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Commencement Bay

Trip

Sea Kayak - Commencement Bay

Conditioning 15 nm paddle

Info
COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers activity.

Contacts

Beth Owen
Beth Owen
Primary Leader
  • Sea Kayak II/III
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 15.1 nm

We will meet at 8:00 at Owen Beach in Pt. Defiance Park (Tacoma.) 

This 15 nm paddle is designed to build paddling endurance.  We will attempt to maintain a paddle speed of around 3.2 - 3.5 kts, though we will have some built-in breaks.  Paddlers should be in reasonably good physical shape to go on this paddle and have had some experience with longer paddles. (ie, greater than 10 nm paddles.)

We will launch from Owen Beach in Pt. Defiance Park (Tacoma) then go down and back up Thea Foss Waterway.  After that, we'll cross to the top of Hylebos Waterway and head to Browns Point lighthouse, before heading back to Pt. Defiance Park.

Paddlers must wear dry suits, warm clothing, gloves and winter head gear.  They must be comfortable paddling in wind waves of up to 1 foot, and winds of up to 12 kts.

Route/Place

Commencement Bay


  • Sea Trails Vashon Island, Tacoma Narrows to Elliot Bay WA203
    MapTech Oak Bay to Commencement Bay No. 102
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

These seven essentials plus The Ten Essentials are required on all sea kayaking trips.  All but the whistle and clothing should be provided with any kayak rental.

  1. Floatation in both ends of the kayak
  2. U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
  3. Paddle
  4. Spray skirt
  5. Bilge pump with floatation
  6. Self-rescue paddle float
  7. Waterproof whistle
  8. Appropriate clothing for the conditions encountered seasonally
Trip Reports