Living on the most eastern of the San Juan archipelago islands, Fidalgo island, the variety of trip & training paddle routes from here are endless. While strong currents do exist in nearly every channel surrounding our island shores, learning how to use these currents to travel in the back eddies, the mid-channel-river-like 'green tongue', along with harnessing the strength of the winds (with kayak sails), is what paddling the San Juans is all about to us... Efficiency. Speed. Using what Nature offers to help us achieve our paddling (distance travelling & racing speed) goals. Which sometimes mandates a combination of styles & skills from river and sea kayaking mixed in with occasional surfing and sailing. Adreline rushes. Personal Speed Records. Risk-taking. Innovation. ~Paddle the Islands and let Nature Inspire.~

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Fall circumnavigation of Fidalgo island

Every few months we like to test our endurance levels by going on a one-day Paddling Circumnavigation of Fidalgo island ...
We start in Anacortes, launch from mid-Guemes Channel, go with the currents down Rosario Strait, around Biz Point and through the powerful waters of Deception Pass... weave across Skagit Bay, up the Swinomish Slough, (always stop for bakery treats at the Calico Cupboard in La Conner:), continue along the slough & under the Twin Bridges, cross Fidalgo Bay and finish back in Guemes Channel....
In past laps, we've averaged this "ultra"-island circumnavigation distance in 34-37 miles, with paddling times between 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 hours, while pushing a tandem, kevlar sea kayak which weighs approx. 80 pounds...
Last weekend we rallied our friend Jesse to join us as we excitedly set out for another fun-filled day on the water.
Pockets and hatches stashed full of energy treats, cameras & extra clothes (just in case). We used the swift currents to aid us paddling as we passed by numerous islands, under a couple of cool bridges, past several sea caves, enjoyed the company of playful seals, bald eagles, & river otter...with the added bonus of magnificent fall colors painting the island shorelines all along the way!
All in all, according to the handy dandy GPS, we ended up spending a total of 7 hours and 8 minutes going the distance of 33.4 miles...reaching our Top Speed of 11 mph while going through Deception Pass (yee-haw is right!!)
~Where will next weekends winds & currents take us in the Salish Seas?!.....check back soon to find out!
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