Introduction to Currents - Tacoma

Clinic

Introduction to Currents - Tacoma - Deception Pass

Part of the Tacoma DP kayaking weekend. Introduction to currents and eddies; bracing and rescues in currents.

  • Sea Kayak IV
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 6.0 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 15 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 4 ft
  • Maximum Currents: 4.5 kts
  • Pace: Modest
  • 12 (12 capacity)
  • 4 (6 capacity)
  • Thu, Jan 1, 2026 at 11:30 AM
  • Sun, May 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy
  • iCal Google

This is part of the Tacoma DP Kayak weekend.  Participants must register for the Camping weekend to attend.  There is a $50 fee to attend the weekend of activities, which includes camping at the group site Thrusday-Saturday nights.

This clinic is BEGINNING CURRENTS. Beginners and early learners welcome, no experience in current required. 

First year students are welcome if: Fairly stable in boat,  Student paddles are done,  conditioned enough for moderately active paddle. You must have completed an Incident Management  (IM) Clinic that includes towing prior to participating in this clinic.

We will learn how to enter and exit current for maximum benefit, eddy hop, and ferry glide (you will learn what these mean in the class). Bracing skills will be covered including how to use a low brace in current. Assisted rescues will be practiced before entering current (and almost certainly after entering current). For those who desire to be challenged rolling, bow rescue and self-rescue in current are all possible. All exercises are “challenge by choice”.  Some people learn well watching, others by trying and learning by their mistakes.

I highly recommend participants take this clinic with the Incident Management clinic offered the day before in Bowman Bay.

 Current is one of my favorite places to play.  Come see what all the fuss is about in a safe and supportive environment.

Participants should do their best self-assessment.  Participants should feel they are ready to paddle in SK IV conditions, should be willing to get wet, practice skills, try new things, push limits and be safety support for others. Let’s all support each other in developing skills and stretching limits, where ever they are.

There will be no refunds for people that cancel within a month of the clinic. Make a promise...keep a promise. 

Bowman Bay, ready to launch at 8 AM.  Note, there is no trailer parking at Bowman Bay. discover Pass is required for each vehicle.

Participants must attend a 2 hour zoom meeting , Wednesday, May 27 from 7-9 PM.

Route/Place

Deception Pass



  • Sea Trails Deception Pass and Skagit Bay WA101

    NOAA Bellingham to Everett No. 18423

    NOAA Anacortes to Skagit Bay No. 18427
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • Required equipment:
  •                Drysuit, with adequate thermal protection underneath. 
  •                Helmet; Kayak helmet preferred, but a bicycle or snow sports helmet will suffice.
  •                Extra Clothes
  •                Lunch
  •                Snacks accessible on water
  •            Long and short tow system
  • Recommended:
  •                Skull cap
  •                Nose plugs
  •                Goggles
  •                Gloves
  •             vhf marine radio (if you have one)
  •                Go Pro?   😊
  •             Glasses and sunglasses should be equipped with floating straps in a bright/visible color.
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