Lake Washington

Trip

Sea Kayak - Lake Washington: Concrete Beach

Two hour conditioning paddle and skills practice series; come to any of them. (or all) These paddles are meant to accommodate all skill and speed levels and allow opportunity for skills practice. Focus is more on intensity of effort than distance. Dates are Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17.

  • Sea Kayak III
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 4.0 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 15 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 2 ft
  • Pace: varies, may include sprints

Interval training and skills practice in winds and waves.  Well, can't promise the wind or waves every time but they are bound to show up more than not.  

<NOTE TIME CHANGE>  Let's meet around 2:30, launch by 3 latest, back on beach by around 4:30 to 5, as the days get longer.  

Launch location is the sail sandpoint hand launch area at of concrete beach, NOT the side by Arena Sports.  

This series is meant to build a workout around high(er) intensity/short duration efforts, not single speed/steady pace paddling except for warm up and warm down at end.  The intention also is to leave some time at then end to practice skills/strokes/manuvers/whatever back at the launch site based on group interest. There is no requirement to participate in any particular skill element that may be attempted; its a practice opportunity.  

The primary route is to leave the Sail Sandpoint hand launch beach, follow shoreline past NOAA and dog park, go around Pontiac point and proceed south to approximately the Magnuson park boat launch area and return.  Windspeed will likely vary significantly from week to week.  This can generate some entertaining waves  south of Pontiac Point if there is a strong southerly (fairly usual for this time of year)  and therefore the experience (and effort) of paddling into the wind, some moderate waves, and turning and running back downwind over short distances.  Sometimes those waves are enough to allow some low intensity surfing, but that can also be avoided.  Route on any given day will depend on group composition and desires as well as overall conditions.   This route is around 3 miles; the conditioning comes in the interval training aspect not the distance.  

The launch and recovery area is generally protected from most winds and can provide an area in which to paddle even if wind on the lake itself is more than the group may enjoy on any given day.  Route and specific plans to be finalized on the day of depending on conditions and group 

Bail out and bio break locations are numerous along the route, including at Magnuson swimming beach, boat launch and the sail sandpoint area.  

There is a small dining establishment with outdoor covered patio on site for post paddle gathering if desired. 

Route/Place

Lake Washington


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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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