North Texas Wind Riders

Lake Ray Hubbard

Lake Ray Hubbard is one of the older lakes in the Dallas area, and like most Texas lakes, it is man made. The lake is actually owned by the City of Dallas but the City of Dallas has no land bordering the lake.

Typically when it rains, the water gets muddy. And in the summer the water level can get low. But the lake never floods.

All of the parks / launch sites listed below are day use only and you won't find camping facilities anywhere close, but there are a few hotels along I-30.

Launch Sites:

· Windsurf Bay Park (Fire Ant)

· Terry Park

· DalRock

· Barnes Bridge

North Texas Wind Riders

Windsurf Bay Park (Fire Ant)

Windsurf Bay Park, known as Fire Ant Beach is a popular spot on the west shore of Lake Ray Hubbard, and on the south side of Interstate 30. It is perhaps the most heavily sailed park in the area.

The park acquired its nickname "Fire Ant Beach" in the early years as it had a heavy infestation of fire ants. Now they have been reduced to only a minor problem The park has a lot of gravel parking; however, rigging room on the beach itself is limited. A grassy rigging area exists just up the hill from the water. Be careful using this area as you'll need to negotiate your way through everyone's vehicles to get to the water.

The launch varies from easy to steep depending upon how early you get there on windy days. The park has a sand volleyball court and porta-potty near the pavilion on top of the hill. Be aware that sometimes the local youth find great pleasure in trashing the porta-potty. And you might want to provide your own toilet paper.

Windsurf Bay Park is best when the winds are SE to S, but it is tolerable if the winds are SSW. When the wind gets too westy, an extreme wind shadow occurs near the shore.

Windsurf Bay Park is a nice place for beginners because they can't drift too far away. On really nukin' South days, an offshore jetty keeps the waves inside from getting really huge, though the chop is fine for jumping. You can sail inside all day, or duck outside for runs over to Terry Park and Chandler's Landing, depending on wind direction. The park does not have a boat ramp here, so boats and personal watercraft are not much of a problem.

Each year the Club has a couple of parties at the park and typically in the summer we host a sailing evening every Wednesday night.

Directions:

To get there from downtown Dallas:

· Take I30 east

· 5 miles past the I635 junction, take the Zion Road exit

· Turn right to go to Zion Road

· At the junction almost on the bridge, turn right again onto Zion Road

· Take the immediate left onto to Locust Grove Road.

· follow Locust Grove until it deadends at the lake. This is Windsurf Bay Park

Terry Park

Terry Park used to be a pretty nice place but it has deterioriated since the city of Heath put in a waste treatment plant on the point. None of the plant's "product" finds the lake, but it is still a bit nasty to be around. Add to that some terrible parking, a tough launch, and a long drive to get there. Terry Park is good for just about all winds from South around the West to North, but watch the rebar near the boat ramp.

DalRock (Robertson Park)

Robertson Park is the second most popular park on Lake Ray Hubbard, and a favorite with the locals when the wind is blowing out of the North. The launch is best described as ugly. The restroom facilities are poor, but parking is good. Lots of grass for rigging, but a reasonably long walk to the water. Some tables are available for picnics, but little shade near the "good" launches.

Barnes Bridge

Barnes Bridge is a park best suited for North winds. The location has lost favor in recent years because of the long walk to the water, the extremely slick mud banks and a relatively small parking lot. It's only really good in N to NE winds, since there is a significant wind shadow when the wind has a Westerly component.

North Texas Wind Riders

c/o Mariner Sails

11110 Stemmons Fwy.

Dallas, TX 75229

 

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