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PADDLE PATH
COLLABORATING WITH MOTHER NATURE
by Erica Lichty All photos by Douglas Fir Photography.
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meandering out to the MV Badger, a friend’s 70-foot converted Canadian Navy vessel, to slip into our bunks and be rocked gently to sleep in the bay. The next day, we would complete our circumnavigation of Bainbridge Island going clockwise through Agate passage and end the retreat with a nice 20 mile stretch back to the ferry dock. Mother Nature said… nope. As the weekend approached, the forecast called for southerly gusts to 30 knots. Super fun for a downwind session, but not as good for a circumnavigation. After deliberation, we concluded that having all guests meet in Lemolo at the residence first thing Saturday morning was the best option. We adjusted the retreat plan to entail two northbound legs. The guest list included two stand-up paddlers, two OC-1 (outrigger canoe) paddlers, and a kayaker; all of whom are entered in this year’s Seventy48, as well as an additional OC-1 paddler who is contemplating racing in 2024. We met on a misty morning and made our introductions. After assembling our gear, we started our shuttle — Mother Nature is on a schedule. With mixed boats comes a mixed bag of transportation issues. We “strategized” and ferried humans and cars to our destination at the Kingston Ferry Terminal,
etween my upbringing and the path that has led me to advocating for waterpeople, I am adaptable and accustomed to pivoting. So, when Sarah Craig from the environmental organization Trash Tramp Inc. and I put our heads together to create a two-day Adventure Paddle Clinic that focused on prep for the Seventy48 race — which we’ve both completed — we kept in mind the old adage, ”The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” We knew Mother Nature was a collaborator but we also knew her role in our clinic would be a mystery until approximately 72 hours before the event. We kept our fingers crossed that we would not be faced with the difficult scenario of a small craft advisory during the weekend of April 15-16. The plan was to have all guests arrive at the Southworth Ferry Dock just south of Blake Island and paddle approximately 12 miles to Lemolo near Poulsbo. Once there, we would store our boats on a secluded beach at a friend’s private residence and begin the suggested schedule of race tactics, safety, fuel, apparel, and chart work. Afterwards, we’d do a beach clean-up and Sarah would offer an environmental talk. We envisioned ourselves sharing a meal by the fire on the beach and then
Heading out to MV Badger for the night.
Paddling under the bridge at Agate Passage. 48º NORTH
Studying charts and planning for Sunday.
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JUNE 2023