The Gunpowder# (near White Marsh, MD)

          
FIG. 1A view of a beginner windsurfer and advanced windsurfers enjoying a mid-summer
thermal--this launch is beginner friendly with a shallow water area and a gear rental facility,
FIG. 1B  aerial view of the Gunpowder launch area to view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use
"control =" to zoom in by hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed.  To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click
 on the photo and then select "View Image")

located at Gunpowder falls state park, at the mouth of the Gunpowder river, near White Marsh, MD

Driving Directions--Take I-95 to exit 67A (this is just north of the Baltimore beltway I695), travel
on MD Rt 43 East for one mile and take second exit.  Get on US Rt 40 East and travel approximately
 0.5 miles to first light.  Take a right at the first light called Ebenezer Road at the Double T's diner. 
Travel on Ebenezer Road for about 4 miles.  Shortly after you enter a 25 MPH speed limit zone on
Ebenezer Road, make a left turn into the entrance of Gunpowder park.  Pay fee ($3) at toll booth
and then drive to the Hammerman area and park.

Venue faces East and is good on any wind without a Westerly component to it.  Good for beginners.

There are six jetties protruding into the river, defining five spaces.  You can only launch from the
 two rightmost spaces (two southerly most spaces). 
Fees:  $3 for in-state residents and $4 for out of state residents to enter park
Amenities:  gear rental facility, small gear store, restrooms and small concession in beach house
 during summer, when shop is open and owner is present, he will consult the Web and give
advanced warning of bad weather
Best Wind Directions:  S and SE.  N and NE may work well, E wind is feasible, it is possible to
sail in a NW wind provided you sail around the point on the left (north) of the launch area
Regs:  use right most two launches (beaches 4 and 5), do not drive car onto grass--you must
 carry your gear to the water
Hazards:  Lots of geese droppings at the launch area

FIG. 2 view of the Gunpowder launch area and the Ultimate Watersports storefront
on a busy mid-summer day  The Ultimate business has 4 sheds, the left most being a locker for customer gear
storage, the middle two are for rental equipment and the right one being the store/cashier
to view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed. 
To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image")

There is a several hundred feed walk to the shore from the parking lot, this a cart is advisable. 

                           
FIG. 3 view from the parking lot of the several hundred feet distance to the launch
to view a land photo:   if browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), use "control =" to zoom in by hitting the "=" key while the ctrl key is depressed. 
To zoom back out, use "control -".  If browser is Netscape or Firefox, simply right click on the photo and then select "View Image")

During the warm months, on on site rental and lesson facility is present:  Ultimate

FIG. 4 when a mid summer thermal blows, things can start getting backed-up on
beach #5 (the beginner launch)

FIG. 5 View of Geese in the foreground with the mouth of the Gunpowder River and
Aberdeen Proving Ground in the background--although the geese are a pretty sight,
they tend to leave droppings at the launch area

FIG. 6 Aerial view of the mouth of the Gunpowder River showing the windsurf
launch in relationship with other landmarks

 
FIG. 7 on a hot summer afternoon, a thermal or seabreeze southerly wind kicks in
and draws windsurfers to the Gunpowder