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West End / Lake Pontchartrain kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot

United States · Louisiana

Spot currently openIntermediate level 30.03 | -90.12

Overview

West End is one of the most popular kitesurf spots in New Orleans, located on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The launch is near the West End marina, at the mouth of the 17th Street Canal. Lake Pontchartrain, a massive 630 sq mi body of water, offers considerable fetch in all directions. The water is shallow (averaging 4 meters) and conditions are generally flat, ideal for progression. The spot is easily accessible from downtown New Orleans.

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Spot forecast for West End / Lake Pontchartrain

Sunrise 07:05 · Sunset 18:24

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

West End / Lake Pontchartrain: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

228h

in January · 25.5 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are January, April and March, at 25 rideable days and 21 °C. The low point is July, at 16.5 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 25.5 rideable days25.5 d J February: 20.5 rideable days F March: 25 rideable days M April: 25.5 rideable days A May: 25 rideable days M June: 20 rideable days J July: 16.5 rideable days16.5 d J August: 22.5 rideable days A September: 18.5 rideable days S October: 22.5 rideable days O November: 22.5 rideable days N December: 22.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 25.5 rideable days25.5 d J February: 20.5 rideable days F March: 25 rideable days M April: 25.5 rideable days A May: 25 rideable days M June: 20 rideable days J July: 16.5 rideable days16.5 d J August: 22.5 rideable days A September: 18.5 rideable days S October: 22.5 rideable days O November: 22.5 rideable days N December: 22.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 84%13-20 knots · 15%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 84% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 14 °C. The wettest month is July, with 264 mm.

Monthly averages: West End / Lake Pontchartrain
Monthly averages — West End / Lake Pontchartrain — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 25.5 228 h 14 °C 131 mm
February 20.5 189 h 20 °C 105 mm
March 25.0 234 h 23 °C 117 mm
April 25.5 248 h 27 °C 51 mm
May 25.0 222 h 30 °C 59 mm
June 20.0 157 h 33 °C 86 mm
July 16.5 96 h 33 °C 264 mm
August 22.5 159 h 33 °C 151 mm
September 18.5 149 h 31 °C 182 mm
October 22.5 199 h 27 °C 76 mm
November 22.5 187 h 24 °C 55 mm
December 22.5 184 h 19 °C 129 mm

Photo gallery of West End / Lake Pontchartrain

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Technical details of West End / Lake Pontchartrain spot

N: Rideable NNE: Rideable NE: Rideable ENE: Rideable E: Rideable ESE: Rideable SE: Rideable SSE: Rideable S: Rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Rideable NW: Rideable NNW: Rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Intermediate
On the water

Shallow Lake Pontchartrain water with sandy and muddy bottom. Flat to moderately choppy depending on wind strength and fetch. No significant tide (the lake is nearly enclosed). Brackish water, warm in summer (28-30°C). The lake's large fetch can generate short chop in strong winds. Good body of water for freestyle and progression.

Hazards

Violent and sudden tropical thunderstorms, very frequent in summer — leave the water immediately when lightning approaches. The lake can become dangerous quickly in strong winds with short, disorganized chop. Alligators possible near canals and marshy shores. Floating debris possible. Boat traffic near the marina. Currents possible at canal mouths.

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