Deception Pass Dash

Ruby Creek Boathouse to host the 2011 Dash

2011-08-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

Hey all Dashers,
With many thanks to the generous time and efforts from the Corson crew at Outdoor Adventure Center over the past 3 years, Ruby Creek Boathouse is officially at the helm of the Dash this year. All the details can be found on Ruby Creek's web site under the "races" tab.

Our friends and colleagues at OAC -- Blair, Kathy, Jared, Jessica, & Justin with parents Karen & Bill -- will continue as Presenting Sponsors of the event, so their friendly happy faces, that you've all seen and gotten to know, will still be around.

The Dash is growing this year, and will be a 2-day winter paddling fest on December 3 & 4, with the race happening on Sunday morning the 4th of December. See you out there!

This paddling race is FREE! No kidding.

2011-04-04T10:44:00.001-07:00

If your competition budget is squeezed, this is the race for you. As George Bailey once said… “huh? That’s my trick ear. Sounded like you said ‘no charge’.”

That's right George, with many thanks to the Olympic Peninsula Paddling club, the 6th Annual Coho Dodge and Dash is set for Sunday morning, April 17^th, at 9am at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles, over a 3.6 nautical mile course starting and finishing in front of the Red Lion Hotel. It's all part of the 11th Annual Port Angeles Kayak Symposium. The race is free, but please be there before 8:30am to sign in. No preregistration needed, just sign up when you get there and get going!

Competition is in 8 categories, with prizes provided by OPP and Olympic Raft & Kayak.

Since the race is part of the Port Angeles Kayak Symposium on the same weekend, ask for the Symposium discount when you call (360) 452-9215 for a room at the Symposim Host Hotel Port Angeles Red Lion. Rooms include the Roaring Start Breakfast Buffet! ...then take a quick walk to the beach and roar down the race course.

Learn to paddle the fast lane with Don Kiesling!

If you come out on Saturday for the Symposium, don’t miss preparing for the race in Don Kiesling’s “Racing Skills for the Everyday Paddler”, clinics #360 and #385, at the Symposium registration page .

Let's race! See you out there!

Race For Your Life Standings

2010-12-10T12:00:00.001-08:00

“You put her in WHAT boat class?”

Congrats to all the Dash racers who earned points in the 2010-11 Race For Your Life Series!

Recap: boat class winners receive points for the number of racers in their class, plus a two-point bonus, to a max of 12 points.

2^nd place gets the number of racers in the class, minus 1… 3^rd place, minus 2, etc.

All finishers get at least one point.

The next event in the Race For Your Life Series is the New Years Challenge, January 8^th in Seattle. Register now!

Current RFYL standings after the Dash:

WOMEN:

Sherri Cassuto 12

Susan Conrad 9

Terri Bedford 8

Kimberly Allen 7

Trista Bilmer 7

Heather Nelson 6

Maureen Peterson 6

Debbie Arthur 5

Ayu Othman 5

Suzy Cornell 4

Shawna Franklin 4

Barbara Gronseth 4

Kim Andersson 3

Nadja Baker Zimmerman 3

Cheryl Batty 3

Minnie Fontenelle 3

Vanessa Haycock 3

Theresa Knakal 3

Angela Knightley 3

Tracy Landboe 3

Pam Powell 3

Jodi Wright 3

Traci Cole 2

Alison Graham 2

Aubrey Rosenthal 2

Marianne Banks 1

Julie Beck 1

Cate Burnett 1

Setsuko Cox 1

Megan Kelly 1

Deborah Orth 1

Jennifer Peloquin 1

Sarah Roberts 1

Holly Rutledge 1

Robin Yakhour 1

MEN:

