[Paddlewise] Big water at Sooke Entrance

We missed you today Doug. With a - 4.2 ebb flowing out of the Sooke Basin into
what I estimate a 20 to 25 knot wind out of the SW we got to play in a
sustained standing wave just off of Whiffin Spit.

Michael Jackson brought his plastic Sirroco out to what the family calls "The
Farm," and we launched from the bottom of the hill into a the receding tide.
I almost called Michael in the morning.  Our weather station on the roof was
recording 15 to 32 knots out of the S.  But, I figured the winds would slacken
by the time MJ arrived.

I used my back up Werner (Dr. Gori Veckian) Paddle just to stay familar and to
spare the foam core carbon fibre from the rocks.  Combined with a new helmet
that fits, pookies and the knife like edge of the aforementioned Dr. Veckian I
knew I'd be spending some time under water.  My first static brace worked off
side. Then the next, on side failed and down I went. Set up and back on top.
Notes to self, change paddle angle by rotating wrists inside those popkies,
leave the brain bucket in the water even though it feels like a sinking ship,
until the last possible moment and relack.

Back out into the standing waves for some surfing.  Waves were steep with a
very short frequency making it hard to get on the face and stay there for the
ride.  Most of my best rides came from the edge of the the big ones.  From
there I could get on the face throw in a correcting stroke and still stay on
the face.  Right on the green wall any sort of correcting stern rudder would
mean you'd slow just enough to let the wave slide away under you.

>From there we headed into the rock gardens that were being punded by wind
waves from Juande Fuca Strait.  Careful timing was key.  We worked our way out
past Simpson, Company and finially around Possession Point.  Lots of driving
rain smacking us right in the face as the winds out here we likely a sustained
25 knots.  We rounded Jackass Rock and cut in for the phony water treatment
plant at Silver Spray.  MJ lead the way down the surge channel to the beach at
the end.  He got bounced side ways once and I thought his greenland stick was
going to get turned into fire wood, but he threw in a nice correcting stroke
and sailed on in.  I decided speed was my best friend and raced to catch the
wave and ride one breaker all the way in.  Hot tea, light lunch and back on
the water.  The winds had slackened and MJ broke out the sail.  Major envy as
he surf sailed back and I paddled, surfed, paddled, paddled, surfed, paddled
my way back home.  Threw in another on side skulling brace coming off a wave
and once again got to do a recovering role.  Ditched the pookies and had no
more trouble until back on the beach.  After a number of roles I tried MJ's
stick.  Very nice on side. So over to the off side, minor ice cream head
coming on, bad idea, paddle not right, recover sweep up on the other side.
Got to shore, out of the boat, land won't stop moving, dizzy.  Recover and lug
boats back. Great day.

Gordin Warner
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