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.~

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Island storm paddling in the PNW

Strong winds announce 
autumns arrival
here amongst our Pacific Northwest islands,
giving us great excuse lately to get out on the water, 
storm-chasing along the 
unpredictable Salish Seas 
we affectionately call home. 
Whether just after a weekend sunrise, or strategically before yet another amazing San Juan island sunset- 
Eagerly we set out searching along familiar island 
shorelines for surf-able 
& sail-able waves. 
From Whidbey island
 to Rosario Strait,
down Guemes and 
Bellingham Channels,
up Padilla & Burrows Bays-
Launching from Fidalgo island
 on fun, fall  
circumnavigation paddles
around nearby Guemes, Allan 
and Burrows islands.
 We've giggled with friends
 the past few 
blustery weekends,
 sneaking in awesome 
15 milers just hours
before the next 
big storm arrived!
~Seasons change and winds invigorate.  Adreline rushes from chasing chilly 
wind waves keeps us smiling
into the twilight much earlier each week.  As our layers get thicker,  adventurous autumn paddles
add inspiration to our expedition planning 
for next summer's
island paddling journey... 
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