Whitecaps are associated with which condition?

• A. Gentle breeze, small wavelets
• B. Calm, sea like mirror
• C. Waves breaking from strong wind
• D. Sheltered area leeward of obstacle

Answer: (C)

Whitecaps form when wind has enough energy to push the water into steep, breaking crests; the foam from the breaking tops makes them look white. They’re a sign of rough, wind-driven seas, not a smooth or calm surface. For a paddler this means more challenging balance, spray, and wind exposure, so you’d often adjust by heading to safer water or backing off into lower wind when possible. The other scenarios don’t fit: a gentle breeze with small wavelets doesn’t generate breaking crests; a calm, mirror-like sea has no whitecaps; and a sheltered area leeward of an obstacle reduces wind, which also reduces whitecaps.