Breaking wavesToday we ended up at Tors Cove after a scouting mission in Brigus South. There we spoke to 3 local fishermen who advised against launching. They wouldn't go out in their 10 metre fishing boat they said. That was almost a dare and the testosterone cut in for a bit but we listened to reason and retreated to Tors Cove
We launched and went first to have a look at the massive waves breaking between Fox Island and the Cribbies on the mainland.
The Cat in the Hat Clyde in his element. What we saw here was a hint of the conditions we'd paddle in today.
Now I see you, barely I had checked the ocean wave model on the Environment Canada site. Swell of 2 - 3 metres was predicted. Swell bards north of Tors Cove were out of the ENE and south it was SW. That could be interesting I thought, if it would run all the way to the coast.
We were on the east coast of the Avalon, the closest land on the continent to Ireland, where the ocean has a mind of its own. It was active and entertaining.
Ship IslandWe paddled on the outside of Ship Island in what I consider ideal paddling conditions - active water without the wind.
Bauline Head We paddled on to Bauline Head where the wind began to increase. We thought it prudent to turn back and make for Tors Cove again.
It was a shortish paddle of a tad over 10 kms but it was primarily open ocean paddling with 2 - 3 metre swell, at times from 2 directions, with a helping of clapotis. Because of that, when we got back to the beach it felt more like 20 in comparison to calm protected waters.
Tors Cove today doubled our pleasure. Thanks guys.
Awesome shots.Awesome weather! Thanks for the post Tony!
ReplyDeleteYou should talk to Paul Benson. He has some stories about that area in your first two pictures!! I paddled through there (the channel between and the island and the mainland) - last summer in ideal conditions. The water is about 5 feet deep all the way through. Very shallow with a rough and rocky bottom. I'm guessing that's the reason for the rough seas in that area today!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Paul's stories include Tony Lee - go figure!!
Thanks Lee, this is what you have to look forward to when you come home!
ReplyDeleteSean, when we got back it was low tide and after we loaded our boats and gear we walked over for a closer look. The waves were huge and the rocks in the channel were exposed. I'll post a picture later.
Tony :-)
How about not worrying about it. I've paddled with you a lot and from the looks of things you have adapted to your boat sitting the way it does with the gear in it that you normally carry on a paddle. If you were capsizing a lot due to instability than yes add some extra weight to make it sit lower. But why try to fix something that is not broken?
ReplyDeleteJust my 2 cents...