Re: [Paddlewise] Big water at Sooke Entrance

Sounds like a great outing Gordin. Thanks again for the write-up. 35 knots 
is a little more fun, but infinitely more consequential if you blow it.

I wasn't too far behind you. Took the kids and Yvonne for a hike down to 
Iron Mine Bay to walk-off the Easter Sunday turkey dinner. We were able to 
do some of the coast trail in the afternoon too. There were ice pellets 
falling furiously at one point, then rays of sun commingled with rain fell 
through onto the heavily moss covered tree trunks and the abundant ferns, 
through the thick canopy of trees. man, do I love our island.

Funny, I remember looking out to Secretary Island where wind and tide were 
evidently in a much toned-down mood from earlier but still playful. I was 
thinking it would be great to be out there in my kayak ripping it up 
earlier. I was having more intercostal pain around my heart, so we had to 
head back. Passing by Whiffin Spit, I looked out to see if any kayakers were 
out. Funny, you were out there earlier in the day.

I had my VHF radio with me, so had been monitoring sea conditions and wind 
speeds like I usually do, earlier in the day and then when hiking (helps me 
to know when the opportune time is to head over to East Sooke - in this case 
less rain and wind was better for the family - and helps me develop my 
observational skill with confirming sea state values when looking seaward). 
Lucky for you I can confirm your estimates were not exaggerated. :-)

Anyone out there in Paddlewise land, both Gordin and I like to head out in 
our kayaks to this compact coastal rain-forest zone relatively close to home 
where rich deep green flora and lichen-covered cliffs backdrop a sometimes 
emerald green, sometimes molten silver-grey sea - while wind, waves, 
whitecaps and tide galore beckon city boys to come out and play.

Doug

Gordin (snip):
> 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.
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