Anything over 13 knots is going to green the wave out for a while, the higher you go the longer the wave will be green. Some people love that zone between 12-13. Others prefer 14-15 and then some love 15. Higher levels the wave runs shorter but has a bigger form as it builds and then declines. The tour of course is much nastier at higher levels too , and the likely hood of missing the eddy increases the with the higher flows.

My favorite is either 15knots or 13-13.5. I like 15 because there is a period where the wave is green mostly with this nice little 2-3' tuft of pile at the top. You can bust out huge huge air moves when the wave is like this because you drop a few feet off your bounce, at 13.5 the wave is much smaller when it peaks but it is great because you have a much longer session and there is never really a time that it is going so fast your worried about auto touring.

Thanks James, that is exactly the info about skook I was looking for. I dropped Aqua a line and waiting for call back. If I can't find a Project X56 I'll simply pony up the cash to fly it with united/alaska, but my wife is on west coast work travel and would really appreciate borrowing/renting a '07-09 Jackson Star.

I read about the rack somewhere. That's awesome that someone (gov?) installed a rack. Which tide direction (ebb/flood) is best to paddle out on the last day if you leave your boat at the rack.

Let me give you some advise...just paddle back and forth, don't bother with the trail, it sucks. Paddling back and forth is ten times easier and much more scenic. Or you can do like me and tow your play-boat out with a sea kayak then shuttle back and forth with your sea kayak while your there. That way you avoid all the stupid tourist blocking the trail!

DON'T Try and go against the flow! Paddling out or back against the tide is a massive bummer mainly because you thread through shallow tidal channels and your paddle blades get all scratched up on coral. I love the Nitro out there because it is long enough to shred the green wave and still short enough to throw down like a clown.

Another serious consideration: email or contact Emily and Dru out there. They have a fat pad right on the water and they are the locals for sure. http://www.localsonlymovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27:a-trip-to-egmont&catid=2:news&Itemid=4

I gotta ditto Mike, I will hike my boat out before I paddle out again. Way easier and faster.

James, lots of good pointers there.  Also if you are driving a truck, put the boats inside the truck to avoid over-height fees.  Skook is an awesome place!!!

I guess I just really like the paddle out there...it is really beutifull.

 

I think the full moon has bigger tide swings which means faster currents. You need to check the tide charts for that area, that is very important.

What your friend may have been noticing is the difference in the wave based on how much water is in the inlet when the flood starts. How much water is in the inlet depends on how strong the ebb flow was. For example: you have a 14 knot day and the ebb was 8 knots prior to that (for purposes of labeling: 8-14). If you compare that to a 14 knot day with a previous ebb of 10 knots(10-14), the wave at 8-14 will probably be a bit better and taller than the wave at 10-14. What I have noticed over the years is that the less water in the inlet when the flood starts, the better and taller the wave is.

Originally posted by James

I like to hike out and then take my boat and gear and rinse off in brown lake on the way back. It just seems like part of my skoosperience now. I eat fish and oysters from the sea, jog on the trail, and enjoy a nice rinse before going home.

Tips:
- When you load onto the ferry in a fake canadian accent yell put the "little ships on the big ship", they love that.
- Bring your own beer, canadian brew sucks, but Don't drink them on the ferry.
- If you need internet access during your trip there is a nice little web cafe in Madeira Park
- Don't mess with the Egmont Marina - They hate kayakers, if your camping stay at Klein Lake or by the Egmont Resort/Backeddy Pub
- The ferry back gets a nice line. If your going to try and time a last day surf with the ferry you might consider going online and reserving your ferry ticket so you are sure to get on. I have spend hours waiting to the next boat, it sucks.

Nice Tips.

METAL!