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9:30 BKB Locust parking lot REPORT
allipp01
11/18/12 #13611
The wind was steady SE at 30 plus, gusting into the 40s…..perfect direction for Marine Park to Locust. Waves were probably 4 feet or so, maybe an occasional 5 footer, and the rides were good all the way. As we approached the shallows by Locust, the waves stacked up a bit and you could get even longer rides, though the nose seemed to pearl more as the waves steepened up.
I climbed the hill by myself with my OC-1, and it was not too bad; a bit steep and I was maybe breathing harder than at any point during the easy downwind paddle. Tom Swetish and Eric Grossman carried their surfskis up one at a time, and said it was real easy, though they had to make 2 trips. At the beach at the base of the cliff, there are plenty of big logs to hide your boat behind so the wind doesn't blow it away.
Eric Grossman
11/18/12 #13612
I have to agree with Alan, super fun long rides today, a few drops into the trough requiring your weight way back to keep from pearling, I love that. Locust had waves you could surf with a longboard, and interestingly somewhat glassy inside despite the pretty strong gusts.
I'l Grosso
Reivers Dustin
11/19/12 #13616
The lake was excellent. Jeff Hill showed me the county park put-in that's further around than the fire station boat launch. It was good in that shape of wind because you're lined up perfect from the start. There was an area after Strawberry point where the waves stretched out and got fast. If you had the heart for it you could really fly.
I heard from the next group on the lake that it was marvelous for them.
Lake is nice: fresh water, good safety, less cross-chop, waves never get mean.
But I've been on the lake in big air when the waves never really got surfable. So it's a direction thing as well as wind velocity.
Real curious now about Locust now. Part of the safety concern is having downwind recovery. The problem with Larrabee is several rock wall shorelines where if you get tangled up you'll be smashed against the rocks. It's a nasty feeling to come off your boat, miss a re-entry and be looking at a dang pile of rocks right next to you. It takes a firm mind to concentrate and get back in your boat without thinking of the impending barnacle rash.
rd
Tom Swetish
11/19/12 #13617
Locust definitely has its merits and I think it is one of the “safer” runs on the bay. That being said, at the half way point, you are about two miles off shore. No rock wall, but plenty of exposure. At least you're right out the coast guard's front door…
Like Alan said, the hike up the hill is reasonable and well protected from the wind. There is parking along the road at locust, but check the signs and be completely off the road. You can also park in the BKB lot - they ask for $1/hr. They also have a sweet warming/changing hut there that you can join for a reasonable yearly membership.
allipp01
11/19/12 #13618
Here's the membership info for NSKA……if you do downwind paddles ending at Locust a lot this is definitely worth it for only $50 per year…..I didn't peer inside, but according to Tom there's a computer to check wind and even a gas fireplace to warm up in front of!
Reivers Dustin
11/19/12 #13619
Hmmm. our world might be getting bigger. I was talking to a kite-board guy at Marine Park Saturday. He said there would be a pile of his buddies down there. If one of us got swept down that way, he said we could probably get a ride back to Marine park. However, it is a head-trip to be offshore so far.
Not so sure about any kind of on-water kite-board rescue. The bomber rescue is from an OC boat (if your gear is all together and working). Surfski to surfski rescue is always edgy. At least we found out that trick about taking on a passenger with no paddle. What did we call that excersize? Wasn't it “The Shrinkage Regatta”? We should do a refresher. Like Elana was talking about: pick a gnarly Westerly day, not much good for rides. Then when you'll get blown into the beach practice choppy re-entries and maybe some rescue drills.
The only kite-board rescue I know about was the james-bondian fly-by in the gorge. (Tell the story again, uncle Jim!!!)
rd
allipp01
11/19/12 #13620
Some of those guys are so good on their kites, they might be able to catch big air and drop you off at the top of the cliff! I'd suggest holding on for dear life until you get up there though…..
