WEATHER AND LAKE CONDITIONS Most of Lake Whitehurst is narrow and sheltered by tall trees, providing nearly ideal protection for our race course. The lake is rowable under all but the most severe conditions. The course is oriented northeast to southwest. Prevailing winds during our spring regatta season are from the north and northwest which are particularly well sheltered portions of the shore line.
EAST WIND, 15 MPH OR MORE. The upper end of Lake Whitehurst lies on an east/west axis with our starting area on the west end. An east wind of 15 MPH or more will create waves in the starting area. Under these conditions, crews should stay as close as possible to the Starter and be prepared to use quick starts. As winds build, the race course may be shortened to 1000 meters with in order to take advantage of shelter from the east shore. Racing will be suspended under severe conditions.
Although the starting area of the race course is generally sheltered from northeast winds, strong breezes from that direction will create following waves in the final 1000 meters of the race course. This wind condition rarely affects racing but the headwind can make it difficult for crews rowing to the starting area. Crews should expect to use floating starts under these conditions.
Because of the lake’s unsheltered southeastern end and a resulting fetch of over one mile, sustained winds in excess of 15 MPH create the most difficult rowing conditions on Lake Whitehurst. Rollers will develop, creating wet and rough conditions for crews. Headwinds will make rowing much more difficult. These conditions also adversely affect the start area and crews should expect to use quick starts. The LOC and the Regatta Safety Officer are particularly sensitive to strong southeasterly winds and will suspend racing as lake conditions deteriorate. READ OUR SAFETY PLAN. |
Three wind conditions, however, can adversely affect the race course.
