A Paddler's Guide to the Salish Sea.: Seattle

Showing posts with label Seattle. Show all posts

1/3/17

Winter Paddling Culture on Shilshole Bay

For many of us 'die-hards' we don't stop paddling when the temp dips below 50F. Below, the snow covered Elks Beach in Ballard was before our first annual New Year's Day race. Temp at the time was around 32F. Many of our racers jumped in after the grueling 5 mile race around West Point in high wind. As I always tell my students, if you dress smart, paddling keeps you warm, thus winter is just another paddling season.

The race raised $300 for the Ballard Elks Building Fund.

See more photos from our New Year Day race from my Salmon Bay Paddle blog and from photographer Jasmine's page.

Ballard Elks Pledge or Plunge event, 32F

Before our New Year's 2017 race on Elks Beach, 32F

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

2/25/15

Public Access for Paddlers on Lake WA in Seattle

Eric Nordstrom, a SUP paddler in Seattle posted the following note on his FB page:
Seattle neighbors fight uphill battle to maintain public Lake Washington access

On a beautiful sunny winter afternoon, a small crowd has gathered on Seattle's Burke-Gilman trail overlooking a tiny beach leading to Lake Washington.

But after decades of wandering onto the beach or into the water in the Cedar Park Neighborhood of northeast Seattle at 130th St., now they can't go any farther. Newly erected no trespassing signs stand in their way.

"Watching people's reactions to these signs is anger and shock," says longtime resident Sue Pope as she walks her dog along the trail.

The signs that appeared Monday are just the latest move by the owners of the two homes bordering the popular beach access to take over the property and keep the public out.

Read article

3/23/14

Explore middle Hood Canal - Paddle Trip #23

Dosewallips St Park, high tide (empties at low).

Warm water in summer, bucolic backwater views and great paddling best describe this section of Hood Canal. North of Hoodsport stretching to Quilcene, this curvy section of Highway 101 has many campgrounds, B&Bs, tucked away marinas, and oyster farms.

Trip #23 in the book.

Hamma Hamma river delta

Quilcene, WA

6/15/12

60 Trips Book Launch Party, 6/27/12 Noble Fir / Ballard

60 Trips Book Launch Party! June 27th (2012)
& WWTA Pub Night at The Noble Fir / Ballard / Seattle

WWTA friends and supporters at The Noble Fir in a benefit for Washington Water Trails Association on Wednesday, June 27, when $1 from each tap pour (pint of beer or cider) goes to WWTA throughout the night!

When: Wednesday, June 27, from 6:30pm until midnight
Where: The Noble Fir, 5316 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98119 http://thenoblefir.com/events.html

5/8/12

-3.4 Tide on Shilshole Bay in Seattle 5/7/12

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.