12.20.2021
Spent a couple days down in Camas, WA visiting friends and brought the kayak along. Got out on a windy, wet day... Safe choice was to paddle Lacamas Lake, but couldn't resist the allure of the Columbia River. Got to really test out my gear and skills as it was an awesome time. My hands were numb before I hit the water, but they quickly warmed up when I got my gloves on...and my NRS Riptide jacket was amazing.
Beautiful River as I got to explore more of the Oregon side of the river. I don't know the river very well, but feel I got to explore areas I wouldn't have been able to in the summer thanks to high water levels.
Total Distance: 5.99 miles
Duration: 01:31.11
Average Speed: 3.94 mph
Max Speed: 8.78 mph
12.16.2021
First day of my Holiday Break and paddled a lap around McNeil Island (prison island). Nice paddle around the island seeing the prison and eagle island, saw lots of seals and sea lions on the way.
Total Distance: 12.93 miles
Duration: 03:15.25
Average Speed: 3.97 mph
Max Speed: 6.48 mph
11.20.2021
Lauched from Harper Park and paddled south down Colvos passage. Almost connected my route from Olalla! Oh well, next time...but the sevety-48 race definately will. Also met a fellow kayaker in the passage which is always nice.
Total Distance: 11.23 miles
Duration: 02:47.52
Average Speed: 4.01 mph
Max Speed: 8.48 mph
11.13.2021
Launched from Point No Point for quick Saturday morning paddle which turned out to be break in the rain. Intention was to go towards Hood Canal, but for some reason was drawn in other direction. Also busted out the Valkyrie for this trip.
Total Distance: 6.86 miles
Duration: 01:43.04
Average Speed: 4.00 mph
Max Speed: 6.21 mph
11.11.2021
Veteran's Day paddle. Launched from Mats Mats Bay again, but this time paddled south into Port Ludlow. It was a grey, but calm day...and pretty cool islands I did a figure 8 around in Port Ludlow.
Total Distance: 10.75 miles
Duration: 02:44.49
Average Speed: 3.91 mph
Max Speed: 6.49 mph
11.06.2021
Wet and windy weekend, but still managed to get out to watch the USS NIMITZ (CVN68) head out to Sea Trials before dawn. Hard to get a good picture because of the lighting, but impressive to see from the water as always.
Total Distance: 5.31 miles
Duration: 01:26.04
Average Speed: 3.70 mph
Max Speed: 7.64 mph
10.31.2021
Happy Halloween paddle. Lauched from Twanoh State Park and paddled to Alderbrook resort and back. It was a beautiful sunny rare fall weekend sandwiched right in the middle of a bunch of rainy wet days.
Total Distance: 10.71 miles
Duration: 02:45.43
Average Speed: 3.88 mph
Max Speed: 5.95 mph
10.16.2021
Raced in the inagural Narrows Challenge and man was I humbled. I guess it doesn't help when the autograph on my epic mid-wing paddle is in the race (2x Olympic gold medalist Greg Barton).
It was a tough race trying to pick the best tidal lines, plus it was my longest race yet. My left shoulder was completely dead just over halfway during the race. Seems like the best line was to race down the middle of the narrows and closest to the shore on the way back.
Total Distance: 13.67 miles(including warmup, waiting for the start and cooldown)
Duration: 03:08:48
Average Speed: 4.34 mph
Max Speed: 11.55 mph
10.11.2021
Launched from Mats Mats Bay and paddled North to Indian Island and back. Never paddled from Mats Mats before, but super calm and protected bay leading into Hood Canal, definately will come back again.
Also got to paddle the restored passageway between Indian Island and Marrostone Island...pretty cool but the tide definately flowed pretty fast through there and in the opposite direction I was anticipating.
Total Distance: 11.31 miles
Duration: 02:43.01
Average Speed: 4.16 mph
Max Speed: 7.19 mph
09.25.2021
Raced in the kayak leg of the Big Burt and it was such a great event. Team Flank Speed (inside work joke) got 7th out of 28 teams, and 11th overall. I got 4th best kayak time in the teams and overall...so not bad.
The fog and breeze rolled up right before my leg and I pretty much paddled blind the entire race. I passed 8 people and got passed by 2 (1 was in a surf ski). Awesome event and hopefully will do it again next year.
Total Distance: 3.15 miles
Duration: 00:39:34
Average Speed: 4.78 mph
Max Speed: 6.78 mph
09.20.2021
Just got my Epic Mid-wing paddle in the mail today and instantly took it for a test paddle. Padddled from Pomeroy Park to Blake Island and back at "race speed". Not bad...averaged just over 5mph. Paddle is awesome, but definately got soaked as I made it rain.
