Seeking advice on windsurfing rental in SF Bay area

Chummers · Post by **Chummers** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 3:52 pm

Does anyone have any suggestions about where to rent equipment by the day in San Fran area? I may be there over thanksgiving weekend and might want to do a day or two of windsurfing if the conditions are right. There seem to be several options online but many require "certification" or have large security deposits. I notice that hours also vary. I'm sort of indifferent to location since I'll be driving from San Jose anyway... Any info is helpful. Either post or email me at mchummers@yahoo.com. Thanks.

jkjolsing · Post by **jkjolsing** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:45 pm

there is a shop in berkely on university avenue(http://www.boardsports.com). they teach lessons and may rent too. from there you can drive down university to berkely marina and sail. there is an automated phone service where you can get real-time wind at the marina. i think this is one of the friendliest spots on the bay to sail. from what i know, crissy park doesn't have rental, but there may be rental at spots south of downtown sanfran on the bay (offshore winds!).

rio vista has a place to rent on the frontage road to 'the access'. they are only open a few days a week and it may be off season for that spot.

if windsurfing doesn't work out, you can rent a suit and surfboard for $30 a day (cheap!) from norcal in pacifica. you can walk to the beach from the shop and they get a lot of 3 - 4 ft days which is perfect for beginners.

here is a link to the bay sailing spots:
http://www.sfba.org

no shortage of things to do out there, have fun!

adamel111 · Post by **adamel111** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 4:54 pm

I used to work at Boardsports for a short while. You can rent gear at Boardsports for a reasonable price and there is a decent selection of equipment from which to choose. The Berkeley Marina is an easier spot to sail, but you can certainly drive to Crissy Field if you want to sail there. You are a lot less likely to find wind in the bay area at thanksgiving time, but you might get lucky. The shop at Rio Vista will probably be closed or at least have limited hours. However, if it is blowing at rio vista, you should sail there because it is great sailing and isn't that far of a drive (about an hour and a half without traffic from san fran). Otherwise, try out Crissy Field or the Berkely Marina. The guys at Boardsports will be happy to help (probably Ben Baemer or Eric Christianson).