Negative tide day, Half Moon Bay, California

[ac green]

http://www.regathon.com/cgi-bin/web...owevent&eventid=1176947313&eventdate=20070520

Passing this along, I hope to make it, sounds fun.

Negative tide day, Half Moon Bay, California

Sunday May 20, 2007

08:16 AM -1.30 feet Low Tide

We'll be walking the exposed reef at Half Moon Bay from about 8am thru 11am for a phenomenal negative-tide tidepool experience on the amazing reef next to the world famous surfing spot Mavericks. Normally, the reef is covered with 10-15 feet of water (or more). But on May 20, the sea flushes out and goes -1.3 feet negative, exposing more than a square mile of reef rock and all manner of astonishing sea plants and animals.

This is last negative tide day of the year that occurs on a weekend day during daylight hours. Miss this one, and wait till 2008 (or take a weekday off, or walk the reef at 3am and get shot by the authorities ;-)

What an educational opportunity! Mother Nature exposes thousands of sea critters for a couple of hours for all to see. Mussels, urchins, anemoneas, sea stars, shrimp, oysters, eels, you name it, they all get trapped on the reef for a few hours until the water rushes back in and covers 'em back up. Bring the kids, because they won't want to miss this one!

Be sure to bring a camera, sturdy walking shoes that you won't mind getting wet (scuba booties or rubber boots are ideal), and a windbreaker (it can get windy).

You must RSVP online asap if you're at all interested so we can send you more info:
http://www.regathon.com/cgi-bin/web...owevent&eventid=1176947313&eventdate=20070520

 

[sfsuphysics]

Having been there a few times on negative tide days I have to say you do see quite a bit of stuff. Hell chances are you'll feel squishy under your feet looks like rocky stuff but you'll be walking on a huge colony of anemone! Fun time to be sure for all who go.

 

[Elite]

Thanks man.. I think I will take my kids there.

 

[hyacinth]

cool, my kids will like that. thks for the info.

 

[Elite]

If you had been there before please give some feed back. I just want to know if my 4 and 5 years old boys will have problem walking on these rocks ..

 

[hyacinth]

just be prepared to carry them both Phong. : ) i'm in the same boat--have a 4 yr old boy and a 6 yr old daughter.

 

[xinumaster]

But that's the BACFM day.

 

[tuberider]

From the sounds of it, you'll be at Ross's Cove (named after Ross who bodyboarded the beloved left reef break a LONG tome ago). The hill down is steep, not too bad but I would assume after walking on the beach for a while (the sand is fluffy coarse stuff), some assistance will be required to get back to the car for the little ones. There are many reefs, some flat, shallow and protected some are insanely dangerous, even when the surf seems mellow.

This is my favorite beach around HMB, you can find an amazing array of things on the beach during these tides, we've had a bit of late season swell. That means there might be as much interesting stuff on the beach as in the tide pools. I've found old plates from Frank Torres Restaurant (gone), pieces of glass from old car taillights, fossilized whale bone, whole abalone shells, and lots of historical stuff.

I would say for those of you wishing to go on Sat. and make the BACFM on Sun. go early, a -1.3 tide is very low, however the surrounding days can be as good, just check your tide book.

 

[MayoKetchup]

DANG!

it sucks no only b/c it's on a work day... (i should quit)... but even more b/c i live in San Jose...but work in SAN MATEO...ON 92...lol.

i do have lunch hour... <grin>.....

take oodles of pictures, whoever is going!!!

and all you need is nightgear, for those 3am'ers. (and cardboard for armor)...

 

[Qwiv]

That is also Bay to Breakers. Bummer.