Weekend Ride on Lake Ontario

Living by a large lake means that you can have fun on the waves anytime the wind picks up. Just be careful not to get stuck out in open water.

Few things make me as giddy as seeing a forecast of warm sunny weather coupled with a thirty to forty km/h wind. That combo means waves on Lake Ontario that are big enough to be fun but not so severe as to present a significant danger. 

This morning I am greeted with precisely those conditions and quickly load up to take advantage of the fun. I push out from the Humber Bay boat launch, making a bee-line for deep water. At my back, the wind is allowing me to rocket into open water to play in the waves several kilometers off-shore. 

The waves aren't massive, often only four of five feet with white caps few and far between, they is still plenty of turmoil to have fun. I take a moment to thank by foresight to bother to tossing on my wet suit as cold water continues to pound over the hull. I regret not bothering to dig out my spray skirt, though. I have to pause to bail frequently, not a huge deal, but certainly an annoyance. 

So far, the day has been incredible, but I am now facing the prospect of paddling back into a strong wind against the current. I knew by the speed at which I zipped out that returning to shore would be a fitting and strenuous workout.  I whip my boat around and start pounding my way back to shore. During heavy gusts, my forward momentum slows to as much as half a kilometer per hour, but I can take advantage of lulls in the wind to make progress. One of the keys is to keep going, and I know it. Even when the wind is blasting, any rest means progress lost, so I continue my Saturday marathon forward, arms burning in fiery determination.

Eventually, I breathlessly pull into shore. What a fantastic day!