The Lake Union Pancake Paddle

 
 
 

**** RSVPs for this event are now closed. If you are on the attendees list but do not plan to attend this weekend then please update your status to "not going" so that others on the waiting list can attend. If you are on the waiting list then be sure to check this page often see if you have been upgraded to the attendees list. And please take your name off the waiting list if you know you won't be attending. Thank you ****

Pancake Paddle #82. Have you ever wondered what it's like to paddle across the water at 8 knots. Now is your chance to find out. It is a long standing tradition on Lake Union that every so often the Seattle Flying Dragons host a beginner's dragon boat clinic for the Pancake Paddle. Pancake Paddle #0 was with the Flying Dragons. They still seem determined to make "real" paddlers out of us someday. More about the Seattle Flying Dragons here:

https://www.seattleflyingdragons.org

Our morning begins early, before breakfast with 20 minutes of on-shore instruction. Then we take to the dragon boats along with our instructors. There's usually enough of us to fill two or three dragon boats. After we practice awhile on the water we race each other for bragging rights until the next time. By 10AM we are at table in the Swedish Club devouring our well deserved Swedish pancakes & ham ($11) and swapping dragon boat stories. This event is always great fun.
Here are some pics from previous dragon boat paddles with the Flying Dragons:

https://www.meetup.com/the-lake-union-pancake-paddle/photos/28066786/

Let's meet at 8AM in the Kenmore Air parking lot at South Lake Union. Plenty of free parking. In order to participate, the Flying Dragons ask that you complete the online consent from at this link:

https://www.jotform.com/form/223546751438158

As I read over the Flying Dragon's invitation, I see where they will be bringing the customary dragon boat drums--but I can find no mention of the customary dragon boat whips. Let's hope it stays that way :) As a gesture of appreciation to the Flying Dragons for putting on this free event for us, I am going to be picking up their tab for Swedish pancakes. If you would like to contribute you can Venmo a couple dollars to @Patrick-Dolan-86676 or (206)[masked]. Thank you.

See you then!
___________________________________________________
ABOUT THE LAKE UNION PANCAKE PADDLE

Eat Swedish pancakes. Then paddle. Beginners are most welcome. If you don't own a kayak, SUP or canoe, they can be rented by the hour at the dock we launch from. This group is open to all paddle craft (kayaks, SUPs, canoes, inflatables, dragon boats, etc.) and gathers regularly at 9AM on the first Sundays of every month in the lobby of the Swedish Club which is open to the public for their monthly Swedish pancake breakfasts. We enjoy the ten million dollar view and have a Swedish pancake breakfast together to the accompaniment of live Scandinavian folk music. Then we take the short walk down to the dock and leisurely paddle for an hour or so on the placid urban waters of Lake Union, the most unique lake in the world--home to Academy award winning movies, amazing houseboats, historic vessels & sunken battleships, storied Olympic champions, Native American history, stupendous infrastructure, a surprising amount of wildlife and the birthplace of the Boeing Airplane Co.

We also do "Special Edition" paddles on the lakes and rivers of Western & Central Washington and on Puget's Sound, the Pacific Coast and the San Juans. Special Edition paddles often have no onsite rental availability.

 
 
 

Pancake Paddle Special Edition--Come enjoy a relaxing midday 5 mile downriver drift before heading off to the evening fireworks. Experience a surprising side of industrial south Seattle that you never knew existed--a fully functioning riparian environment smack-dab in the middle of a major metropolis. Watch the rural riverbanks transition to heavy industry with plenty of history along the way. We'll see river birds of the wading, paddling and soaring variety; maybe even a seal.

The North Wind's Weir has played a central role in the Duwamish people's stories and culture. It was a major fish resource for thousands of years. Ever wonder why Seattle is so temperate in the winter? Here's why:

https://www.burkemuseum.org/static/misc/story_north_wind_weir.pdf

This 4th of July also happens to be the lowest tide of the year at -4.0. During the lowest tide of the year the North Winds Weir produces the one and only rapid on the lower Duwamish River. Pancake Paddlers will have the option to shoot the 1 foot rapid (see above photo) or take the short portage around. All first timers over the rapid are awarded a lifetime membership in the oh-so-exclusive Duwamish White Water Club. Here are some pics from previous Duwamish low tide paddles:

https://www.meetup.com/the-lake-union-pancake-paddle/photos/30017362/

We will pre-position one or two shuttle vehicles 5 miles down river at Duwamish Waterway Park in the South Park neighborhood to shuttle paddlers back to their cars at Codiga Park. Shuttle drivers wanted.

