Knowing the tides is an important part of SUP. Learn everything you need to know about how they affect your paddling below!
In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about tides and how the tides can affect your paddling.
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If you’re an avid paddler, it’s likely you’ve noticed how the tides change.
One day you walk up to the beach and the water is farther away...
While on a different day, it’s closer and you don’t have to carry your paddle board as far (score!).
But not only that, when you’re on the water sometimes you can paddle along effortlessly like you’re being propelled by an unseen force...
And other times like you’re paddling through wet concrete and you just can’t seem to get anywhere.
This, of course, is due to the tides.
Surfers, kayakers, and shoreline explorers all pay attention to what the tide is doing before they plan their adventures for the day...
But for some reason, most stand up paddlers seem to ignore the changing tide.
We’re set on changing this...
It’s important to know what the tides are doing before you head out...
It can mean the difference between an enjoyable time on the water and a miserable one...
By understanding the tide and how it can affect you’re paddling, you have a better chance of having a fun (and safe) paddling adventure.
Let's get into it...
What Makes the Tides?
To get a complete understanding of tides, we first need to start at the most logical question - what exactly makes the tides?
The most basic way of understanding the tide is by saying that it’s affected by the moon. And more specifically, by the moon’s gravity.
As the moon revolves around the Earth, the mass of the giant space rock’s gravity pulls on the Earth’s oceans when it’s located closer to that side of the world...
This results in a low and high tide throughout the day.
If that doesn’t make sense, here’s a short snippet from a qualified scientific site, “The moon's gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force. The tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon. These bulges of water are high tides.”
Think of tides as the Earth’s natural reaction to the moon and its gravitational force due to its mass...
When Do We Have Low and High Tides?
There are roughly two low and two high tides throughout the day with a big-high/big-low and a small-high/small-low...
Why does the tide occur two times?
Well, technically speaking, a lunar day is longer than a day on Earth. Because this is the case, we experience two rides throughout a single day.
To make it clear, the National Ocean Service explains, “Similarly, a lunar day (also known as a "tidal day") is the time it takes for a specific site on the Earth to rotate from an exact point under the moon to the same point under the moon. Unlike a solar day, however, a lunar day is 24 hours and 50 minutes. The lunar day is 50 minutes longer than a solar day because the moon revolves around the Earth in the same direction that the Earth rotates around its axis. So, it takes the Earth an extra 50 minutes to “catch up” to the moon.
Because the Earth rotates through two tidal “bulges” every lunar day, coastal areas experience two high and two low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes.
High tides occur 12 hours and 25 minutes apart. It takes six hours and 12.5 minutes for the water at the shore to go from high to low, or from low to high.”
You might be thinking, “That’s great and all, but how does it affect my paddling?”
We’re glad you asked…
To keep it as simple as possible, if you experienced a high tide at 9:00 AM on Monday, on Tuesday the corresponding high will be 9:25 AM, on Wednesday it would be 9:50 AM, and so on...
With low tides occurring roughly 6 hours and 12 minutes apart, you can easily plan your SUP fun ahead of time.
Now that you understand the basics, have you ever heard of a King Tide?
King Tide
A King Tide is one that is characterized by being the most extreme tide.
They typically occur during a full and new moon cycle.
However, the moon’s distance from Earth varies, which is why the level of the lows and highs can vary.
When the moon’s gravitational pull is strong, it causes extreme high and low tides known as King Tides.
So, make a special note when a full or new moon occurs.
This not only means you are likely to experience an extreme tide, but it can also mean a stronger current in the water when the tides change.
Some of the most powerful King Tides can be seen in southern California as seen in the picture below.
But it also depends on where you're paddling...
Where Will You Experience Strong Tidal Currents?
Speaking about tidal currents, it’s important to know your local paddling environment and where you might expect the most difficult paddling during an incoming or outgoing tide...
The areas you need to be aware of include anywhere there is a narrow channel of water.
This includes bays and harbors, long narrow stretches where water will be forced into small areas such as flood control channels, and river mouths, and where water pours in and piles up like a dead-end street.
Keep this in mind when you are planning your paddling adventure...
You want to now only be able to paddle out through these areas, but you want to make sure you can paddle your way back to the launch location.
However, if you do get caught in an outgoing or incoming tide, the current is often not as strong in shallow parts of the water as there is less movement and momentum here...
If you feel like you can’t make your way through the middle of the channel, bay, or marina entrance, make your way to the edges where you are likely to have shallow water and an easier time paddling against the current.
Side Note: To make it even easier, you can always drop to your knees to get more leverage with each paddle stroke and get yourself out of the wind.
To avoid this issue, it's good to know when the tidal current is fastest...
When is the Tidal Current the Fastest?
The current moves the quickest about two hours before peak tide...
When the peaks switch, the tidal flow is slowest.
This is what’s called a slack tide.
It’s always easiest to make your way through a channel, or narrow water passageway, during this slack tide.
So, the next logical question becomes...
How do you track the tides?
How to Track the Tides
Luckily, we live in an age where this is simple...
Checking the tides is as easy as checking your phone, or specific apps...
Tides Near Me
Tide Charts
My Tide Times
Or websites such as...
surfline.com
magicseaweed.com
swellinfo.com
All list the low and high tide times you need to be aware of.
Check out each site, see what layout you enjoy reading the most, and be sure to check it when you plan on paddling in tidal regions!
Especially if you are located near these areas...
Where Are the Tides Most Extreme?
There are a few places around the world where the tides are most extreme.
Typically, they a located farther north or south of the Equator. As a result, the opposite is true...
The closer you travel to the Equator, the less extreme tides become.
The most extreme tides belong to the Bay of Fundy located in between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine.
Every day 160 billion tons of seawater flow in and out of the Bay of Fundy — more than the combined flow of the world’s freshwater rivers!
The tidal change is so extreme here that it has become a tourist attraction known throughout the world.
In addition, areas located in Baja experience a strong tide contrary to it being closer to the Equator.
If you are paddling in these two areas, it is best to contact a local pro to make sure it is safe before entering the water.
Nova Scotia:
Halifax Paddle Surf
SUP Monkey
Baja:
Cabo SUP
Always be cautious in these areas, but in some spots around the world, tidal movements can be quite fun...
(Check out a Bay of Fundy time-lapse video below...)
Tidal Bores and Surfing
A tidal bore is a wave created from an incoming tide. As it travels up a narrow river or bay against the direction of the current it creates a surfable wave.
This phenomenon forms a breaking wave ranging anywhere from 2ft in size up to 15-20ft. In addition, in some locations, they can be ridden for up to 20 miles!
If that sounds exciting to you, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Most tidal bores are located in river locations where the ocean meets the fresh water.
Where typical waves last a few seconds, with some of the longest waves coming in at about a minute in duration, a tidal bore wave can last hours!
Plus, given the location, you are likely to encounter obstacles such as broken trees, logs, snakes, and even crocodiles in certain areas around the world.
However, if you take the proper precautions, have experience (or paddle with someone who does have experience), and take it slow, surfing a tidal bore is one of the most exciting things you can experience on a SUP.
For a list of the most famous tidal bore waves to surf around the world, check out our article, “The Top Tidal Bore Waves You Can SUP Surf Around the World.”
And check out what it's like to surf the tidal wave in Alaska below:
Interested in Learning More?
If you enjoyed learning about tides and how they can affect your paddling, then be sure to check out similar articles in our Knowledge/Resources center.
There you can find plenty of articles involving everything you need to know to get on the water!
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We’re here to help have a fun and safe time on the water with the resources you need, and the connection with Paddling Pros, to do it!
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