To sign up for this trip get on the "Request Approval Waitlist" waitlist. When you are approved for the trip the TO will send you a password for a "Approved For Trip by TO" ticket.
Full Name: Dennis Pennell
Narrative: This is a two-day event in the vicinity of Deception Pass State Park near Anacortes, Washington. You can come for one day or both days. You can camp at Deception Pass State Park or stay wherever you choose so long as you can be at the meeting location on time.
Deception Pass is the most popular state park in Washington state for good reason. It is the intersection of land and sea, with beaches, cliffs, a menagerie of wildlife that flies, swims, or runs, and millions of cubic feet of salty water move through a narrow opening with every tide cycle from Skagit Bay to the ocean and back again. It has several campgrounds, hiking trails, and boat ramps. There are restaurants and pubs within easy driving range in Oak Harbor and Anacortes.
BE ON TIME
Launch times are not flexible, as ocean tides do what they do when they do it and we must be ready. If you are late, you will be left behind.
If conditions are suitable, the first day will be a tour. See description below.
We will have a play day in the Deception Pass Narrows on the second day, primarily utilizing the ebb currents to practice peel outs, ferries, upstream attainment, and whatever other opportunities are available.
All trip location decisions will be made on site at the time based on conditions. As with many saltwater paddling events, the primary environmental factor to consider is the wind speed and direction.
Meeting place and time
Specific details of meeting time and place will be shared with participants closer to the event. In general, we will meet at either the Washington Park Boat Ramp in Anacortes, WA., Bowman Bay Boat Ramp, or at the Cornet Bay Boat Ramp, depending on where we are going to paddle that day. There are other launching locations in the area that could be used if needed.
Be sure to bring your Discover Pass! You will likely get a ticket if you don’t have one. Note that a current camping receipt also works as a parking permit, but only until 1:00 PM on the day you check out of the campground. You can buy a Discover Pass at the park if you wish.
Trip Organizer’s Notes
This trip is an opportunity to develop our skills in the company of other paddlers. This is not a class. Everyone can bring skills that they want to work on. We will work together in mutual support of skills and safety.
Deception Pass Narrows is essentially a low-gradient, very high-volume salty whitewater river, where the currents constantly change speed and also change direction with the ebb and flood of the tides. It is known for erratic currents and whirlpools.
For any potential Deception Pass Narrows paddling, participants must have previous experience paddling in currents, such as whitewater paddling or prior experience in Deception Pass. A roll is useful, but not mandatory. I expect people may capsize and either self-rescue or get rescued by others.
For the open water tours, especially any tours to Alan and Burrows Islands, participants must have OOPS level 3 experience and skills.
March 18, Washington Park-Anacortes to Cornet Bay, Deception Pass State Park
Distance: 12-13 miles
Meet at Washington Park Boat Ramp (48.50127974311167, -122.69252300688221) at 8:00 AM.
In case of questionable conditions, do not unload boats until the Trip Organizer gives approval. Once it is determined that the trip is a go, we will unload boats and get them prepped for launch, then drive as many vehicles as possible to the take-out at Cornet Bay Boat Ramp (about 22 minutes and 11.5 miles). Leave as many vehicles as possible at Cornet Bay and return all drivers in as few vehicles as possible to Washington Park Boat Ramp.
Safety talk immediately follows our return to Washington Park Boat Ramp.
Launch immediately follows the safety talk, at 9:30 AM.
Dry suits required.
Helmets required for playing in Deception Pass
Tow belts and contact tows recommended.
VHF radios recommended.
Bring food and drink to sustain you for 8 hours or more.
Extra clothes especially for wearing during shore breaks are recommended, such as storm cags, raincoats, parkas, and similar.