Karl Andersson 12

Troy Husband 12

Gabriel Newton 12

Alan Lipp 11

Beau Whitehead 11

Brandon Nelson 9

Timothy Niemeir 9

Douglas Peele 9

Chuck Curry 8

Drew Dixon 8

Joe Ferguson 8

Jeff Hegedus 8

Jeff Underwood 8

Timothy Burke 7

Larry Bussinger 7

Greg Gilbert 7

Wayne Horodowich 7

Ken Kroeger 7

Brian Page 7

Patrick Aio 6

Brian Boatman 6

Paul Clement 6

Eric Gerstl 6

George Gronseth 6

Warren Williamson 6

Ernie Wong 6

Morris Arthur 5

Thomas Hanny 5

Vance Hashimoto 5

Jiri Richter 5

Michael Riordan 5

Scott Vesey 5

Darrell Bednark 4

Andy Bridge 4

Tom Cartmill 4

Reivers Dustin 4

Blake Hanley 4

Jasen Kaya 4

Robb Nichols 4

Don Rice 4

Michael Woods 4

Brian Arndt 3

Kevin R Bowman 3

Windsor Cheney 3

James Clapp 3

James Doherty 3

Mike Gregory 3

Michael Hammer 3

Matt Hayes 3

John Holtman 3

Andrew Jaquiss 3

Nick Kappas 3

Jeffrey Knakal 3

Michael Lee 3

Robert Meenk 3

Thom Prichard 3

Aaron Rinn 3

Glenn Rogers 3

Peter Wells 3

Mathew Wendell 3

Jim Zimmerman 3

Greg Bawden 2

Geoff Briggs 2

Gary Cassulis 2

Tracy Clapp 2

Michael Cline 2

Robert Freelove 2

Jeff Gassen 2

Sean Gibson 2

Lance Kahn 2

Troy Nishikawa 2

Seth Albanese 1

Harry Allen 1

Gerardo Andaluz 1

John Anderson 1

Dan Baharav 1

Martin Barker 1

Jeff Bedford 1

Thomas Borst 1

Matthew Charles 1

Clement Corbiell 1

David Couvrette 1

Brent Couvrette 1

Carl Darmer 1

David Desertspring 1

Keith Doorenbos 1

Patrick Doyle 1

Andrew Elizaga 1

Peter Englander 1

Ted Eugenis 1

John Fiddler 1

John Flynn 1

Terry Fox 1

Ryan Gander 1

Michael Germani 1

Mark Greengo 1

Ed Hand 1

Fred Inman 1

Joseph Kaftan 1

David Kau 1

Don Kiesling 1

Sherman Krantz 1

John Kuntz 1

Paul LaPointe 1

Rick Lingbloom 1

Eric Long 1

Danniel Longboatshortboat 1

Alan Marshall 1

Ed Matkovick 1

Christopher May 1

Patrick McCarty 1

Perry McGinity 1

Eric Mead 1

Larry Obryant 1

David Ortland 1

Eric Paige 1

Mark Peele 1

Mark Peloquin 1

Dean Peterson 1

Bill Porter 1

Scott Prato 1

David Price 1

Henry Romer 1

Greg Routt 1

James Schultz 1

Rembrandt Smith 1

Chris Smith 1

Jerry Sowder 1

Sam Stroich 1

David Thompson 1

Matt Treat 1

Jesse Varsi 1

Marc Whitlock 1

David Willett 1

Ron Wright 1

Links to cool Dash stuff

2010-12-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

Look at that churning water! 155 boats carrying 176 racers leave the starting line for the 5^th Annual Deception Pass Dash.

Thanks to everyone who sent links to the pics, articles and other posts below. This is an awesome collection of memories of this year’s Dash. Keep checking back as I’ll add to the list below as I get more. If you have something you’d like to share, send the link to deceptionpassdash@gmail.com. Thanks!

Don’t forget… the New Year’s Challenge happens on January 8^th and is the second in a points-accrual series leading up to a championship weekend on Lake Washington in July.

Jeff and Theresa Knakal shot this sweet video from the stern of their Maas 2X rowing shell. Awesome! Fast too. Morris and Debbie drafting the rowing shell make quite a sight... they're so perfectly in time that they look like one paddler. Nice!

A special note about copyrighted photos (those with the photographer’s name embedded in the pic) – they are for personal use only, and not to be reposted or used elsewhere on your site without permission and proper credit. Please contact the photographer for info.

Photographer Ashish Aleti posted this set on Flickr, and tried to get at least one shot of every racer.

