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Sunday Possibilities for a Downwinder
duncanhowat
05/13/17 #21293
Starting to see some glimmer of hope for a sun morning downwinder from Larrabee to the harbor, meaning south wind. Maybe meet about 9:30 where winds dictate . Now I know its mothers day, but what better way to celebrate than a lively down wind run then lunch with her . Or to really score points bring her along in a double. Whatya think Steve? Will see whats up around eight. Those people who did the 20 miles up north should be ready. Looking
for big waves, Dave
Reivers Dustin
05/14/17 #21310
Wind was better down south. Duncan had a scouting report from Gwen. I took my leetle boat with the beeg rudder. It was a great run. good short runners up to about Red Can, then the wind eased and waves lengthened out. A little faster and harder to catch, but glorious when you made it stick. I saw the GPS holding over 8 for long periods. I was having trouble keeping Duncan in reach until he snagged one of those monster weed things we've been seeing lately. (Who says God doesn't answer prayers.) What the heck stuff is that? it's way worse than eelgrass.
Anyway waves had good throw into the bay if you were outside the red can. Grossman got himself pinched off by a powerboat as he was going past the Marina. Sometimes I think they don't perceive our speed when we are hooked up on waves. But I used to know a guy at work that was a power boater. He referred to us paddlers as target practice. Never real sure if he was joking.
It was a good call. Sometimes waves don't show us any whitecapping. All you can see from shore is just darker looking water. If you look at the webcam now you just see the buoy riding up and down a little. Also, the wave-train can be just this narrow slot. And the slot can move around or disappear. Duncan stayed inside a bit and Hillburn went way the heck out. I tried both and good waves each way. I think the speed over land was faster inside if you were a normal person. But the waves outside were taller with more energy. there was ebb to work against, so if you were a stout paddler you could garner serous velocity outside.
I get nervous when we jump into those really big downwinder days. This was more my style. And that take out at Little Squalicum is sweet. You stay wide of the mixing bowl near the marina as you come in across the bay.
thx Dunc.
rd
