Sea Kayak Trip Schedule for 2003

Return to UKC Index

Quick Index:

• February 2003 calendar
• March 2003 calendar
• April 2003 calendar
• May 2003 calendar
• June 2003 calendar
• July 2003 calendar
• August 2003 calendar
• September 2003 calendar
• November 2003 calendar
• Sea Kayak Event Descriptions

Notice:  The trip schedule and calendar is constantly changing as new trips / clinics are added or an occasional trip is cancelled.  Any additions and changes will be posted to the sea kayak e-mail listserv (UKC-SEA). This calendar will also be periodically updated, but may not always reflect the most recent changes.

Calendar:

February

Back to top.

March

Back to top.

April

Back to top.

May

Back to top.

June

Back to top.

July

Back to top.

August

Back to top.

September

Back to top.

November

Back to top.

Sea Kayak Event Descriptions

Quartermaster Harbor, Vashon Island

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2003

Rating: SK-II 

Paddling Distance: 5-7 miles 

Paddling Speed: Slow 

Coordinator:  Todd West (twest@u.washington.edu) and Mike Wagenbach (wagen@u.washington.edu)

Trip Description:  Quartermaster Harbor, enclosed by Vashon Island, provides both a wintering for ground sea birds and a protected location to paddle Puget Sound. Quartermaster Harbor is large, and a variety of paddles are possible. As both of the trip leaders are birders, the course will likely be chosen for good bird viewing. Plan to bring binoculars if you have them.

This is a winter trip and, on average, winter sea trips have to be cancelled or rescheduled around 50% of the time due to bad weather. If the weather cooperates, we'll go on February 8, but other weekend days in February may be chosen depending weather condidtions and paddler interest.

If you'd like to go, email me and not the list. I'll run a sea kayak rescue session, probably next weekend, for those who need to take one before going on the trip. While this is a beginner trip and no previous salt water paddling experience is needed, descriptions of your paddling skills are always appreciated.

Rescue Sessions

Dates:  Wednesday, April 23, 2003, 5:30 pm - Robert Hubley ( rhubley@systemsbiology.org )

            Thursday, May 8, 2003, 5:30 pm - Jim Cecil ( jim.cecil@boeing.com )

            Tuesday, May 13, 2003, 6:00 pm - Mike Wagenbach (wagen@u.washington.edu)

            Tuesday, May 20, 2003, 6:00 pm - Amanda Babson ( babsona@ocean.washington.edu )

            Thursday, June 12, 2003, 6:00 pm - Bill Comegys ( bcomegys@u.washington.edu )

            Thursday, August 7, 2003, 6:00 pm - Annie Wong ( annie42_w@yahoo.com ) and Mike Wagenbach ( wagen@u.washington.edu )

            Thursday, August 21, 2003, 6:00 pm - Mike Wagenbach ( wagen@u.washington.edu )

            Tuesday, November 25, 2003, 5:00 pm - Amanda Babson ( babsona@ocean.washington.edu )

Location:  Meet at WAC club boathouse (by canoe rental office)                

Description:  Self rescue and buddy rescue are required skills for trips rated at SK-II and above. In other words, if you want to go on any club sea kayak trip off the lake, you must attend one of these sessions.  The Self Rescue and Buddy Rescue sessions involve practice on the lake or the pool (YOU WILL GET WET!). Bring a bathing suit and some shoes that can get wet plus a warm change of clothes. Also, bring a towel.  If you don't like getting water up your nose, bring a nose plug.  The session time will vary, but generally it will last 1.5 hours. If you plan to attend, please contact the person running the session to reserve a space as soon as possible.

Port Susan

Date: Sunday, April 20, 2003

Rating: SK-II

Paddling Distance: 7-8 miles

Paddling Speed: Slow

Coordinator:  Mike Wagenbach ( wagen@u.washington.edu )

Trip Description: Port Susan is a deep bay behind Camano Island, headed by the Stillaguamish River delta. We will launch from the aptly-named Kayak Point Park just before the early-afternoon low tide. The bay will have several square miles of exposed sand flats, all of which will amazingly disappear as the tide rises during the afternoon. We will probe the shallows to find one of the river channels, then poke along with the advancing water toward the salt marsh islands.

