South Coast Event - Port Orford paddle with options to practice rescues - L3

When
July 12, 2025
9:00 AM
Location
Port Orford
Spaces left
6

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
Password Reserved for TO use

Full Name: Ken Sund
Narrative:
We will launch from the Port Orford Dock using the boat slide and paddle clockwise around and into Port Orford Head. This area has many rocky features. If the wind allows we can continue on around to land at the north end of the Head. Otherwise we can choose to practice a variety of self rescue and other rescue strategies around rocks and dynamic water. Bring your own methods and let's practice them. If we're still feeling peppy, there is a surf spot at nearby Hubbard Creek we can check out. Look this area up on Google Earth or a chart to see what it looks like.
Bring lunch or snacks, towline & radio if you have one. A farmer john wetsuit with drytop is minimum paddling wear or bring a drysuit. Bring helmet too.
Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:45:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Port of Port Orford
Take out: Same as put in
Route Alternative for bad weather: none
Required equipment: Helmet, Towline
Minimum Immersion protection: Farmer John
Primary Organizer: Ken Sund
Co-Organizer(s): TBD
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: TBD
Maximum number of paddlers: 5 or more depending on more L-3 TOs.
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 60s
Estimated Water Temperature: high 50s or low 60s (depends on recent upwelling)
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4 hours
Tide times & heights: -1.5' at 7:53 AM and 7.5' at 2:43 PM Tide will be rising during this paddle.
Current information: NA
Hazards:
Wind strength: Level 3: 12-16 knots (19 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 3: Waves to 3', breaking waves to 2'
Sea state: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 3
Rating Comments: We may have light wind and small swell, a sunny warm day or we may have wind, waves and swell that meet the L-3 criterion. I don't know yet. It will be a new and rocky shore and pretty environment possibly new to some paddlers.
Location: Port Orford Head
Photos (Optional): yes
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Port Orford station 9431647
Link to map of route (Optional) Follow someone from campsite or use your GPS.

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon