Sea Kayak - San Juan Island Circumnavigation

Wheel kayaks onto Anacortes to Friday Harbor Ferry for 8:55am sailing on Oct 26. Wheels will be left with Harbormaster. We'll return on an afternoon ferry on Oct 29th. Leave an extra day beyond this in case we get pinned down with weather. Please see the Required Equipment Tab.

GOALS

1. Be safe:  Aware of risk and management.
2. Enjoy being out there, whatever conditions we encounter.
3. Enjoy company of each other.
4. Reach the daily destinations with time to set up camp in the light

EXPECTATIONS

1. Support the goals above.
2. Have the skills and fitness required for the trip
3. Ability & willingness to paddle in a tight group under rough conditions
4. Abide by decisions made by the group or by the leader.
5. Don't take risks that other group members do not support.

PARTICIPANT SKILLS

1. Endurance to paddle a 11nm day in a 12kt headwind
2. Flat water pace of 3.7kt or more.
3. Strength to paddle into 15 knot winds @ 3.0kt pace.
4. Quick, efficient buddy rescue.
5. Able to camp in wet, cool conditions.
6. Able to paddle Deception pass in 5kt current.
7. Good brace reflex - don’t tip easily.
8. Have earned the Kayak Sailing Badge
9. Reasonably reliable roll in conditions.
10. Know your history of sea sickness in swell and be able to manage it.

This is a almost-in-winter trip, and participants must be comfortable paddling in the adverse conditions listed. While currents will generally be in our favor, there are a few deadlines that we must meet to avoid adverse currents. Having a kayak sail, and experience in at least 15kts of wind sailing is required (Session 2 experience). Must have strong kayak camping skills as we will be rising in the dark on several days for sunrise launching (around 7:30am). We will follow COVID-19 guidelines in camp as well as on the water.

You can view the tentative itinerary here.