Haida Gwaii

General discussions. Please keep the topics weather, windsurf and kiteboard related. See the Off-Topic forum for other topics.
Post Reply
jcalof
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:57 pm
Location: Prince George

Haida Gwaii

Post by jcalof »

Looking for beta on surfing near North Beach, any insight would be appreciated.
User avatar
downwind dave
Website Donor
Website Donor
Posts: 1469
Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2004 9:05 am
Location: Cobble Hill

Post by downwind dave »

try posting a query on the bc surfing forum http://bcsurfing.dyndns.org/
i think one of those guys is on QCI. according to
http://www.haidagwaiitourism.ca/haida_g ... island.htm
"Surfing is becoming popular on the Beaches to the north of Tow Hill Road especially during the winter season."
good luck.
User avatar
more force 4
Sponsor
Sponsor
Posts: 1458
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Victoria, BC
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 8 times
Contact:

Post by more force 4 »

One of my staff was just up there for a month, and she saw a bunch of surfers out at North Beach. "Bunch" being relative! I don't surf, but I've talked to quite a few of the surfers who live up there and they say it has great breaks, and the remoteness guarantees there will never be overcrowding.

Windsurfing & kitesurfing also excellent, especially as you can drive legally on the longest beaches in BC (not in rental cars though!) to then do LONG downwinders. There was an article on this in that Calgary on-line kite mag/store, I'm sure someone will remember the link.
Hump
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:27 pm
Location: Outside Looking In

Post by Hump »

I surfed up there back in 1974 so my info may be dated somewhat, but here's a couple of things to check out.

Leaving Masset headed towards Tow Hill you'll cross the Chown and then the Sangan (rivers) in short succession.
Immediately after the Sangan bridge there is a house on the left side. Stop and ask them if you can access through to the mouth of the Sangan River.
If no can do then ask if there is some other access now.
During good swells the SE is offshore and there used to be a great sandbar set-up there.
At Tow Hill you'll find the Hiellen River and there is surf there too, as well as just before at the campground at Agate Beach.
In summer the incessant NW winds create a small windswell and during high tides at Tow Hill you can get in the lee of the hill itself and the waves will clean up quickly.
Lots of beach break potential and the further out towards Rose Spit you get the better the swell angle is.
Use a reliable 4x4 vehicle to explore along that beach and some common sense too.
Many a dumbass has sunk his vehicle along there so be aware.
Check out local maps when you can and use some imagination as to where there might be swells.
Also, there are a few surfers living up there now I hear so they may set you right too.

Take care.
The name Hump?
Well, it all started off innocently enough...
Tactile
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:36 pm
Location: Vancouver

Post by Tactile »

Some kiting info. Click the last picture for the full article.

http://www.skypilotkiteboarding.com/mod ... le&sid=228
User avatar
JL
Posts: 2610
Joined: Thu May 22, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Saanichton / Shirley (French Beach)
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact:

Post by JL »

Thanks Tactile. Page 40 has an article on Barbados. (Sharkbait & Sherry heading there for a honeymoon kite trip. Congratulations !!!)
Thermals are good.
Post Reply