Orcas Island Event - Bioluminescence paddle - L2

When
September 18, 2026
7:00 PM
Location
Campsite
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:: Mark Niemann-Ross
Email address::mark@niemannross.com
Phone:: 5038602183
Activity Title:: Bioluminescence paddle
Date of Activity:: 9/18/2026
Narrative:: September will be a great time to see bioluminescence and Orcas island will be a great place to do it.

This is a level-two nighttime paddle and all participants are required to bring headlamps with red-light settings.

We will launch after sunset (7:17 pm), then paddle along the shore until we find a place devoid of man-made light. Any minute now, we'll see the miracle of bioluminescence. This is an experience you'll never forget.

Both time and distance will be kept to a minimum.
Meeting Time:: 7:00:00 PM
Launch Time:: 7:30:00 PM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Orcas Island. Exact location tbd
Take out:: same as put-in
Route Alternative for bad weather:: cancel
Required equipment::
Minimum Immersion protection:: Farmer John
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:: 65
Estimated Water Temperature:: 60
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 2 hours
Tide times & heights:: to come
Current information::
Hazards:: Night paddling
Wind strength:: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state:: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no 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 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing:: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 2
Rating Comments:: L2 because of night paddle
Location:: tbd - Orcas Island
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: Orcas Island, WA
Link to map of route (Optional):

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon