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Silicon Valley's Western Sea Kayakers

Cupertino, CA, US

592 members · Public group

Organized by Mark H. and 12 others

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What we’re about

Western Sea Kayakers is a kayak club based in the greater Silicon Valley area. WSK brings folks together to socialize, share ideas, and organize paddles. Members meet monthly and communicate through its website and private e-mail forum. Our club paddles occur in a variety of venues including SF Bay Area, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Elkhorn Slough, Monterey, Pt. Reyes, and local reservoirs.

Upcoming events (2)

Sat, May 17, 2025, 10:00 AM PDTFun Paddle with WSK (Western Sea kayakers)
Redwood City Watersports, Redwood City, CA
Interested in sea kayaking? Come paddle with WSK to learn about sea kayaking and gear.
Note: this in not a class but tips and info from experienced paddlers will be available

Redwood City at Redwood Water sports (487 Seaport Court in Redwood City)

Saturday, May 17, 2025
Meet at 10:15 for safety briefing and introductions, ready to get on the water at 10:30.
Paddle to half way point, raft up for a snack
Total distance about 5 miles at easy pace
Intended for all levels of paddlers, but it would be good if you’ve paddled 3 - 4 miles before. Be comfortable being in your boat up to 1 hour at a time. Our pace will depend on types of boats (sit-inside, foldable, inflatables), and paddlers. If you have questions as to boat suitability/safety, contact the trip lead Jim Murdy at 408.206.2377 (text is great)
If you don’t have a boat you can rent at Redwood water sports. They are offering a 3 hour rental for the price of a 1 hour rental for people who join this event. Please allow time to get your rentals, Redwood sports opens at 10 but if there are confirmed rentals, will open earlier
Timeline:
10:15 Be at launch pier dressed to paddle including lifejacket/PFD, and boat set up. We'll start introductions and safety briefing.
10:30 On the water (will paddle up Corkscrew Slough )
11:30 Raft up, enjoy our snack, socialize
12 noon Head back
1:00 pm Off the water
Life jacket / PFD must be worn at all times while on water.
Introductions, safety briefing, head count, sign waivers as needed, and get paddling by 10:30.
Allow yourself enough time to park, unload, get dressed, get your boat setup or rent a boat and be ready for safety briefing/introductions at 10:15. Most people need 45 minutes to an hour for this, so leave extra time if you’re not sure.
***** WHAT TO BRING *****
BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat), paddle and PFD. or rent a boat at Redwood Water sports
Also bring water, a lunch /snack, hat, sun coverage, dry bag or double Ziploc bag for your electronics and valuables.
Almost any paddle craft will work, but PFDs (“life jackets”) are mandatory. Flotation is recommended for folding or skin on frame kayaks
Dress for sun coverage using synthetic fabrics and bring a windbreaker just in case. No cotton clothes. Wear clothes and shoes that are OK getting wet. Good idea to have some dry clothes for afterwards.
***** ADMINISTRATIVE *****
If you’re coming to us via Meet Up, it would be great if you'd sign the waiver online as a guest here: https://form.jotform.com/JLAagency/western-sea-kayakers-waiver
Otherwise, I’ll have a few paper waivers for you to fill out and sign.
It would also be great to indicate if you are going to rent
This will be cross-posted with the Western Sea Kayakers club: www.westernseakayakers.org
7 attendees+2
Sun, Jul 20, 2025, 9:00 AM PDTAnnual WSK Paddle and Potluck Picnic (Rentals Available)
Half Moon Bay Kayak Co., Half Moon Bay, CA
WHAT: FUN, FUN, FUN !!!
A chance to paddle, and socialize. Great for new kayakers and for those who don't have a boat as rentals are available at HMB Kayak.

There also usually are a few non-paddling friends and partners who will simply hang out next to the harbor enjoying the fresh air.

WHEN: Come join us for the annual WSK paddle and potluck picnic on Sunday, July 20th in Princeton Harbor / Half Moon Bay.

SPONSOR / RENTALS: Our sponsor is Half Moon Bay Kayak (HMBK). Sit-on-top kayaks can be reserved directly with HMBK. Standard rental rates ($75/day for singles is best to cover taking a boat out for 2+ hours). Rental include sit-on-top boat, paddle, life jacket, wet suit and paddle jacket. (Doubles available for $150/day...) Book your kayak in advance with HMBK here: https://www.hmbkayak.com/hmb_rentals/

LOCATION: HMBK at Pillar Point Harbor - Off Pillar Point Harbor Blvd.

TIME: 10:00 am on the water for the 'in-the-harbor' paddle (HMB opens at 9am). Allow 45 - 60 minutes to go through waiver, rental, gearing-up process with HMBK. You'll also need to sign a SVWSK waiver.

Around 12:30ish, we’ll start the picnic portion of the day with appetizers for our world-famous WSK potluck. We'll be outdoors so be sure to dress accordingly.

PADDLES: We always have paddles suitable from novice through advanced-intermediate. You must wear a PFD while on the water on a SVWSK paddle. Let us know which paddle you're interested in by contacting Elizabeth through the comments section.

The in-the-harbor paddle is about 3 miles and is about 1 1/2 hours of paddling, with a 20 minute or so stop on the west beach to look at the Mavericks surf break. It'd be helpful if you'd sign the online waiver as Guest Paddler in advance: https://form.jotform.com/JLAagency/western-sea-kayakers-waiver

If you're bringing your own sit-inside boat, make sure it has flotation - either bulkheads and hatches or float bags.

If you have open coast paddling experience, solid self-rescue skills and are comfortable with ocean swell conditions, let us know when you RSVP.

WHAT TO BRING:

For paddling, bring water-friendly shoes and clothing (synthetic, not cotton), water, sunscreen, hat, dry clothes to change into, and maybe a small snack like an energy bar. Depending on conditions, in-the-harbor paddlers may want a wet suit/paddle jacket as well, which are available from HMBK when renting a boat.

For picnic, let us know what dish you might bring to the potluck when you RSVP or when you get a reminder message. If you want to see what others are bringing, or want to let others know what you're bringing, check out the GoogleSheet here: We will post as we get closer to the event.

Bring your folding chair if you've got one. There are a few picnic tables, but often more people than spots at the tables. WSK provides the soft drinks/ sparkling water, and plates and utensils, but BYOB (...Beer).

PARKING: Parking is up the hill in the large lot. If you're bringing your own boat, short term parking available next to HMBK in small parking lot while dropping it off at beginning of day.
9 attendees+4

Past events (275)

Sat, Mar 22, 2025, 10:15 AM PDTFoster City Lagoon - Easier Paddle - No Rentals
This event has passed
6 attendees+1

Find us also at

www.westernseakayakers.org

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