The tidal flats typically have abundant wildelife, with many blue herons, some smaller shorebirds and a few bald eagles expected, and harbor seals or falcons sometimes also seen. If the weather is clear, snow on Mt. Baker provides a backdrop. This is my favorite SK-II level trip, with the bonus that the drive is short and ferry-free.

Despite the large tidal variation, currents are essentially undetectable, one can get out of the boat at almost any time, and the area is fairly well protected from wind, so this is an ideal location for a first trip away from the lake. The paddling distance should be 7-8 miles, at a slow pace. We should return to the WAC about 7 PM.

As always when leaving the WAC area, all participants must have taken part in a sea kayak "rescue session" within the last year. (This is NOT the "swim test" you took when you joined the club.) Though this is usually, and most usefully, practiced in the lake, my schedule this week makes doing it in the pool just before the trip desireable.

Those not doing rescue practice should arrive at the WAC no later than 11:30 AM. We will stop somewhere en route to pick up snacks for those who spent all morning in the pool. If you are interested, email me (wagen@u.) with the following information: 1. Your paddling experience in or out of the club (if I don't know you pretty well). 2. Whether you have a car which can carry boats. 3. If you need to do the rescue practice Sunday morning. 4. Anything else you think I should know.

Eld Inlet

Date: Sunday, April 27, 2003

Rating: SK-II

Paddling Speed: Slow

Paddling Distance: 7 or 10 miles

Coordinator: Amanda Babson ( babsona@ocean.washington.edu )

Trip Description: Eld Inlet is a protected inlet in the South Sound. Depending on the group’s experience I’ll pick a longer or shorter route.

Trip Requirements: This is a beginner trip so no previous experience is necessary, but it's preferable if you've spent at least a few hours on the lake before and can go in a straight line. You must be a river/sea member. You must have attended a rescue session in the previous year to go on this trip, if you have not, there’s one being offered this wed evening.

Interested?: email me, babsona@ocean.washington.edu, NOT THE LIST, with your experience if we haven't paddled together before and whether you have a car with racks (if you do not, say so specifically) and if so how many boats you can carry. Those with cars will have first priority if we are limited by cars.

Lummi Island

Date: Saturday-Sunday, May 10-11, 2003

Rating: SK-III

Paddling Distance: 6 mi first day, 12.5 second day

Paddling Speed: Medium

Coordinator:  Robert Hubley ( rhubley@systemsbiology.org ) and Gary Lai

Trip Description:  The paddling at Lummi Island is scenic and exhilarating -- rugged shorelines and lively currents. The southern end of the island is undeveloped except for a unique Cascadia Marine Trail campsite. Here we will stay the night, eat yummy food and rest up. The second day (depending on the weather) we will ride the current up the outer side of the island, stopping at Lummi Rocks to eat lunch, take a dip ( for the hardy ), and admire the views of Orcas Island Clark Island and many more in the San Juan group.

Trip Requirements: This is *not* a beginner trip so previous experience on SK-II level trips is necessary. You must be comfortable paddling for longer distances and in varying conditions. If you are interested email me, rhubley@systemsbiology.org, NOT THE LIST. If we haven't paddled together before state your previous experience, and whether you have a car with racks (if you do not, say so specifically). Those with cars will have first priority if we are limited by cars.

Port Susan

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2003

Rating: SK II

Paddling Speed: Medium

Paddling Distance: 8-10 nautical miles

Coordinator: Bill Comegys ( bcomegys@u.washington.edu )

Trip Description: Port Susan is situated between the mainland and Camano Island, a short drive from Seattle. It's a place to observe the dramatic effect of tides with a minimum of current. The northern portion of Port Susan dries to extensive mud flats at low tide, filled with birds and basking seals (hopefully).

We'll launch from Kayak Point County Park ($5 per car to park) and paddle north to Port Susan along the mudflats. The mudflats will be extra large since there will be a large tidal change for the trip -3.5feet to 12 feet. Along the way we will paddle through a channel where the mouth of the Hat Slough comes out. This is a good Dinner spot on an island in the channel if I can find it again. A bit further down there is a spot I have seen a lot of seals. This will be a mellow paddle in water shallow enough to stand in-a perfect environment for beginning paddlers.

