Training for spring racing and summer expedition
paddling goals, we've been slowly ramping up
our mileage on the water lately and inviting friends
to join us as we venture out into the
unpredictable Salish Seas...
This past Sunday 3 of us met on a
blustery spring day to push ourselves
hard together with an endurance trainer,
blustery spring day to push ourselves
hard together with an endurance trainer,
7 hours of paddling around Fidalgo island
covering sections of the Orca Challenge,
Deception Pass Dash and La Conner race courses,
in big winds and strong open water currents...
Launching mid-Guemes Channel into
raging ebbing currents we shot out into
a rippin' wild Rosario Strait,
raging ebbing currents we shot out into
a rippin' wild Rosario Strait,
travelling at speeds of 7~9 mph
nearly all the way to the south end of Allan island
before strongly opposing currents
Strait of Juan de Fuca currents slowed us down
to a painful 3 mph for a few miles
as we crossed Burrows Bay to Biz Point....
SE/ Sw 10-20 knot headwinds prevailed
for the first 20 miles.
for the first 20 miles.
Lunch stop at Rosario Beach to
stall and let the flood build...
Top speed of 12 mph reached going
through Deception Pass with max currents...
Passing Hope island we arrived
before the seas at our shortcut channel
so had a short portage in thick mud
to enter the Swinomish Slough.
Strong tailwinds boosted our spirits
and speeds with our sail up from
and speeds with our sail up from
Rainbow bridge at La Conner
all the way back to Anacortes...
34.3 miles later...
screaming muscles, laughing souls~
screaming muscles, laughing souls~
