Gig Harbor Triple Cross

Trip

Sea Kayak - Gig Harbor Triple Cross

A classic mid-sound paddle, this Gig Harbor triple cross will start at Owen Beach and ride the flood counterclockwise into the Harbor and back. Enjoy a short kayak tour through the Harbor where you can practice your roll and rescues, then use the power of the Tacoma Narrows to return to Owen Beach. We will lunch at the Harbor's new Paddler's Dock made just for paddle craft. Your participation will also help me become a trip leader. This will be my second mentored paddle!

  • Sea Kayak III
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 7.0 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 15 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 2 ft
  • Maximum Currents: 2 kts
  • Pace: 3.0 knot flat water pace

Arrive with enough time to be ready for a 9:45 shore talk and 10:00 launch from Owen Beach.

There is ample parking at Owen Beach.  No passes or fees are required.

The carry from car to beach is not far, but I'd recommend wheels anyway.  I always bring mine.  The beach at Owen is gravel. 

Public restrooms are available at our launch site as well as the Paddler's Dock in Gig Harbor where we will have our lunch.

Required skills and considerations:

  1. Deep-water self and assisted rescue skills.
  2. Some experience in moving water.  However, if you have no experience in moving water, this paddle would be an excellent introduction!
  3. Ability to enter and exit boat from a dock.  
  4. Willingness to paddle together as a group.  This is critical in open crossings with lots of boat traffic. 
  5. Dress for immersion and conditions.   

Here is an outline of  our route and activities:

  1. Launch at 10am from Owen Beach and head toward Pt. Dalco on Vashon Is.  
  2. Turn west and let the flood current guide us into Gig Harbor.
  3. Practice  strokes, maneuvers, rolls, and rescues as we meander through the Harbor.
  4. Lunch at the Paddler's Dock. 
  5. Leave the Harbor around 12:15 and paddle, as a group, with the flood toward Point Defiance.  Here we can take a break on the sandy beach, watch seals and sea lions, and paddle in what remains of the eddy line off the point. 
  6. Return to Owen beach around 2:30.    

Please ask any questions and tell me a little about your paddling experience in your request to register!  

-Brian 

Route/Place

Gig Harbor Triple Cross


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Required Equipment

Required Equipment

These eight 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
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