Sea Kayak - Hobuck Beach Resort

Join the mountaineers sea kayaking community for paddles in intermediate to advanced coastal conditions.  This event provides an opportunity for paddlers with experience in conditions and surf to gain more experience on trips with peers and mutual support.

A Gathering

Everyone is welcome to join the gathering at Hobuck Beach Resort.  We will be at the north campground where there is plenty of camping and cabins available for rent.  Camp together and join in for impromptu shared meals.  Registration for this activity is for the gathering, not activities.

Kayak Surfing

Enjoy surfing your kayak on Hobuck Beach.  There will be open surf every day.  Organize with peers to keep track of each other for safety.  

Coastal Trips

Trips will be organized ad-hoc as we see what the conditions are.  Organization will mainly be done in the evening, in person.  Mountaineer trips must be posted on the web site before launch.     

There are numerous venues for trips of a range of difficulty.  From Hobuck, one may travel north or south.  Or one may stay within the bay.  From Neah bay one may paddle the more protected and beautiful coast toward Flattery or turn right and go to the beaches.  One can organize a point to point along the straight.  One can paddle Ozette Lake. 

Who This Is For

This gathering is an opportunity for experienced coastal paddlers to paddle together to challenge ourselves, learn from each other, and enjoy being on the water.  This is especially valuable for those who frequently lead others—here's your chance to paddle with peers for your own development and enjoyment.

Unlike our common format, this gathering doesn't follow an instructional or guiding model. Instead, we're creating space for people to organize trips collaboratively with paddlers at similar skill levels. Everyone takes mutual responsibility for planning, decision-making, and risk management. You’ll learn by being responsible.  If you're looking for coaching or guided trips that push your limits with more experienced leaders, our June Surf and Camp gathering is designed for that purpose.

Participants will have more opportunity if they are skilled at paddling through surf, surfing, paddling in ocean swell, around rocks, and rock gardening. Many trips will be SK V, though there are venues for easier trips.  

With those caveats, everyone is welcome to come to this gathering.  Come with an understanding of your personal limits, desire to paddle with peers at your level, and excitement to share in the planning and responsibility. The area offers diverse paddling venues with conditions suitable for a range of experience levels—there's great paddling to be had for everyone who comes with realistic self-assessment and a collaborative spirit.

Conditions

Winter conditions are quite variable.  It can be mild and sunny or stormy.  Surf may be moderate 2-3 ft or monstrous.  Winds may be calm or gale force.  We will cancel the trip if conditions look too uncomfortable or dangerous.  This would likely be caused by some combination of:

• Bad weather that makes gathering outside uncomfortable.  Mainly, significant rain.
• Large surf that limits activity on Hobuck Beach
• Strong winds

Registration

Registration for this event indicates your intention to come camp/cabin at Hobuck.  It will get you included in further communication about the event.  Registration is low commitment.  You may freely cancel for any reason.

GES

Goals, expectations, and style is another way to describe the intent and nature of this activity.

Goals:

• Learn by experience of doing
  • Leaders develop their ability to lead in coastal conditions.  
  • Everyone expands their personal paddling skills.
• The satisfaction of taking on a challenging trip and succeeding
• Create community.

Expectations

• Participants have an accurate assessment of their ability.  
• Self directive - able to organize with peers for an appropriately challenging trip
• Make responsible trip plans with risk management in mind
• Inclusive of everyone attending

Style

• Informal gathering
• Ad-hoc trip planning
• Paddle with peers
• Morning and evening social time

Arrive at Hobuck on Friday, January 30th for 3 full days of trips.  Return February 3rd.

Dates may change a little depending on conditions.  Individual schedules may vary as needed.

There is a small possibility this will be shifted to the Tofino area, if we see significant advantage in that.