3rd Ave - What does it indicate when tide tables say unsafe?

[ks]

I notice on the tide tables linked from the 3rd ave cam (http://www.poulton.net/windsurf/wrpt.html#tides), that when the tide gets below 2.5' it says "unsafe".

On what basis is it deemed to be unsafe? Exposed rocks? Water moving too fast from tide swings?

Thanks.

[windhorny]

try walking in that mud and you will never have felt so glad to be alive on solid ground.

[gnukid]

Unsafe low tide means that there is tons of mud at the launch sites and therefore you will not be able to sail in through the mud and will have to walk, sinking deep into mud, unless you can do a butter slide for 50 meters. You could get stuck, you could step on sharp objects and shells in the mud. You could receive transmission of toxins from the mud to your body depending on the beach, Alameda is considered most toxic.

But truly you should be fine if you are careful to time your session and come in before you see that access is becoming severely limited.

[windhorny]

You really think alameda's mud is more toxic than 3rd? I am surprised.

[glenn]

In addition to the mud, there are barnacle covered rocks the size of bowling balls scattered like a mine field just a few inches below the surface of the muddy water (on a VERY low tide).

[reyrivera]

Is it because a channel is dredged annually for boat traffic, thus upsetting the sediment?

Since sand is introduced every spring, would that help reduce the toxicity level as well?

Why doesn't Foster city or San Mateo do what the city of Alameda does, add sand to reclaim eroded soil?

gnukid said:
...
, Alameda is considered most toxic.
...

[pedro]

try walking in that mud and you will never have felt so glad to be alive on solid ground.

Got mud? Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYGUkybv5nI

[steve]

WRONG...
"unsafe" refers to windsurfing. Means that the tide is too low to safely launch from the windsurfing launch and clear your fin. On a visual basis, an old rule of thumb, was to look downwind at the levee point just downwind of the first ramp past the lower kite launch. If the water was at the levee you could launch your windsurfer and "safely" clear your fin.
steve

[robotvox]

That video compilation is hilarious!

[Sonny]

In addition to the mud, there are barnacle covered rocks the size of bowling balls scattered like a mine field just a few inches below the surface of the muddy water (on a VERY low tide).

Acutally, those are sponges. For some reason, we only have them in spring during low tides then they disappear.