Birch Bay
Paul Reavley
11/06/20 #27984

Seems to be working - https://birchbaywa.org/webcam/

We're headed up there in about 20 minutes and it looks like it will be working the rest of the afternoon…

beau whitehead
11/06/20 #27986

Not too often I come home from a paddle and post about how good it was… but Wildcat at noon was unreal. Very Deception Pass like in size. Hopefully Cryder, Wilson & Ana will back me on this so I don't sound like I'm crazy(-:

Nicholas Cryder
11/06/20 #27989

I’ll back you. It was superb. Wind was only 25, but no gusts. Just an AC on full blast the whole time. Bad news tho, you’re definitely on the red pill side of crazy. #high-five!

Eric Grossman

11/06/20 #27992

I’ve been doing loops Wildcat to Govs then DW to Clayton and back during these last 3-4 NNE gales. Waves pile up on Governors and then line up for fast 10-11 mph zippers to the south. I was perplexed but it makes sense - the fetch to Nooksack delta is greater than during typical SSE Winds from Samish Isl to Post Point. And like Cryder described swell penetrates Hales pass and adds to the fun.

Birch is awesome too esp when you’ve got pleny time and sometimes good for board surfing…high tide.
EG

allipp@…

11/07/20 #27993

Eric, I'm not sure it's only due to fetch. In front of Marine Park gets really big on moderate north winds, and the fetch there is only about 3 miles. I'd have to attribute most of the fun factor to currents and or underwater topography of both Governor's and the Post Point/Marine Park area.

Kevin Olney
11/07/20 #27994

Has anyone done Birch Bay to Sandy Point (or Goosberry) on a big NW day?

Eric Grossman

11/07/20 #27995

Not a big day, in fact Alan, Gabe? And I got lucky with a headwind once!

I think Alan is right something else is going on near Govs on N winds. Tidal currents are pretty low, but wind, wave and river flow driven currents can be significant. I’m going to get to the bottom of it!

G-Spot Canadian forecast looks like much more wind this aft then tomorrow honking. Birch should be good - anyone headed?
E

allipp@…

11/07/20 #27996

Kevin, I think Point Roberts to Birch Bay would be the best bet on NW. Birch Bay to Sandy Point would be good only on a straight north. It gets very bouncy out there with any kind of west in it. Think the wall on steroids!

Eric, It was Collin and me on his OC2, and you dragging your scientific contraption that day in 2011 when we went.

Kimberly Reeves
11/07/20 #27997

Julie, Sue and I headed outta MP at 1. Paddled towards Locust… we turned and the bay blew up the rest of the way back. Good waves and completely unexpected.

Paul Reavley
11/07/20 #27998

Looks like more north wind tomorrow and another sunny day.

Whether MP, Wildcat or Birch Bay, yesterday was brilliant.

I spent a couple of wonderful hours with my family at Birch Bay trying to sync wind waves and swell.

https://youtu.be/_92kZPKGeTY

Paul

Eric Grossman
11/07/20 #27999

Birch Bay report,
Just got back, amazing fireball sunset, Birch was 15-20 when I arrived, glassy to side offshore when I got out, waves 2-3 ft moving 9-9.5 mph from 30-40 mph winds crankin all day off of Parksville and Nanaimo. Waves similar to Paul’s video! Usually it’s a bit of work to battle wind on the way out, but this eve was just fun surfin, ozzy beach break style. Might bring my board tomorrow if conditions materialize, one guy out when I left! Stay well,
EG

Dennis Mowry

11/07/20 #28000

I am thinking of heading there tomorrow? Wind forecasted for early, high tide at 12:00. Would it be better later a.m. if I brought a sup or surfboard?
:D'

David Hooper
11/07/20 #28001

I spent most of the afternoon in my crawlspace, finishing the insulation repair after fixing the rot from a leaking tub. Fun, fun, fun. BUT, got out for a quick lap at Wildcat at sunset. Waves by Govs and the red explosion of clouds by Cypress as the sun went down were both pretty impressive.

Dave H.

Eric Grossman

11/08/20 #28003

Looks like good wind speed and direction up in Parksville (see photo) and Nanaimo maybe not as big as yesterday when I looked at these. But at Birch Bay now, is a lot more east, not sure if that might dampen wave heights some - Birch cam shows some small waves breaking - they should get bigger with more tide. paddling might have a slight headwind while surfing into shore. Dennis, could be good for board surfing and yes best at highest tide more juice, sometimes short boardable. If anyone goes up can you shoot a realtime report back to WP? Im tempted and you might see a 7-yr old boogie boarding with me if it perks up and I can talk em into it. Otherwise, Governors to Taylor is likely the ticket.

Reivers Dustin
11/08/20 #28004

I'm thinking wildcat, then work north in the on-shore lee to Governors. Rinse repeat. Any reports on vandalism at the boat launch? Used to be a problem, but maybe the kids doing it grew up and moved on. Seemed like the rascals had a spotter and would hit the paddlers cars as soon as they saw them safely off-shore heading north.

Dennis Mowry
11/08/20 #28006

I think the vandalism is worse these days. Especially here in Bellingham. I think they your my house every night. Not sure about Wildcat, maybe not since it's colder temperatures but wouldn't count on it. They need baby formula and pay fines.
Plenty of people are still doing downwind.
What time are you going,?
:D'

Reivers Dustin
11/08/20 #28008

get there at 11. stare at it for 20 minutes. decide if I'll go or not 30 minutes.

If I don't go drive home at 5 mph feeling emotions. If I go, then drive home at 60 mph and maybe text all my buds about the 10 ft waves.

Duncan Howat
11/08/20 #28009

Don't panic today, 15 to 20 south east tomorrow. A little warmer.