Ebb at Washington Park starts about 7:40 AM flowing to the west and south. Based on entering Deception Pass about 1:30 PM, we will launch from Washington Park Boat Ramp at 9:30 AM. That allows four hours to get from our launch at Washington Park to the mouth of Deception Pass (about 9 miles), including a couple of shore breaks and a lunch stop. We will ride the ebb south around Fidalgo Head. Turn east and paddle through Burrows Pass. Turn south along the east side of Burrows Island and generally continue south, exploring the shoreline of Alan Island and then Williamson Rocks. Continue south to Deception Island and the mouth of Deception Pass.
The flood current into Deception Pass should start around 1:20 PM, so we will plan to enter the pass about 1:30 PM or slightly after. It should take about 3 hours plus breaks to get to the mouth of Deception Pass.
We will likely stop for a lunch break on the beach here: 48.40962548005634, -122.64823536545241, before proceeding through Deception Pass in route to Strawberry Island, Ure Island, and the takeout at Cornet Bay boat ramp.
Anticipate getting to the takeout about 3:00 PM.
Meeting Time: 8:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Washington Park Boat Ramp, https://www.google.com/maps/place/Washington+Park+Boat+Launch/@48.5001423,-122.8243589,15026m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m23!1m16!4m15!1m6!1m2!1s0x54857915cab1df01:0xaf555efeb2322364!2sWashington+Park+Boat+Launch,+Anacortes,+WA!2m2!1d-122.6925264!2d48.5001416!1m6!1m2!1s0x548563517d83a391:0x910697dd628cb623!2sCornet+Bay+Boat+Ramp,+West+Cornet+Bay+Road,+Oak+Harbor,+WA!2m2!1d-122.6221432!2d48.4010493!3e0!3m5!1s0x54857915cab1df01:0xaf555efeb2322364!8m2!3d48.5001416!4d-122.6925264!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4qvqvn?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEyOS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Take out: Cornet Bay Boat Ramp, https://maps.app.goo.gl/jtAkTr37XovkgABBA
Route Alternative for bad weather: To Be Determined at the time
Required equipment: Helmet, Towline
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Dennis Pennell
Co-Organizer(s): Steve Blackwood
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person:
Maximum number of paddlers: 8
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 45
Estimated Water Temperature: 45
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5 hours
Tide times & heights: Daily Tide Predictions
StationName: Burrows Bay (Allan Island)
Date Day Time Pred High/Low
2025/03/18 Tue 01:02 AM 4.21 L
2025/03/18 Tue 07:02 AM 7.58 H
2025/03/18 Tue 01:34 PM 0.56 L
2025/03/18 Tue 09:13 PM 6.73 H
2025/03/19 Wed 01:42 AM 4.94 L
2025/03/19 Wed 07:25 AM 7.38 H
2025/03/19 Wed 02:14 PM 0.34 L
2025/03/19 Wed 10:31 PM 6.73 H
2025/03/20 Thu 02:30 AM 5.58 L
2025/03/20 Thu 07:46 AM 7.16 H
2025/03/20 Thu 02:58 PM 0.28 L
Daily Tide Predictions
StationName: BOWMAN BAY, FIDALGO ISLAND
Date Day Time Pred High/Low
2025/03/18 Tue 12:43 AM 4.48 L
2025/03/18 Tue 06:33 AM 7.04 H
2025/03/18 Tue 01:40 PM 0.64 L
2025/03/18 Tue 08:51 PM 6.21 H
2025/03/19 Wed 01:18 AM 5.29 L
