Lake Simcoe has been a home to kitesurfing and windsurfing community for many years. Recently more and more foiling water sports enthusiast can be seen around enjoying the Kempenfelt Bay, one of the Simcoe’s spots that are foil frendly.
There are several beaches that have plenty of parking with space to set up foiling equipment , namely Johnsonβs, Minetβs Point or Centennial park.
Growing community of wing, kite and wind foilers can be seen riding along the windsurfers and kite surfers that have been sailing on the Lake Simcoe from April to October with organized water sports activities and clinics.
Barrie is often the exception to wind conditions in Southern Ontario. The wind can be 20 knots in Barrie and 10 knots everywhere else. The best winds are from the west to northwest and create ideal sideshore sailing and hydrofoiling conditions.
Because the tip of Kempenfelt Bay is upwind, waves do not have much time to build in prevailing winds. In most conditions, small chop is the order of the day. However, winds from the east (which are rarely the case) create much larger waves. Kempenfelt Bay is quite deep and therefore, the water temperature tends to be on the cool side. However, summer weather can warm the surface water enough to make a shorty optional.
West to northwest winds create ideal sideshore sailing conditions. No hazards to speak of, except for boat traffic. For family outings, there are picnic tables as well as a playground for young ones. Grocery store, bank machine, and fast food shops only a two minute drive into town.
Barrie and Lake Simcoe has been recreational boating and fishing destination for many years with several sailing and yachting clubs in the city. For more information visit Barrie Waterfront Features pages at https://www.barrie.ca/community-recreation-environment/parks-trails-waterfront/waterfront-features