Meet at the WAC at 10:00 AM sharp to load. We'll be back at the WAC before 9:30 PM. Email me with your experience and whether or not you have a car with racks and how many boats your racks can carry. Those participants who have a car with racks and can drive will have priority.

Trip Requirements: You must be a river/sea member and been to a rescue session. Jim Cecil has one on 5/8 and Mike Wagenbach has one on 5/13, I'll offer a paddling instruction to anyone interested. Thanks Jim and Mike!

Pelican Beach, Cypress Island

Date:  Saturday-Sunday, May 17-18, 2003

Rating:  SK-III

Paddling Distance:  6 nmi/day

Paddling Speed:  Medium

Coordinator:  Todd West ( twest@u.washington.edu ) and Mike Wagenbach

Trip Description:  This is a pretty paddle up Bellingham Channel from Anacortes to the north end of Cypress Island (nearly all of Cypress, which lies on the west side of Bellingham Channel is undeveloped). It's also good introductory SK- III. We'll take advantage of strong favoring currents to make for a short overnight paddle, leaving early Saturday afternoon and returning early Sunday afternoon.

Bracing skills are particularly recommended for this trip, as we'll practice crossing eddylines in loaded boats if conditions are suitable. If interested, email me and not the list. If I don't know you, please thoroughly describe your paddling skills (speed, distance, how much wind, what size of waves, bracing and rolling proficiency, etc.) and how many boats your car can carry.

Nisqually Delta

Date: Sunday, May 25, 2003

Rating: SK II

Distance: ~8 nmi

Speed: slow

Coordinator: Amanda Babson ( babsona@ocean.washington.edu )

Trip Description: Nisqually Delta is an estuary in the South Sound, part of which is the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. We'll be exploring the channels through the salt marsh at high tide, lunch on a sand jetty and hopefully see a whole lot of birds.

Trip Requirements: This is a great beginner trip. No need to have been on previous club trips, though some previous practice on the lake is advisable. Since it is away from the lake, a rescue session in the past year is required (I'm planning on organizing one next week). Be a river/sea member of the club. Interested? Please email me with your experience (just curious) if we haven't paddled together before and whether you have a car with racks, if so, how many boats can your racks hold?. Unfortunately, drivers will have priority as beginner trips are often limited by number of cars.

Snohomish River Estuary, The Grand Tour

Date:  Saturday, June 14, 2003

Rating:  SK-II+

Paddling Distance:  13-15 nmi, with some current-assist

Paddling Speed:  Medium

Coordinator:  Bill Comegys ( bcomegys@u.washington.edu )

Trip Description: The Snohomish river estuary, located between Everett and Marysville, has oodles of wildlife and scenery. We will launch in Marysville and paddle along Ebey Slough then we will paddle around Otter Island which is undeveloped since it is a wetland and looks like the estuary did of years ago. Then we will paddle up Steamboat slew to the secret passage through Spencer Island. Lots of wildlife; I have even seen some deer here. Then we break for dinner at Spencer Island. After dinner we paddle Union Slew on the west side of Spencer Island to the Big Hole which joins Union and Steamboat Slew. This is a fresh water marsh. In the Snohomish River Estuary Recreation Guide it says "Bald Eagles, Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, Deer Muskrats and Beaver" are seen here. This will take us back to Steamboat slew, a portion we have not seen since we bypassed it paddling around Otter Island. We will then paddle back up Ebey Slough to our launch point, enjoying a wonderful sunset

Meet at the WAC at 11 AM sharp to load. We'll be back at the WAC late. Interested? Email , NOT THE LIST with your experience, whether or not you have a car with racks and how many boats your racks can carry. Those participants who have a car with racks and can drive will have priority. We will only take as many people as we can carry boats for.

Trip Requirements: You must be a river/sea member and have attended a rescue session to go on this trip. Otherwise, it's a beginner trip, and I'll offer a paddling instruction to anyone interested you must be able to maintain a steady speed of 2 knots and PADDLE a LONG WAY!

