So far, the long range forecast for Saturday looks fantastic– light northerly winds, bright sun and relatively cool air temps. It’s the wind which matters most, of course– and I like the low velocities I’m seeing so far. Barring any radical changes, I’ll start off the Cliffs at 5:30AM, proceed down the Moshup Trail shore, pass Squibnocket Point and then follow the straight GPS line in the ocean to Wasque Point at the southeast corner of Chappaquiddick. I don’t expect to get any speed assist from wind or currents for that portion of the trip– indeed, there’ll be a 1/2 mph current against me from the Cliffs to Squibnocket– so it’s likely that I’ll maintain my average 5.5 mph “cruising” speed; it is, however, essential that I reach Wasque by 9:30 to catch the very end of the favorable flood tide around the corner and up towards Cape Poge. Ideally, I’ll reach Cape Poge by 10AM– although it could be 10:30– where I’ll land and take a 10-15 minute break to eat, check blood sugar, and take a miniscule dose of insulin to cover the second half of the trip.
Gay Head Circumnavigation Route
If the forecast holds, the wind will shift light northeast, which will mean small seas on the starboard beam (right-hand side) from Cape Poge to East Chop; again, that will provide no speed assist but I should begin to pick up the beginning of the ebb current off Oak Bluffs, and pass East Chop between 11:30 and noon. Once the current kicks in, everything I’ve dreamt of during the long training process should come true– I’ll have a strengthening current adding 3 mph rounding West Chop between noon and 12:30, head out into Vineyard Sound and thereafter ride the current all the way down to Aquinnah. If indeed the wind does blow northeast and kick up any following seas whatsoever, my boat should take off surfing at 9-10 mph. This may be somewhat wishful thinking…. but nothing could possibly be better for a surfski paddler than an ebb current and following seas for 15 miles down Vineyard Sound on a sunny afternoon!…. and I should be 2+ miles offshore of the Summer White House as the first family arrives, so hopefully the Coast Guard won’t detour me an inch off my GPS line!