VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

The Bubble - I’ve heard different theories about the cause like the bubble but the bubble at Gordons yesterday kinda blew my mind because it was really windy outside and I could have thrown a rock into the wind that was just offshore but along the beach there was nil zip zilch nada bubble which is crazy because the actual direction is fairly onshore where I’ve been launching this year.
Maybe it has to do with the skunk that is following me to the beach the past few times? Or is there an actual real scientific atmospheric reason for this phenomenon ?
Here is a photo of the bubble today that was there on my way home, more of a normal bubble but a bubble is a bubble :

similar thing happens at cook st often.. I believe its the land causing turbulent air to push back.. rising on approach then dropping back against itself.
I'm no physics major but this seems to be what's happening.

https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free ... ge16563326

Seems to be something about heat.....forms at Gordons usually in July/Aug, when temps are highest. Been a weird year so far temp-wise.

Desperate windsurfers of years gone by have tales of swimming their gear out to the wind line. Back when windsurfers cared enough to bother, but maybe one of the new foil enthusiasts with be enthusiastic enough. ;-)

For kiter, bit of a gong show to try to swim the kite out ... could be doable, but lots of possibility for carnage if something goes wrong (in particular all that kelp in the water in between shore and the windline). Need a boat and driver on call to ferry you out to the wind line, and wait for you while you kite. With snacks and beverages.

If only these gals had a boat...

juandesooka wrote:Desperate windsurfers of years gone by have tales of swimming their gear out to the wind line. Back when windsurfers cared enough to bother, but maybe one of the new foil enthusiasts with be enthusiastic enough. ;-).

more like try to slog out, swim in....I don't ever recall anyone swimming out....and...if you make it out at times you are hideously overpowered if you make it out...the bubble tends to get bigger, wider as session goes along. You may slog out 100 yards but later swim in 400. Wear the thick suit, the strait is unforgiving!

My guess is it has something to do with the current and the water being cooler on the inside, usually where the crab traps are set the seabreeze doesn't fill in because of a high pressure section. Combined with the banana effect, winds always want to blow offshore when near the shore, it creates a larger bubble until tides change or one of the forces tips the scale and the bubble breaks. Plus you have a big wind shadow from sheringham causing additional turbulence. Wind is going to take the path of least resistance.

So probably a combination of all the theories you've heard. Either that, ghosts or a curse.

Or too many kiters and a long lasting fleet effect.

I think its Nanmoo's fault.

I'm reading this too and don't have anything funny to say. Bubble not funny. Bubble frustrating. Sorry I wasted your time, just like the bubble.