08.01.2021

Inagural trip in my brand new fast sea kayak, the P&H Valkyrie. I certainly went big on my first trip as I decided to try to do a lap around Bainbridge Island. I think I planned it wrong and went the wrong way around (counter-clockwise) and fought the tide 75% of the time...but I did go through Agate passage correctly. Nice houses around Bainbridge and even saw a sea otter on the beach. I didn't enjoy the trip as much as I should because I was too focused on checking my speed. I was absolutely beat at the end as I should have brought more food/water.

Overall, the kayak is comfortable enough for me to sit in for 7.5 hours. Not sure about the speed due to currents, but guessing my typical pace is about 1mph faster.... Couldn't tell at the end of the trip because I was paddling so slow it didn't matter what kayak I was in! Need to test it out on a shorter trip soon.

Total Distance: 28.53 miles
Duration: 07:35.35
Average Speed: 3.76 mph
Max Speed: 7.66 mph













08.14.2021

Getting more used to the Valkyrie and I'm loving it. Launched from Fox Island and went around Pitt Island and back. Nice trip with a slight breeze from the SW.

Total Distance: 11.79 miles
Duration: 02:45.19
Average Speed: 4.28 mph
Max Speed: 7.63 mph









08.21.2021



Raced in the Great Cross Sound Race and got my butt handed to me, haha... but still lots of fun. I guess I did get 2nd place in my class (FSK), but there were only 3ea...and 1st was really a surf ski. Overall kind of a small turnout comparing to past years with only 31ea racers...and mostly olympic shells and only 1 other kayak like mine. Now I'm really debating getting a wing paddle for racing.



Total Distance: 8.12 miles (including warmup and waiting for the start)
Duration: 01:41:58
Average Speed: 4.78 mph
Max Speed: 7.94 mph







08.28.2021

Got Ethan out on the kayak again as we returned to Square Lake for a quick paddle. He's getting pretty good! Fun exploring the lake with him and checking out the two beaver dens.

Total Distance: 0.77 miles
Duration: 00:45.09
Average Speed: 1.02 mph
Max Speed: 4.82 mph





08.29.2021

Finally did some kayak crabbing as I got my limit of red rock crab first thing in the morning. Jon met up a couple hours later as we paddled around the hood canal.

Total Distance: 11.95 miles
Duration: 04:12.51
Average Speed: 2.83 mph
Max Speed: 7.08 mph