Racing with Tides

[Rideordie]

I am registered to race the Money Island race at the Carolina Cup.  I am told that the race will be just after at high tide during full moon.  the race runs about 6.5 miles  around an inlet island, just off the shore.  I am a flat water lake paddler and don't know jack about paddling in tidal conditions, much less racing in them.  Have only experienced tides a few times on a paddle board.  Looking for advice about technique, fins, best way to gain an advantage, etc.  Just upped my game from a 14 Glide to a new 14 Javelin.  Have about 30 miles on it so far.  Got a Ninja fin on it.  Tracks great, but does not turn the way I want.  Tried the Javelin fin on the Glide yesterday and I could turn and pivot a lot better than with the Ninja.  Thinking about trying the Javelin fin on the Javelin now.  Not sure how much stability I will lose.  Not much I hope!!  The Javelin is a challenge to ride.  Have not fallen yet, but it has my full attention.  Have had it out in 15 mph winds with some cross chop and survived.  I am not sure what kind of conditions to expect, but i figure go fast or go home.  Resigning myself to ride the Glide for stability would be wimping out.  So Javelin it is!!         

[stoneaxe]

Look for and get into the fastest moving water. The difference can be as little as a few feet. The 3rd CCBC we had similar conditions, very high tide shortly before launching. We weren't even racing just excited to get going into the beautiful sunrise and we had speeds of 6.5+ mph in the gut according to multiple GPS units.
there should be charts showing typical currents in the area, I'd take a look for reference.

Good luck, have fun.

[Rideordie]

Thanks Stoneaxe!!  Good advice!!

[Chilly]

This website my help. http://distressedmullet.com/lunar-tide-direction-during-carolina-cup
Good luck at the race!

[Rideordie]

Thanks Chilly.  This is helpful.  I look forward to the Mullett's next posting on this topic!! 

[blackeye]

Current is slower over shallow water and faster in deep water, so paddle against it in the shallows and paddle with it in the deepest part.  This will make a HUGE difference, even if you paddle a bit longer distance to get to advantageous current. 

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

That's one of the tricks I use on the Hudson too -- staying close to shore to avoid current and tides and going deeper when I want to use ten.

[stoneaxe]

I was looking for a chart of the area similar to what I've seen for some places. A detailed tidal flow showing the relative speeds of currents. Not sure it exists. I know of one for Nantucket Sound, Woodshole, Buzzards Bay but that may just be because the Oceanagraphic Institute is there and it's been studied in such detail. Gives detailed info on what Blackeye just said.
Keep an eye out for spots where two deep water currents converge. Getting into the middle of that is where you get all the energy.

[addapost]

Don't know if this site will help but it might be a piece of the puzzle you are trying to solve. I use it often when kayaking to find (or avoid) tidal currents.
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/currents13/

[kneil]

Not really any pivot turns on this course, maybe just the start and finish buoy, so go with your fastest fin if it is calm conditions.  But bring the other one, check the wind conditions, and use the more stabilizing fin if there is significant crosswind/chop.

[TortillaSUP]

Also, water has tons of inertia so each time it turns a corner there will slower water on the inside, downstream from each corner.  Hug the inside heading into current, let the current take you wide going the other way.

If there is a bit of wind, it really helps to show where the water is moving with/against the wind.  Places where fast water is passing slow water may be obvious by the abrupt change in ripple patterns.

Water is slower downstream from shallows or obstacles, but shallow water is slow for paddling.