Sea Kayak Trip Schedule for 2006

Sea Kayak Trip Schedule for 2006

Quick Index:

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.

Sunday, 19 March 2006, 8:30 am pool session - Mike Wagenbach (wagen_at_u.washington.edu)

Friday, 21 April 2006, 5:30 pm - Monika Lange (monika_lange_at_gmx.net)
Thursday, 27 July 2006, 6:00 pm - Mike Wagenbach (wagen_at_u.washington.edu)
Saturday, 30 September 2006, 6:00 pm - Patrick A'Hearn (pahearn_at_u.washington.edu)

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 away from the lake, you must attend one of these sessions. The Self Rescue (or solo paddle-float 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. If you want to read about the rescue techniques ahead of time, check the Mariner Kayaks website www.marinerkayaks.com and select Rescues from the Manuals menu. Scroll down past the part about rolling.

Saddlebag Island
Location: Saddlebag Island
Date: Sunday, 25 March 2006
Rating: SK II
Paddling Speed: Slow
Paddling Distance: 5-6 nautical miles
Coordinator: Patrick A'Hearn (pahearn_at_u.washington.edu)
Trip Description:

This will be an SK-II (suitable for beginners) sea kayak trip to a small island park near Anacortes, which is purported to have nice wildflowers at this time of year. Put-in will be either Cap Sante marina, or more likely the Guemes Island ferry dock. Exact departure and est. return times to be announced later, but expect to be gone all day.

As with all UKC trips away from the lake, you must have done rescue practice with us in the past year (this is NOT the same as the swim test). It will probably be possible to do this in the pool on March 12, which would also be a good time to join or upgrade to River/Sea if you need to do that. Wait too long, and you'll have to put on a wetsuit and do rescues in the lake (brrr...)

Reply to deputy trip coordinator Patrick A'Hearn pahearn_at_u.washington.edu with the answers to all of the following:

1. Your previous experience, if any.
2. Whether you have a car to bring, what kind, and if it has a rack for boats.
3. What the "what to bring on a sea kayaking trip" section of the club web site says is "extremely important."
4. When you last did rescue practice.

Mukilteo to Whidbey Island
Location: Possession Sound
Date: Saturday, 1 April 2006
Rating: SK III (III+)
Paddling Speed: Moderate
Paddling Distance: 16 nautical miles
Coordinator: Mike Wagenbach (wagen_at_u.washington.edu)
Trip Description:

An SK-III or maybe SK-III+ (intermediate difficulty) trip with more hours of paddling than driving.

Put-in will be at Mukilteo State Park. Route summary: Cross Possession Sound (about 2 mile crossing), round south end of Whidbey Island, goal is to reach Dave Mackie County Park for a rest/lunch break. Return by same route.

Attractions: Wide-open views in crossing and channels, likely abundant wildlife, novelty of a route the club has rarely or never done, endorphin high.

Possession Bar is a large shallow area at the S. end of Whidbey Island, known as a good fishing spot by humans, seals and diving birds. The current flowing over the bar could produce tide rips, but these should be avoidable by hugging the shore, if desired.

Total distance is about 16 miles. The current should be with us the entire time, but flow in Possession Sound is predicted to be not very significant, so the current will probably only take a couple miles off the actual paddling effort. Expect 4 to 5 hours of moderate paddling.

Other than the somewhat long distance, this should not be a highly difficult route, but does have a fairly long crossing at start and finish. Novices with good physical fitness could qualify, as long as the group has a fair ratio of experienced to new paddlers.

As with all trips away from the lake, a UKC rescue practice session within the last year is required. If you need to do rescues, I can probably schedule a session in the lake either Sunday March 26 or an evening during that week. If you need to join or renew UKC membership, the swim test can be included as part of the rescue session.

If interested, reply to me with answers to ALL of the following:

1. Your experience, and previous club trips if any.
2. Whether you have a car with racks that can carry boats.
3. Roughly when you joined/renewed ACA memebership (or if you need to upgrade from Lake to River/Sea membership, which just means joining ACA).
4. When you last did a rescue session, and which type of rescue you found easier. If you haven't done this, when would work best for you?