Trip Planning Class

Dates: June 17 and 24, 2003, 6:30 - 9 PM; on-water portion Sunday, June 29, 2003

Instructors:  Mike Wagenbach ( wagen@u.washington.edu ) and Shelly Carpenter ( seashell@u.washington.edu )

Description: Interested in planning your own trips, becoming a club trip coordinator or just learning the basics of marine navigation, weather and other fun subjects? Then plan to come to the annual SK trip planning class. The on-campus portion of the class will be held June 17 and 24, 6:30-9:00 PM. An SK-II+ or SK-III level day trip will be organized on Sunday, June 29, to apply the theory from the class to reality, and cover other skills such as towing and teaching basic strokes.

The first night will cover marine chart reading, tide and current tables, use of the club's trip rating scale and basic navigation. The second night will cover sea kayaking risks and risk management plus an introduction to weather and weather forecasts (and whatever navigation problems we failed to finish on the first night!) You may attend only one night or just the trip, but priority will be given to those planning to participate in all three segments. Also, background material or practice problems for the second night may be passed out at the first class.

To participate, you should have some paddling experience, at least the equivalent of several club SK-II trips. If at all possible, you should bring a hiking compass or marine compass to each session. Most other materials will be provided. There may a be a fee of a couple of dollars for photocopying and other preparations. Contact Mike Wagenbach or Shelley Carpenter to reserve a spot or for other questions. Note that Mike Wagenbach will be out of town from June 3 until June 9, so he will not be replying to messages during that period.

Saddlebag Island

Dates: Saturday-Sunday, June 21-22, 2003

Rating: SKII

Paddling Distance: 4-5 miles/day

Paddling Speed: Slow

Coordinator: Robert Hubley ( rhubley@systemsbiology.org )

Trip Description: Saddlebag is a pretty little island situated in Padilla Bay just northeast of Anacortes. We will get an early start on Saturday and setup camp on Saddlebag before going to explore the nearby islands - Hat, Dot and Huckleberry. If the bioluminescense is peaking we may even do an evening paddle.

Trip Requirements: This is an ideal trip for those who would like to try out kayak camping on a beginner trip first. No need to have been on previous club trips, some previous practice on the lake is advisable. Since it is away from the lake, a rescue session in the past year is required (Check the calendar for the next session or contact me directly). You must be a river/sea member of the club.

Interested? Please email me (rhubley@systemsbiology.org) with your experience if we haven't paddled together before and whether you have a car with racks, if so, how many boats can your racks hold? Unfortunately, drivers will have priority as beginner trips are often limited by number of cars.

Gulf Islands

Dates: Friday-Sunday, July 4-6, 2003

Rating:  SK-III

Paddling Distance: 12 miles per day

Paddling Speed: Medium

Coordinator: Andre Golard ( golard@u.washington.edu )

Trip Description:  The 4th is a Friday, so we have a 3 day weekend - perfect for a trip to the Gulf Islands. Here is the rough plan: leave Friday morning, drive/ferry to Schwartz Bay, paddle from Schwartz Bay to Prevost Island (about 12 miles) Day 2: paddle to Ganges on Saltspring, lunch, check out the craft market, paddle back, cook a 4-5 course meal. Day 3: back to Schwartz Bay and Seattle late Sunday evening. The trip is rated SKIII. If you have not been on an SKIII with me, please list the club trips you have been on. Be sure you are comfortable paddling 12 miles in a loaded boat.

Doe Island

Dates: Saturday-Sunday, July 12-13, 2003

Rating:  SK-III+

Paddling Distance: 9 nmi per day

Paddling Speed: Medium

Coordinator: Mike Wagenbach ( wagen@u.washington.edu )

Trip Description: Doe Island is a tiny but beautiful state park just off the SE side of Orcas Island in Rosario Strait. Though only a few hours' paddling from Anacortes, the route and the park see less sign of development than most trips in the San Juans, due to the steep hillsides that line much of the channel.