Total Distance: 4.19 miles
Duration: 00:49.05
Average Speed: 5.12 mph
Max Speed: 7.15 mph
09.11.2021
Paddled around my home waters with Jon as we launched from Pomeroy Park and paddled to the Southworth ferry and back. Impressive seeing the cargo ships up close.
Total Distance: 9.36 miles
Duration: 02:42.12
Average Speed: 3.46 mph
Max Speed: 6.43 mph
09.04.2021
Launched from Fox Island and paddled with Jon and Dave. Rode the ebb tide out to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and back. Fun trip with several Harbor Porpoises out and about.
Total Distance: 11.43 miles
Duration: 02:43.56
Average Speed: 4.18 mph
Max Speed: 9.48 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
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
08.21.2021
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
08.14.2021
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
08.01.2021
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
07.27.2021
First family camping trip and brought along the kayak for a quick morning paddle. Camped at Lake Wenatchee and definately a beautiful lake to paddle (breezy in the afternoons for sure though).
Total Distance: 5.39 miles
Duration: 01:30.32
Average Speed: 3.57 mph
Max Speed: 5.77 mph
07.25.2021
Second race in 2 days! Participated in the 1st Annual Bremerton 2 Bridges Tidal Race hosted by Salmon Bay Paddle. This one made me nervous as it starts out heading towards the bridges from Lions Park against the flood tide. I think I managed to follow the eddies well enough to finish 3rd of sea kayaks (1st and 2nd were right there, just couldn't do it), and 10th overall.
Total Distance: 5.36 miles (including warmup and waiting for the start)
Duration: 01:13:53
Average Speed: 4.36 mph
Max Speed: 9.83 mph
07.24.2021
My first race in the US as I participated in the 25th annual Elk River Challenge hosted by Sound Rowers. It was a fun race in windy conditions. The course was challenging as you have to go trough a maze of sloughs...I even took a wrong turn and had to backtrack some.
In the end I did fairly well, 1st sea kayak (of only 1), and 15th of 25 finishers.
Total Distance: 7.77 miles (including warmup and waiting for the start)
Duration: 01:58:12
Average Speed: 3.95 mph
Max Speed: 8.24 mph
07.22.2021
Always wanted to see a Aircraft Carrier go by from the Kayak, and knocked out the opportuntity today. Saw the arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN71) for her first visit to Bremerton. Also go to see the Lady Washington at sea as a bonus.
Total Distance: 4.29 miles
Duration: 01:02.17
Average Speed: 4.13 mph
Max Speed: 7.4 mph
07.20.2021
Lauched from Olalla at low tide and paddled to Point Defiance on a gray summer morning. I've never been to Olalla at low tide and barely made it under the bridge... then had to drag the kayak to deeper waters. Good long trip as 90% of the paddle to Tacoma was against the current.
Total Distance: 15.18 miles
Duration: 04:22.46
Average Speed: 3.47 mph
Max Speed: 6.75 mph
07.17.2021
Paddled with Jon again from Brownsville. This time we went across into Manzanita Bay, to the Agate Bridge and back. Ended up being Jon's longest paddle yet.
Total Distance: 12.39 miles
Duration: 03:22.58
Average Speed: 3.67 mph
Max Speed: 6.88 mph
07.11.2021
Knocked out another trip with Ethan as we paddled part of Long Lake. I was a little nervous at first with there being a slight breeze plus multiple speed boats / jetskis creating wake, but Ethan did great! (although I did have to assist and tow him back against the wind)
Total Distance: 1.85 miles
Duration: 01:09.25
Average Speed: 1.60 mph
Max Speed: 5.57 mph
07.10.2021
Paddled with Jon from Brownsville to Keyport and back to officially cross some of my kayak paths (I was just short between going out of Liberty Bay on 06.21.2018, my previous same trip on 11.11.2020, and my Suquamish to Keyport on 02.20.2021 trips). Good paddle on a nice calm AM.
Total Distance: 8.49 miles
Duration: 02:23.89
Average Speed: 3.54 mph
Max Speed: 6.44 mph
07.04.2021
Fourth of July paddle as I've logged my longest trip yet (definately had the tides in my favor). Lauched from Fox Island and paddled to Pt. Defiance and back. Intention was just paddle to the Narrows Bridge and back, however still had another hour before the tide change...so decided to keep on going.
Total Distance: 20.24 miles
Duration: 04:14.17
Average Speed: 4.78 mph
Max Speed: 10.91 mph
07.02.2021
After work paddle with Ethan as we explored Horseshoe Lake.
