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Observations About Bellingham Bay
Today was a damn good day!
Nicholas Cryder <nicholas.cryder@…>
01/23/18 #22449
Today reminded me why I love Bellingham. Arrived at MP at about 1pm in an absolute downpour. I had to finish up a client call, so I sat there in my truck watching all the usual suspects arrive and then go skipping down to the water for what amounts to our version of an epic powder day. The waves looked HUGE. White horse would form and spread. 5 feet wide. 10 feet. 15. 20. 30?!?! My called droned on and on… and I just zoned out and watched the holy rollers cruise on by. *Sigh* Josh arrived as the rain stopped, and we took off like a pair of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Once on the water, it was immediately apparent that today was going to be unique. There was enough of an eastern shove that the paddle up to the tunnel was GLASS, but just 200 yards out at the wind line monster waves chugged by in slow motion. Yup. Today would be special. And it bloody well was.
Nicholas Cryder <nicholas.cryder@…>
01/26/18 #22460
If there's a magic formula, I don't think I know it… just general thoughts about when I've seen it get good. This day was unusually good however (*Kim, this video was from the day before I saw you guys).
Bellingham Bay observations from a relative newb:
- A little bit of east is usually a very good thing - it keeps the waves a bit cleaner because you get the lee for a flat and there isn't any rebound coming back out.
- The less gusting, the better. If it is gusting, then 15 to 25 seems to be just about right if the tide is ebbing or at slack (which is exactly what it was this day).
- The river flows seem to really impact the bay. So much so that there are distinct streams that run in the bay and play games with the tides. The further out you go, the more current (which can be either a good thing, or a very very bad thing).
- If the slack tide happens as a big blow is also easing, it's usually when the waves are still big, but they're generally slightly slower (easier to catch), slightly less steep (easier to manage).
The waves are what you make of them. Here are some tips for making the most of the conditions you're given (again, take it for what it's worth - there are a ton of paddlers out there waaaayyy faster then me):
- In this video I was pounding up and over everything, and doing very little paddle dragging (I let it skip on the surface, but I don't push very hard - its just ready if I need it). I tend to prioritize keeping the ski gliding as fast as possible vs how long I stay on a wave. I have my GPS programmed to chirp at me when I drop below my target speed. It's an audible reminder to crack the whip. I don't think about max speed - only max average speed.
- When I am surfing, I am not thinking about the wave I'm on. I am scanning my quadrant (10 to 2) to see where the waves are forming and adjusting my wave exit timing to catch my next surf with as little effort as possible.
- When I surf down the face of a wave (either left or right), the split second my bow meets the back wave in front of me I put in two or three powerful strokes to the use the buoyancy of the ski to pop me up and over the wave in and drop in the other side.
- I often steer away from the really big, burly waves because their harder to ride and give you less options on the exit. The medium to large waves right beside them are just as fast and far easier to surf well. So for me, it tends to translate to more boat run.
- There are only two modes of downwind paddling I think about: either I am surfing, or I am sprinting (hunting) down my next surf. I never start a sprint without a boost from a wave, and I never stop sprinting until I am back on another wave (think of a motocross bike doing a big jump - you never want to land in the flat!).
- Finally, I always roll the dice vs holding back. Most of the time, you'll make the wave and keep more speed then if you slow yourself down and play it safe. For the times you don't, it's a great way to learn how to make them next time.
