05.04.2023 - 05.05.2023
Seventy-48 overnight training trip that also knocked off a bucket list paddle: lap around Vashon Island. We caught a weather window of wind/rain that was sandwhiched by beautiful nice days...made for a good training trip.
I launched from Manchester while Jon and Jeramy launched from Lions Park in Bremerton. We met up in Rich Passage and paddled south down Colvos passage (after a quick snack/drink stop on Blake Island) to Lisabeula Park on Vashon Island (and also a Cascadia Marine Trails campsite). Good tough paddle as we fought a constant southerly breeze and north flowing current the entire trip down. Fun camping with good company, also had a nice fire in the standing BBQ stand.
Day two the weather turned worse with the same wind, however with constant rain...the entire day. The current exchange on the southern tip of Vashon made for some super fun kayaking and got to ride with the wind back up North. Saw two sets of Orca Whales (all from the same pod most likely). First were two huge males (I think one was named Thor) heading south by us and later a group of five hunting a sea lion. Pretty amazing to see and a highlight of the trip for me.
Total Distance Day 1: 17.72 miles
Duration: 05:54.15
Average Speed: 3.0 mph
Max Speed: 5.5 mph
Total Distance Day 2: 28.36 miles
Duration: 07:58.40
Average Speed: 3.6 mph
Max Speed: NA mph
05.13.2023
Participated in the Commencement Bay Race in Tacoma on an absolutely beautiful Saturday morning. Fun race as it was along Ruston Way roughly 6.2 miles. Ended up getting first (and last) in my category and there was only one other sea kayak (I was in the FSK category). All others were rowers, outriggers, or surf skis. Still a fun event, just wish there were other kayakers.
Total Distance: 6.87 miles(including warmup, waiting for the start and cooldown)
Duration: 01:08:43 (official race time)
Average Speed: 4.5 mph
Max Speed: 5.8 mph
05.20.2023
Maiden voyage of my new to me Necky Chatham 17. Took some work to get her ready for the water (and still more work fixing a little more oil canning), but absolutely love this kayak in the water. No regrets at all with my purchase.
Also a reunion paddling with Ben again as he joined Jon, Jeramy and myself. Launched from Lions Park and paddled to Silverdale and back for a nice and easy paddle on a beautiful morning. Ben has a pretty awesome Valley Anas kayak too.
Total Distance: 10.03 miles
Duration: 02:53.10
Average Speed: 3.5 mph
Max Speed: 7.08 mph
05.27.2023
Launched from Suquamish, paddled to Agate Passage Bridge, and into Port Madison Bay. Thought my wildlife experience would peak when I saw a coyote swimming from Treasure Island in Port Madison Bay, but then that was topped by a super playful seal.
This seal was swimming all around me, swimming upside down and rubbing against my kayak...then it tried to climb aboard! It finally did after several attempts and I ended up flipping when taking a picture of him when he jumped off. After a self rescue, the seal tried to hop on again! Pretty awesome experience even though I had a wet paddle home, haha.
Total Distance: 9.17 miles
Duration: 02:26.30
Average Speed: 3.8 mph
Max Speed: 5.3 mph
