Reports from the Field
Friday, February 18, 2011
Winter Paddling with the Gore-Tex Crew!
Wednesday we had the pleasure of taking out another great group of people from W.L. Gore (Gore-Tex). The morning started off a little less than perfect, with 30 knot winds buffeting the San Juan Islands along with some fairly heavy seas. By mid-day the wind had died down a bit, and we had already decided on "Plan B". Instead of kayaking around Burrows Island, as we originally intended, we moved the trip down to Deception Pass State Park so that we could launch in the protected waters of Bowman Bay. This proved to be a great decision as the skies cleared above us and the gorgeous shorelines of Deception Pass were the only area that was not experiencing the wave action from the winter storm.
Thanks to George and Barb Gronseth from the Kayak Academy we were able to outfit everyone in brand new Gore-Tex dry suits (naturally) made by Kokatat.
After taking off from Bowman Bay we snuck around the corner into the Pass. The seas were moderately rough, but this crew was gung-ho and properly outfitted for the conditions so we pushed on through the waves and made it into the calm waters of the Deception Pass Narrows. A light flood tide pushed us towards the bridge so we let the current do the work as we enjoyed seals swimming nearby, and Bald eagles roosting in the trees. Floating under the bridge is always an exciting experience when folks do it for the first time, and this was no exception. Leaning back in our kayaks we could see the diminutive figures of people walking across far above our heads.
We stopped for lunch in protected Cornet Bay while we waited for the beginning of the outgoing (ebb) tide. When we saw the current switch directions it was time to saddle back up and start paddling. The ebb current pulled us easily out of Deception Pass, and this time the current was opposing the incoming swell so we had some fun rollers to bash the boats through.
Sadly all trips must end, but when we returned to Bowman Bay these guys couldn't resist the opportunity to put their product to the test. Everybody jumped in together and marveled at how warm and dry they stayed, despite the 45 degree water! Gotta love Gore-Tex!
A great big Thank You goes out to the Kayak Academy for the use of the dry suits! And thanks Gore-Tex folks, for coming out with us! We will see you next summer!
Thanks to George and Barb Gronseth from the Kayak Academy we were able to outfit everyone in brand new Gore-Tex dry suits (naturally) made by Kokatat.
After taking off from Bowman Bay we snuck around the corner into the Pass. The seas were moderately rough, but this crew was gung-ho and properly outfitted for the conditions so we pushed on through the waves and made it into the calm waters of the Deception Pass Narrows. A light flood tide pushed us towards the bridge so we let the current do the work as we enjoyed seals swimming nearby, and Bald eagles roosting in the trees. Floating under the bridge is always an exciting experience when folks do it for the first time, and this was no exception. Leaning back in our kayaks we could see the diminutive figures of people walking across far above our heads.
We stopped for lunch in protected Cornet Bay while we waited for the beginning of the outgoing (ebb) tide. When we saw the current switch directions it was time to saddle back up and start paddling. The ebb current pulled us easily out of Deception Pass, and this time the current was opposing the incoming swell so we had some fun rollers to bash the boats through.
Sadly all trips must end, but when we returned to Bowman Bay these guys couldn't resist the opportunity to put their product to the test. Everybody jumped in together and marveled at how warm and dry they stayed, despite the 45 degree water! Gotta love Gore-Tex!
A great big Thank You goes out to the Kayak Academy for the use of the dry suits! And thanks Gore-Tex folks, for coming out with us! We will see you next summer!
Labels: anacortes kayak tours, gore-tex, kayak academy, San Juan Islands, sea kayaking
# posted by Anacortes Kayaks @ 2:57 PM 
