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

SUP Race - New Year's Day Paddling Race - Ballard - Seattle 1/1/17

The Salish Sea isn't just for exploring and poking around, throughout the year there's many competitions in amazing locations. Over a decade ago the Deception Pass Dash, an epic race through tidal rapids began with 175 all craft paddlers. The local outrigger canoeists have an Orca Series that runs throughout the year from  La Connor's Swinhomish Channel to Seattle's Ship Canal, usually 6 mile races open to all. 

I started putting on Monday evening sup races 5 years ago on Seattle's Shilshole Bay to benefit a scholarship fund at the Ballard Elks. Now we welcome all paddlers but it's usually SUPs given my business focus and connections in that area.  

On January 1st, 2017 I'm putting on our first annual New Year's Day Paddling Race also on Shilshole Bay at the Elks Lodge (many of us are members).  Open to all paddlers, it's a super fun race with two courses, a 5m and a 1.5m (depending on conditions).  We'll cool off with the Elks for their annual NY Day Plunge at 1pm.  Read More or check out the Facebook Event Page Volunteers and safety boats welcome. 

5 mile course

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