We'll put in at Anacortes in the late morning, and have lunch on Strawberry Island. After establishing camp on Doe Island and eating dinner, we'll probably put in for some night paddling along the shore of Orcas to enjoy the bioluminescence and moonlight. A 10 minute paddle to Doe Bay resort's sauna is also an option, if one wants to pay the entry fee. The return trip must be in mid morning to catch the ebb back down the channel, so we should be back in Seattle by late afternoon.

The mileage is not too high, but the trip is not an appropriate choice for someone's first SK- III level trip. The route is almost entirely composed of long crossings, with considerable exposure to waves if the wind is blowing. Strong currents will be helpful up and down Rosario Strait, but can make the waves worse. Maintaining a steady pace near 3 knots may be needed crossing Bellingham channel. So, you should have some experience paddling in measurable waves, and know that you can keep up a good pace for some time. Email me if you are interested or need more information. Please include the following: phone number, any dietary restrictions for meal planning, paddling experience if I might not remember your resume, and how many boats, if any, you can transport.

Golden Gardens BBQ Paddle

Date: Friday afternoon/evening, August 1st, 2003

Rating: SK-II

Paddling Speed: Slow

Paddling Distance: 7 miles

Trip Coordinators: Phil Shekleton ( philross@u.washington.edu ) & Wendi Ruef ( wruef@ocean.washington.edu )

Trip Description: Golden Gardens park on Shilshole Bay is a very enjoyable place to spend a Seattle summer evening, especially when you don't have to paddle back after enjoying a barbecue on the beach. We will enjoy a leisurely paddle to Golden Gardens via the Ship Canal and the Ballard Locks. Upon arriving at Golden Gardens we will enjoy a little informal barbecue. A car shuttle (arranged by Wendi) will allow us to drive back to the WAC with our boats. We will reserve a picnic table, so all we need now are paddlers!

We'll meet at the WAC at 5:00, and try to be in the water by 5:30. From there, it should take us roughly 3 hours to reach the Golden Gardens. Non-paddling friends, significant others, and family are more than welcome to join us for the BBQ, just remind them its BYO.

There will be a small fee per person for reserving the picnic site. The fee will depend on the number of participants, but should not exceed $2-$3. Everyone should also bring their own food/beverages and barbecue parephenalia. We will have a barbecue and coals, so by all means bring grillables. Sharing of food is of course welcomed and encouraged, so don't worry about bringing too much edibles. People might also want to consider bringing chairs or blankets as we might not have enough table seating, especially if a number of additional people end up meeting us at the beach.

Note that this trip may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Given the seemingly endless good weather we're having, that seems unlikely.

Trip Requirements: This is a beginner trip, but because we do go off the lake and paddle through the Montlake Cut, you need to be a river/sea club member and be proficient in sea kayak rescue. You should also have mastered the basic strokes and be comfortable paddling your boat in a straight line for about 7 miles.

If interested, contact me as soon as possible. This trip always fills up fast. Tell me if you have a car with racks (or even just a car) and can meet at the Golden Gardens at 4:15 pm to do the car shuttle. Wendi will be organizing the car shuttle, but people with cars should go ahead and write me first. Thanks.

Jones Island

Dates: Saturday-Sunday, August 2-3, 2003

Rating: SK-III

Paddling Distance: 6-7 nmi/day

Paddling Speed: Medium

Coordinator: Robert Hubley ( rhubley@systemsbiology.org )

Trip Description: Ok...the thinking is over. I have decided to go to Jones Island in the San Juan Islands this weekend. We will be wheeling the boats onto the Friday Harbor ferry and launching from the nearby public docks. Jones Island is a beautiful undeveloped island in the San Juan group with sandy beaches, groves of madrona trees, meadows,...and hopefully not too many other kayakers. :-) Previous SK-III trip experience and current rescue session practice are necessary for this trip.

Goat Island

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2003

Rating: SK-II

Paddling Distance: 7+ nmi

Paddling Speed: Slow

Trip Coordinators: Annie Wong ( annie42_w@yahoo.com ) and Mike Wagenbach ( wagen@u.washington.edu )

Trip Description: The Skagit Delta is apparently a birder's paradise, plus the fact that Fort Whitman on nearby Goat Island has some pre-WWII coast artillery relics, should make this an easy but interesting paddle. We will launch from La Connor, and paddle to Goat Island to do some sightseeing. After that, we will paddle around the Skagit Delta, then return to La Connor via the "fish hole". Let me know whether you have a car with racks and how many boats you can take.

