Surfski Knowledge Base

(From North Camano Island Northward)

Utsalady to La Conner 11/11
justinbeals@gmail.com
11/13/23 #34717

I thought I'd take an attempt at something down wind on 11/11 after the storm hit. Drove down to Utsalady Point and paddled to La Conner. As I was in search of a more steady southerly I waited to kick off till 11:30.

Conditions were great until about a km from the entrance to Swinomish Channel when I got hit by a pretty strong squall coming over the backside of Whidbey. The rain was so thick I couldn't see for about 15 minutes. Then the wind turned a strong westerly and I had to head towards Whidbey to clear the entrance to Swinomish Channel. Great ride, beautiful day, some excitement.

View from Utsalady at launch.

Justin

Reivers Dustin 11/13/23 #34720

That can get dang chunky until you get into the channel. I guess you can sneak in near Goat Island. I do not recommend the “back door”. There is/was an opening into the channel through the breakwater to the East of Goat Island. But if it's southerly wind, that's total gnar along there and it's a lee shore.

Kind of a bold paddle. Not very many exit points along the way.

( Ed. See also Swinomish Channel Tides )

justinbeals@gmail.com
11/13/23 #34722

I agree Reivers Dustin. There is an opening in the rock wall on the east side of Goat Island but it's really shallow and if you get it wrong in a southerly it will be a bad scene.

I planned to enter at the entrance of the channel. The rocks that line the channel on the north and south sides are very sharp and barely awash at a high tide.

Also there is a lot of current and mixed waves every time I've been at the entrance of the channel. Sometimes it feels like a big eddy even when the tide should be ebbing. Perhaps strong currents out of Deception Pass create some strangeness.