Friday, May 17, 12024 Human Era (HE)
- AI Interlude
- Oyo! Paddlewheeler: One Year Onward
- Surf in Vancouver’s Seas
- A Few Details
- The Ride Out
- Approachment Repproachment
- Try Again
- Pursuit Route
- A Longer Ride?
AI Interlude
I could not resist the urge to try it out. It has been a while now that WordPress has offered an “AI Assistant.” Previously, I had used the AI Assistant to help with grammar and spelling. Not to mention that I have used Grammarly for a long time, almost from the inception of my blog, so I am not adverse to the use of artificial intelligence (though there are times where I feel a more apt title for the tool is large language model predictive analytics, as I do not believe AI is thinking in the human sense that “artificial intelligence” seems to suggest). I have also used ChatGPT. Initially, just to play around with it, but lately as a template for more formal emails or letters. I have also played around with AI image generation software, but only superficially. But until now, I had resisted the urge to use the “AI Featured Image” feature in WordPress. It may have been the recent CBC The Current episode, “Strawberries with ketchup? Chefs turn to AI for new ideas,” that tipped my curiosity to action. Whatever it was, I could not resist the urge to see what the AI Image Feature would have in store. The image featured was third iteration, which included a prompt to include the MPV Constitution. I am curious about your thoughts? Below is the full array of images the AI created.
Oh and last confession. I also used the AI Assistant to suggest a title for this post. Originally, the title had been, “In Pursuit of Choppiness (4.0): Vancouver SUP Surf Season Start.” In the context of embracing the generated image, I decided to embrace the title suggestion too.
Oyo! Paddlewheeler: One Year Onward
I was slightly shocked to realize that my first post on pursuing the paddlewheeler, was nearly a year ago. It was an unsuccessful attempt which is perhaps why it seemed to have faded from my memory. I made a conversion error in trying to determine what time the MPV Constitution would be near Second Beach. More memorable was my successful attempt at the end of the season. With lessons on how and how not to catch the MPV Constitution, I was back for another chance at the chase.
Surf in Vancouver’s Seas
Due to the nature of the Pacific Northwest’s hydrology and geology, Vancouver (K’emk’emeláy) does not typically see surf conditions, except for specific weather situations. So, when I discovered that a surfable stream of sinusoidal waves streams from the back of the sternwheeler at a somewhat set schedule, I was stoked.
A Few Details
The paddlewheeler launches from Coal Harbour. When it leaves the sanctuary of the Vancouver Harbour, I have tracked it with the Marine Radar App and found that it often travels around Prospect Point and down into Sen̓áḵw (False Creek). To catch the Constitution, I launch from the Vanier Park Boat Launch and attempt to rendezvous with the vessel around Ayyulshun (English Bay Beach).
Time To Ride
Unfortunately, I missed the Thursday night Jericho Sailing Centre Wavechaser this week. Fortunately, that afforded me another night out on the water. I knew that Harbour Cruises had scheduled Dinner Cruises for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend, but I did not know which boat was going to be out each night. I had contacted them via email to ask in advance, but the response I was given was that the boat selection was not known in advance. I suppose a phone call could have cleared up the confusion, but I was happy to check the app and make a game-time decision. I checked the app at 1900 hours and again shortly thereafter when I noticed that the boat was on the move! Time to roll!
I arrived at Vanier Park and quickly got my kit in order. Since I had left my home at the same time as the Constitution had left Coal Harbour I knew it was a time crunch to catch it further up the coast.
Kit and Conditions
Clothing
Considering my last attempt, I fully assumed that there was a high chance of taking a plunge. I was unsure if my first successful attempt to catch the paddlewheeler was beginner’s luck or if I had the skill set to consistently ride its wake. My second attempt was mostly a failure, but I am blaming that on nighttime conditions and an inability to read the water in the dark. Given the cooler conditions and that there was a bit of wind, I decided to dress warmly and ready for immersion. I wore 1.5 mm neoprene pants, a 0.5 mm neoprene long-sleeved shirt, and a Vaikobi reflective-rimmed hat for increased visibility.
Paddle. Board.
I used my BlackProject Adjustable Lava paddle and rode an NSP Carolina (12020 HE model).