Total Distance: 0.99 miles
Duration: 00:42.27
Average Speed: 1.40 mph
Max Speed: 4.23 mph
07.01.2021
A changeup to my normal kayak commute... Now that Washington State has finally opened back up, that means the Annapolis Ferry route is back up and running too. Now I have 4 ferries to avoid on my commute!
Total Distance to Work: 1.96 miles
Duration: 00:27.10
Average Speed: 4.33 mph
Max Speed: 6.31 mph
Total Distance Home: 1.81 miles
Duration: 00:26.17
Average Speed: 4.13 mph
Max Speed: 6.97 mph
06.26.2021
Morning paddle on day one of the "heat dome". Launched from Twanoh State Park and paddled towards Belfair. The park was completely empty when I launched, but completely packed when I got back... had a hard time carrying my kayak back to the car with all the people trying to beat the heat.
Total Distance: 9.26 miles
Duration: 02:20.54
Average Speed: 3.95 mph
Max Speed: 5.52 mph
06.20.2021
Maiden voyage for Ethan's new kayak as we paddled Square Lake on Father's Day. It was a little breezy, but Ethan did awesome once he got the hang of it.
Total Distance w/ Ethan: 0.94 miles
Duration: 00:47.43
Average Speed: 1.18 mph
Max Speed: 4.92 mph
Total Distance Solo: 0.66 miles
Duration: 00:10.37
Average Speed: 3.72 mph
Max Speed: 6.34 mph
06.18.2021
The inagural Juneteenth holiday and I finally got to paddle Lake Cushman. Man what a breathtaking lake...pictures certainly don't do it justice.
It was glassy as I paddled towards the Northwest end of the lake, but the wind picked up as soon as I started paddling back and had to fight the headwind the entire trip back. I need to understand the mountain winds more...because the hood canal was still glassy all day.
Total Distance: 12.00 miles
Duration: 03:20.41
Average Speed: 3.59 mph
Max Speed: 5.73 mph
06.05.2021
Paddled with Jon as we launched from Illahee State Park and paddled through Rich Passage towards Manchester. First trip I got Jon out where it wasn't glassy conditions. Fun trip with the waves, wind and current.
Total Distance: 8.99 miles
Duration: 02:32.56
Average Speed: 3.53 mph
Max Speed: 9.53 mph
05.29.2021
This will be a longer post than most, but did my first (and last) group paddle today. Joined up for the 2021 Ballard Locks trip, which is something I've always wanted to do, but didn't want to try it my self...
My kayaking buddy Jon told me a month ago that I was not the average paddler, and today I definately realized he is correct. The group was way too slow for me...A group of 4 of us took the lead and even waited a couple of times, but I felt like we'd be out there all day and I had other things I wanted to do for sure. The 4 of us pressed on our own, even though none of us have been through the locks before.
My pace ended matching another nice lady's (Diana) pace and we ended up going just the two of us. She had a sweet Eddyline Falcon 18 and efficient stroke. Although she was old enough to be my mom, we had a lot in common and passion of kayaking that it was good company. By the time we got to the locks, the other 2 kayakers arrived just in time for us to go through together.
The locks were awesome and staff was super friendly and helpful. It was a super low tide in the Sound so the water dropped a very impressive amount. The large group we left behind ended up coming out of the locks when we were entering coming back...almost a little awkward seeing them since we ditched everyone. All in all, an awesome trip even though I won't be doing any more group paddles in the future.
Total Distance: 10.02 miles
Duration: 03:59.38
Average Speed: 2.51 mph
Max Speed: 7.92 mph
05.16.2021
Launched from Harper Park and paddled to Fauntlenroy / West Seattle and back. It was beautiful, warm and calm day.
Total Distance: 13.74 miles
Duration: 03:45.12
Average Speed: 3.66 mph
Max Speed: 5.43 mph
05.01.2021
Maden voyage with my new Gearlabs Akiak Greenland paddle! I absolutely loved the feel and was amazed my speed didn't drop at all using it. At the end of the trip, I was definately less tired and felt like I can keep paddling more miles. The only thing I'll have to get used to is the water drip...
For the trip, it was from Fox Island around Cutts Island with Jon as he's trying to build up his single trip miles.
Total Distance: 10.81 miles
Duration: 03:00.42
Average Speed: 3.59 mph
Max Speed: 8.17 mph
04.25.2021
Explored Mason Lake this weekend. Nothing special as it's a very rural lake, but decent size at least...just over 4 miles end to end.
Total Distance: 8.6 miles
Duration: 02:10.53
Average Speed: 3.94 mph
Max Speed: 6.01 mph
04.17.2021
Paddled with Jon where we launched from Port Orchard and paddled to Rich Passage and back. Beautiful un-seasonably warm morning and got up close and personal with the Chimacum Ferry.