I will be on my SUP equipped with a whistle, a leash and wearing a PFD. PFDs are required on all King County rivers. Unfortunately there will be no on-site rental availability for this paddle.

See you then!
___________________________________________________
ABOUT THE LAKE UNION PANCAKE PADDLE

Eat Swedish pancakes. Then paddle. Beginners are most welcome. If you don't own a kayak, SUP or canoe, they can be rented by the hour at the dock we launch from. This group is open to all paddle craft (SUPs, kayaks, canoes, inflatables, dragon boats, etc.) and gathers regularly at 9AM on the first Sundays of every month in the lobby of the Swedish Club which is open to the public for their monthly Swedish pancake breakfasts. We enjoy the ten million dollar view and have a Swedish pancake breakfast together to the accompaniment of live Scandinavian folk music. Then we take the short walk down to the dock and leisurely paddle for an hour or so on the placid urban waters of Lake Union, the most unique lake in the world--home to Academy award winning movies, amazing houseboats, historic vessels & sunken battleships, storied Olympic champions, Native American history, stupendous infrastructure, a surprising amount of wildlife and the birthplace of Boeing.

We also do "Special Edition" paddles on the lakes and rivers of Western & Central Washington and on Puget's Sound, the Pacific Coast and the San Juans. Special Edition paddles often have no onsite rental availability.

 
 
 

Acclaimed Hobuck Beach on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula is the venue for this special edition of the Pancake Paddle. A two-day surf camp will be taught by renowned instructor and author Rob Casey & Salmon Bay Paddle. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 10-11. The $609 tuition includes equipment rentals & student benefits. But Rob recommends that you learn on your own equipment if possible. Surf camp participation is limited to 6 students for kayak and 6 students for SUP in order to provide a good student to instructor ratio.

If you are relativity new to paddling or need to brush up on stuff, Rob is also offering basic courses between now and August that will sharpen your paddling skills in time for the Hobuck camp. I started with Rob years ago and highly recommend his courses.

Saturday & Sunday Aug 12 & 13, the Pancake Paddle will do some more surfing and/or flat water paddling on picturesque Lake Crescent and Ozette Lake. These are open paddles for all Pancake Paddle members and their guests.

Other OP attractions: Hurricane Ridge, the Olympic Rain Forest, Solduc Hot Springs, the Forks Twilight Vampire tour, Cape Flattery, the Makah Indian Reservation & Archaeological Museum.

Two ways to register for Surf Camp:

1. Click to attend this meetup. Then indicate “kayak” or “SUP” in the event comments section. Rob will contact you directly with package & deposit details and what paddling perquisites are required in order to participate & enjoy the Hobuck camp.
2. Go to salmonbaypaddle.com or Instagram @salmonbaypaddle and register there.

Hobuck Beach Resort is the best option for accommodations—cabins, RVs, tent camping. More info https://hobuckbeachresort.com

See you then!
___________________________________________________
ABOUT THE LAKE UNION PANCAKE PADDLE

Eat Swedish pancakes. Then paddle. Beginners are most welcome. If you don't own a kayak, SUP or canoe, they can be rented by the hour at the dock we launch from. This group is open to all paddle craft (kayaks, SUPs, canoes, inflatables, dragon boats, etc.) and gathers regularly at 9AM on the first Sundays of every month in the lobby of the Swedish Club which is open to the public for their monthly Swedish pancake breakfasts. We enjoy the ten million dollar view and have a Swedish pancake breakfast together to the accompaniment of live Scandinavian folk music. Then we take the short walk down to the dock and leisurely paddle for an hour or so on the placid urban waters of Lake Union, the most unique lake in the world--home to Academy award winning movies, amazing houseboats, historic vessels & sunken battleships, storied Olympic champions, Native American history, stupendous infrastructure, a surprising amount of wildlife and the birthplace of the Boeing Airplane Co.

We also do "Special Edition" paddles on the lakes and rivers of Western & Central Washington and on Puget's Sound, the Pacific Coast and the San Juans. Special Edition paddles often have no onsite rental availability.