VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Hi Everyone:

We have a new webcam in Cowichan Bay:
http://www.bigwavedave.ca/webcams.php?cam=8

It is mounted on the roof of the Bay Pub. Chris at the Bay Pub paid for the webcam and Kus, Chris and I installed it today. Cowichan Bay is an undiscovered kiting spot - it gets daily thermals in the summer of 15-18 knots. Kus will tell you more, and Chris and Kus are working on some prizes for first kiter caught on the webcam and some pub specials for people that mention the webcam and website. Stop by the Bay Pub on your way back from Nitinat or Columbia.
dave

Good times! Now all we need is a cam on Dunkin's other secret spot, Somenos Marsh. Bay Pub has a wicked deck! If you have never driven through Cow Bay, it is worth checking out.

and here I assumed it must be in Cow Bay, Prince Rupert Harbour. Cool, another site to tempt us!

Although I am not the expert nor local resident, I can perhaps add a few hopefully accurate comments to paint the picture a bit for those unfamiliar with Cow Bay:

The marine area is probably a bit wider than Nitinat Lake and has a relatively unobstructed fetch from North Saanich Peninsula down Satellite Channel along Saltspring island to the North East and Van Isle to the South West. The camera faces SE up the channel with Saltspring Island (Mt. Tuam) in the background. Cowichan Bay is just south of Duncan, 45 minutes north of Victoria.

In winter the SE storms come ripping into the Bay which is why a brand new breakwater has been constructed to protect Cowichan Bay moorage and government dock (immediately outside of the Bay Pub and visible on the cam). === tomorrow for example we should see a nice 25 knots at 9-11am for a couple of hours===
In summer, there are regular, steady thermals every afternoon on sunny days which are probably formula conditions down to 5.0 slalom on a great day. In kiting terms I would imagine that bigger kites ranging from 12-16M would be just right for most days.

Nearest Wind/weather station applicable is Vic Airport. Wind is strongest in the center of the channel and probably nearer Cherry Point Marina to the SE from which one could do a short downwinder. There is lots of marine traffic which probably contributes to a safer kiting/boarding environment (one would hope ) There can be significant tidal currents in the Channel which one should be aware of before launching

Some of the bonuses of this great location are :

• - Significantly warmer water than JF Strait, boardshorts in summer
  - Rigging and launching area is in shallow waters with sandy beach just beyond the breakwater with ample parking- (this area is used a lot by first nations folks and should be respected as such)
  - The breakwater provides a safety net as does the Bay with its very shallow water. In summer at low tide you can walk a ways into the Bay.
  - There is flat (hint, hint) free parking at Hecate Strait Park, a huge parking lot in the Bay with a boat launch area.
  - Bay Pub is right there for a pint during/after the sesh while you can watch the action
  - It is of course only a short drive for the Duncan/ Chemainus/Mill Bay contingent
  - The Bay Pub deck looks directly over the Bay toward Mt. Tzouhalem which is known for its excellent mountain biking together with the downhill area of Mt. Prevost just past the turnoff toward Cowichan Lake. Bike in the morning, sail/kite in the afternoon
  - Nice kayaking/ boating from this very artsy/fishing community with great Cow Bay Festival
  - Fishing and crabbing is excellent in the immediate area
  - There is a hotel right beside the Bay Pub as well as some B&B's for those wanting to wait out a storm cycle or are a too hammered to drive home from the Pub

The Bay Pub is generously sponsoring the cam and its operation. The Pub is owned and operated by Chris Killam and his wife Irwin. Chris is a longtime wind and sometimes kite surfer known by many around Nitinat and LaVentana, Baja.

Nice description, Kus! Sounds inviting, especially summer cruising. And a sail in/stagger out pub - hey, when will the Willows Teahouse start serving beer? (Or open for hot tea in the winter would be nice...). Kudos to the Bay Pub for sponsoring this!

The Bay Pub has great $5 burgers. I have sat many a Summer's evening out on the deck drinking beers and eating burgers...as for the wind and water temps??? Definitely not a high wind place....BIG gear and kites are the likely candidates for this spot.

One Duncan local perspective.

Thanks to all those who helped putting the webcam up. This online community and service is very special to me....