Windsurfing near Elephant Butte
- Conchas Lake, NM (339 km)
- Morgan Lake, NM USA (356 km)
- Apache Lake (381 km)
- Canyon Lake (397 km)
- Ute Lake state park (421 km)
Elephant Butte Lake
I have only sailed here once. So if you have more info please add to my post. I hope to be back a few times this winter (2005) so I will add more info as I get it.
Overview:
Elephant Butte Lake is near Truth or Consequences, NM. Great frontal sailing for the SW United States. Fresh water. Basically the season is Fall, Winter and Spring. Labor Day through Memorial Day. When the isobars compact up and down the Rio Grande Valley this place will blow strong for the majority of a week.
Launches:
The park offers 4X4 access to the water in many spots. Pick your point. The sailing is all from the West bank of the river as far as I can tell. The East shore is private property and inaccessable. The launch we used was called "3 Sisters Cove".
Reaching at 3 Sisters Cove April 2005 (http://thewindmap.com/wiki/images/1/1e/Small_3sisters_reach.jpg)
3 Sisters Cove lake shore pic (http://thewindmap.com/wiki/images/0/04/3SC_Look_south.jpg)
Wind:
Wind conditions range from 12-18 thermal sailing in the Fall and Spring to 40's on occassion during strong frontal activity. The locals I met told me that the wind can be shortboard-able and steady for 10 to 15 days a month.
Best Direction is South or North. Too much deviation East or West in the wind makes it pretty gusty.
Lodging and Food:
Truth or Consequences has hotels/motels and all the ammenities that small interstate towns offer. The Lake is a State Park and has both backcountry camping on the beach and specified site camping. I do not remember the fees. But it was more than affordable. There is a fee for park entry also.
Natural Hazards:
Boaters.
Summary:
Great sailing spot for sailors in the SW. Worth a stop if you are driving by and have a couple of days to blow. Don't trade in the tickets to Maui, the Gorge or Corpus to come here... but it is a nice venue with pretty scenery.
New Mexico Windsurfing Assoc Web Site (http://www.nmwindsurfing.org/)