Thursday, March 23, 2006
Buckin' the Chuck
Ah, Skookumchuck, where to start? Skooks is an amazing place, and if you don't already know that then start planning a trip there and DO IT NOW! I won't go into detail about the phenomenon that creates the wave, but you can find more information here http://www.paddleguides.com/rivers/bc/skook/skook.html. I've found that the best flows are between 13-16. I know that it goes higher and lower than that, but at lower flows the wave is not nearly as steep and at higher flows it greens out at peak. With that said I've noticed some other nuances with the flows at skooks, and I'll give you my theory at the bottom of this page so if you're not interested don't bother reading it.
Skooks can be quite cold, and sometimes it's a challenge to stay warm between sessions!
Ben Glahn staying warm
Photo by Matt Thomas
The right blunt is pretty the standard procedure on this wave, but you can throw whatever you've got in your bag tricks. If you're able to do it then you can throw it here.
Ben throwing down while Drew waits for the wave to green out
Photo by Matt Thomas
The following pictures are what happens at higher flows and the wave greens out. If you have a fast boat then you can surf this thing when it greens out, which is a pretty incredible feeling who the water is rushing underneath your boat at 16 knots.
Andrew rocking the Session+
Photo by Matt Thomas
Andrew again
Photo by Matt Thomas
The following picture is the same wave has the first picture just a couple hours later. It's crazy to watch this wave build from nothing and then completely disappear during a four hour period.
Smittie carving it up
Photo by Matt Thomas
So as far as the flows go at Skooks. The flows are giving in knots, which is calculated by the volume of water that goes in and out during the tidal exchange. Another factor that seems to have an impact on the wave shape is the overall tide height. It seems that at higher tide heights the wave is subtly different then at lower tide heights. At higher tide heights the wave builds faster and then greens out for longer compared to the equivalent flow at a lower tide height.
Skooks can be quite cold, and sometimes it's a challenge to stay warm between sessions!
Ben Glahn staying warm
Photo by Matt Thomas
The right blunt is pretty the standard procedure on this wave, but you can throw whatever you've got in your bag tricks. If you're able to do it then you can throw it here.
Ben throwing down while Drew waits for the wave to green out
Photo by Matt Thomas
The following pictures are what happens at higher flows and the wave greens out. If you have a fast boat then you can surf this thing when it greens out, which is a pretty incredible feeling who the water is rushing underneath your boat at 16 knots.
Andrew rocking the Session+
Photo by Matt Thomas
Andrew again
Photo by Matt Thomas
The following picture is the same wave has the first picture just a couple hours later. It's crazy to watch this wave build from nothing and then completely disappear during a four hour period.
Smittie carving it up
Photo by Matt Thomas
So as far as the flows go at Skooks. The flows are giving in knots, which is calculated by the volume of water that goes in and out during the tidal exchange. Another factor that seems to have an impact on the wave shape is the overall tide height. It seems that at higher tide heights the wave is subtly different then at lower tide heights. At higher tide heights the wave builds faster and then greens out for longer compared to the equivalent flow at a lower tide height.
// posted by h2othomas @ Thursday, March 23, 2006 
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