Paddling the Salish Sea 80 Trips: paddle board trips

Showing posts with label paddle board trips. Show all posts

1/12/17

Aerial Photography Sites for Planning Paddling Trips

Whenever I get an idea for a paddling trip, race or finding a new surf spot, I immediately think of the general location, then open Google Earth to start scouting routes, beaches, access points or in the case of racing, figuring out mileage for the race course.

Dept of Ecology - WA Coast

Before Google Earth, I used a Dept of Ecology site called Washington State Coastal Atlas. The site covers all shorelines, saltwater or fresh in the state. With this site, you bring up state image then click on the red dot of the area of interest, then zoom in. You scroll left to right or vice versa to explore the shoreline. There's four choices of which years of footage you want to view which is great for comparing shoreline change. The years are 1970's, 1990's, 2001 and 2006. Click here to check it out.

In recent years, I've mostly switched to Google Earth which breaks out of the left right scrolling to pulling or scrolling anywhere you want to go. Google has 'street views' which is seeing the image 1-1 vs from the air. The only downside is when you zoom all the way in, a forest begins to look fake or photoshopped. Same issue with some street views. Perhaps that's the result of the current technology with pixels being re-created to allow us to scroll any direction up or down, etc. Military locations are shadowed out and some areas which are not sensitive may look cloudy.

Google Earth 5 mile race course (Seattle)

Google Earth does allow you to save a jpg of a place and save that to your page as well. I use the Ruler a lot to determine distance in miles, nautical miles, km, etc. That's all I use it for, I'm sure you can take advantage of more of it's features if needed. When I have a race, I'll save the race course (ruler path showing course route) then open it in Photoshop to lighten it and/or add arrows, text and other directional items.

Sometimes I use both Google Earth and the Dept of Ecology sites. Then checking web cams and local weather stations (NOAA) to get a history of weather in a specific area

Here's a few examples of how I use Google Earth and the Ecology site...

Google Earth with Photoshop directions

Dept of Ecology - WA Coast

Rob Casey is author of Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, 60 Trips and Stand Up Paddling Flat Water to Surf and Rivers, both by Mountaineers Books. He owns Salmon Bay Paddle a SUP school in Seattle. Get in touch: rob@salmonbaypaddle.com

1/8/17

How to Pack a SUP for Overnight Trips

5 Tips for Packing a SUP for an Overnight Trip..

Packing a SUP for an overnight trip can be tricky if you're on a 11-6 to 14' long board. If you're in non tropical climate packing enough warm clothes, sleeping bag and tent can be a problem. But smart choices and clever packing will allow for more things to fit on your board.

- If your board doesn't have leash plugs on the deck to attaching ropes/bags to, add some using plugs by NSI (spectral loops) or Seattle Sports. Usually 4-6 plugs will do on the nose in front of where you stand. Give more than 24hrs to cure before attaching rope/bungy. I've rushed it and have had them pull off prior to curing. Or find install your own leash plugs (or hire someone).

Freshwater Bay, WA

- Use cargo netting from a fabric store (rope not bungy) instead of the stock X crossed bungy that comes on most boards. The X shape isn't enough to secure most items down. I've seen a few students lose water bottles from that arrangement. Kayaking deck bags are also a great solution. Some are waterproof and others like Seattle Sport's Parabolic Deck Bag are shaped to allow for water to pass by without too much drag.

- Pack with minimalism in mind. Small down sleeping bag vs big synthetic bag. Tarp and/or bivy instead of a tent. One pair of camp clothes with packable coat. Pack food and misc small gear into pots to save space. Pack dry items in dry bags then all into a waterproof duffle bag.

- Gather what you need and pack into dry bags. Then decide what you can do without. Pack again then remove again till you have the absolute basics. Carrying too much also means paddling a heavy slow board.

- Do a test run also called a shake down trip before your trip to make sure you gear isn't too heavy to paddle, won't shift in wind and waves or will be a weather cocking (wind shear) issue. Can you right after a capsize? How far/fast can you paddle with 35 lbs of gear on your nose?

Safety - Always wear your PFD and leash on open water and in remote areas.

Watch my video on How to Pack a SUP for SUP Magazine, here.

Who's doing overnight SUP tours?

- We do at Salmon Bay Paddle - 1-2 night guided tours on Puget Sound in Washington State. Click here for more info.

- in British Columbia, Norm Hann Expeditions.

Any questions give me a holler: salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com / 206.465.7167

Check out our Kayak and SUP classes in Seattle - Beginning to advanced instruction including freighter and tug wave surfing, coastal surfing, rivers and racing, plus PSUPA Certification.
Get the Book

12/7/16

Exploring Freshwater Bay on the Olympic Peninsula - Trips 40 & 41

I was first introduced to Freshwater Bay in my early kayak days via the WA Kayak Club while on day trips and a few rock gardening classes with Deb Volturno and George Gronseth. From day 1, I knew this was a place I'd be going back to often. Now I lead SUP tours there mostly in summer months.

