Good points Dave, as always. Of course, if you are in three foot waves, and you are down in the trough three feet looking up at the crest of either a shore break or a steep wind wave, it does appear to be a 6 foot wall of water coming down on you. Your factor of two. Nick's explanation helps: http://www.paddlinginstructor.com/articles/determining_wave_height_in_rough_water_20060401.php Usually, I determine wave height from simple exposure over the years of comparing observed height estimations with reported heights. But say, if a paddler doubles their estimate and then a newspaper reported factors in another doubling, well, it doesn't take long to have 20 foot seas on the Great Lakes at half the needed 60 knots to really generate those seas. On the other hand, most of us estimate the wave height correctly, then add another three feet when telling friends about our little adventure. Add another three feet to that if you are drinking at the pub with those same friends or there are women listening. The latter is usually when most guys lie about size. :-) Well, it's just about tax time here in Canada. Kayaking is like taxes, you can make it as dangerous as you want. DL > Doug Lloyd wrote: >> A skilled paddler should be able to estimate wave height and wind speeds >> reasonably accurately. The two kayakers were supposed to be fairly >> advanced, though 8 years of paddling experience may or may not have >> provided the necessary accumulation of attributes. I guess my real point >> was the media seem responsible for inflating wave heights - usually. >> Don't ask me how I know. > > Basically, I agree with Doug. However ... > > I think 80% of the folks I have paddled with over the years grossly > overestimate wave height, when they are out in it ... typically by a > factor of two. Most folks are not very good observers, unless they have > trained themselves and checked their estimates. Having reporters repeat > what paddlers say makes even for more error. > > OTOH, if the writer of the article had quoted a figure from a NOAA or > EnvironmentCanada buoy ... than I'd believe they were more accurate. > > -- > Dave Kruger > Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Apr 02 2007 - 20:36:38 PDT
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