Nisqually Delta
Location: Nisqually Delta
Date: Sunday, 23 April 2006
Rating: SK II
Paddling Speed: Slow - Medium
Paddling Distance: 5-6 nautical miles
Coordinator: Monika Lange (monika.lange_at_gmx.net)
Trip Description:
The Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is in the South Sound between Tacoma and Olympia. The Nisqually River and several creeks entering the Sound there forming an estuary of channels and marshes. The trip is easy paddling with an emphasis on poking around and looking for wildlife which should be abundant now. Bring binoculars!

If you are interested in a spring warm up paddle, email me, not the list. Tell me about your paddling experience and if you have done a rescue session this year. Also let me know if you have a car with racks!

Port Susan
Location: Port Susan
Date: Saturday, 15 April 2006
Rating: SK II
Paddling Speed: Slow
Paddling Distance: about 8 nautical miles
Coordinator: Annie Wong (annie42_w_at_yahoo.com)
Trip Description:
Port Susan is a deep bay between Camano Island and Everett. We will make use of next Saturday's afternoon low tide to explore the exposed tidal flats at the north end of the bay. The tidal flats typically have abundant wildlife. This is a good beginner trip as the area is well-protected from wind.

Trip Requirements: Current River/Sea member. Current ACA member. Recent rescue practice. Please let me know if you don't have recent rescue practice and want to attend one next week. I can hold a rescue session on Tuesday 11 April.

Interested? Email me (annie42_w_at_yahoo.com) with:
1. Your ACA number;
2. Your most recent rescue practice;
3. Whether you have a car with racks and how many boats you can take.

Willapa River
Location: Tidal section of the Willapa River and sloughs
Date: Sunday, 7 May 2006
Rating: SK II
Paddling Speed: Slow
Paddling Distance: 10 nautical miles with current assist
Coordinator: Amanda Babson (babsona_at_ocean.washington.edu)
Trip Description:
Note this is a sea kayak trip even though it's on a river.

We'll paddle this flatwater section of the Willapa River downstream, with the tide helping us. It's a rural river with timber towns along the way. There are sloughs to explore and if we have extra energy we can poke out into Willapa Bay.

Trip Requirements: You must be current on your River/Sea membership and rescue sesion to go on this trip.

Interested?: email me, babsona_at_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 or else I will have to ask you) and if so how many boats you can carry. Those with cars will have priority if we are limited by cars.

Bremerton to Bainbridge
Dates: Sunday May 21st, 2006
Rating: SK II+
Paddling Speed: Medium, (~2.5 kt)
Paddling Distance: 10 - 12 nm
Trip Duration: morning to early afternoon
Coordinator: Jim Cecil (jim_at_jpcecil.com)
Trip Description:
This one of the coolest trips in the Central Sound! Cars will be left in Seattle, boats wheeled onto the Bremerton ferry and we will paddle to Bainbridge Island. For those with energy remaining after the 10nm paddle to Bainbridge, we will explore Eagle harbor before boarding the ferry home. Due to the distance, current in Rich Passage and possible tide rips, prior trip experience is highly suggested. This would not be a good first trip off the lake. If you have done a significant amount of paddling on the lake, let me know (you will probably be ok).

Trip Requirements: Current ACA, River/Sea membership, and rescue practice required. I may be able to hold a rescue session Saturday morning, let me know if you need it.

Email me with prior trip experience and if you have a car with racks (# boats).

Strawberry Island
Dates: Sunday-Monday, May 28th - 29th, 2006
Rating: SK III
Paddling Speed: Slow - Moderate
Paddling Distance: 6 - 10 nm per day
Coordinator: Robert Hubley (rhubley_at_systemsbiology.org)
Trip Description:
Strawberry Island is a pretty little rock located on the West side of Guemes Island and faces the San Juan Islands. It is a beautiful place to relax watch the sunset and eat a good meal. :-)

Since this is a holiday weekend we will have to be prepared to find alternate campsites. The distance will be 6 ( for strawberry ) to 10nm ( alternate campsites ) a day at a slow to moderate to pace.

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.

Trip Requirements: Current ACA, River/Sea membership, and rescue practice required.