Gary Luhm got these amazing shots with incredible detail, that have had people speculating on discussion forums about what kind of equipment he was using. I think he’s just a really good photographer.

Sequim boys Don Rice and Michael Woods got some recognition in their local paper.

Brandon (2^nd- HPK-M) and Heather (1^st – HPK-W) Nelson blogged about the race. Heather is 6 months pregnant and is already signed up for the New Year’s Challenge, when she’ll be 7 months along. Does she need to enter as a tandem?

Tim Multrie from Canoe & Kayak magazine just sent me this link to his new article.

Your Race Director had a little time, thanks to all the volunteer help, to shoot some pics too.

Racer Michael Cline posted these pics on Flickr, saying “credits mostly to my wife” but won’t tell us what her name is.

Jim & Nadja Zimmerman, racers and hosts of September’s San Juan Orca Challenge, blogged about the race and included a cool video of the start.

If you’re on Facebook, The Dash Page has links to Facebook albums that members have posted.

Thanks everyone!

Official Dash results

2010-12-09T19:54:00.001-08:00

Boats strung out from Deception Island to the Pass. Photo by Nancy Arends.

Awesome job to all the racers who came out to this year’s Dash! Another tremendous success, thanks to all of you who participated, volunteered, timed, cooked, served, sent prizes, and just came out to watch.

Final numbers:

185 registered racers

9 no-shows = 176 on hand

19 tandems, 1 triple, 135 singles = 155 boats

5 DNF

150 finishers. Congrats!

Please check the official results at:

http://bit.ly/ffIXPQ

Remember, you’re accumulating points* toward big prizes in the Race for Your Life series. The series includes:

DP Dash

New Year’s Challenge on January 8^th in Seattle

Paddle the Dragon on May 7^th in Port Gamble

deFuca Downwind on June 11^th in Port Angeles

Race for Your Life Championship weekend, July 30-31 in Seattle

*RFYL points system: in each boat class, the winner earns points equal to the number of boats in that class, plus a 2-point bonus.

2^nd place receives the number of boats in the class, minus 1. 3^rd place, minus 2, etc.

For classes of more than 10, the winner receives a max of 12 points; 2^nd place, 9, etc.; 10^th and below all receive 1 point.

For tandems, triples, OC6, and other team boats, each paddler in the boat, individually, receives the total number of points earned by that boat’s place in their class.

Racers may enter different classes in each race, and accumulate points toward the single big prize on Championship Weekend.

Standings with Dash results will be posted shortly.

Sweeeet Sponsor List!

2010-11-30T22:42:00.001-08:00

At last, the 2010 official list of DP Dash Sponsors and non-profit partners. Please, if you dig the Dash, show your love for these truly supportive organizations by buying their stuff. They’ve sent raffle prizes, helped out with OAC’s expenses, and some are even bringing display booths of their stuff right to the Dash. Check out this impressive list, and thank you thank you to all our sponsors –

Alki Kayak Tours

Aquasports Paddle Center

Bluewater Kayak Works

Body Boat Blade International

Cascade Designs

Cathy Federici Massage

Canoe & Kayak Magazine

Danuu Kayak & Canoe Covers

Kayakers Go Coastal

Kayak Academy

Kokatat

MTI/Palm Equipment

Northwest Kayaks

NRS

Olympic Outdoor Center

Olympic Raft & Kayak

Outdoor Adventures

Perfect Wave Surf Shop

Ruby Creek Boat House

Sea Kayaker Magazine

Snap Dragon Designs

Stohlquist Waterware

University of Sea Kayaking

And… the Dash has partnered with these non-profits – looking for your support to advocate for the paddling experiences you love!

American Canoe Association

Leave No Trace

Washington Water Trails

Dash safety

2010-11-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

Really... this was safer than it looks... Sean Watson photo

Here are a few reminders as we get close to race day. The weather and sea state are predicted to be mild but there are still hazards out there. You can minimize your personal risk by using good judgment and following a few simple guidelines.

-- You must WEAR a CG-approved pfd and carry a whistle during the race.

