Time to Step-up – URI Bay Campus – August 3, 2024

Heading out

The last time that I paddled out of the URI Bay Campus was July, 2019. Tony needed to return the Volunteer of the Year trophy, so we decided to paddle the West Passage checking out the lighthouses. This time, I would be doing the RICKA Sea Kayak Step-up trip, and getting the Volunteer of the Year trophy from Cat Ratcliff. I wonder who will be getting the trophy this year.

The URI Bay Campus provides access the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. To the south lies Bonnet Shores and Whale Rock - a frequent rock gardening site. From there, more experienced paddlers can cross to Beavertail at the southern tip of Jamestown - one of the most scenic and exposed-coast locations in Rhode Island. To the west is Dutch Island and Conanicut Island. To the north is the Jamestown Bridge and the more sheltered waters of the West Passage.

Rounding the point at Bonnet Shores

We would be doing a step-up/training trip to give paddlers who have done mostly Level 2 or even flatwater trips the opportunity to paddle in swells, current, rocks, and other dynamic conditions. We met at the Bay Campus for a 10:00 launch. We had 11 paddlers with 4 step-up paddlers, including me. Conditions were SW winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Waves 2  ft. Tide going out with low tide at 1:00.

We headed south from the Bay Campus toward Bonnet Shores. The swells increased as we left the more protected waters of the West Passage and ventured out into Rhode Island Sound. Some played in the rocks on the way out. I stayed a little further out to get used to the rolling swells.

Bonnet Rock

When we reached Bonnet Rock we gathered up for the crossing of the cove at Bonnet Shores. We were now paddling across the waves and the wind. The water on the other side of the cove along Anawan Cliffs was considerably calmer, and we played in the rocks as we continued south.

With an outgoing tide and a wind from the south, the swells were 2-feet as we left Bonnet Shores and entered into Rhode Island Sound. It was a bit of work paddling into the wind, but fun to ride up and down on the swells. We could see waves breaking over Whale Rock in the distance when the decision was made to turn around and head back to Bonnet Shores.

The crew at the lunch break

On the return trip we were in a following sea, and riding down the face of a wave for the first time was a blast. The main concern in a following sea is broaching when the wind turns the kayak sideways in the waves. A stern rudder can help keep you going straight.

We stopped for lunch inside the cove on a small rocky beach with a great view of Jamestown and the Beavertail Light. We played in the rocks as we worked out way back down the cove for the crossing.

Rock gardening on the way back

The wind had picked up in the afternoon, and I found myself repeatedly having to correct my course while crossing the cove. With smaller swells and stronger winds, I also felt the boat’s tendency to broach in the following sea on the way back to the Bay Campus, but it was nothing that I felt uncomfortable with - I’m making progress.

Once back at the Bay Campus we did assisted rescue practice - I was a rescuer and rescuee, and did fine with both. We also did some towing demonstrations. Rick said this was a solid Level 3 trip, so I felt good about that.


Bay Campus Step-up Paddle from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.
Links:
My Pictures
Cam's Video
Tony's Video

Video of 2024 RICKA Sea Kayak Training Sessions