2025/03/19 Wed 06:49 AM 6.88 H
2025/03/19 Wed 02:22 PM 0.35 L
2025/03/19 Wed 10:36 PM 6.23 H
2025/03/20 Thu 01:49 AM 5.97 L
2025/03/20 Thu 06:45 AM 6.80 H
2025/03/20 Thu 03:09 PM 0.22 L
Daily Tide Predictions
StationName: Cornet Bay, Deception Pass
Date Day Time Pred High/Low
2025/03/18 Tue 02:17 AM 5.07 L
2025/03/18 Tue 07:51 AM 9.58 H
2025/03/18 Tue 02:47 PM 0.57 L
2025/03/18 Tue 09:23 PM 8.95 H
2025/03/19 Wed 02:55 AM 6.05 L
2025/03/19 Wed 08:16 AM 9.22 H
2025/03/19 Wed 03:26 PM 0.43 L
2025/03/19 Wed 10:18 PM 8.81 H
2025/03/20 Thu 03:38 AM 6.93 L
2025/03/20 Thu 08:42 AM 8.79 H
2025/03/20 Thu 04:10 PM 0.48 L
2025/03/20 Thu 11:25 PM 8.65 H
Current information: Current Predictions, Green Point, 0.8 mile northwest of (PCT2026)
LAT/LON: 48.5047° N 122.7062° W
Flood 20 degrees True, Ebb 190 degrees True
Time (LST/LDT)
Event
Speed (knots)
2025-03-18 2:29 AM slack
2025-03-18 4:35 AM flood 0.98
2025-03-18 7:36 AM slack
2025-03-18 11:07 AM ebb -2.53
2025-03-18 3:48 PM slack
2025-03-18 6:17 PM flood 1.79
2025-03-18 10:31 PM slack
2025-03-18 11:46 PM ebb -0.46
2025-03-19 3:01 AM slack
2025-03-19 4:40 AM flood 0.68
2025-03-19 7:41 AM slack
2025-03-19 11:36 AM ebb -2.52
2025-03-19 4:25 PM slack
2025-03-19 7:07 PM flood 1.8
2025-03-19 11:54 PM slack
-
Current Predictions: Burrows Bay, 0.5 mile east of Allan I (PCT2006)
LAT/LON: 48.4628° N 122.6828° W
Floods: 22 degrees True, Ebb 209 degrees True
Time (LST/LDT)
Event
Time (LST/LDT) Event Speed (knots)
2025-03-18 12:27 AM slack -
2025-03-18 5:13 AM flood 0.65
2025-03-18 8:15 AM slack -
2025-03-18 11:40 AM ebb -0.62
2025-03-18 1:41 PM slack -
2025-03-18 6:13 PM flood 0.98
2025-03-18 10:16 PM slack -
2025-03-18 11:47 PM ebb -0.19
2025-03-19 12:51 AM slack -
2025-03-19 5:39 AM flood 0.47
2025-03-19 8:29 AM slack -
2025-03-19 12:13 PM ebb -0.63
2025-03-19 2:19 PM slack -
2025-03-19 6:58 PM flood 0.99
2025-03-19 11:15 PM slack -
Current Predictions: Deception Pass (Narrows) (PUG1701) Depth: 18 feet
LAT/LON: 48.4062° N 122.6431° W
Flood 108 degrees True, Ebb 277 degrees True
Time (LST/LDT)
Event
Speed (knots)
2025-03-18 1:25 AM slack
2025-03-18 3:45 AM flood 4.05
2025-03-18 6:41 AM slack
2025-03-18 9:28 AM ebb -6.29
2025-03-18 1:21 PM slack
2025-03-18 3:52 PM flood 4.2
2025-03-18 7:40 PM slack
2025-03-18 10:24 PM ebb -4.41
2025-03-19 2:12 AM slack
2025-03-19 4:25 AM flood 3.78
2025-03-19 7:17 AM slack
2025-03-19 10:09 AM ebb -6.42
2025-03-19 2:02 PM slack
2025-03-19 4:35 PM flood 4.31
2025-03-19 8:32 PM slack
2025-03-19 11:11 PM ebb -4.01
Hazards: Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 3: 12-16 knots (19 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types: Level 3: Bad footing, rocky shores, or surf up to 1.5'
Currents: Level 3: Up to 4 knots: paddlers must sprint to move forward
Total distance: Level 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 3
Rating Comments:
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PzsZGWXwKSdNTDzFA
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: All participants of this trip must be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: See below.
Link to map of route (Optional)