Total Distance: 9.32 miles
Duration: 02:43.21
Average Speed: 3.42 mph
Max Speed: 7.98 mph
04.16.2021
Kayak commuting season is back, this time starting much earlier in the year!
Total Distance to Work: 1.98 miles
Duration: 00:28.02
Average Speed: 4.23 mph
Max Speed: 5.92 mph
Total Distance Home: 1.90 miles
Duration: 00:25.29
Average Speed: 4.47 mph
Max Speed: 6.31 mph
04.11.2021
Last day of spring break so was able to get out and launch from Fox Island. This time paddled around Cutts Island and back...another beautiful calm AM paddle.
Total Distance: 10.52 miles
Duration: 02:31.28
Average Speed: 4.16 mph
Max Speed: 7.16 mph
04.06.2021
Spring break for the kids so we traveled down to the Oregon Coast and Lincoln City. Got out one morning and paddled Siletz Bay. Awesome trip as it was a beautiful morning at high tide and tons of seals out. Poked out into the ocean a couple times, but had an irrational fear of sharks with all the seals and spent most of the time in the bay and up the Siletz River.
Total Distance: 9.14 miles
Duration: 02:31.27
Average Speed: 3.62 mph
Max Speed: 7.52 mph
04.03.2021
Went paddling with Jon and Dave. Lauched from the Port Orchard boat launch and paddled the Sinclair Inlet to Gorst. Nice paddle with calm weather and good company.
Total Distance: 6.40 miles
Duration: 01:52.39
Average Speed: 3.41 mph
Max Speed: 5.81 mph
03.27.2021
Launched from Lions Park with Jon as we paddled the bridges. Nice calm day and only had to fight the tail end of the tide on the way back.
Total Distance: 8.29 miles
Duration: 02:33.56
Average Speed: 3.23 mph
Max Speed: 7.27 mph
03.20.2021
Kind of a breezy wet weekend, but made it out for a quick trip on Saturday afternoon (since I was too lazy to get out of bed in the AM). Did a quick lap around Kitsap Lake...even saw a turtle on the way.
One of the many things I enjoy about kayaking this area is I get to see all the places I built memories at growing up, but from a new perspective on the water.
Total Distance: 2.64 miles
Duration: 00:48.56
Average Speed: 3.24 mph
Max Speed: 4.96 mph
03.13.2021
Fox Island again, but this time did a lap around the island going clockwise. It was a very beautiful and calm morning. Ended up sneaking up on a sleeping seal, paddled right past it without waking it...could of touched his nose if I wanted to!
BTW, there are some really nice houses on the waterfront...
Total Distance: 12.09 miles
Duration: 03:09.01
Average Speed: 3.84 mph
Max Speed: 7.43 mph
02.27.2021
Returned to Fox Island again, but this time with a couple of co-workers. We were doing a nice and easy Saturday AM paddle when we happened to notice a boat in the middle of the water where the driver was paddling it with a kayak paddle... Sure enough, his battery was dead so we ended up towing him to shore. Man that was a workout!
Total Distance: 5.41 miles
Duration: 02:03.02
Average Speed: 2.63 mph
Max Speed: 6.33 mph
02.20.2021
It's been a few weeks, but finally made it out for my first trip this month. Lauched from Suquamish again, but this time paddled under the Agate Passage Bridge into the Keyport Area. Nothing special, but always good to get out on the water.
Total Distance: 9.31 miles
Duration: 02:24.33
Average Speed: 3.86 mph
Max Speed: 6 mph
01.31.2021
Wet weekend but still mananged to sqeak out a paddle to close out the month of January. Explored Devereaux Lake... Nice secluded lake. Was suprised that the train track went right along the lake (only noticed because a train went by when I was paddling).
Total Distance: 3.46 miles
Duration: 00:58.08
Average Speed: 3.57 mph
Max Speed: 6 mph
01.23.2021
Beautiful calm and cold morning as I paddled the Indianola area. Parts of Miller bay were frozen over and I was surrounded by a pod of harbor porpoise on my way back. Definately worth getting out of bed early!
Total Distance: 7.54 miles
Duration: 02:08.53
Average Speed: 3.51 mph
Max Speed: 5.17 mph
01.16.2021
Launched from Fox Island and paddled into Wollochet Bay. Nice area for a paddle as it was a really calm foggy morning. Super nice houses along the water too, must be nice! Fought the tide coming back as I paddled along the mainland shore...was a good workout.
Total Distance: 10.82 miles
Duration: 03:07.27
Average Speed: 3.46 mph
Max Speed: 6.25 mph
