Training for spring racing and summer expedition paddling goals, we've been slowly ramping up our mileage on the water lately and inviting friends to join us as we venture out into the unpredictable Salish Seas...
This past Sunday 3 of us met on a blustery spring day to push ourselves hard together with an endurance trainer for 7 hours of paddling around Fidalgo island- coveringing sections of the Orca Challenge, Deception Pass Dash and La Conner race courses- in big winds and strong open water currents...
Launching our sea kayaks mid-Guemes Channel into raging ebbing currents we shot out into a rippin' Rosario Strait, travelling at speeds of 7~9 mph nearly all the way to the south end of Allan island before strongly opposing Strait of Juan de Fuca currents slowed us down to a painful 3 mph for a few miles while crossing Burrows Bay.
SE/ SW 10-20 knot headwinds prevailed for the first 20 miles.
Lunch stop at Rosario Beach to stall and let the flood build in 'the pass'. Top speed of 12 mph reached going through Deception Pass with max currents...
Passing Hope island we arrived faster than the seas at our shortcut channel, so had a short portage in thick mud to enter Swinomish Slough.
Strong tailwind boosted our spirits and speeds with our sail up from Rainbow bridge at La Conner all the way back to Anacortes...
34.3 miles later...Screaming muscles, Laughing souls!~