miles
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
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 Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject: *****Trip Report - NJ Coastal - 3rd Leg ***** |
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Ventnor City to Holgate
water temp: 45F, air temp: 51F, wind: south 6-8 kts, distance: 19.27
On Monday, March 27th the dreaded third leg lived up to it's promise. Dreaded mainly because of all the driving necessary to circumnavigate the Atlantic City/Great Egg Harbor area. Fifty-four miles each way to paddle 19.3, not a very good tradeoff. That being said we launched into a vigorous surf at Ventnor City. Followed by a southerly breeze 6-8 knots we made good time, passing AC with the prerequisite photo ops. As we passed Brigantine, I mentally acknowledged the Brig waypoint on my GPS which marked the conclusion of my previous attempt to paddle NJ coastline in 03/04. At least now I had technically gone from Cape Mape Lighthouse to Sandy Hook.
As coastal wilderness now becoming our companion on the left I queried Tim as to the prudence of making a lunch/pit stop since the surf didn't look too bad for a landing and relaunch. He suggested that we continue on a bit further to Brigantine Inlet as we could in theory go in the inlet and avoid the surf which at this point appeared everywhere in our foward field of vision from shore to about a mile out and it was BIG. We continued onward but our bladder conditons were becoming dire. It was either land now or possibly have to commit to the rest of the paddle nonstop. We angled in and sidesurfed the big foam coming off the breakers with little problem. Pulling our kayaks to the edge of the dunes to avoid the incoming tide we retreated inland to find shelter from the wind. After a quick lunch featuring some hot cocoa courtesy of Tim, we prepared to make our way through the surf zone. I went first and was making great headway, approaching the last line I mistimed it and was hammered. Forced backwards and over I waited underwater seemingly endlessly for the turbulence to subside, this with a mouthful of water that I had taken in as I gasped for air as I was slammed. Not being able to wait I rolled up, coughed a few times, reoriented myself and resumed my sprint with Tim behind me shouting GO RiGHT! This we both did and in 20 or 30 yards we had reached safety and resumed our northward course. As we finally passed Brigantine Inlet we saw that it would have been possible to do what Tim had suggested, but mother nature had dictated otherwise. Those who are familiar with the area know it can get crazy, yesterday it was CRAZY!!!! Big breakers everywhere, tidal races, the works. We slogged on, skirting this, going through that, eventually Holgate was in sight. The direction of the swell/surf was from the northeast, so instead of landing on the beach that in the morning was relatively placid, we took advantage of the topography using part of a jetty and some beach erosion to slide into safety without getting blitzed by the angry surf. WE MADE IT!
4th Leg coming soon...... |
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