Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Busy with families and beachgoers in July and August; kite community is most active on windy days in autumn.
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Pointe Des Chênes (Lake Superior) is a shallow, sandy beach launch on the Lake Superior side of the St. Mary’s River near Sault Ste. Marie. The water is described as crystal-clear and generally flat with small-wave potential, and there is typically room to rig and launch from the beach. Wind sports here are centered on Northwest flow during the main season from June through October. Winds are commonly reported as NW (with WNW/W also mentioned) and can be driven by frontal/gradient systems, with moderate gustiness and moderate reliability—conditions can change with Great Lakes weather systems. The key safety issue is the proximity of the active shipping channel. Riders are warned to stay well clear of the channel because freighters and other vessels create large wakes and may not be able to see small kites/windsurfers. Additional hazards include ships/boats and a rocky waterbed beneath the sandy launch area; water shoes are recommended. For gear and comfort, the water is consistently cold, with reports that even midsummer rarely exceeds about 18°C, and guidance suggests thick wetsuits (including 5/4mm or 4/3mm) for summer and thicker protection in cooler months.
- Shallow, flat, crystal-clear water with small-wave potential
- Spacious sandy launch area for setup
- NW winds in late spring through fall
- Scenic freighter/ship-watch environment—paired with significant channel proximity hazards
- Shallow, flat, crystal-clear water with some small-wave potential
- Spacious sandy beach area for rigging and launching
- Strong interest from local wind-sports community for NW wind days
- Very cold Lake Superior water year-round
- Shipping channel/large commercial vessels pass very close by
- Rocky waterbed even with a sandy shoreline
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, WNW, W
- No-go directions
- S, SSW, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal/gradient-driven winds on Lake Superior.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate-gusts.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small-wave potential.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach launch at Pointe Des Chenes on the shore of Lake Superior near the St. Mary’s River.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch; wide sandy beach with plenty of room to rig and launch.
Through the year
Busy with families and beachgoers in July and August; kite community is most active on windy days in autumn.
Autumn (September-November) brings the strongest and most frequent wind systems.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat-water kitesurfing with small-wave potential. Reported as beginner-friendly with a large shallow area for practice; boat/ship traffic and the proximity of the shipping channel require extra caution.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Clean flat water with consistent side-onshore winds on a NW flow.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Suitable for wingfoiling, but foilers must walk out offshore to reach sufficient depth past the shallow sandbar.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly reported.
- Min Depth
- Approximately 50-100 meters offshore to clear the sandbar.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
When the bay freezes and becomes covered in snow, it can be used for snowkiting.
- Snow Conditions
- Packed
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior) in the full forecast view.
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Ships
- Boats on the water
- Shipping channel very close to the point
- Rocky waterbed
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site kite/windsurf rescue services; emergencies managed by local emergency services and the Canadian Coast Guard.
- Emergency Info
- For emergencies dial 911; Sault Area Hospital is the nearest major medical facility in Sault Ste. Marie.
Rules of the spot
Check whether kitesurfing is allowed at this location; permission/permit or local kite-organization membership may be required.
- No riding inside marked swimming zones during summer months.
- Stay well clear of the shipping channel; freighters cannot see you and create large wakes.
- Talk to a local before going on the water.
- Water shoes are a good choice because the waterbed is rocky.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Nearest Town
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Nearest Airport
- Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM)
- Parking
- Parking reported; large public parking lot available.
- Access
- Easily accessible via Pointe Des Chenes Drive; the park is located at the end of the road.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping nearby; the beach is part of the Lions Club Pointe Des Chenes Campground, with hotels/motels available in Sault Ste. Marie.
- Food & Drink
- Picnic facilities on site; restaurants and grocery stores are located a short drive away in Sault Ste. Marie.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops at the beach; riders must bring their own gear.
Off the water
The Sault Ste. Marie area blends heritage and wilderness outdoor experiences, with shoreline access to Lake Superior and notable freighter viewing near the St. Marys River.
Freighter watching is a notable draw for the shoreline area near the mouth of the St. Marys River.
Broader area promoted for scenic access to Lake Superior beaches and coastal viewpoints.
Historic lock system and canal with walking trails and heritage buildings.
Museum dedicated to the history of bush flying and forest fire protection.
Local museum context is mentioned in relation to the history of Pointe des Chênes as a former camping site.
Train tour into the heart of the Canadian Shield.
Area described as suitable for beach recreation on warm days.
Variety of local restaurants and breweries.
Conservation area offering hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.
Shoreline described as suitable for relaxed beach recreation.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior)?
The best overall months at Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior) are June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior)?
Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior) works with NW, WNW, W winds. No-go directions are S, SSW, ESE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior) suitable for?
Pointe Des Chenes (Lake Superior) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Snowkiting: Intermediate.