August 31, 2005

Wind and Circulation

An interesting note on today's paddling. I had taken the day off to play in the what was left of Katrina. A small craft advisory was in effect with winds out of the south so I hoped there would be some decent waves rolling up the Potomac.

The waves never got over 2 feet, with the winds blowing a fairly steady 14 MPH according to my anemometer. But I did get some long rides back in to Belmont Bay. I paddled out past Sandy Point out to the edge of the channel then rode the waves deep into the bay. I would then paddle close to shore to block the wind and follow it back out to the point so that only a portion of my paddle was against the wind.

The interesting note is that once near shore there was a fair along shore current pushing me back to the point. The water coming in with the blowing waves was then recycled back out along the shore.

The shallow bay between Sandy Point and High Point is actually a better surf area and I did go out there to play a little but it became tiring fighting my way back out against the wind each time. Eventually I went back to Sandy Point to take advantage of the recirculating ride.

When the tide started coming in the waves became more shallow so I headed back to the launch, practiced paddling while sitting on the top of the kayak in the bumpy water for a few minutes, then headed for home.

Woody