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Trip Report    

Essential Sea Kayak Skills - Deception Pass

Better than expected weather for an excellent “Introduction to Currents” class at Deception Pass.

Barbara Motteler Barbara Motteler
February 08, 2025
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

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    Looked out the window at 6am to see fresh snow (again!).  Luckily, a check of freeway cameras, weather radar and weather reports confirmed that the roads to our destination were clear.  Everyone arrived safely and on time to be greeted by mirror clam water at Bowman Bay.  The day remained calm with only a sprinkling of rain and some sunshine.  As a result, the current was organized with a distinct eddy line in the usual place and a minimum of boils, whirlpools and waves.  This was great for our “Introduction to Currents “ clinic.

Despite some concerns over the weather, 5 hardy paddlers and 3 instructors showed up for the clinic.  Conditions turned out to be great!

We started with a short shore talk to review the weather forecast, check equipment and give everyone an overview of the day.

We paddled from Bowman Bay to Lottie Bay with some assistance from the flood current.  Once in Lottie Bay, students practiced assisted rescues with each other and got feedback from the instructors.  Much of the feedback focused on small details that aren’t critical for a flat water rescue, but make a big difference in current or wind. 
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The low brace turn was demonstrated next.  Students practiced for a bit, then we gathered to share tips and insights and then practiced again.

 Afterwards, we paddled to Lunch Bay for a shore break.  After time to take care of personal needs and grab some food and water, everyone sat on the big driftwood logs to discuss current, eddies and eddy lines while eating.

We entered Canoe Pass just as the ebb was starting.  Students practiced crossing the eddy line in the low brace turn position.  Initially the current wasn’t very strong, so students had a chance to get the feeling of crossing without much risk of capsizing.  Everyone practiced crossing the eddy line that comes off the north shore and also learned to cross to the eddy behind Pass Island via S turns.
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Next, we eddy hopped up the side of Canoe Pass.  Everyone tried this and most could get past several “hops”. 

We finished up with optional play time as the current got stronger.  Some students worked on Intermediate skills.  Instructors (and one student) rolled in the current and gave individual tips.  The day was set up as “Challenge by Choice”.  Students did a great job of choosing from the options ( watching from an eddy and resting on shore were always among the available options) so that everyone was challenged and we only had a few incidental capsizes.  The water was cold enough to make repeated dunking unpleasant.

We debriefed at Lunch Bay and then some participants took a final go around in the significantly stronger (4 or 5 knots) current before heading back to Bowman Bay. The paddle back included some small boils, whirlpools and disorganized water causing an additional capsize and rescue practice opportunity.

The conditions turned out to be excellent for supporting the clinic objectives.