Friday, June 14, 12024 Human Era (HE)
- Serendipitously SUP Surfing
- A Smoother Launch
- Kit for Conditions
- Catching the Constitution
- A Brief on Boat Wake Physics
- Dialogue with Dock Starters
- Waiting for the Wake
- The Return Route
Serendipitously SUP Surfing
Last Friday, I had an excellent opportunity to chase the MPV Constitution, but the conditions did not cooperate. Conversely, considering this week’s Thursday night Jericho Sailing Centre Wavechaser had calm coastlines, I was chapfallen to cogitate the conditions would continue, since I could not count on chasing the Constitution since I had cashed in my chips contra care of my children yesterweek.
However, it would seem the sea gods were sympathetic to my situation (as well as my wife) as I was granted the opportunity for a second SUP sojourn on the sea (in sequential days and semaines). My mention of near perfect conditions may have played a role, as made reference to the minimal wind and flat waters in comparison to my last Constitution run. Regardless, I had a green light to giver! And, so I did.
Panicked Preparation Pan Out
The MPV Constitution had already launched by the time I was putting my preparations in place, so it was going to be a push to catch it. It is times like this that I am happy that I have a “paddle box” prepared and ready as a grab ‘n go kit. I scrambled to our storage locker, collecting my paddle and kit, then raced around to the front of our home to load my board.
Once on the road, I contemplated which launch site would be better. The Vanier Park Boat Launch was a closer drive but further from my intended rendezvous point. Would I be faster paddling toward Prospect Point, or was a drive to my second spot, Second Beach going to save me seconds?
Short Sidenote on Seconds
Launching at Second Beach meant driving across the Granville Street Bridge and braving the development and construction route changes as well as needing to navigate to Stanley Park via the bike lane changes limiting two-way vehicle traffic. But, I would be much closer to my intended rendezvous point with the paddlewheeler. I decided the shorter paddle was worth the seconds it would save and made my way towards my second thought of Second Beach.
Backstory Briefing
For details on how I came to the challenge of chasing the MPV Constitution, check out this post from last year or just check for paddlewheeler-related content through my past posts.
A Smoother Launch
Setting out from Second Beach the waters were much smoother than my previous chase. Unlike last week, things were looking good from the start as I smoothly sailed (SUPed?) toward Prospect Point. With my later launch however, I would fall short of my ultimate goal of catching the Constitution at the midpoint between Slhx̱i7lsh (Standing Man Rock) and Prospect Point, which is the furthest northern point that you can legally paddle on the southern side of First Narrows according to the Port of Vancouver Safe Boating Guide. A document that is all the more significant after last weekends seaplane crash with a watercraft in the harbour.
Comments on Crash Catastrophe
As an avid water person, last week’s catastrophic crash was a reminder of how important safety is on the water and how quickly things can change. Most importantly, my takeaway was the role that everyone’s personal responsibility plays in our collective safety. After learning about the crash, I was surprised (and glad) to hear that there did not seem to be any life-threatening injuries to either party. Two people went to the hospital with injuries, but I took that as minimal harm in a situation where someone could have easily died. That said, I cannot help but think the situation could have been easily avoided.
Rules and regulations are to be followed to benefit everyone’s safety. However, there is also a level of personal responsibility that must be exercised in any situation. Without all the facts, it is impossible to know who is truly at fault, and ultimately, that is the role of the Transportation Safety Board investigation. But I cannot help but wonder what went wrong on the water.
I am loosely familiar with the regulations of Vancouver Harbour after my own error of entering the harbour waters illegally with a non-motorized vessel. I am also familiar with the float planes launching and landing sites from a circumnavigation of Saysutshun, which took me through Departure Bay, and a SUP down the middle arm of the Sto:lo (Fraser) River. From what I can tell, the boat seems to be at fault for a few reasons. First off, it was in the Area Alpha, which is recommended to be avoided due to the high risk from plane traffic. Secondly, it seems the plane would have had the “right of way,” since the rule is for the more manoeuvrable vessel to give way to the less manoeuvrable vessel. Sun Tzu‘s proverbs of knowing the self and the enemy come to mind. In this case, knowing where you are and what is around you. Further to this, but perhaps unknown to the boating party, is that seaplanes have very limited visibility, particularly when taking off. Again, know the enemy.
In the boaters’ defence, it would seem that perhaps the pilot may have been a bit overzealous to get up in the air as the air traffic controller did warn the pilot of the potential for a conflict prior to taking off. Though word of mouth rumours suggest the boat may have been exiting the runway before turning to re-enter the path of the plane. Again, without the findings from the Transportation Safety Board’s investigation, we can only speculate.
The last point is a bit of a toss-up for me. While Area Alpha is marked on navigation charts, which boaters should be familiar with, there are not currently any navigational aids on the water. My guess is this will change in the future. Given that seaplane crashes are relatively rare, three in the last 25 years in S’ólh Téméxw (British Columbia), it is understandable that there has not been a stronger impetus for clearer delineation of the runway. However, at the same time, it is not as if there is no history of collision, so from that regard, I am a bit surprised that there are no clearer markings on the water. I suppose the question comes down to the level of tolerable risk and who is responsible for safety. As stated, I think the burden is personal and collective.
Kit for Conditions
For a description of my kit for the conditions, check out this post where I use a similar kit for this adventure.
Catching the Constitution
As I neared Ferguson Point, I could already see the MPV Constitution heading westward, exiting First Narrows. I adjusted my course to our anticipated intersection.