Accessories
For safety, I wore my Onyx inflatable belt pack PFD (which has a whistle attached) and packed my cell phone attached to a floating lanyard inside a waterproof bag inside a Seal Line Seal Pak® Hip Pack. Given that my paddle might extend into the twilight I topped my board with an inflatable waterproof lantern. This was to ensure that I met the criteria for operating a paddlecraft on the water after sunset, in case I was out later.
Conditions
The weather was lovely for spring SUPing. But once I was out on the water I did notice that the wind was more easterly exiting Sen̓áḵw (False Creek). The current was also ebbing as i launched, and as I made my way towards Second Beach I wondered how those conditions would work for my wake chase.
Fallstreak Cloud?
I recently read the “What are fallstreak holes?” post on the WeatherCAN app and have been curious to spot one. I doubt it was one, but in the distance in the photograph below, above the boat in the centre, and slightly to the left I thought I may have seen one.
The Ride Out
As I left the mouth of Sen̓áḵw (False Creek), the waters had more character than my past paddlewheeler pursuits. The waters were manageable, but slightly messy. I searched the waterline for signs of the sternwheeler, presuming it would be rounding the point shortly.
I spotted the sternwheeler on the skyline and set a course to shortstop. It was far enough away that I could correct my course as I got closer.
Approachment Repproachment
It had been so long since our last encounter that it felt like a first meeting. I was tentative about how close I could get, not to mention how to approach. But I recalled from my last encounter where I fell in, that speed may have been an issue. I aimed my approach from farther away but was sure to be moving faster as I slide into the sternwheeler slipstream.
I crossed over the Kelvin arm, easily riding over and through the divergent waves, before making it into the main section of transverse waves (see below). I was further back from the stern of the boat so I assumed I would have an easier time riding the transverse waves. But I was not able to get onto the wave.
In hindsight, I am not totally certain what went wrong. Did I not paddle hard enough to make the wave? I was slightly hesitant and did not fully commit. Or was I not in the the centre of the Kelvin arms where the transverse waves are biggest? I think I was in the right section for some time, so, I suspect the wind and current played a role. My guess is I was not able to reach a sufficient hull speed to catch the transverse waves. In the video below of my failed attempt, there is definitely a point in which I am passed by transverse waves that seem big enough to catch. I am just not able to get on the downface of the wave.
Trailing further and further behind the ever distancing sternwheeler I had plenty of time to wonder what went wrong. In the back of my mind the lyrics of the classic Aaliyah track resonated:
And if at first you don’t succeed (Oh)
Then dust yourself off and try again
Try Again
Knowing the MPV Constitution had to come back toward me to return to the harbour I contemplated a second attempt. But, how long would it be before the Constitution turned around in Sen̓áḵw (False Creek) and would there be enough daylight remaining for me to try again.
I impatiently puttered around the mouth of Sen̓áḵw (False Creek) checking my Marine Radar occasionally. As luck would have it, the Constitution traveled all the way into Sen̓áḵw so it was a longer wait. Fortunately, when it did finally emerge into view again there was plenty of daylight.
My second approach was still tentative as I kept my distance. However, it seems that the shift in wind and current were enough to turn the tides in my favour. After crossing the Kelvin arm, a few transverse waves pass by before I am able to latch on to one. From there it was smooth sailing as I surfed along behind the sternwheeler for a solid few minutes. I was even cheered on by a cruise boat coming into Sen̓áḵw (False Creek).
After a few minutes of surfing, I realized that I was not coming off the wave anytime soon. Not wanting to have too long a paddle back into Sen̓áḵw (False Creek) I decided to pull out and head home.
Pursuit Route
A Longer Ride?
Making my way back to Vanier Park I reflected on what went right on my second attempt. My conclusion was the conditions were in my favour. The winds and waves were working with the wake. That left me wondering, how long can you ride the wake of the wheeler if the conditions are right? The seed was planted that on the right night, it might be possible to ride the wake from between Prospect Point and Slhx̱í7lsh (Standing Man Rock) to Sen̓áḵw (False Creek)! Between Prospect Point and Slhx̱í7lsh is about the furthest point along the paddlewheeler’s path that you can paddle a paddle-powered vessel. If successful that would be about a 4.5 kilometre SUP Surf! Considering I only did about one kilometre on this attempt, four and a half would be an epic ride.
I am stoked to try it… so stay tuned!
I SUP Explore 
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