Wall of Voodoo

If you are in the 45 - 55 year old age demographic you might remember an American band from Los Angeles called Wall of Voodoo. Their one hit wonder was Mexican Radio but their name is what resonates with me still to this day. The reason for that is that it describes a Columbia Lake phenomenon that I first encountered over twenty years ago when learning to windsurf at the park in Canal Flats.

Most windy days at Columbia Lake start with a southerly flow that generally picks up as the day progresses. The winds are fairly consistent for a BC lake and that day, twenty something years ago we were having a blast learning to windsurf and just enjoying the sunshine.  That is when we saw it.

Phil noticed it first and pointed to the north end of the lake where a thin line of white was slowly moving down the lake. Being the most experienced windsurfer in the group he started to jump up and down and raced to his truck to start rigging down to a smaller sail size. The wind was still blowing in from the south but he recognized the line as a wall of white caps that was moving rapidly down from the north. It was coming and it was coming on strong.

Being a windsurfer and watching a wall of strong wind move down the lake sets you in a panic. You know within a few minutes that all hell is going to break loose and you want to be ready for it. While I was rigging a smaller sail the song Mexican Radio started playing on the stereo. "It's a Wall of Voodoo," Phil cried out, "A Wall of Voodoo."

Before the wind shifts from the south to the north there is a brief period of unusual calm. The water goes flat and everything goes still. When the northerly pushes in, you will be met with strong gusty winds and if you are a windsurfer, you will be raging with a big smile across your face.


Walls of Voodoo are quite common at Columbia Lake. Some stronger than others but all come about in a matter of minutes and can strike those not ready for them. If you are out on a boat or battling a southerly headwind on a personal water craft and the wind suddenly goes still, look over your shoulder for something coming from the other direction. You might be in for an unpleasant surprise.

A powerful Wall of Voodoo hit today when I was down at the lake. I was rigging for a southerly when all went flat. I thought the day was done but low and behold, I could see the wall way down by Columere. It never lasted long and it was pouring rain for half of it but I got a session in that had me holding on tight. 

On a side note, the water is surprisingly warm. I was just wearing a shorty wetsuit and when I fell in, the shock I was expecting never came! So enjoy the lake this coming long weekend and if the wind dies and the song Mexican Radio starts up in your head, look for the Wall of Voodoo and race to shore!

The Wall of Voodoo trashing the shorefront today.We are going to need some bigger rocks in front of the down ramp.

Walls of Voodoo and Windsurfers make good companions.