With the events of last week’s seaplane crash fresh in my mind, I was sure to make my presence and intention known to the captain of the Constitution. No need for headlines like ‘Paddlewheeler Plows Over Paddleboarder.’ I approached the boat from the port side at an angle where I could see the captain, and (hopefully) they could see me.
Video Interlude
Below is the video of my full surf. It is a boring watch, but I posted it in its entirety to show just how long a ride is possible. My goal is to ride the wake the full legal length of Lord Stanley’s peninsula, so another attempt is in order.
For a shorter highlight view set to music, check out the link below.
Can I Catch It?
Yes, you can!
Can I catch it? (Yes, you can!)
Can I catch it? (Yes, you can!)
Well, I’m gone (go on then!)
The World of Wake Waves
Turning my SUP to match the direction of the sternwheeler and sliding into its slipstream, I could not help but be a bit nervous. Looking to my right, I could see the white water trailing off the paddlewheel, agitated and aerated. I hesitated to enter the frothy mix in the depression of the trough of the first bump. The crest passed, and I eased in toward the slightly smoother water of the second bump, which I missed, but I managed to merge with the third. Once in the wake, I was unable to direct myself down the wave. In hindsight, I think I was lacking speed, but it could also have been my lack of board-turning skills.
On board the Wave Train
Pushed out of the confines of the Kelvin arms and off of the trailing transverse waves, I battled back over the divergent waves into the main section of the wake. A few more transverse waves traversed before I managed to get onto a bump. Then I was on board the wave train! Ready to ride!
On board the wave train, it was smooth sailing (er… surfing). Check out the link below for video. I rode the wave for what felt like a mini-forever before getting more ambitious. At first, using predominantly my paddle, I turned my board using a combination of forward sweep and crossbow strokes. The port side crossbow strokes were more difficult to deliver and deter drifting out of the starboard side of the Kelvin arm. But as my confidence began to build, I started to test my limits, using the roll of the board to rail steer across the transverse wave instead. Riding in regular stance (i.e., right foot back) and found my front side (i.e., starboard) turn easier. For the back side (i.e., port) turn, my balance was challenged, and I kept having to correct my rail steering with a crossbow paddle turn.
Eventually, I ventured too far to the edge of the transverse wave and rolled off of the bump. The MPV was turning to align itself to enter Sen̓áḵw (False Creek), and I was too engrossed in working on my rail steering to notice. Thankfully, I was able to get back on the main bump without much delay (I think it was one or two transverse waves later).
I continued on until the Constitution slowed down to enter the narrower channel. The wake waves subsided, and I rolled off of the wave to a slower speed. Moments later, the waves built back up in the narrower and shallower waters. I was able to tail the Constitution all the way to the point at Vanier Park before stopping for a break as I waited for it to turn for my return trip.
A Brief on Boat Wake Physics
Post-paddle I came across this great explanation from MinutePhysics, “Why Do Boats Make This Shape.” I was surprised to discover that the trailing wake for the sternwheeler as well as all boats and/or watercraft (including waterfowl) are a result of a series of circular waves that are left trailing behind the vessel. What seems to be special about the sternwheeler, is the turning of the wheel to propel the boat amplifies the transverse wave to create a large rolling trail of waves that is great for surfing.
Dialogue with Dock Starters
Pulling into the mouth of Sen̓áḵw (False Creek) I was congratulated on my surf by another watersport enthusiast who was working on his foil board dock starts off of the Vanier Park Boat Launch. Our conversation revealed that he had previously started learning dock starts at the Jericho Pier, but found it much harder due to the unevenness of the dock, the occasional nail, and wavier water conditions. Outside of the odd boat wake, none of those were an issue at the Vanier Dock.
Midway through our conversation a pair of SUPers made their way down the Vanier dock to launch as well. One paddler revealed it was his first dock launch and asked for a few pointers. After a successful launch, he proceeded into a headstand on his board without much difficulty. I assumed he had been pulling my leg on the need for launch tips, but when I called him out on it, he replied that he had paddleboarder many times before but he just had not ever dock launched.
Waiting for the Wake
It would be a little while longer before the MPV Constitution returned and I idled my time turning around between the Vanier Park Boat Launch and the shoreline at Sunset Beach. And then it was time.
The Return Route
The first vessel I saw exiting the channel was one of the larger party cruisers. But close behind it, the MPV Constitution came into view. My heart rate began to rise as I considered how to catch my next wave. The last time I caught the Constitution coming out of the creek I approached it from the starboard side from the east side of the inlet. This time, I contemplated a port-side approach but decided to stick to the east-side entry.
Again I tried to make my presence and intention known as the MPV approached me. I am not sure if it was the captain’s intention or just my timing, but as I pulled up alongside the paddlewheeler it stayed at a steady slow sail until I SUPed into the surf wake, at which point the captain pulled the throttle and we were off. I could not help but think that the captain did me a solid and was waiting for me to get into position (but it is equally possible that the captain just needed to get far enough out of the channel in order to pick up the pace).
Paddlewheel Play
It still took a few bumps for me to get into the proper position on a wave, but it felt much more comfortable. My rail turns felt more fluid and I was able to put my paddle away for parts of the pursuit. I played around with my positioning, too, trimming my board by boardwalking and also playing around with some crouching and squatting. My self-conceit confession is that while waiting for the MPV Constitution I had turned my camera around to face me. So, some of my stand-up showboating was under the impression that I was being recorded. However, later I would find that I had somehow turned off my camera and my vain antics were in vain.
Paddlewheeler Pursuit Route
I SUP Explore 