Port Gamble / Hood Head Day-Paddle

Details
We are going to paddle from Port Gamble to Hood Head and back, with an exploration of Bywater Bay along the way. Along the way, we will also check out the Driftwood Dragon and we will stop for picnic lunch at the Hood Head Cascadia Marine Trail Campsite.
Paddle Distance and Sign-up Requirements: This will be a 9 nautical-mile paddle (5.5 n.m. before lunch, 3.5 n.m. after lunch) in open cold water, subject to wind and waves. To sign up for this paddle, you must be an intermediate or beyond paddler with wet exit, re-entry, and rescue training and recent practice, and you must be able to paddle a sustained 2.5 knots pace. The required kayaking experience and skills need to be documented in your meetup profile information and your answers to the sign-up questions. RSVP's without answers to the sign-up questions may be deleted.
Getting There and Meeting Logistics: If taking the Edmonds to Kingston ferry Saturday morning, get in line at 8:30 a.m. to catch the 8:50 a.m. ferry. If coming directly to Port Gamble, meet at 9:45 a.m. at the Olympic Outdoor Center kayak-rental launch area, at the west end of the old log yard below Port Gamble. No parking pass is required where we will park at Port Gamble.
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Immersion Gear: Wearing immersion gear (a wetsuit or a dry-suit with insulating clothing underneath) is required on this paddle. For winter paddling, a dry-suit is recommended.
Equipment Requirements: Kayak, paddle, pfd, paddlefloat, pump, sprayskirt, warm hat and waterproof hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and snacks, picnic lunch, immersion gear, kayak boots, poagies or neoprene gloves, extra warm clothing in a dry-bag, boat light. VHF radio if you have one,
Conditions and Contingency: This paddle is contingent upon wind and weather conditions that are acceptable for this paddle. If there is fog, we will launch instead from Shine Tidelands State Park and not cross the Hood Canal.
Waiver and Indemnification: This is not a guided paddle nor a kayaking-skills lesson. In signing up for this paddle, each sign-up-ee certifies that he/she has the required kayaking skills and experience described in the "Sign-up Requirements". Kayaking activities have inherent risk and each sign-up-ee acknowledges that kayaking activities have risk of injury or even death, and signs up and participates entirely and exclusively at his/her own risk. To participate in this paddle, participants are required to read and sign a waiver and indemnification, available at the launch site and similar to the WKC waiver, https://wakayakclub.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=821680&module_id=158094 .

Port Gamble / Hood Head Day-Paddle