Downwinders in Cape Cod area

[Argosi]

I'll be vacationing in Woods Hole this coming week (Jun. 29-Jul. 3/4). The forecast looks good for some downwinders in Buzzard's Bay with SW and S winds and sunny skies Mon-Wed. Anyone interested?

Also, anyone have any tips on good downwind routes to take in Buzzard's Bay?

[freetobeme]

Woods Hole is a great area! Bring some bikes for the bike path and cruising around town. 

I have not done any downwinders but I have paddled/raced from MV to Falmouth. It was absolutely crazy, fun and draining due to the weather. But, many people do the round trip on fair weather days.

Ps. there is a guy on here that used to live/paddle in WH and has since moved to Hawaii. I think his Zone handle has the word Hawaii in it. 

[stoneaxe]

Wish i could but I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel for days off this year.

The day of the race that free is talking about would have been an epic SW downwind run...6' waves in the middle of the sound. Are you traveling with family? You get some wind waves near shore in Buzzards Bay in a S to SW winds. have the family drop you off at the beach on Gosnold Rd in Woods Hole and then pick up at Old Silver beach in North Falmouth.

[supthecreek]

When I saw this thread, I scoured Google Earth and picked that exact route...
I didn't post it because Gosnold Rd is a "resident only" parking lot.... but getting dropped off would be perfect.
Old Silver beach is public for easy pick-up

I grew up in that area, so I know that the "start" area is very tough for beach access.
And do NOT entertain any attempt to launch in Woods Hole and paddle "around the corner"
That is the single most treacherous "narrows" you may ever see.
The tide is squeezed through a very narrow opening that speed up the water velocity and create very dangerous conditions.

The route Stoney laid out for you is 7 miles long, with public parking right on the water at Old Silver Beach.
Any further down the bay, and you have too many necks of land that extend pretty far out.

If theres a lot of west in the wind, consider a run on the "Sound" side, running East towards Falmouth.
That's potential "Bike Path" solo DW stuff.... short at 2.5 miles

Tons of beautiful places to explore in that whole area. Enjoy!
PM me if you want company paddling, but I'm not interested in DWing.... just the cruisy stuff

[stoneaxe]

1st place I ever caught a wave on a SUP was Old Silver beach in a heavy SW wind. Upwind downwind workout but great fun. It was really more of just a swell than a wave but they were running perpendicular to shore and would break along the shallows for a long way. There is also a nice little estuary/creek at Old Silver that is a nice paddle, and bring a lightweight rod if you like to fish....first schoolie striper I caught was in there.  I did the Gosnold to Old Silver route a couple times when my daughter lived in Falmouth...once just a flatwater and once DW in 15-25 winds. Fun route either way.

The sound would be the place to go if you can find someone with experience to go with, Buzzards Bay is a safer route for solo...it would have been a concern to be out there without boat escort the day of the race.

Creek...we need to get you out on a good DW day. I guarantee you will have a blast. Next time we can get together that the surf sucks but DW is good lets go. You can use the 14'er. If we get a good one you'll be buying raffle tickets for the new Glide at the CCBC...

[Argosi]

Wish i could but I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel for days off this year.

The day of the race that free is talking about would have been an epic SW downwind run...6' waves in the middle of the sound. Are you traveling with family? You get some wind waves near shore in Buzzards Bay in a S to SW winds. have the family drop you off at the beach on Gosnold Rd in Woods Hole and then pick up at Old Silver beach in North Falmouth.

Thanks! Our family just arrived late last night. Forecast is for SSW winds today- perfect. I'll check out that route. Any tips on landmarks to look for at the take out point? This afternoon sounds like the best time to go. If anyone can make it let me know.

[Argosi]

When I saw this thread, I scoured Google Earth and picked that exact route...
I didn't post it because Gosnold Rd is a "resident only" parking lot.... but getting dropped off would be perfect.
Old Silver beach is public for easy pick-up

I grew up in that area, so I know that the "start" area is very tough for beach access.
And do NOT entertain any attempt to launch in Woods Hole and paddle "around the corner"
That is the single most treacherous "narrows" you may ever see.
The tide is squeezed through a very narrow opening that speed up the water velocity and create very dangerous conditions.

The route Stoney laid out for you is 7 miles long, with public parking right on the water at Old Silver Beach.
Any further down the bay, and you have too many necks of land that extend pretty far out.

If theres a lot of west in the wind, consider a run on the "Sound" side, running East towards Falmouth.
That's potential "Bike Path" solo DW stuff.... short at 2.5 miles

Tons of beautiful places to explore in that whole area. Enjoy!
PM me if you want company paddling, but I'm not interested in DWing.... just the cruisy stuff

Luckily we've got access to private Big Gansett Beach to launch.

Will check my schedule for when I can get out for a flat water paddle. Thanks.

[Argosi]

Did the downwinder yesterday late afternoon with a kayaker. The route from Woods Hole to Old Silver is a nice one. Wind was nice and steady although a bit too SW (SSW OR S is ideal). Had to do a lot of right side paddling, but once we got further offshore, we could do a nice straight shot to Old Silver Beach. Very nicely organized bumps made for easy glides. Old Silver is a beautiful beach as well. Thanks for the tips Stoneaxe and Creek!

[stoneaxe]

Glad you got it. Buzzards Bay was my playground as a teen. I was out there pretty much every day in summer. Waterski, sail, lobsters, shellfishing, and fishing. I had no idea how awesome I had it....

[Argosi]

Got in a couple of nice downwinders while in Cape Cod last week. There were strong steady winds and nice bumps. The run from Woods Hole to Old Silver Beach as suggested by Stoneaxe and Supthecreek worked great. Distance of this run was about 11km. I was told that there's often a good SW wind in the afternoon in the summer. What a great spot for summer downwinders! Saw some kiters but didn't see another paddler out there. I'm missing it already.

No video just some old fashioned pics - like DJ circa 2011:

On my Starboard Ace:



I was taking some photos when I heard the rumbling of a breaking wave behind me. Managed to snap a quick shot just before paddling away while still on my knees:



Nice bumps!:



Some big chop:





Caught a photo of this breaking wave from the side view:



Close up of a wave about to break (looks bigger than it really is):



The finish at Old Silver Beach - very nice beach!:

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

Those are great shots, really. I get a good feel for how rough the water was.

[supthecreek]

That's awesome Argosi.... as Icky said.... great pictures!

I'm glad it worked out so well..... great that you had launch access...... its such a pretty area, that calm conditions would make it a great flat-water spot as well.

[stoneaxe]

Cool....the shots give a great feel for it.

[Off-Shore]

Argosi. Great to see the pictures and hear you managed to get a downwinder in! As I sit here on vacation in Long Island, I've got 3 different apps open looking at the forecasts, real time data and maps to try and figure out how I can squeeze a downwinder in between work emails, and calls, and dropping and picking up kids from their various activities...

[Argosi]

Long Island is a long way from home Offshore. Hope you managed to get out for a few paddles while there.