Re: [Paddlewise] Kayaks and River Entrances and Bars - the condensed version

From: <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:59:12 +0000
G'day Paddlewise,

Something thats been bugging me for a long time is the physics behind the warnings and experiences of some of our club paddlers who've been trapped coming across a bar or into a river mouth with the tide flowing one way and the wind blowing forcefully against the tide.

Apart from the anticipated wave action they appear to have experienced an inability to move forward against the tide or backwards against the wind and have been stuck in an awkward situation for longer than was fun.

What I don't understand is why the forces don't balance out from a kayakers frame of reference? I keep wondering whether its a misreading of the situation by my friends and whether the wave action was the real problem, but this doesn't add up as they all thrive paddling in choppy water. Can anyone give me an explanation as to why the forces don't appear to cancel out?

All the best, PeterO
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Received on Fri Sep 14 2007 - 03:59:19 PDT

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