Paddling Inlets

Ive crossed before but just avoid tide changes and full moon tides. Tried to cross once with an out going full moon tide- which I knew was a risk. Was getting pulled out quickly once I hit the channel - inlet looked more like a river. Luckily managed to snagged a buoy and hang on. Boater came a picked me up and gave me a ride. Was very tired from surfing so that didn't help either. Just avoid crossing at peak tide changes and watch for boats.

 

Exactly what my friend here from NC says...avoid tidal changes...at low it's gonna be like a river going out and at high probably the other way around. If you watch your crossing a bit each day before you try the paddle you should learn when's the best time to cross. If you time it right the flow should be minimal (at least for your paddle across) good luck

 

start doing ocean swims, you know like 5K's but in the big 0. that'l slay that dragon but quick.

 

I seen that once during hurricane bill at the squan inlet.if u can paddle through an inlet with big boats and the gnarly waves that come when ur about to enter the ocean,then u might aswell paddle out from the beach like everyone else.the ocean can be scary,its almost always scary,but when u start doing things like paddling through an inlet,its a recipe for disaster.the biggest waves iv ever seen break are in the inlet between the 2 jettys.if all else fails,just jump off the jetty

 

Do it all the time at 1st street here. Just have to watch out for the boats. Will run your ass down

 

Many of us paddle across the Lake Worth (Palm Beach) Inlet from Singer Island to surf Reef Road. For eons. 1. If you see pilot boat coming in wait for the tanker to follow. Prop suck is no joke. 2. Wear strap on sandals for when you climb in and out, and time the surge from boat traffic so you don.t get cut up scrambling up or down the rocks. Forget about timing the lull. You'll have to make it back eventually and you can't wait for one lull over and one lull back. Just let the current sling shot you. Go way, way, way in if its out going and aim for the middle of the other jetty. Don't go near the mouth!!!! If you get too close to the mouth you can paddle against the current if you stay real close to the jetty. 3. Save some energy for the paddle back, and lots of daylight too. (bring a power bar or something to fuel up on) 4. Avoid blowboaters at all costs!!! They will tack back and forth and are complete douchebags. 5. Don't worry about the sharks. They are there and they are big but worrying about them won't help (see tip 2. - strap on sandals to prevent bleeding). Have fun.

 

Ive done it many times when I was a wee lad, I had to on an incoming tide walk just about to the end of the jetty and start there, always paddle with the current you will get across a lot faster and the opposite goes with outgoing tide. Be careful its really not the smartest thing to do, plus im sure the marine patrol or sheriff dept would love to give a citation for that anymore.

 

Just out of curiosity, which inlet are you looking to cross? might get some better info on how it works

 

Exactly!!! Now were talking.. How about the one at the end of Cupsouge State Park.. The closer I've gotten to the jetty the shallower the water and more powerfull current... That wave break fast and steep right on shore. I've always wanted to paddle out to the other side of the jetty thinking maybe a point is hidding somewhere..

But. Im not trying to dodge boats or swim with the big fish either...

 

It's important to get local knowledge. I was visiting and surfing in Panama City Beach at St. Andrews State Park by the jetty, and I asked the crew why no one paddled across the inlet to Shell Island, which looked to me like a better wave. They all said I would get sucked out to sea and don't try it. Glad I asked first.