Potholes Reservoir
Location: Potholes Reservoir, eastern Washington
Dates: Saturday June 3-Sunday June 4
Rating: SK II
Paddling Speed: Slow
Paddling Distance: tbd
Coordinator: Amanda Babson (babsona_at_ocean.washington.edu)
Trip Description:
In hopes of ensuring warm and dry camping, we'll head east to Potholes Reservoir, an area of flooded dunes in the desert. The camping involves finding an island/brushy sandbar of our own. The lake should be warm enough to swim in. Birding is supposed to be great.

Hopefully we'll have time to explore a couple of the Potholes lakes (Hutchison and Shiner) as well. We may also encounter a multitude of bugs and jetskis-so consider yourself warned.

From the WA State Parks website: "O'Sullivan Reservoir (Potholes Reservoir) was formed as a result of two major events, one natural and one man-made. Huge depressions (30 to 70 yards wide and 10 to 60 feet deep) were made in the earth during the Pleistocene flooding. Those depressions were filled with water (making "pothole" lakes) when the water table rose in the 1950s with the creation of O'Sullivan Dam."

Trip Requirements: You must be current on your River/Sea membership and rescue sesion to go on this trip. It should be a good trip for beginners.

Interested?: email me, babsona_at_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 or else I will have to ask you) and if so how many boats you can carry. Those with cars will have priority if we are limited by cars.

Broken Group
Location: Barkley Sound, West Coast of Vancouver Island BC
Dates: Friday-Tuesday, June 30 - July 4, 2006
Rating: SK III
Paddling Speed: Medium, (2.5 - 3.0 kt)
Paddling Distance: 8 - 12 nm per day
Coordinators: Monika Lange and Jim Cecil (monika.lange_at_gmx.net)
Trip Description:
Barkley Sound is one of the premier paddling destinations of the Northwest located on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Spectacular landscapes, first nations artifacts and abundant marine life make this one of the favorite club destinations.

The basic plan is to drive to Toquart Bay on Friday and car camp (maybe start paddling), spend the next 4 (or 5) days on the water, returning very late on Tuesday evening. If weather conditions permit, Jim would like to use one of the days to explore the nearby Deer Group.

While the majority of the Broken Islands are quite protected, there is a two mile crossing from the launch at Toquart Bay and a three mile crossing to the Deer Group (optional side trip). You should be comfortable paddling in a mix of ocean swells and wind driven waves. The trip cost, while not excessive, is more than the typical UKC trip due to the Canadian ferries, parking fees and nightly, per person camping fees in the national park.

Trip Requirements: Current ACA, River/Sea membership, and rescue practice required. Prior SK III experience is also required (or permission of trip coordinators). I may be able to hold a rescue session Tuesday evening (6/27), let me know if you need it.

Email me with prior trip experience (if I don't know you) and if you have a car with racks (with # boats that can be carried).

James Island
Location: Just East of Lopez Island in the San Juan's
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, July 22 - July 23, 2006
Rating: SK III
Paddling Speed: Medium, (2.5 - 3.0 kt)
Paddling Distance: day 1: 8-10 nm, day 2: ~5 nm
Coordinator: Jim Cecil (jim_at_jpcecil.com)
Trip Description:
This trip is a great taste of adventure without committing to a long drive or complicated planning. It involves an open water, 3 nm crossing of Rosario Straight from Washington Park (near Anacortes) to (relatively) tiny James Island, just off the shore of (gigantic) Lopez Island. If you have been wanting to try an overnight trip with a somewhat long crossing, not too far from home, this trip is for you!

The crossing of Rosario will be timed around slack, so we will not have to fight (or be assisted by) any strong currents. There is still the potential for significant wind so you should be comfortable paddling in 1 - 2 foot wind chop. After setting up camp on James, we will explore the bays and coves around Decatur Island and Lopez Sound. Weak evening current will also allow a night paddle if there is interest and the new moon may allow bioluminescence to be seen! Sunday will be a quick paddle back across Rosario, possibly stopping at the Burrows Island lighthouse for a break.

Trip Requirements: Current ACA, River/Sea membership, and rescue practice required. Prior SK III experience is helpful but not absolutely required if you think you want to give this trip a try (let me know). I may be able to hold a rescue session Friday evening (7/21), let me know if you need it.

If you would like to go, email me with prior trip experience (if I don't know you) and if you have a car with racks (with # boats that can be carried).

