T  he Swim Beach launch provides some of the most user friendly windsurfing at Clinton Lake, Illinois.  From beginner to the most advanced windsurf sailors, all enjoy a good day at this launch.  And the lack of trees, power lines, and low flying aircraft make this spot popular with kiteboarding enthusiasts.

RIG & LAUNCH
» There’s plenty of parking in the large parking lot with grass to rig on.  A longer walk to the water than The Road launch is made up for by a shorter walk to the Boondocks snack bar.  One can ease the situation by driving on the gravel to the launch, unloading, then going back and parking your car in the lot.   Your access to the water is between the left side of the fence and the bushes.

WIND
» Southeast or northwest winds are ideal; any thing else is gusty and holey.  What a southeast wind lacks in fetch it make up with a lack of tree line.  The wind comes straight off the farm field and is very clean with no wind shadows at the launch.  Northwest wind is excellent and will also have no wind shadow.  In either of these directions the wind will be filled in from shore to shore.

WATER
» The lake here is just under 1/2 mile wide.   The launch has a sand bottom that gradually slopes as you go out.  At the launch and on the far side there is flat water for hero jibes.   The water here will also be warmer than at Marina Sail Park.  The swell never gets as big as it does at Area 31, but you’ll find plenty of pieces with forward-loop potential, port and starboard, on the really big days.