Sea Kayaking - Tacoma Narrows

Wednesday, September 26^th, 2018

Trip Narrative:

All participants arrived on time and fully prepared. We launched at 10:30AM from Titlow Park in Tacoma. At low tide this beach presents a gradual rocky shore line and a large staging area from which to launch. The small rocks are covered in slippery seaweed, so we walked our boats slowly and carefully to avoid falling. We paddled our way under Tacoma Narrows bridge slightly to the right of center. Using the railroad tunnel on the North shore as a landmark we made our way to Salmon Beach. When paddling in the center of the channel we encountered a 10~12 knot ENE wind blowing in the opposite direction of the ebbing current. The surface waves were 1~2 ft. with occasional whitecaps. The ebbing tide created a back eddy along the North shoreline so, in order to enjoy the added speed assist of the ebb current, our scenic paddle along Salmon beach was done at a distance. After passing Salmon beach we continued to make our way along the North shore until the Point Defiance light came into view. At that point we could pick out the lighthouse at the Gig Harbor entrance and began to paddle in that direction. We paddled against the current for a half mile or so as we approached the GH entrance. We were happy to land at the Tides Tavern boat dock at 12:00 noon. After pulling ourselves then our boats onto the dock we went inside for lunch.  After lunch, at about 1:30PM, we practiced rolls, bracing maneuvers, and rescues in the small area just inside the Gig Harbor entrance. We departed Gig Harbor at 2:00PM. Once in the main channel traveling South we experienced weather cocking as a result of the ENE wind. The trip back to Titlow Park took us along the South West shore of the Narrows to Point Evans. We took a bio break just prior to Point Evans. Once back on the water huddled-up at Point Evans to evaluate the conditions under the bridge. We paddled under the center of the bridge avoiding the bridge footings altogether. We made our approach on the flood tide by paddling to a point slightly South of abandoned ferry landing at Titlow Park using the back eddy to our advantage. We landed at 3:15PM and had boats and gear loaded by 4:00 PM. After a group debrief we headed home.

Meet at 9:30AM, On the water around 10:30AM

Launch Site:

The grassy berm adjacent to Steamers Restaurant at the foot of 6^thAvenue in Tacoma

Boats and gear loaded and ready for the drive home by 4:00 PM

Parking:

There is free parking along 6^thavenue within easy walking distance of the launch site

Bathroom:

Located at Titlow Water Park, about a 5-minute walk from the launch site

Tides:

9446486, Low Tide 2.44ft at 12:47PM

9446484, At landing time 7.5ft at 4:00 PM

9446486, High Tide 12.27ft at 6:59PM

Currents:

PUG1528 Narrows South End at mid-channel. Note, these current predictions reflect the current flow in mid channel, but there is a large back eddy at the launch site.

Slack at 6:54AM

Max Ebb 9:54AM 4.16 knots

Our ETD out bound 10:30AM 4.0 knots

Arrive back at Titlow Beach 3:00 4.0 knots

Max Flood 4:00PM 4.88 knots (we expect to be off the water at this stage)

PUG1427 Narrows Bridge mid channel

Max Ebb 10:06AM 4.29 knots

Our out bound ETA at the Narrows Bridge 10:45AM 4.0 knots Ebb

Our inbound ETA at the Narrows Bridge 2:45PM 4.0 knots Flood

Max Flood 4:00PM 4.71 knots (we expect to be off the water at this stage)

PUG1428 Narrows North End mid channel

Slack 1:24PM

Marine Zone forecast for Puget Sound

Wednesday: N wind 5 to 15 Kt. Wind waves 2ft or less

Marine Pinpoint forecast for Tacoma Narrows

Wednesday: NE wind 8 to 10 kt. Sunny.  Wind waves around 1 ft.

Sunrise:

7:02 AM

Sunset

6:59 PM