Burrows Island
Location: Just south of Washington Park, near Anacortes
Dates: Saturday, July 29, 2006
Rating: SK II+
Paddling Speed: Moderate, (~ 3.0 kt)
Paddling Distance: 3 to 4 hours
Coordinator: Mike Wagenbach (wagen_at_u.washington.edu)
Trip Description:
Burrows is a steep-sided, small island near Anacortes in southern Rosario Strait. It feels more remote than it actually is, due to the wide-open view into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The tides aren't low enough to uncover the deepest intertidal creatures, but we should see some life on the rocks, probably eagles, seabirds and seals and maybe a harbor porpoise.

The crossing is fairly short, but the waters can be choppy due to long fetch and some current. Currents this weekend are pretty mild, so conditions should not be very challenging unless we really guess wrong on the wind forecast. This would be an appropriate first sea trip for most people.

We'll put in at Washington Park, have lunch at the Burrows Island lighthouse, probably continue around Allen Island to Williamson Rocks and finally stop at the new Burrows Island campsite before returning to the cars. Expect 3 to 4 hours of paddling at a moderate pace. Meeting time at the WAC will be about 9 AM, return probably around 7 PM.

As with all club trips on salt water, you must have done sea kayak rescue practice with the club. If anyone needs a rescue session, I will organize it Thursday evening. Please let me know ASAP if you need to do this.

If you are interested in the trip, email me and let me know if you have a car with racks to carry boats, and approximately when you did rescue practice last.

Sorry for the late trip announcement!

Goat Island
Location: Skagit River Delta
Dates: Saturday, August 5, 2006
Rating: SK II
Paddling Speed: Slow
Paddling Distance: 8 nm
Coordinator: Amanda Babson (babsona_at_ocean.washington.edu)
Trip Description:
This is a great beginner trip to a nice protected birdy mashy area. We'll make a stop on Goat Island and explore rampart ruins. We've got a afternoon high tide so don't need to start too early and will have plenty of water to explore the marsh channels.

Trip requirements: Must be a river/sea member. 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.

Interested? Please email me (babsona_at_ocean.washington.edu) with your experience (just curious) if we haven't paddled together before and whether you have a car with racks. If you do not have a car with racks, please say so specifically. If you do not have racks, but have a Toyota Corolla, Camry or a Honda, please let me know. Unfortunately, drivers will have priority as beginner trips are often limited by number of cars.

Full Moon Paddle
Location: Lake Washington
Dates: Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Rating: SK I
Paddling Speed: Slow
Paddling Distance: 2-3 nm
Coordinator: Evan Sugden (easugden_at_u.washington.edu)
Trip Description:
There will be a full moon Lake Washington paddle on the evening Wednesday Aug. 9th. (The actual full moon occurs at 3:53 a.m.) Rendezvous at 20:00 at WAC, on water by 20:30. The itinerary will be to paddle through the Arboretum around the island, then across Portage Bay to the lilly swamp by the landfill. There we can surface-anchor in the lilly pads and watch the moon rise over the east side. The actual moonrise is at 21:05. Back to WAC before 22:00. Predictions are for some clouds Wednesday night but still a chance at good moon viewing.

The Lake at night is interesting. Weather or not the moon makes an appearance, we are likely to see bats, beavers, bugs, and possibly mink and muskrat, not to mention frogs and fish.

Bring a headlamp!! (Coast Guard Requirement)

Lummi Island
Location: North Sound, Bellingham
Dates: Saturday - Sunday, September 2 - 3, 2006
Rating: SK II
Paddling Speed: Slow
Paddling Distance: 6 nm Sat, 8 nm Sun
Coordinator: Kevin Ramsey and Amanda Babson (ksramsey_at_gmail.com)

Trip Description: This is a moderately easy 2-day roundtrip paddle between the Lummi Indian Reservation and Lummi Island, just north of Bellingham. We'll camp at the DNR Lummi Island Recreation site on the south end of the island. On Sunday we'll return with an added excursion either around Eliza or Portage Island, depending on the conditions.

Trip Requirements: You must be current on your River/Sea membership and rescue session to go on this trip.

Interested?: email kramsey@u.washington.edu, NOT THE LIST, with your experience (if you have never paddled with Kevin or Amanda) and whether you have a car with racks (if you do not, say so specifically or else we will have to ask you) and if so how many boats you can carry. Trip size may be limited for logistical reasons.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday