Sea Kayak - Hammersley Inlet

09/18/16 -SUN –SK II+/III—HAMMERSLEY INLET- INTRO TO CURRENTS --WALKER PARK TO HOPE ISLAND AND RETURN, 15 NM / PRIMARY LEADER: LISA A JOHNSON / ASSISTANT LEADER: TIM BURKE / PADDLERS: MICHAEL ANDERSON, MIEKE KLOK / TIDES/CURRENTS: ARCADIA: 14.29 @ 0716, 1.55 @ 1341. CURRENTS: WEST END  -2.32 @ 1135, +2.14 @1809; EAST END -3.49 @ 113, +2.99 @ 1717 / CONDITIONS: SEA CALM TO RIPPLED,  SW BREEZE 0-9 KTS,  MOSTLY SUNNY, TEMPS 50-60S,  VISABILITY EXCELLENT / SIGHTED: SEALS,  CORMORANTS, GREAT BLUE HERONS,  EAGLES

 All paddlers were on time and we had a long huddle during which I brought up and answered questions re: tides, currents, bathymetrics, examining a chart for land and water specifics, how water moves over and around obstructions and the creation of back eddies, eddy lines, fences, whirlpools and general sea states.  We also observed how the water appeared and how wind affects that appearance. We launched about 1045.  We paused just past Skookum Point to practice crossing eddy lines, peel outs, ferrying and boat placement techniques both against and using the current. A brief potty stop and then on to the next point where I introduced using sight ranges and ferrying angles to cross channels with wind and current. The students made very good progress without any prompting to keep their double exactly on course to the marker at Libby Point in the 3+ kt current. We then proceeded to Cape Horn a bit past max where we practiced peel outs, surfing waves, dealing with whirlpools and ferrying across 2-3 knot current. Everybody opted to move on to the south end of Hope Island where we had a long lunch in the warm sunshine.  Back on the water about 1415 when we went directly to the shoal at the north end of Steamboat Island.  The point was still slightly active and we lingered there a few minutes before returning into Hammersley. The wind came up slightly at times but we were mostly in the lee of it and we made fast time on the rising current back to the starting point with no breaks necessary, arriving just after 1600.  Tim opted out of dinner while the rest of us went to an excellent dinner at the Fish Tale where Mike very kindly paid for mine. The post paddle huddle there yielded no complaints but more discussions re: navigation, further opportunities for training, student goals and trip planning possibilities. Another wonderful day in lovely Hammersley! All paddlers performed well with excellent group dynamics.