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SSKC Public Comments

SSKC has filed lengthy public comments on the National Marine Fisheries Service proposal to limit access to the west coast of San Juan Island as part of a plan to protect Southern Resident killer whales (orcas).

The Seattle Sea Kayak Club is the place where novices and experts swap stories, share kayaking info, and have fun doing it. The club has an informal social atmosphere which fosters opportunities to meet other paddlers. The club offers a regular monthly newsletter, monthly meetings, and trips.

We are not a large club. We don’t even have business meetings or elections. We seek to maintain a friendly, personal type of atmosphere where club members can get acquainted easily.

Meetings at REI

Meetings cover a variety of topics and frequently include slides, videos, guest speakers, and story exchanges. Meetings are typically at the REI Flagship store in Seattle on the last Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. There’s no meeting in December. June is an outdoor potluck, and July and August we’re all gone paddling. Please feel free to bring guests.

A two-part program - one part set in Southeastern Europe, the other amid Washington's North Cascades -- will offer a sharp contrast in paddling experiences.

DeDe Chinlund's digital slide show will provide a glimpse of Croatia and its paddling attractions. Using a commercial "mother ship" as their base, Chinlund and others kayaked and sailed between the cities of Dubrovnich and Split on the Adriatic Sea. The weather was warm, the food was good and history was everywhere.

In a different vein was a paddling trip led by Marlla Mhoon on Baker Lake in Washington's North Cascades. Though just a couple-hour drive from Seattle, the lake's forested east side offers a wilderness feel, great views of Mt. Baker, relaxed paddling and plentiful tent sites. Debi Scacco and Judy Blake will present digital slides of the trip.

Membership

Dues for joining the Seattle Sea Kayak Club and becoming part of this enthusiastic and creative organization of kayakers are only $15 per year – single, couple, or family. You may join at the club meeting or by mailing in an application form.

If you join between October 1 and December 31, pay $18 for a 15-month membership (that is, through the end of the following year).

Newsletter

The newsletter contains a broad variety of information related to sea kayaking, from updates on gear and environmental issues to events around Puget Sound, and reports from club members on trips and kayaking experiences. The newsletter also prints requests for people seeking paddling partners, ads for used boats, etc. We welcome (ok, beg for) contributions from members.

Trips

The kayak club offers trips which range from short evening paddles to long weekends and week-long trips. The 2009 trip schedule has over 50 trips and events. The trips are open to SSKC members and their guests. The club also assists members in getting paddlers together who want to do longer expeditions.

We have an annual Trip Planning Party for all members, usually in late January. You need not be an expert kayaker to offer a trip, but you should select a trip that is comfortable for your skill level. You may come prepared with ideas for trips or get advice at the planning party from other, more experienced members. Trip schedules usually come out in late February. We mail them with the newsletter, or upon joining the club, and keep the schedule up to date on the website (for members only) with additions and corrections.