Orcas Island Event - Victim Island to Blind Bay - L2

When
September 18, 2026
8:30 AM
Location
Victim Island
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

Timestamp: 7/31/2026 15:51:25
Full Name:: Mark Niemann-Ross
Email address::mark@niemannross.com
Phone:: 5028602183
Activity Title:: Victim Island to Blind Bay
Date of Activity:: 9/18/2026
Narrative:: Starting at the beach launch at Four Winds, we'll paddle south along Deer Harbor, past Double Island, then cross over to Shaw Island. Once on the north shore of Shaw Island, we'll paddle east to Blind Harbor.

Once in Blind Harbor, we'll circumnavigate Blind Island, maybe eat an apple from the trees on the island, make use of the composting toilets, then paddle to the south shore of Blind Bay in search of a lunch spot. See this link for more details on Blind Island ( https://parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/blind-island-marine-state-park-history )

After a fantastic lunch, we'll paddle north to the south shore of Orcas Island, then north to Oak Island and cross over for a return to Victim Island.
Meeting Time:: 8:30:00 AM
Launch Time:: 9:00:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Four Winds / Victim Island
Take out:: Round Trip
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Fewer crossings
Required equipment::
Minimum Immersion protection:: Full wet suit
Primary Organizer:: Mark Niemann-Ross
Co-Organizer(s)::
Has organizer paddled here before?: No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: Yes
First Aid /CPR Person::
Maximum number of paddlers:: 5
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 70
Estimated Water Temperature:: 60
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 6 hours
Tide times & heights:: high feet
1:30pm 1.41
11:14pm 2.7

low feet
8:25am 0.68
5:35pm 0.7
Current information:: zero to 1.7 knots
Hazards:: Shipping traffic
Wind strength:: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: 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 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents:: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance:: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing:: Level 2: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 2
Rating Comments::
Location:: 286 Four Winds Rd, Deer Harbor, WA 98243
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: Friday Harbor, WA - Station ID: 9449880

Link to map of route (Optional):

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon