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===== Baynes Sound to Royston 3/02/2017 (Downwinder with SE Wind) =====

**Carl Tessmann** \\
03/02/17  #20761

Reading these posts I feel a bit lonesome up here on Vancouver Island, but knowing that you all were in the water at the same time as I was gives me a little sense of belonging now that I’ve met (and paddled with a few of you). So, since we had simul-paddles today, here’s what we enjoyed in Canuck land…

Up here on Vancouver Island we had a good SE 20 knot huff with some 30 gusts thrown in there. My buddy, Ryan and I decided a “lunch meeting” was necessary, and launched from a spot south of Union Bay into Baynes Sound, expecting very little. As we paddled out we got into some good chop and even took a few waves in the chest toward Tree Island (Sandy Island according to the charts) to get past the point downwind to have a clear run into Royston. When we turned we were instantly rewarded with hero-like conditions all the way to the mouth of the Comox harbour. By my fisherman’s measurement we were into steady 10 footers,  (reality probably 3-5’) with some larger ones thrown in there.

We both managed to keep a steady pace with constant runs and very few stalls, until we got to the dreaded point at the mouth of Comox Bay where the swells from the strait converge with the swells from banes sound and make such a mess that anyone except for the seasoned seapeople do little more than bob like a waterlogged cork. Things got a bit messy as I realized how little I know about downwind paddling in technical conditions. Catch a run one direction, get nailed from a different direction and swamp. Try the other way and get the same result. Repeat. In the harbour there wasn’t much to do but slog against the heavy ebb back to the beach.

The first 25 minutes of glory made the paddle phenomenal – the rest was more learning and a good workout. Not sure if anyone uses Strava, but here’s the data and the map of where we are: https://www.strava.com/activities/885456778 Anyone on it, please give me a follow and I’ll do the same.

Not to worry, Larry, I replaced my leash!

It was a pleasure to meet you folks down there last week – thanks for the company Reivers, Larry, Larry and Roger! Next time without the plague Nicholas! Come up to see us on the Island anytime.

Keep the fun coming – really enjoy your banter!

Carl from the Island
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