NSSKA

About 10 paddlers met to paddle the Deception Pass Dash route in perfect conditions.  It was a great opportunity for anyone considering entering the Dash to scope out the route and plan their lines.  Great race advice was given by Dash veteran Bill Porter and some good paddle technique was taught by Jon Sheriff.  It wasn't a race, but we ran a couple of sprints to try out our race skills.  All in all, it was a great day of paddling followed by sore muscles and a stop at Skagit River Brewery.

The students developed the paddle plan having been provided with minimal direction prior to meeting at Washington Park on June 16. We compared plans, agreed on the best one, loaded our boats and off we went. The first task which was new to several paddlers was a call to Seattle traffic to communicate our plan for crossing Rosario Strait. Once safely across Rosario the students were challenged with a change in plans and had to make a decision on where to camp for the first evening. They also had to solve an equipment failure on one of the kayaks while in the swirling waters in and around the Bird Rocks reserve. James Island was night one's destination. Once tents were set up we returned to our boats and paddled around James Island over to Decatur Head then back to camp. Sunny skies during the day gave way to a beautiful, mild evening. Miles paddled 11.2. Day 2 arrived with a light rain and light breezes. Prior to launching a call to Seattle traffic was made. Just before we ente

Location: West side of Whidbey Island WA, weather conditions: sun breaks with showers, mid 50's temp and winds to12K with higher gusts. Eight NSSKA paddlers launched at the Keystone Ferry landing and paddled north along the west side of Whidbey Island towards Ebey Landing. Significant tide rips guard the entrance to the ferry landing however our group expertly handled the noisy water both as we left and again when we made our way back. Along the way we saw many eagles, a group of porpoise, seals, sea birds and a very friendly red-winged blackbird that serenaded us while we enjoyed a lunch break.  Traveled approximately 8 nautical miles.  Fun times were had by Karen, Julia, Bonnie, Beth, Laurie, Andy, Rob and Bill.

Saturday March 18, 2017 conditions: intermittent to heavy rain, light breeze, air temp 43°, water temp 47°.  Eleven participants ! We started our session by discussing a Go No-Go decision tool. Then proceeded the water portion of the activities. Practicing low braces and high braces, followed a boat 2 paddlers rescue scenario , pushing an empty boat to shore, rescuing a paddler who is out of their boat, T-Rescue and Heel hook rescues.. All good cool fun!

Saturday February 25th, 2017 conditions: slight overcast, light breeze, 39*, 3 1/2 hours in the boat , 6 1/4 miles paddled. Seven NSSKA paddlers and two event leaders took to the water today to practice paddling in the 5+knot currents in and around Deception Pass with some quality 'play' time in the 'wiggly' waters which surround Strawberry Island. Prior to getting on the water the group reviewed charts of the area, discussed the "50/90 rule" which predicts the speed of the water the group was paddling in and the "Rule of 12's" which the group used to calculate the height of the water. We honed our reading dynamic water skills, crossed eddlines, traversed large whirlpools and upwelling's over the course of the days paddle. A couple members also got to practice their kayak rescue skills ;-).

Saturday January 28, 2017 conditions: slight overcast light breeze 48*, 4 1/2 hours, 10 1/2 miles Seven NSSKA paddlers launched at Snee-oosh Point on Skagit Bay heading northwest to tour Hope Island State Park then paddling north towards Skagit Island and into Similk Bay. After a quick lunch break, in the winter sunshine at the site of a potential future NSSKA club facility which admittedly needed a bit of TLC, we toured the bay before heading back south towards Hope Island. At Hope we stopped briefly to chat with a group of fellow WKC paddlers before returning to our launch site. Along today's journey we saw an abandoned, half sunk 40-50 foot vessel, loads of wintering sea birds, cormorants, king fisher's, seals and eagles. Here’s some pictures by Bill Porter and Karen Bertram