A Paddler's Guide to the Salish Sea.: March 2012

3/26/12

My Upcoming Talks for 60 Trips Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juans..

The 60 Trips book launches June 1st, almost there! I'm finishing my last edit of the galleys this week looking for last minute changes, errors, etc. Then it goes off to print.

Here's my schedule of upcoming book talks...(as of 3/26)...

- April 14th, Saturday night presentation, Port Angeles Kayaking Symposium. Click Here for Info.

- May 16th, Port Townsend Wooden Boat Chandlery / Northwest Maritime Center
& Wooden Boat Foundation 12 Noon to 1:30pm.

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Paddling Blake Island State Park - Trip #12

Here's an image of mine shot around 2004 at the southern campsite on Blake Island State Park. I discovered the view on Getty Images over the weekend, originally shot on film. We most likely paddled in from near Alki, although in later years we found it easier to paddle to Blake from our home in Ballard, approx 8 miles one way. The paddler in view is Todd Switzer. The Cascadia Marine Trail campsite is on the opposite side of the island.

Follow Todd's kayak fishing page

3/12/12

Paddling Puget Sound Trip #18 - Shilshole Bay

I consider Shilshole Bay my backyard. Only 5 minutes from my house, I can pop down there for a short paddle in the middle of the day and even use it as a launch for longer trips in Puget Sound. I surf freighter and tug wakes there, and equally enjoy the glassy waters of the protected Shilshole Marina.

In winter after several days of rain, the current below the Locks can get up to 4 knots which is a great fitness paddle in going upstream, and a fun free ride to take the current back into the Sound. A few times a year there's a touch of whitewater below the Locks - good for practicing my river skills in light current.

Here's a few images from recent Skills Clinics which I lead through my Stand Up Paddle Seattle Meet Up group. These clinics are held every Monday evening for 2 hours. More info Here.

3/7/12

Paddling Trips - Whidbey Island, Ebey's Landing, Trip #25

Ebeys Landing looking south to Admiralty Head

One of the new trips we added to the book is Trip #25 Keystone ferry landing to the Hastie Lake boat ramp on the west side of Whidbey Island. I've hiked sections of this trip for years, paddling it is in itself another experience. Strong currents, tide rips, and exposed wind and surf can make this trip treacherous or fun depending on the skill level of the paddler. Some days the same stretch can be flat as a lake. One of my favorite stretches is by Ebey's Landing, pics below. Amazing views up the Strait, over to Port Townsend and north to the San Juans.

View from the bluff above Ebeys Landing