Central Bay South

Launch	Access Type	Minimum Skill Required¹	Level of Use	Kiteboarding	Windsurfing	In Water Trail Plan
Baywinds Park (3rd Ave)	Beach & Ramp	I	High	X	X	X
Coyote Point	Beach & Ramp	I	High	X	X	X

Foster City

Beginner - Intermediate

Baywinds Park, also known as “Third Ave”, is the most heavily used boardsailing site on San Francisco Bay. Water access for kiters is concentrated at the Upper Launch, which historically provided a wide sandy beach for rigging, launching, and landing. Narrow water access paths and beaches further to the south provide water access for windsurfers and more experienced kiters.

Use

Optimal world-class wind conditions, a historically wide beach, relatively warm water, and the presence of helpful locals and concessionaires all contribute to the popularity of this site. Typically, over 300 sailors a day launch and land under ideal conditions.

Rigging / Launching

Rigging and water access is concentrated at the Upper Launch because it offers unobstructed winds and a broad sand / mudflat area for launching and landing. Boardsailors will typically park at the lower parking lot and inflate kites on the turf rigging area then carry inflated kites along the Bay Trail to the Upper Launch, approximately ¼ mile. From the Upper Launch, kiters must walk their aloft kites through a break in the riprap to get to the water.

Safety

Baywinds Park is suitable for intermediate to experienced boardsailors. Novices may learn at the site under close supervision. Erosion has significantly narrowed the beach area in recent years, pushing sailors to rig closer to the riprap along the Bay Trail and increasing potential risk during launching. Mudflats can also be slippery when walking from launching area to the water.

Amenities

Baywinds Park offers parking, a turf rigging area, restrooms, a water fountain, picnic tables, and a seasonal concessionaire. The parking area and Lower Launch were designed collaboratively by the City of Foster City and the boardsailing community.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

The site’s relative advantages

World-class location with ideal winds.
Historically wide beach with adequate space for boardsailing rigging and launching.
Convenient location with easy access from several major freeways.
Collaborative Design: Lower Launch and parking area design recently completed in close consultation with the boardsailing community.
Established Legacy: Long history of boardsailing use with high levels of existing use.

Weaknesses

Issues or characteristics that limit or degrade site use unless they are eliminated or minimized

Beach Erosion: Erosion of the Upper Launch has significantly narrowed space available for rigging and launching, resulting in crowding and increased hazards.
Access Issues: Lack of formal access from Bay Trail to Upper Launch Beach.
Wind Obstructions: Nets from the golf course driving range can create wind pockets and swirls that reduce usability of launches downwind.

Opportunities

Actions that could contribute to improved site use and/or user experience

Infrastructure Maintenance: Replace deteriorated windsock and foundation.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with San Mateo County, Foster City, City of San Mateo, and other stakeholders to renourish and protect the beach, restore habitat, and enhance kiter access at the Upper Launch.
Expanded Access: Provide boardsailor parking and access from the upper golf course parking lot.
Safety & Education: Implement SFBA safety program, plus docents & outreach materials to ensure visitors and those less familiar with the site understand proper use and etiquette.
Factors or trends that could threaten site use Degradation: Further loss of beach from erosion and longer-term sea level rise.
Physical Impediments: Placement of new impediments between parking / rigging area and the beach.
Safety Violations: Kiters not following proper safety practices, resulting in hazards to other users.

Coyote Point

San Mateo County Parks

Intermediate

Coyote Point is a popular boardsailing site, particularly for intermediate boardsailors. Rigging and water access is concentrated on the lawn to the west of the concessionaire. This area provides a broad grassy area for rigging adjacent to wide specially designed ramps that provide access through the riprap to the beach and water.

Use

Steady wind conditions, rigging areas, and a long history of use make Coyote Point a popular boardsailing site. Typically, over 80 sailors a day launch and land at the beach under ideal conditions.

Rigging / Launching

Rigging and water access is concentrated in the western portion of Coyote Point, adjacent to the concession building. Kites can be inflated and rigged on the grass lawns and then walked aloft from the lawn down cement ramps to the beach. Windsurfers often launch farther to the west, where water hazards were removed, and a pea gravel rigging area and water access ramps were recently completed in coordination with the boardsailing community.

Safety

The shoreline above the beach is armored with riprap that can present safety hazards to kiters during launching and landing. Limiting obstructions and interactions between sailors and other users between the lawn and the beach is critical to maintain safety.

Amenities

There is parking for 300+ vehicles, as well as nearby restrooms with hot showers, an outdoor shower, water fountain, snack bar at concession building, and picnic tables. Space is shared with sunbathers, walkers, dogs, and other beach-goers.