Sea Kayak - Hobuck Beach

 Hobuck Beach Resort, 2726 Makah Passage, Neah Bay, WA 98357

What is Surf Zone and Beyond (SZB) week?

Join us for a week of kayaking in the surf  and coastal zone near the Hobuck Beach area of Makah Bay, from July 30 - August 4 (July 30 will be the Train the Trainer day for surf instructors but anyone else that wants to come out early to play on their own is welcome.)  Participants can come for the whole week or just for a few days.  Surf play, rock gardening, clinics and trips along the coast are all part of our itinerary.  Surf Clinic is available July 31 - August 1. Day paddles will be available August 2 - 4. 

We will offer paddles and clinics for various skill levels.  Some will be in more protected areas or possibly in areas where the surf is small (if that is possible) and some will be potentially challenging paddles for those experienced in open coastal waters.  Signing up for the SZB activity does not guarantee that you will be able to go on every paddle or clinics that is listed.  It is up to individual trip leaders to decide how many paddlers they can take and what skill levels those paddlers need to have for that trip or clinic. 

We expect participants to be realistic about their own skill level and experience.  Participants for the more advanced open-coastal paddles should, at a minimum, be comfortable and competent in 3 foot surf and have recently practiced  quick and reliable kayak rescues (ie, rolls or re-entries, back deck carries.)  They also need to have good situational awareness and group cohesiveness.

The daily plan may vary, depending on surf and weather conditions.  The organized paddles will be led by Mountaineer trip leaders with experience paddling in open coastal conditions. During this week, there will also be time for independent surf play on your own. There will be a Saturday night potluck, as well.  Non-kayaking spouses/partners/children/pets are welcome to camp with us -- they do not need to sign up for this activity.

 How do I sign up?

To sign up for SZB, leader permission is required (contact Beth Owen.)  Once you are signed up for SZB, ask for leader permission to sign up for individual paddles found below under “Kayak trips” or for one or both of our clinics.  Please self-assess your own skill level when deciding which trips to go on and then ask for Leader Permission to sign up for a particular trip.  Depending on what the surf and weather conditions are when we get to Hobuck, it is possible that additional trips of various skill level will be added at the last minute, to help make sure everyone that wants to go on a paddle gets that chance.  If you want to go on a paddle and are not able to find any trips to sign up for, be sure to let Beth Owen know and she will see what she can do to set up additional paddles. Conditions warrant a change to the destination any trip you see listed.

Kayak Trips: 

Ask for Leader Permission from the trip leader that is leading each individual paddle that you are interested in before trying to sign up for a particular paddle.  Note that not all paddles will be suitable for all paddlers -- it will vary depending on environmental conditions and skill level of participants. 

To sign up for individual kayak trips, look at the trip hyperlinks in blue located below, locate the paddle(s) that you are interested in after self-assessing your skill level, and contact the trip leader that is associated with that paddle for permission to sign up.  That trip leader will screen the participants and manage the roster for the paddle. 

Launch locations may vary and shuttling may be required. 

Keep checking this list -- additional trips will be added as the dates get closer.

Date TBA: Surf play at Hobuck Beach

August 2: Cape Flattery paddle link 

Date TBA: Cape Flattery and Tatoosh Island paddle link

Date TBA: Neah Bay paddle link

Date TBA:  Hobuck Beach to Neah Bay paddle link

Date TBA:  Cape Flattery paddle link

Date TBA: Neah Bay/Waadah Island Rock gardening paddle link

Date TBA: Neah Bay/Waadah Island Rock Gardening paddle link

August 3: Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches

Date TBA: Surf play at Hobuck Beach

 Clinics:

July 31 - August 1:  Surf Clinic

Date TBA:  Coastal Travel Clinic (FLOW)

Date TBA:  Rock Garden Safety and Rescue Clinic

 What equipment do I need?

In addition to the ten essentials and kayak gear, helmets and dry suits or wet suits are required for all Surf Zone and Beyond activities and clinics.  Gloves are required when rock gardening or caving.  Waterproof headlamps can be nice to have for caving.

Shuttling may be necessary so if you have them, bring straps and foam blocks to transport another boat if you have room for more than one kayak on your vehicle.

 Where can I stay while I’m there?

A Makah Recreational Use Permit is required for each car ($10 and can be purchased at the Hobuck Beach Resort campground office or Washburn's General Store or the Makah Mini-Mart in Neah Bay.) Camp fees at the Hobuck Resort are $25/car/night and you do not need to make a reservation.  There are also a limited number of reservable cabins available (check the Hobuck Beach Resort website for information.)

 The campground is basic. It has a men's and women's shower (1 each), multiple porta-potties, and irregularly distributed picnic tables. There are no designated campsites -- simply pick a spot that you like and set up a tent.  Alcohol or recently-legalized mind-altering drugs are not permitted per local (tribal) laws.  There is Washburn's General Store for Groceries in the nearby town of Neah Bay. The campground now carries ice for your cooler.

Carpooling in encouraged -- let’s reduce our carbon footprint where we can.

 Non-kayaking activities

This area has a lot of enjoyable activities such as beach walking, hiking to Shi-Shi, a short hike to Cape Flattery overlook, and visiting the Museum at the Makah Cultural and Research Center. We will also have a Saturday night potluck that everyone is invited to join.