Wind strength and what it means for paddling in Milos - part one, head to wind

Most UK paddlers and other outdoor types will be used to the Beaufort scale and have some idea of the effect of various wind strengths on sea conditions.

While this scale is very useful, it does not always easily translate to the paddlers experience of wind and wave and I have been putting together my own thoughts on what the numbers mean.

First of all though, we need a bit of a caveat:

We are considering warm water paddling in an area with no significant tidal range. Any waves we encounter will usually have been generated over a relatively short fetch though we may have swell from further afield.

Head to wind:

1. Lets face it, the wind direction does not really matter but the boat feels less cumbersome than in a flat calm when it seems to stick in the water - or is that just me?
2. Usually makes the kayak easier to control and does not hinder forward progress.
3. Beginners still doing fine but have to watch their heading and begin to use up energy with more major course corrections from time to time.
4. Proper sea kayaking - time to crack on - reminding paddlers about using their sweep stroke rather than a backward stroke to control direction and to look ahead to see when stronger gusts are likely to be experienced by noting the surface changes.
5. We are all working a bit harder now and in most groups there will be some paddlers revelling in the conditions and others becoming a little anxious - at least we can still hear each other and a bit of banter and encouragement will keep them going. That or the tow line.
6. The wind decides it would like a go with your paddle and from time to time attempts to wrest it from your control. Forward paddling is hard work, but it is still possible to make reasonable progress and look around at how well or not everyone else is doing.
7. Head down and go for it. Can only really look after yourself.
8. Don't be daft.

Of course individual experience and strengths will vary the scale a bit, but it works as a starting point for discussion and led to an interesting result on a windy trip to Kleftico a year or so ago:

Kleftico is on the South coast of Milos and is reached by paddling West about 9k from Psathi. Wind was North 4 gusting 5 so mainly straight offshore with protection for much of the route afforded by the cliffs - as long as you didn't venture too far offshore of course. The outward trip was fine with a bit of katabatic downdraught in one or two sections.

During lunch at Kleftico the wind began to pick up and before leaving for the return trip the boss came up with a clear strategy for the windier sections (who would do what) and of course we had tow lines at the ready. It was pretty lively on the water but the group were coping well until we hit a truly brutal section where the wind was howling down a gap in the hills above.

The boss was making sure everyone rounded the headland safely and turned inshore and I was looking after the two eldest paddlers, one of whom was finding it pretty tough going.  Paddling beside her into what is now a 6 gusting 7 wind, I decide to put her on tow and move to the front of the boat. Just as I am about to clip in, she shouts at me not to and that she has never been towed in her life.

So I just paddle beside her and we make slow but steady progress to shore and safety. Later she tells me that she thought the wind could not be more than 5 gusting 6 as I was still chatting to her rather than just looking after myself and she didn't want to be towed if it was less than a 6!