To do this trip, you must have current rescue session practice.

Skagit and Hope Islands

Date: Saturday, August 23, 2003

Rating: SK-II

Paddling Distance: 8 miles

Paddling Speed: Slow

Trip Coordinator: Jim Cecil ( jim.cecil@boeing.com )

Trip Description: No, you are not seeing double. This is the same trip Mike is running on Sunday. I can't go on Sunday so I thought I would see if anyone wants to go on Saturday. See Mike's description for the details and promises of wonderful wildlife viewing. The same option through Deception Pass applies. You must have already completed a rescue session, I will not be able to offer one before Saturday.
 

Skagit and Hope Islands

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2003

Rating: SK-II

Paddling Distance: 8 miles

Paddling Speed: Slow

Trip Coordinator: Mike Wagenbach ( wagen@u.washington.edu )

Trip Description: Just inside Deception Pass are a couple of small bays and two islands owned by the state park system, which are mysteriously difficult (if not impossible) to find on the Park Dept. website! However, they're really there, and pretty easy to reach by kayak. This area is within the Olympic rain shadow, so expect a dry ecology with pretty Madrona trees overhanging the water. Peregrine falcons have may nested on the cliffs nearby, so these can be added to the seals, Bald eagles and Great-blue herons on the "likely to see" wildlife list.

Skagit Island is the smaller, and is barely two miles from the put-in at Cornet Bay. We may pass by without stopping on the shore of this day-use park, or take a brief break as desired. Another mile south is Hope Island, which is about 1 mile long. Expect a couple of hours ashore here for a late lunch/snack and some hiking around. Total milage will be 6-8 miles, depending on how much we meander into the bays. Noticable but nonthreatening currents will be going our way, so actual paddling effort should be light.

The trip will meet at the WAC in late morning and return around or just after sunset. (The area is convenient to the La Conner Brewery, which may slightly delay our return trip!)

IMPORTANT: All participants must have done the club's "rescue session" self-rescue practice within the past year. I will be available to teach this Thursday evening. Please let me know if you need to do this. If that night is impossible for you, you will have to ask the ukc-skl list for an alternative time. Also important: An alternate put-in for this trip would be Bowman Bay, paddling through Deception Pass. The higher currents in the pass would make this an SK-III trip, requiring greater ability to deal with rough water. *IF* virtually all the interested participants are comfortable with this, we could choose this route. So, tell me if you are interested in a beginner's level trip, or the more difficult option. I'll announce the final plan about Wednesday depending on the response. Also tell me if you have a car that can carry boats, or if you'll need a ride.

Moonlight Paddle

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2003

Rating: SK-I

Paddling Distance: 4-5 miles

Paddling Speed: Slow

Trip Coordinator: Mike Wagenbach ( wagen@u.washington.edu )

Trip Description: Looks like weather will probably be decent.  If interested, come to WAC at 8:00 PM.  Bring a flashlight or lightstick (I'll try to have a couple of extras, but no guarentees). No sign-up!  First come, first served.  Open to all members, no other requirements. 

We'll paddle 2-3 hours, probably to the Center for Wooden Boats (south Lake Union) or Kirkland depending on majority interest.

Johnstone Straight

Dates: Friday-Tuesday, September 12-16, 2003

Rating: SK-III

Paddling Distance: 10-12 nmi/day

Paddling Speed: Medium

Coordinator: Robert Hubley ( rhubley@systemsbiology.org )

Trip Description: Johnstone straight is located in the northernmost reaches of Vancouver Island.  Numerous islands, tricky currents, abandoned villages, and a whale reserve all make this place escpecially attractive to kayakers.  If you are interested send me an email (not the list) at rhubley@systemsbiology.org. Please describe your experience, indicate if you have a car with racks, and if so, how many boats it can carry.
  
Previous SK-III trip experience and current rescue session practice are necessary for this trip.
 

