Surfski Knowledge Base

Anacortes to Bellingham?
Paul Reavley
Mar 19 #35288

Some of the paddle crew this morning were waxing nostalgic about this friendly race from the past this morning.

approx 22 miles…your cup of tea?

Past race accounts from 2010 - 2012:

https://surfski.wiki/races/washington_race_reports#a_b_c

Paul Reavley
Mar 19 #35289

The San Juan Challenge (25 miles - really? do you guys just love these longer races??) was also mentioned, but I have found only on reference to it (from Brandon) in past messages.

https://surfski.wiki/races/washington_race_reports#s

Paul Reavley
Mar 19 #35290

Okay - now I see more references to the San Juan Challenge - it kind of has an intermittent history in the Whatcom Paddler archives that I ignored.

quote from Reivers about that race: “when San Juan Challenge was a two day beat down for many miles of open water I wimped out. Wouldn't do that race if Jesus was my brother and I could walk on water.”

David Scherrer
Mar 19 #35292

Yes the A to B event can be very challenging, But the same could be said of the with San Juan Challenge, Cross Sound, US and Down Wind Champs etc…But I believe if individuals are prepared- And the course is standardized, then the event will be successful.
But it would require some basic elements. Plenty of chase boats, including a lead to show the way, and plenty of buoys or shore markers to make the course understandable…
Also a Printout of map to hand out before hand with compass headings.
VHS radios.
But I suppose the most important thing to me as I mentioned, would be to require participants to decide if they are ready of this scale of event.. (and plenty of chase boats)
It could be a fairly straight forward race from March Point Marina directly to Huckleberry Island and Guemus Island pass, then go past Padilla Bay Buoy, then close past William Point on Samish Island..then straight open water to Marine Park or Boulevard Park… Imagine the downwinder!
But everyone has to stay on the same course or get disqualified.
What do you think?
D.

Dean Bumstead
Mar 19 #35293

I like the original A to B course better. What made it fun was the strategies around the islands – mainly Sinclair and Eliza. Study the chart for a while – you won’t get lost. Well, almost everybody won’t get lost. Morris A. was the originator of this race.

Dan Mayhew
Mar 20 #35296

Rather than make it a race, I'd be interested in doing it as an adventure paddle. Pick the right day, assemble a group of paddlers that have the ability to complete the route, and make a day of it. Emphasize basic safety protocols and enjoy the challenge. If after the paddle we feel this should be resurrected as an event, we can bring it back with fresh knowledge of its pros and cons.

Rick Lingbloom
Mar 20 #35297

I’m pretty sure that when Marc and I did it in the double, we were dropped off in Anacortes and told, “See ya at Marine Park!”

Eric Grossman
Mar 20 #35298

A to B would fun let’s do it with some SSW wind. This seems awefully long ago, thought we had done it since. I recall Brandon, Heather, Marc, DJ?, David S, Dean, generally following this route that I took, maybe Dean skirted south of Sinclair to be different?

Don’t forget around Lummi also, we used to do that a few times a summer!
E

Dean Bumstead
Mar 20 #35299

I’d be up for a group paddle. Just need to find the right tides/currents.

DB

David Hooper
Mar 20 #35300

I'm usually a bit backwards, so have never done A to B. But I did B to A last summer on a falling king tide with glassy conditions. Stopped on Vendovi for snacks (halfway-ish). Super strong currents through Guemes Channel - red part of my route in the picture are average speeds of 10.5 - 12 mph for 4ish miles. Max speed was 13.1. Currents around the north end of Guemes and currents x boat wakes near Anacortes made for some technical conditions, even without wind.

Dan Mayhew
Mar 20 #35301

Either direction sounds intriguing.

Why don't the great navigational minds among us suggest some dates? I would, but I suggested we circumnavigate Eliza on the foggiest day of the year with the possibility of 6 miles of beam seas.

John Rybczyk
Mar 20 #35302

I think Saturday, May 25th would be perfect for all of you to try this.

David Hooper
Mar 20 #35303

Great idea, John R. I can't go that day, but my long range weather forecast shows that the winds and tides should be perfect for B to A and back to B, which also avoids the need for a shuttle. Go big!

Larry Bussinger
Mar 20 #35304

Believe me, you can get lost…..well, at least disoriented. At least you know you’re in the Salish Sea.
Anonymous.

Nick Kelly
Mar 21 #35307

I know we don’t need more ideas…. but… this winter, a friend and I paddled (double kayak) through Deception Pass and paddled back home on a bit of a downwinder. We took a lunch break at Saddlebag Island for some lobster bisque, a beer, a cigar and some espresso. The paddle home was much more enjoyable after a little rest and recuperation.

I realize we’d miss out on the fun Bellingham Channel current and it's probably too much setup, but what if we staged warm clothes, food and cooking gear and medals and the race part was from inside Deception Pass to Saddlebag and then we paddled back as a group back home.

Paul Reavley
Mar 21 #35308

“lunch break at Saddlebag Island for some lobster bisque,…”

Now you're cooking Nick - I'm all for creative brainstorming. I may not be up for some of the marathon paddling distances being discussed, but might be available as part of a support crew.

Tim Niemier
Mar 24 #35327

As long as we are still in discussion about venturing out further than MP here is what some other paddlers (or rowers) do.

The rowers have this thing called a “Raid” where you start at one place and end up at another and where you end up there is a lot of beer and food (in that order) and a great party. You camp and repeat that the next day. It can last for one day or a whole week. The racers race and everyone else can say they rowed or paddled all the way from point A to point B.

In the 70’s this was done with kayaks all the way around Oahu one day at a time spaced out every 2 weeks or so. At the end the real bragging rights were not for the winners on time but for the people saying “I paddled all the way around Oahu”, however slowly. There was a potluck at someone’s home after each leg of the paddle and it was very fun even for non paddler supporters.

In our local waters we could go to Friday Harbor in 2 days or ? If we wanted to have pot luck for the food, bring camping gear etc that could be transported in some powerboat or somehow to one of many kayak camp spots in the Washington Water Trail network that is there and ready for more self propelled traffic. This could be a great way to get beginner paddlers to just “complete” the paddle while the racers would “compete” for being first. In the end everyone is drinking beer and having a good time together.

There are other water people that are and have been venturing out beyond local morning paddles and have created some great memories and even better stories. We could do this and our community would grow.

Tim Niemier