The weak mid-shelf surface drifter velocities were surprising due to the strong winds observed during the 2001 cruises. The slow drifter speeds during large wind stress events may be due to the deep surface mixed layer (~ 50 m).  For an Ekman layer balance, for τ = 5 dynes/cm2, h = 50m, f = 1.3 10-4/s, u ~ 1.6 cm/s. Thus, the wind driven response on the open WAP shelf may be weak.