back
up to La Cruz & have a few cerveza's & eat at the restaurant at the top
of the hill & watch the sunset over the pacific - worth it even if you
didn't sail.