Surfski Knowledge Base

Bay Conversations

Bob Putnam
10/11/16 #20090

I see the forecast for Vancouver is strong SE from Wednesday on. Does that mean big DW for Bellingham? Having been skunked twice on the Wildcat run (too much wind) I'm keen to have a good day there.

SE winds for Vancouver don't do much.

Nicholas Cryder
10/11/16 #20092

SE winds tend to be ok for a wildcat run, but not ideal. SSW are best for a Wildcat run. The winds converge at Chuckanut bay with those wrapping around from the south and can get a little messy to very messy (maybe a 1k worth of side on hitting downwind waves).

On big SE days the lap option at Marine park is pretty good, you get the lee for a wind shadow heading south, and then you can go goldilocks style and pick the size of waves depending on how far out into the bay you venture for the ride back downwind, but with the eastern push on the wind it can require diligent choice of directions to surf in.

allipp01
10/11/16 #20093

Yes Bob, it is looking very good for Thursday through Saturday here in Bellingham. There is the chance it may be too windy again, but if you time it right you should be OK. We sometimes do the Lake Whatcom DW when it's gusting near 50, and that can be good sometimes.