Assateague

FIG. 1A view into Sinepuxent bay from the Bayside Drive launch
area within Assateague Island National Seashore park-- note the
shallow water near shore and the marked hazard out in the water
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FIG. 1B aerial view of the Assateague Launches

Note: the Assateague park is about 15 miles long, extending south
to the VA border. However, only the northernmost one mile is accessible by
an ordinary car. People wishing to explore the remainder of the park
or to explore windsurfing and SUP throughout the park are encouraged to
contact George Markopoulos at DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures. He
conducts SUP tours in the park, has ocean-side windsurfing outings within
the park and is familiar with the park.

The Assateague launches include both bayside and ocean side
launches located within the Assateague Island National Seashore.
The launches are located within the state of Maryland and are south
of Ocean city.

Directions: Take U.S. 50 East and cross bay bridge. At 50/301
split, stay on Rt 50 E to Ocean city. Follow U.S. 50 around Easton,
Cambridge, and Salisbury. Upon approaching Ocean City, do not
take Md Rt 90. Stay on U.S. 50 Ocean Gateway. Shortly before
Ocean City, turn onto U.S. 113 south near Berlin. After about
one mile, get on MD Rt 376 and travel 4 miles to an end at MD
Rt 611. Turn right and follow MD Rt 611 over the Verrazano
bridge that crosses to Assateague Island (Stephen Decateur Hwy).

After crossing the Verrazano Bridge onto the island, turn right
for the National Park. Follow this road until you go through the
toll booth. The entrance fee is $15, and is good for one week
and an annual pass is $30 good from Jan 1 to Dec 31.

Alternate route: Stay on US 50 past Berlin and turn right onto MD Rt 611
shortly before crossing onto Fenwick Island.

Bayside Launch: Take the first right (Bayside Drive) at a sign
that says "Bayside Camping & Recreation".

FIG. 2 view of turn off onto Bayside Drive for bay side launch

Take that road to the end where there is a small parking lot and
water in front of you and to your left. Do not use the old ferry
landing as the water there is too shallow. Most people rig and
sail on the south side of this little peninsula, but you can go
anywhere. It is shallow at low tide, but if you do a little walking
straight west, you can get to deeper water. Keep an eye out for
a submerged hazard about 50 yards off the SW corner or this
peninsula. It's marked with one or two small orange flags.
There is a channel out in the middle of the bay which can create
good swells for jumping. This place is good for when thermals
out of the SW-S-SE. It can be blowing 20-30 at this spot and
only 10 on the ocean. This has been seen many times
(to much frustration if you want to sail in the ocean).
This spot works with any wind but E.

Other Notes on bayside launch: You can sail Kite point at low
tide-- just have to walk out about 50 yards. People usually use
a wave fin 10 inches or smaller for low tide sailing. At high tide,
you don't need to walk more than 10 feet.

This place is fantastic for beginner windsurfing and kiting on the
south side of the little peninsula (all knee to waist deep and flat
water even when windy), and more advanced when you go out
to the middle of the bay.

A weed fin is a good idea in July and August, but people sail there
without one. When you get out to the middle of the bay the weeds
get less. Site is prone to weeds all year round. Remember to take
a weed fin.

There are picnic tables, fresh water, and nice port-o-potties
(if that's possible), bar-be-que grills. There can be jellyfish but
not many were present this summer. You can also go kayaking,
clamming, biking. Everyone likes to see the wild ponies.
You can camp at the park also.

During low tide, it is best to launch at the west end (tip) of the
peninsula and walk out into the channel where it is deeper as
the water off the launch on the south side is very shallow.

I have found a lot of horse dung present. I have also found
(and maybe this doesn't bother some) that you are on display as
curious people seem to gather around the kiters present. Lots of
Rangers on duty and will ticket you for just about everything imaginable.

FIG. 3 view of kiters at the beach on the south side of the peninsula
where the water is especially shallow during low tide

Alternate Launch: If the wind is E or NE and you want to sail on
the bayside, and/or you do not like to walk out to find deeper
water or you want to avoid the $15 entrance fee, consider
the nearby MD Rt 611 launch.

Ocean side launch: instead of turning at the canoe launch sign,
continue straight until the end of the road where you will come to
a circle. Take the last turn off the circle for South Ocean Beach
parking lot. Rig anywhere and walk over the dune. There is a sand
bar about 50 yards off shore that creates best waves at low tide,
especially if waves are small. At high tide, small waves will barely
break and larger waves will be fairly mellow. High tide can bring
some monster shore-break if the waves are big. This may be the
best wave sailing to be found on the Md-De coast. Great beginner
spot with smaller waves, and great spot with larger waves. Low
tide is best. N-NE or SE-S-SW are best wind directions for the
ocean side launch.

Optimum Wind Directions (ocean side) : S & SW -- these wind
directions produce real good waves with good wave break

FIG. 4 view of ocean launch looking south
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FIG. 5 view of walkway from parking lot to beach at the ocean side--
the carry is about 500 ft