[Paddlewise] A question about ocean currents

I've been wondering about water dynamics in narrow ocean channels.  Are you 
more likely to encounter strong turbulence on extreme high tides or on 
lower tides?

On Nov. 3rd I helped organize a practice rescue session in Baynes channel 
just off of Victoria BC.  This day was recommended to me because it was 
suppose to have been day with a strong ebb current off a high tide. While 
the current was strong it was not particularity turbulent.

Without years of ocean experience to back me up I am, nevertheless, 
beginning to think that you're  likely to find more turbulence when there 
is less water flowing over or through restricted passage.  I suppose my 
conclusion depends on whether the rough water is created by the topography 
of the bottom or by water trying to flow past a choke point such as opposed 
head lands.

On this particular day we had the strong current but little 
turbulence.  The only rough spot was right at the head land.  After a week 
of steady southeast winds blowing against the current, on the 3rd, the wind 
disappeared along with the rough water.  We had been looking forward to 
really gnarly conditions.

I concluded that next time I'd do the exercise on a day of strong currents 
but not an extreme high tide.

Any comments? Are my conclusions correct?



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