Re: [Paddlewise] Clapotis technique

----- Original Message -----
From: "PeterO" <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
To: "'Paddlewise'" <Paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 5:39 AM
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Clapotis technique
>
> I come across them regularly when rounding a point as a Jet Cat Ferry gos
by
> or along the stretch of coast from North Head in Sydney to Blue Fish
Point.
> This stretch takes about 15 to 30 minutes to cross which is plenty of time
> to get used to the conditions. My Pittarak hardshell is fairly narrow and
> tippy and balances really well in confused water with flexible hips. The
> beamy Klepper is very good also.

Clapotis is pretty much what you see paddling in New York Harbor on many
days especially at the south end of the Hudson where it meets the Upper Bay.
Reasons should be obvious:  --Lots of ferries and other commercial and
recreational traffic scurrying around in no particular pattern sending off
wakes in every which direction.
--Hard sided edges of unyielding seawalls that reflect back all that already
confused wake action to add even more forces to the confusion of waters.
--A natural tendency for the water to stack up in the area as a result of
ocean flood currents driving northward against a river's southward current
and the phenomenon of water coming from a wider body (the Upper Bay) to a
more narrow body (the river).

It sometimes can rock you pretty badly.  I have seen clashing waves spout up
3 or more feet when they hit each other.  Also findiing oneself deep down in
the trough of the wave action and not being able to see above the confused
waves around you for what traffic may be doing.  However, such extremes are
not that usual but they do occur often enough.  It is great training for
learning how to be calm and for letting your boat do its thing under you.
One way to deal with is to paddle under lots of power because a boat in
motion at speed offers quite a stable platform.  But you also need to at
times do nothing and let the forces do their thing.  Do a little of both
(lay off and power) in clapotis is probably the best technique.

ralph diaz--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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