then there’s the zipper wave
Where two waves almost parallel run together, the clapotis works its way along them like a seam or a zipper opening (they’re called something else but it escapes me). I believe these were the image that sailors confused with sea monsters.
be careful there, Slush!
– Last Updated: Aug-25-16 5:40 PM EST –
23 years ago this month my cousin's husband and 13 year old son drowned off Pentwater Beach (roughly the area you must have been in if you were south of Manistee) body surfing in what started as a brisk wind on a nice day that rapidly became an unexpected squall -- both were strong swimmers who were town residents who swam there all the time. From what could be determined, Lenny Jr. was sucked out past the breakwater by the undertow and Lenny Sr. went out to try to get him. Dad was found dead, battered against the breakwater rocks and his son's body was found two days later, far off shore.
Lake MIchigan can be brutal.
Joke Name for a Seakayak Symposium
the Snake ?
awesome !
CHICKEN ROUTE CHICKEN ROUTE
cliff ride
Chinese ships turning left up into Canada from Juan de F throw substantial side waves off the outside hull.
The waves roll n crest up past Limekiln than a ways further run into the cliff.
Rising up again waves flow down the cliff giving a ride abt 8-9-10 mph with cliff on right for accent.
Can happen in smaller lakes, too
now that the reservoir level is dropping rapidly and the “lake” is more like a fat river in a canyon, power boats up one branch can send a big wave down to the main channel and it will bounce against the canyon side then come back amplified by other currents/wind and finally reach wherever you’re paddling like a “mini-rogue” with no obvious cause. A few weeks ago I went by a camper setting up his stuff right by the shore to clean a fish, and he crouched down and turned his back to the water just as one of these 2’ waves came up and smacked him on the behind… he said a bad word and spun around and all he can see is me in a kayak going by… no I didn’t do it but then the wake comes back and I glide over it… his little bitty kid with him got wet and started yelling… part of me is trying not to laugh and the other part is wanting to say hello, watch the kid… I have warned other people who were letting their toddlers in the water right there, WATCH THEM but this guy at least had the kid in the pfd… yay… have seen this so many times just at that area. The current just flies right by there (both ways, depending on how far from shore you are) when the water level is higher.
There is another branch of this lake that in springtime thunderstorm wind events is definitely “lumpy” or “clapoti.”
Last year one autumn day when the lake was way, way down (the lowest I have seen it so far in the drought) there were some little ski-doos and boats running around fast in circles in the only deep part remaining, and I actually stopped on the road above the lake and watched the crazy water patterns from above, it was really interesting from the “other” perspective. Now imagine this in the ocean with big ships. Wow. “out of nowhere…”
A gabillion hits
came up for the Lumpy Waters symposium when I was searching for a definition. Same thing when I changed the terms of the search.
Looks like a great symposium.
CHICKEN ROUTE
?
Now that I know where the danger
areas are where I paddle on Lake Superior and where there have been deaths of otherwise experienced but unsuspecting paddlers.
You will find me on the Chicken Route. Even in the Everglades at the mouths of rivers on an outgoing tide and inoming wind.