WKC Advanced Class 2009

Great fun was had by all who took part in the Washington Kayak Clubs 'Advanced Sea Class" over the past week and a half. This year five students gained a lot of experience paddling in varied conditions. Four pool sessions focused on rolling, one lake session focused on rescue/recoveries in cold water, then up to the frigid Snolqualmie River for some 'currents' work. Saturday a long ( 10 mile ) paddle from Washington Park in Anacortes, WA to Strawberry Island state park which was lead by the students and finally a Sunday paddle in Deception Pass. I look forward to next years class.

Earth Day 2009

I went out in my boat today and did my best to support Earth Day 2009. I paddled from Holmes Pt on Lake Washington under beautiful sunny skies to Sand Pt Navel Station and picked up discarded junk along the shoreline! A half hour at the most is all it took to fill the hatches of my Romany! Too bad I didn't have room for the 55 gal barrel and the many tires I saw along the shoreline.

Here's what I picked up:

32 tennis balls, 1 fishing bobber, 2 soccer balls, 1 Happy Valentines' balloon, 1 Happy Birthday balloon, I plastic coffee mug, 1 foam cup holder, 8 aluminum cans, 37 plastic bottles, 1 glass perfume bottle, 1 white ladies shoe, 1 flip flop, 2 plastic grocery bags, 2 nylon ropes and 1 rubber glove..

WKC Paddle April 2009

Had the opportunity to lead a paddle for the local kayak club today. Four fellow paddlers joined for the Seahurst to Fauntleroy Washington Kayak Club trip. What a beautiful spring day, minimal breeze, some long awaited sunshine and 60 degree weather greeted today.

Along the way we saw the usual community of ducks and water fowl, a sea lion fishing for lunch and a young eagle getting harassed by a mob of crows. A good day indeed !

Chasing Gray Whales March 21 2009

Beth, Rob and I launched the boats at Langley, WA after visiting one of the fine coffee&pastry shops (nice caffeine and sugar buzz) and headed north along the east side of Whidbey Island looking for the gray whales that feed in the shallow waters of Saratoga Passage. A beautiful bright, sunny day with little wind and temps in the 50's, great paddling weather. After a 30-45 minute paddle north we cross the couple of miles of Saratoga Passage to the west side of Cameno Island, another favorite haunt for the feeding grays... After a rest stop to soak up the sun we paddled south along Cameno for several miles but no luck in spotting the big fish. One more stretch stop and we head back to Langley.

Here's the url for the site that tracks whales in the Puget Sound, Oregon and BC "http://www.orcanetwork.org/"

Salt Water Paddle Feb 18, 2009

Been a while since I added something on my blog. Lead a WKC trip from Salt Water State Park to Redondo and back. A group of 8 hardy souls on this first club paddle for '09. It's an early season, dust off the kayak for some folks while other join me every year... kind of a reunion paddle. Today it was a bit breezy with the 15-20kt wind coming from out of the north, made some fun wave action on the paddle back to Salt Water. All survied and we celebrated with High 5's having cheating death one more time... :-)

Lake Washington in January

Jan 24Th and the lake is flat calm. After a week of thick fog in the Puget Sound region this Saturday is absolutely beautiful, 30 degrees and sunny skies ! I paddled today from Holmes Point across the lake to Sand Point NS to meet up with six paddling friends to work on rolls, rescues, and various strokes. This group is headed to Wales in April so some 'wet' practice in the cold water is this sessions goal. Three hours after we started the light starting to fade so it's time for me to paddle the mile and a half back across the lake to my truck. Another good workout and great day to be able to take advantage of this great sport.

January 3rd welcome 2009 !

A light snow is falling again this morning as I head down to Mukilteo's city waterfront park. The city has really fixed up the park, brand new heated bathrooms are a nice touch in the winter time. Two well fed sea loins watch as I launched at 8:30 am. Paddled north to Whidbey Island then west to Possession Point. The ebbing current colliding with the southwestern 15k winds creates 1-2 foot waves and very nice paddling conditions. A 20 minute Possession Point stretch break, hot tea, a PBJ sandwich and I head back towards Mukilteo. Loads of wintering birds, a couple of seals and one lone eagle soring high above along with two fishing boats are the only 'traffic' one the water today.