Continent |
North America |
Country |
Rhode Island (USA) |
Next Big City |
Providence |
Next Town |
Charlestown |
|
Type: |
Ocean, Lagoon |
Rider Ability: |
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert |
Features: |
Camping, Toilet, Parking |
Water
Type: |
Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave |
Hazards: |
Swimmers |
Quality: |
Clean |
Best Tide: |
Tide independent |
The pond offers flat and shallow water. Shallow water makes this a popular learning spot. The ocean side has small to medium waves, depending on wind conditions. Stay away from swimmers, ocean or pond side.
Beach
Type: |
Sand |
Size: |
Medium |
Hazards: |
Bystanders |
Beach Users: |
July, August |
The Pond side you can water launch to avoid beach goers and other kiters. The beach here is very narrow. Ocean side you may have to walk a ways to get open beach in the summer although end of day it isn't to crowded and parking is free after 4:00 during beach season. Otherwise it's 8 bucks a day.
Weather
Spring:
|
Normal |
Summer:
|
Shorts, Shorty |
Fall:
|
Normal |
Winter:
|
Thick |
The Pond is shallow and heats up much quicker than the ocean on sunny spring and fall days.
Wind
Best Months: |
No information |
Wind Type: |
Frontal |
Best Direction: |
NE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW |
Main Direction: |
SW, WSW |
The SW wind in the pond is frustrating, but the shallow and enclosed water make a great learning spot nonetheless. Lot of waiting for wind here. NE winds are steadier when they come but there is less space if you can't ride upwind. Ride almost any wind direction in the salt pond. Although the prevailing SW is fluky coming over the dune. Ride anything with S in it on the ocean.
How to get there
Transport |
Car |
Access
|
Short walk |
Take East Beach Road to the very end off of Rte. 1. Don't pull into first beach parking lot on right, continue down dirt road to the left to state beach parking lot. There is a parking charge during July and August, but it's free after 4pm.
Extra information
The pond has been a windsurfing spot for a long time. Kiters walk to the right from the pond entrance leaving the nearest 'beach' for families and windsurfers. Off-season it doesn't matter as much. So far no negative interactions on the ocean side, but employ standard precautions of walking far enough to find open beach and be away from concentrations of swimmers. Stay out of the area that have eel grass.
Nightlife
In the summer shore towns for about 15 miles in each direction have entertainment and food.