Test run at the pass

Posted by Ken Campbell November 14, 2009 1 Comment 905 views

Deception Pass is home to the strongest tidal currents in Washington. Speeds in excess of 8 knots are common and the sheer volume of water that flows through the two narrow channels that separate Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands makes this a challenging spot for kayakers and paddleboarders alike. I’m heading up that way on Monday… I haven’t paddled the Pass for quite a while. It is time.
There is a race held here each December (December 12th, this year), known as the Deception Pass Dash. It’s a burly event for all sorts of reasons: weather and sea conditions, start time (relative to slack current), and a very high level of competition. It’s

been a kayaking contest since its inception; this year is the first that SUPs will be included as well.
I’m planning on participating in this year’s race, so to prepare, I’m going up to Deception Pass next week to do a little of both kayaking and SUP. I am reasonably sure that I can negotiate the course in a kayak… I am not under any illusion that I might have a shot at winning, but I do expect to be able to finish. My hunch is that I don’t have a prayer on the SUP, but it’s worth a try anyway.

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