[Paddlewise] Surfing Deep Water Waves [was: Stability]

Dave Kruger wrote
>This means that somebody on a surf ski working his/her butt off paddling to
>maintain a surfing position on a wave in the middle of a wave train will
>eventually be riding on the leading wave of the train ... which will soon
>diminish, leaving the paddler to seek out another large crest to ride.

>I think I have noticed this effect trying to maintain a surfing position on
>small stuff, too, but can't be sure of it.  Anybody else experienced that?

I've noticed this on my local (actually in my back yard) river. In the
spring the wind blowing against the strong current creates tight-coupled
waves of 1-2'. By accelerating on the face of steep ones,  I can surf
upstream for 20 yds or so, but then the wave just goes poof.  I though for a
while they were passing me or I was passing them, but they really just
disappear. You can see that by watching from shore.

Because the waves seem to be bow-shaped and staggered rather than straight
washboard lines across the river, I can some times move laterally from the
steep leading edge of one bow across a lower shoulder to the leading edge of
the next wave upstream, and thus prolong the ride. At least that what it
feels like.  

Waves look more like

^   ^   ^   ^
  ^   ^   ^

than like

____________
____________
____________


Whether that's a function of their being wind formed, or as John Winters
points out, their compound and/or translational nature, I don't know--
unfortunately, in a fit of generousity, I gave my Bascom away.

Clark Bowlen
 


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