W  est Side is one of the least known and least used sites for windsurfing at Clinton Lake, but it's one of the best for spectators.  The slope of the hill down to the launch provides natural stadium seating for any windsurfing event. Once the water warms up freestylers, formula racers and GPS speed sailors can all have fun at this site.

RIG & LAUNCH
» West Side has one of the longest walks to the water from where you park.  It’s best to drive to the boat ramp roundabout and unload on the grass at the bottom of the hill.  You can then park at either the trailer or non-trailer parking. The launch is the boat ramp; careful, slippery when wet.

WIND
» The most ideal wind direction is SSE.  Wind from this direction comes off the land just east of the dam where there are very few trees.  West Side can also be good in anything from ESE to S.   If the wind is too offshore at Marina Sail Park, and there isn’t enough SE for the Swim Beach, and you want a longer fetch than at The Corner, then this is the place to be.

WATER
» West Side has the coldest water temp of any launch at Clinton Lake.  It is most noticeable in the early spring.  The bottom is concrete boat ramp and rip-rap.  Once you’re out chest deep, it’s hard-pack clay.  After you tack up wind a couple of times, your reaches are nearly ¾ of a mile long.   The lake is deep here, and swell can build on the big days with starboard favored ramps.  Head up wind farther, and you‘ll find formula race conditions.  Head up even farther, near the dam, and flip your GPS to max speed mode.