Re: [Paddlewise] How Windy Was It (Really)?

> Once I paddled **one mile** against Force 8
>(35 - 40 knots) -- took me 2.5 hours of *very hard,* constant effort,
>and I was completely bushed at the end.
>
>So let's hear it, you young, strong paddlers ... was that *really* a 20
>knot head wind?  What was the sea state like?
>
>--
>Dave Kruger
>Astoria, OR
>--
>Beating the drum for old age and treachery.

Hi Dave,

I paddled home about the same distance this summer off Oak Bay Marina -
posted it to the list; maybe you were in Haida Gwaii - in a terrific
headwind, gusting to 45 knots.  I know because soon after we got to land,
after paddling for a very long time with inches of progress per minute it
seemed, I called the Environment Canada weather report station for reports
on Discovery and Trial Islands, which is where we were.

I'm not young (52) but I'm relatively strong "for my age" ;) , and
desperation and determination combined this time to give  hi-test fuel. I
did not want to go over and have my companion have to try to assist in
righting me, or stabilising the boat (my Arluk 1.8)  while I made a wet
exit re entry.

It seemed to me the sea state could best be described as 'variable'; with
the gusts I really did not know what to expect, except more of it. Wind was
slamming from all over it seemed and the water was mainly being flattened
out by downward pressure, as I recall.

We were close to land really but everyone else (sail and power)  had gone
in or were concentrating on getting in or trying to anchor.

Diane, picking up her drum and joining in


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