School me on Lake Elsinore (CA)

[Okie Boarder]

So I'm going to CA for Christmas to visit the family and friends. We're planning a wakeboarding trip with one friend. We're probably going to hit Elsinore. He is used to going to Havasu, Parker or one of the mountain lakes.

Can any of you make recommendations about the lake as far as spots, times of day, etc. to have some good pulls?

[Stephan]

Well around Christmas time the lake is pretty quiet so i wouldn't worry about people too much. The lake is pretty round, not a cove to tuck in to. You could try and ride the channel, I doubt people will make you pay in December.

Last thing, make sure you are up on all your vaccinations. That lake is disgusting! We call it Smellsomemore for a reason.

[Okie Boarder]

I was looking at the lake map and it kind of seems that there isn't much for coves or wind block. I'm sure people won't be an issue, but I'm a little worried about the winds. Even in winter, SoCal can whip up some good Santa Anas.

The channel huh? I saw that on the map too with come statements about being off limits. But if nobody is out there, I could see where we could probably sneak in there for a couple pulls.

What is it that makes it disgusting?

[Jensen]

^ oh man, you have no idea. The lake is GREEN. put a foot in the water and the algae is so concentrated in the water you can barely see your foot.

Algae blooms during certain parts of the season also starve the fish for oxygen and you'll see various floaters.

Used to be my only option of a lake when i lived down in that area. Moved from the worst lake in socal to the best

not to mention the death of someone that contracted nagleria fowleri in that lake

But if green water doesn't bother you you should get some good water provided that its not windy.

[Okie Boarder]

Jensen, that doesn't sound too good. Is it any better in the winter when the water is cooler?

[pet575]

Wouldn't think it would be as bad if:

1. The cooler water kills off some of the growth; and
2. If you are wearing a wetsuit, your exposure would not be all that great compared to bare skin.

[Okie Boarder]

pet575, kinda my thoughts too. I do plan to be in a wetsuit. I'd like to know from someone that has seen it whether the cooler water kills it off some.

[JAOPRO]

we shot this video on Elsinore earlier this year in mid-February: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXQt52WGB2Y

Should help you get a glimpse of what riding's like on "Smellsomemore" (haha)

[Okie Boarder]

Nice video. That water doesn't look bad to me.

[Jensen]

Ya that water color is not nearly as bad as i've seen it, although it looks like that video was shot around March time of year, snow on the mountains/green grass so the algae probably hasn't bloomed yet.

[Stephan]

Winter time is definitely better than late summer. When the lake has received some rain and got some in/out flow it gets much better.

Back when Canyon Lake was doing their tournaments there, one time I stood on the start dock and thought "damn I'm thirsty". All the guys around me begged me not to but I went in for a scoop full and wet my whistle. A little water, small salad and i was ready to shred! If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger!

All that being said, if we haven't got rain by December it will be as bad as it gets. USC put on a tournament in the Channel a few Novembers ago and at the turnaround the spray off the board was glow green. White shorts were ruined, it was bad! In short, pray fro rain.

[ky1e]

JAOPRO, what's the song in that video? It was sick, along with the video lol. Conditions on elsinore looked SICK. Who cares if it smells!! It might be pretty cold though.

[dalderman]

I thought they said they were on Canyon Lake? Totally different water if it was. The buoy line looked like the CL backwater area but I may be wrong.

[Okie Boarder]

Where's Canyon Lake?

[dalderman]

It's a private community about 4 miles from Elsinore. Impossible to get on unless you know somebody that lives there.

[Okie Boarder]

Wish I knew someone that lived there...LOL! A private lake would be nice. I never get to ride with this good friend of mine. He's the one that actually got me to try wakeboarding in the first place, which is kind of ironic. Even if the lake isn't all that great, it will still be really cool getting to ride together.

dalderman, do I remember you saying you rode in a private lake too, down around SD?

[dalderman]

Okie Boarder, it's not private but it costs $25 per day ($500 per year) to launch so not very many people ride there - especially in the fall & winter. It's the Carlsbad Lagoon in north county San Diego which is saltwater. Pretty chill spot and in December it's pretty dead. I think you said your buddy was anti-saltwater though.
If you guys want to come down, I'll give you a pull in my boat so you won't need to worry about it.
PM me if you are interested and let me know the dates.

[Craig-R]

yeah, been giving lessons to a family that was at lake elsinore last week, they said the lake is SO dirty and green from algae and that there were so many boats they could barely even ride

[ghettobird]

I went a few weeks ago. The water level was low, very green and smells a bit. Mid summer the fish started dieing due to the algae bloom. They float to the top and its fun to make sushi with your fins. This cycle is a regular occurrence for Elsinore. They say the algae kills bacteria, so it’s actually a very safe lake to swim in (at least thats what I like to believe)

It will be cold in December and I doubt we will get much rain by then so conditions shouldnt change much. There wont be many boats out that late in the season so it should be glass as long as the winds don’t pick up. In the summer winds pick up by noon.

[Justin 1933]

December will be much better than Summer time in terms of Algae. The lake should also be empty, as not many people ride in the Winter. The water will definitely be cold though...

It is the only lake around, so I don't mind....Just don't drink the water and you will be fine...

This is a video of Elsinore this past summer (end of July)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcLlJWhuMHA

[ghettobird]

Cool video! Zach looks fearless at 5. How do you start with him?

[Justin 1933]

This is how:

http://www.youtube.com/user/justin1933#p/u/5/H2b3RfFVBxM

[Okie Boarder]

Justin 1933, that doesn't look too bad. Very cool videos.

[Justin 1933]

The lake has its moments of being a gross, but around So Cal are options are limited. In the winter, most of the Algae dies as the water gets cold. We average 20 days a year at Elsinore and nobody has ever gotten sick.

[Okie Boarder]

Have you ever gone in December or January?

[Justin 1933]

Yep. The lake is usually empty (in terms of people) and much cleaner than the summer....

[Okie Boarder]

Is it "comfortable" with a full wetsuit?

[Justin 1933]

Yep. I have worn gloves on the cold morning to help with my grip.

[TnR6Rida]