Chuckanut Bay
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2003
Rating: SK-II+
Paddling Distance: 6+ nm
Paddling Speed: Slow
Trip Coordinators: Annie Wong ( annie42_w@yahoo.com ) and Todd West
Trip Description: Chuckanut Bay is a bay south of Bellingham. Its sandstone shoreline is famous for its interesting formations and fossilized tree trunks. Chuckanut Island in the middle of the bay and nearby rock outcrops are also prime sites for seabird viewing.

If interested please email me at annie42_w@yahoo.com (not the list) and let me know whether you have a car that can take boats and how many boats you can take. Previous SKII trip experience and current rescue session practice are necessary for this trip.

North Skagit Bay

Dates: Saturday-Sunday, September 27-28, 2003

Rating: SK-III-

Speed: Medium

Distance: 6-8 nm/day

Trip Coordinator: John Ross ( jlr1695@blarg.com )

Trip Description: Depending on the strength of the group we can start either inside or outside Deception Pass, and poke around that area around slack current. If you've never been, Deception Pass is a very dramatic, narrow channel with strong currents. We'll then head east to Skagit Bay and set camp on either Hope or Skagit Islands. That's not very far, so in the afternoon, people can either just lay around in the sun, explore Hope Island, or do a day trip down to Goat Island, which is an interesting place if you've never been. Sunday, we just return and go home (but with a probable stop at Skagit Bay Brewing in Mt Vernon!).

Requirements:

1. Be a "River/Sea" member.

2. You should be comfortable in ~2 ft wind waves.

3. Can control a boat in up to 15 kts cross winds.

4. This trip would be appropriate for someone's first overnight trip, but you should have done several SK-II trips, or equivalent, and were comfortable with that.

5. Have done a re-entry practice session within the last year.

6. If you need to use club gear you'll need to pick it up Friday night and have a secure place to keep it overnight. If you'd like to come, please contact me (NOT THE LIST!) at: jlr1695@blarg.com Please let me know whether you have racks, and how many boats you can carry. Also, if we haven't paddled together please let me know a little about your experience.

Shaw Island Circumnavigation

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2003

Rating: SK-III

Speed: Medium

Distance: 15 nm

Trip Coordinators: Todd West ( twest@u.washington.edu ) and Jim Cecil

Trip Description: Interested in practice in locating and avoiding currents? A friend and I are going to attempt a circumnavigation of Shaw Island in the San Juans this Sunday. Since it's an ebb current in the morning and flood in the afternoon, we'll be paddling against the current pretty much the entire way and using a variety of geographical tricks make life easier. Most of the day, most places, the currents are under a knot or so, but it'll probably end up being close to 15 miles of paddling. To come, you *must* be able sustain a fast (3+ knot) pace over this distance. The current timings are such we'll need to meet at the WAC at about 3:30AM in order to walk the boats on the 6:10AM ferry to Friday Harbor. If interested, email me and not the list. I don't expect it to be an issue, but group size will be limited due to the need to move quickly and precisely.

Hood Canal

Date: Saturday-Sunday, November 29-30, 2003

Rating: SK-III

Speed: Medium

Distance: 8-10 nmi / day

Trip Coordinators: Amanda Babson ( babsona@ocean.washington.edu ) and Gary Lai

Description: Work off your Thanksgiving gluttony with some kayaking. And don't be afraid of an overnight trip in November because we'll be staying in cabins at the Big Beef Creek Field Station (recent rains scared away my camping intensions). We'll be leaving from Dabob Bay, crossing Hood Canal to the field station, staying the night and then returning the next day. If group is interested, we'll spend more time Sunday exploring Dabob Bay. Trip requirements: You must be a river/sea member and have done a rescue session within the last year. I am wavering on whether to offer a rescue session at the beginning of next week for those who need one, so let me know if you do and persuade me.

Please review the rating scale for SKIII and make sure you are comfortable with those conditions, if you are unsure whether you're ready for SKIII, ask. Interested? Please email me (babsona@ocean.washington.edu) NOT THE LIST with your experience if we haven't paddled together before and whether you have a car with racks, if so, how many boats can your racks hold?. Drivers will have priority if we are limited by number of cars, and trip size will also be limited by cabin space.

Back to top.