On Tue, 26 Jan 1999, Richard Strickland wrote: <snip> > 2) In a statistical sense, Kevin may be correct that "currents usually > are not faster than fast paddling speed," i.e., over a majority of the > area for a majority of hours on an annual basis. However, there are > several channels in the San Juans where currents exceed 2-3 knots over > most of their width and length for several hours a day and for several > successive days during spring tidal periods (around new/full moon), > especially during May-July and November-January. That's fast for me to > paddle for a period of hours (shorter burst are OK). Maximum currents > exceed 4 knots in many areas during these times. Thus I would argue > that strong currents are common enough to get the uneducated paddler > into conditions where he/she could not control his/her position for > several hours at a time. P.S. This happened to me in my greener years. Hi Richard, Thanks for your very informative post! I intentionaly left out of my post any reference to large spring currents and some of the constricted channels such as Obstruction Pass where currents can get faster than maximum paddling speed. I wanted to see if anyone was paying attention. You passed my informal and probably unnecessary test with flying colors. In fact, considering how much I learned from your post, maybe I should do this kind of thing more often. Nah... Now one more comment about paddling against currents. Don't do so unless absolutely necessary! It is far too much work and effort, and very difficult if the current is above three knots. It is very difficult to paddle against even a one knot current, and three knot current is almost impossible except for short distances. It is much better to plan to paddle with the current. One of my favorite trips in the San Juans is to paddle from Washington Park on Fidalgo Island to Doe Bay on Orcas Island, leaving just as the current turns to a spring flood. First there is the challenging ferry glide across a current that goes 90 degrees to the direction of travel. This is great practice for using ranging navigational techniques. Then there is a fabulous tide rip on strawberry island to play and surf. And then for the finale, there is a ride on the Rosario Strait Express current with a stop at Doe Bay for a hot tub soak. A lot of fun indeed. Last time I did this trip, we made the 8 nmi one-way distance in 2:04 hours, including a 30 minute stop to play at the rip. So the moral of the story, if there is one, is to let the currents do the work for you, but also learn about eddylines, because they are inseperable. Lot's o' speedy paddling, Kevin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jan 26 1999 - 23:07:49 PST
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