Windsurfers rejoice over Washoe Lake; dub it "Brown Maui"

But to regional windsurfers, the powerful winds that blow down the Sierra's eastern front make Washoe Lake so inviting, they've nicknamed it "Brown Maui"

"Washoe Lake is one of the top 10 places in the U.S. for windsurfing," said Ron Moore, the president of the Sierra Nevada Windsurf Club.

"The wind speed out here is just about in excess of 20 mph every day in summer due to thermal winds."

It's comparable to the Columbia River gorge and Rio Vista, he said. "It is every bit as good."

The notorious wind, the "Washoe Zephyr," is created by the cool mountain air rushing down into the Washoe Valley floor to replace the rising heated desert air.

The zephyr is as predictable as Sierra snow in winter, beginning about 4 p.m. each summer day and pushing wind speeds on the lake to 15 mph to 20 mph.

Moore, 54, is a longtime Washoe County schoolteacher who often finds himself dashing for the lake after the final bell.

He said the winds are so strong that the lake isn't recommended for beginning windsurfers or small-boat sailors.

"It's too windy for regular sailing, like Hobie Cat sailing," said Moore, who said the best wind speed for beginning windsurfers is about 8-15 mph.

"When there's a lot of wind, not even Jet Skis will go out. We pretty much have the place to ourselves," he said.

Bud Heishman is the owner of Snowind Sports, the only windsurfing shop in Nevada. He recommends beginners avoid Washoe's waves and head to Boca Reservoir near Truckee, Calif.

"With the big swell and chop on the east side, it's easy to be blown out to the middle of the lake," he said.

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