A 3 hour drive from Seattle and just past Port Angeles, FWB as we call it for short, has good conditions 99% of the time. The boat ramp put-in is in boating terms, a good gunk hole, meaning it's very protected from most wind and swell. A sandy bottom and shallow for some time, makes it a great launch for paddlers. We generally prefer to launch adjacent to the busy boat ramp on the beach.

Routes:

If a wild weather or mellow day, you can have plenty of fun exploring the interior of the bay by the boat ramp, with it's tide pools and rock formations on the west side of the bay to the erratic boulder right of the boat ramp. You can also head east into FWB and in a few miles you'll hit the Elwha River mouth (watch for surf). In summer there's a one mile long kelp bed in the bay. Usually quiet from other paddlers and don't expect to see anyone on the beach.

For experienced paddlers, take a left at Observatory Point and Bachelor Rock (seastack below) threading yourself through the reef (SUPs-recommend kneeling). Or go round the rock. Swell does get in there and on an ebb the currents can rip strongly around the rock. Follow the coastline for one mile or the 6 miles to Salt Creek Rec Area. Explore the pocket beaches, amazing rock formations, caves, arches and abundant sea life below you. There's a stinky seal rookery about 3 miles west and Hidden Cove, another gunk hole about 2 miles from Salt Creek.

Alternatively, you can launch form Salt Creek, go over or around Tongue Point and start your journey from the west, going east.

Avoid if you can't handle waves, swell, high wind or don't have endurance for strong current. It can be glassy calm or gnarly. The water is cold most of the year do dress for immersion. SUPs, I recommend a rubber fin to avoid getting stuck in the extensive kelp beds and to better explore the rock shoreline. Also a helmet for kayakers, not much fun to capsize in shallow reefs.

The section can be cold too as the sun rarely gets over he big cliffs aside from in summer.

Read more in my book, Trips 40 & 41

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

12/19/13

Paddling Mats Mats Bay, Trip #33

Overview from Paradise Bay Road.

If you're looking for a mellow bay to paddle in with minimal development for all skill levels, Mats Mats bay is one of my favorites. Located a few minutes north of Port Ludlow and a few miles south of Marrowstone Island, Mats Mats is very protected but has additional options for those seeking more exploring.

Launch directly into the bay on Vernon Road off Paradise Bay Road. Lots of parking and great for big groups. The bay's opening into the Puget Sound is very narrow (for rec boaters) but ideal for paddlers. Once into the Sound, heading right or south will take you to a series of rocks with a great harbor seal population. To the left takes you north past beach homes. Views to the south include Foulweather Bluff on the Kitsap Peninsula, to the east Whidbey Island and to north Marrowstone Island. Mats Mats is Trip #33 in the book.

Tip: Paradise Bay Road is a quick and scenic route connecting Hood Canal Bridge with Port Hadlock. I prefer it to Hwy 104 or Chimacum Road.

Entry connecting Mats Mats to the Sound

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

5/29/12

The Book has Launched!

My publicist at Mountaineers Books told me today that my 60 Trips Kayaking Puget Sound book has launched! Find it online at the usual spots and it should be on bookstore shelves now or in the near future.

For more info on the book, look Here.

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.

2/8/12

Find NOAA Nautical Charts Online

If you're seeking charts for trips, check out NOAA's online site for a quick peek and/or to download.

Check it out.. http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/OnLineViewer.html

Paddling Patos Island, San Juan Islands, WA - Trip #50

Located a little over 4 miles from the north tip of Orcas Island, Patos Island offers the boater or paddler relative solitude, epic views, a protected gunkhole, and curvy sandstone rock formations. The paddle from Orcas to Patos can be easy if the wind and currents cooperate, or rather hardcore if not. Definitely a trip for experienced paddlers. We rated it 'Exposed' given the remoteness of the island and the potential difficulty to get there.

From Saturna Island in the BC Gulf Islands, the crossing is only 2.7 miles but that's through Haro Strait which can also be easy, or not due to fast moving current squeezing between the islands.

Despite the feeling of solitude from this image, in the height of summer on a weekend there were 8 or so boats moored in tiny Active Cove. The tent on the point was huge, could probably hold up to 7 and behind it tons of camping and food supplies scattered on the grassy point out of view.

Satellite View of Patos, Here.

1/3/12

Kayaking Indian Island to Portage Beach & Port Hadlock - Trip #43 -

Trip #43 - Indian Island is one of the most picturesque trips in the book with so many sights in such a short distance. The trip has multiple launches, moving current to protected inlets, two Cascadia Marine Trail campsites, and a hidden Naval base which may or may not have a Nuclear arsenal stored behind it's thick canopy of forest.

North of the bridge on Indian Island.

In the old book, Indian and Marrowstone Islands were one trip, but I find this area so interesting that I split them into two trips. Portage Beach is a new wwta site, and we added the Port Hadlock launch which is alongside our favorite restraunt, the Ajax Cafe. Here's a few pics from the Port Townsend Canal side of the island.

South of bridge by WWTA site.

Port Hadlock