Lake's bay Launches (2) (Southern NJ, near Atlantic city)

1) Comfort Inn on U.S. Rt 40
 
FIG. 1 view of a typical hot summer weekend afternoon @ Lakes Bay with the sun 
being out, the wind blowing on shore, and the sailors sailing to the right (west) of the 
launch area and travelling almost parallel the shore on a beam reach

There are actually two windsurfing launches into Lake's Bay, the Primary 
one being behind the Comfort Inn in Rt 40.  This primary launch is best for 
seabreezes when the wind is Southerly, but works in most other wind 
directions as well.  This primary launch at the Hotel is worst in a N or NE 
wind, which is offshore.  When the wind is N or NE, one should consider 
launching into Lake's Bay from the boat ramp at the end of N Dorsett Ave 
in Ventnor Heights (see at the end (FIGS. 9 and 10) for a description of 
the Dorset Ave launch) 

Venue faces SSW out through a channel that eventually leads to the ocean.  Site
 is renown for thermals (i.e., seabreezes), which occur in hot afternoons, often
 in the months of May, June and July.  Even in low tide, water is usually deep
 enough for a 50 cm fin. Site is near coast and can work in other wind
 directions too, such as W or NW.  

Directions:  follow Mapquest to near Atlantic city.  On US Rts 40/322 (Blackhorse Pike) near
mile post 61 behind the Comfort Inn in West Atlantic City.  

Best Wind Directions:  SSW thermal seabreeze, but 
E, SE, S, SW, W and NW also work well

Fees:  $5/day to park, $35/calendar year for pass (see FIG. 9 below)

Amenities:  restrooms in Hotel, shop on site, picnic tables, 
trash barrels

Regs:  see FIG. below, no rigging on deck (see FIG. 8 below)

Hazards:  Occasionally the passing of a motor boat or a jet ski, channel 
markers in the water, occasional crab pots far away from the launch

  
FIG. 2A view of Lakes Bay launch area looking East on a busy hot summer afternoon

FIG. 2B view of the Hotel in front of launch from US Rts 40/322

 
FIG. 3A View within the Extreme Windsurfing store @ Lake's bay with Instructor Petra 
Kanz manning the desk and owner Jim Karabasz standing by.  Note all the goodies one 
can purchase if you forget something, break something or just need something. 
Convenient and at a good value (due to low overhead and high volume).

FIG. 3B view of additional storage sheds and the Extreme van--figure out why 
the store can offer 20% off discounts?

FIG. 4A aerial views respectively of the Lake's bay launch area 

FIG. 4A aerial views respectively of the Lake's bay launch area 
	As of 2008, there is no shower facility on site. It is
therefore recommended that you bring a sun shower. However, 
you are allowed to use the restroom inside the Hotel.

Just as Dewey Beach DE is a best choice in early Spring and in the Fall,
 Lake's bay is a "best choice" on hot afternoons in Late Spring and Early to Mid
 Summer.  Can often get an afternoon of planing in at this time of year. 
 Consult a forecast engine or engines such as iwindsurf, the Atlantic city
 press or whatever before making arrangements to come.  Site is so good that
 many a Canadians forget about the OBX and Hatteras and instead catch the
 seabreezes at Lakes bay.

FIG. 5 opening day 2010, note in westerlies, people sail out and back, but during 
sea breezes, they sail parallel to the shore as in FIG. 1 above

FIG. 6 view of the Lake's bay launch area looking West on a late 
summer afternoon during a mild seabreeze

FIG. 7 view of the launch area and the Extreme business on a busy summer afternoon 

FIG. 8 view of list of rules at the launch at Lakes Bay

FIG. 9 view of sign indicating parking fee

On iwindsurf.com the sensor's name for Lake's bay changes, and was last moved
 to PT point and is labeled "PT point" for the ships that were there during
 WWII.

Lake's bay is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from DC and about a 3 hour drive from
 Baltimore.  Lakes bay is situated about 3 miles from central Atlantic city in
 or near Pleasantville, NJ or West Atlantic City, NJ. 

Travelers from Baltimore and Washington are strongly encouraged to subscribe
 to EZ pass and attach the sensor to your car as there are a lot of toll booths 
along the journey.

FIG. 10 view of the hotel, the rigging area and the wooden deck looking north from the shore 

2) Dorset Ave Launch into Lake's Bay in 
Ventnor Heights

The other Lake's Bay launch is located at the North end of N Dorset Ave at Burke Ave 
in Ventnor Heights.  At the North end of Dorset Ave is a parking area and a boat ramp. 
 This launch into Lake's Bay is best when the winds are out of the N or NE and it is 
not low tide.  To launch, one must sail betweentwo islands to reach the open water.  
In low tide, this can be difficult as the water is shallow and the bottom is very muddy. 

FIG. 11 view into Lake's Bay from the Dorset Ave boat ramp
--note the twoislands one must sail between to reach open water

FIG. 12 view of the parking area for the boat ramp into 
Lake's Bay at the end of Dorset Ave (to view a 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")

Additional Notes by Felix Cabrera circa 1990:  "This location is a favorite for the 
Atlantic City area. A rental shop is situated on site.  They sell from screws to boards 
just in case you break down and don't have spares.  Sail all day and drink all night 
for free at the casinos!  Cautions [include] low tide [that] can be tough on fins near 
shore.  Watch out for channel markers close to shore.  They look like broomsticks in
 the water standing straight up.  The bottom is muddy so you may experience a 
quicksand effect if you fall in a standing area.  Beware of crab traps as well.  
Otherwise a pretty good place to sail a 5.0m2 summer thermal which is very 
common here.  Past the channel, [the] average depth is 3-5 feet."