Tacoma to Gig Harbor Paddle

Let's do a paddle from the Point Defiance Boat Ramp to Gig Harbor and back. We'll paddle around Gig Harbor and walk-around and have lunch (to-go or picnic) in downtown Gig Harbor.

For those who want, there will be optional additional paddling available along the Ruston Way waterfront and back.

Paddle Description: This paddle will be either 8 nautical miles, or optionally 12 n.m. There will be moderate current with us for portions of the paddle. The 8 n.m. paddle will land at approx. 2:30 p.m., the 12 n.m. paddle at approx. 4:30 p.m.

Sign-up Requirements: To sign up for this trip, you must be an intermediate or beyond paddler, (or an advanced beginner, see RSVP notes below), with wet exit, re-entry, and rescues training and practice, and you must be able to paddle a sustained 2.5 knots paddling pace.

RSVP: The required kayaking experience and skills need to be documented in your meetup profile information and especially in your answers to the sign-up questions. Advanced beginners movement from waitlist to going will depend upon the forecast conditions as the paddle day approaches.

RSVP's without responses to the sign-up questions will not be moved from the waitlist to going. If you do not get the sign-up questions from the meetup app, send a meetup message with responses: (1) Describe your immersion gear. (2) Describe your kayak. (3) Describe your two longest recent paddles. (4) Do you have wet exit/re-entry/rescues training and.

Equipment Requirements: Sea-kayak, paddle, pfd, paddlefloat, pump, sprayskirt, immersion gear, warm hat and waterproof hat, pogies and/or neoprene gloves, sunscreen, water, snacks, picnic lunch, VHF radio if you have one, kayak boots, and extra warm clothing in a dry-bag.

Immersion Gear: Wearing immersion gear (a kayaking 3 mm wetsuit or a dry-suit over insulating clothing) is mandatory on the paddle. It is chilly enough that a dry-suit is recommended, or a paddle jacket over a wetsuit.

Parking, Contingency and Covid-19 Precautions: There will also be a small launch and parking fee at the boat ramp. This paddle is contingent upon wind and weather conditions that are acceptable for this paddle. We will social distance on shore, and we will bring face-coverings and use them on shore as needed and as required by State law.

Waiver and Indemnification: This is not a guided paddle nor a kayaking skills lesson. In signing up for this event, each sign-up-ee certifies that he/she has the required kayaking, experience described in the Sign-up Requirements. Kayaking has inherent risk and each sign-up-ee acknowledges that this activity has risk of injury or even death, and signs up and participates entirely and exclusively at his/her own risk.