-- You are responsible for your own safety. Be aware of the conditions, and use your judgment on whether you can handle the sea state. Do not take risks beyond your ability that would put your friendly safety boaters in danger.

-- Be prepared for immersion in extremely cold water.

-- If our crew does need to assist you, your rescue is our first priority. This may mean your equipment gets lost or damaged if we are on the scene taking care of you.

-- Know the course! If you haven't paddled it, check your charts, ask experienced paddlers for advice, and take a look at the Secret Pirate Map and accompanying narrative on the Dash Blog.

Stay updated on the weather and wind conditions at NOAA’s site right here. Be sure to tab down to “Northern Inland Waters including the San Juan Islands”.

Have fun, be safe. We’ll see you out there!

172 racers - and still 2 more days to register!

2010-11-30T21:38:00.001-08:00

As of Monday morning, 11/29, we had 172 racers on the roster. LOTS of tandems this year… including a Hobie pedal tandem, which will CRUISE!

Here’s the list. If you have a (+1) next to your name, it means you registered one or more paddler besides yourself and we don’t have the name. So please contact Bill Walker at deceptionpassdash@gmail.com with the name of your extra paddler.

Patrick Aio

Seth Albanese

Kimberly Allen Shoreline, WA FSK-W

Harry Allen Bremerton, WA SK-M

Gerardo Andaluz Blaine, WA SK-M

John Anderson Seattle, WA SK-M

Kim Andersson Portland, OR 2SK-W

Karl Andersson Portland, OR FSK-M

Brian Arndt Anacortes, WA pedal-M

Morris Arthur Bellingham, WA 2HPK-M

Debbie Arthur 2HPK-M

Dan Baharav Bellingham, WA 2SK-M

Nadja Baker Zimmerman Anacortes, WA 2SK-mx

Marianne Banks Anacortes, WA SK-W

Cheryl Batty Bellingham, WA 2OC-mx

Greg Bawden Duvall, WA HPK-M

Julie Beck 2SK-mx

Terri Bedford Folsom, CA SK-W

Jeff Bedford Folsom, CA SK-M

Darrel Bednark Seattle, WA Pdbd-M

Trista Bilmer Vancouver BC

Brian Boatman Bellingham, WA 2OC-M

Erik Borgnes Sequim, WA

Thomas Borst Marblemount, WA SK-M

Kevin R Bowman Bellingham, WA FSK-M

Andy Bridge Sultan, WA 2SK-mx

Geoff Briggs Port Orchard WA 2OC-M

Timothy Burke Olympia, WA SK-M

Cate Burnett Index, WA SK-W

Larry Bussinger Bellingham, WA HPK-M

Wendy Carter Bremerton, WA OC1-W

George Cartmill Seattle, WA SK-M

Gary Cassulis Vancouver BC 2HPK-M

Sherri Cassuto Seattle, WA SK-W

Matthew Charles Issaquah, WA SK-M

W. Scott Cheney Mount Vernon, WA 2Pedal-M

Tracy Clapp Duvall, WA 2SK-mx

Paul Clayton Seattle, WA SK-M

Paul Clement Bellingham, WA HPK-M

Michael Cline Seattle, WA FSK-M

Traci Cole Kenmore, WA HPK-W

Susan Conrad

Clement Corbiell Lakewood, WA OC1-M

Suzy Cornell 2SK-mx

David Couvrette Kenmore, WA HPK-M

Brent Couvrette Woodinville, WA HPK-M

Setsuko Cox Lynnwood, WA SK-W

Chuck Curry Bainbridge Island, WA FSK-M

Carl Darmer Olalla, WA FSK-M

David Desertspring Gig Harbor, WA SK-M

Drew Dixon Langley, WA SK-M

Keith Doorenbos Seattle, WA SK-M

James Dougherty Shoreline, WA SUP-M

Reivers Dustin

Andrew Elizaga Tacoma, WA

Peter Englander Portland, OR SK-M

Ted Eugenis Portland OR SK

Joe Ferguson Mukilteo, WA OC1-M

John Fiddler Seattle, WA HPK-W

John Flynn Seattle, WA HPK-M

Minnie Fontenelle Seattle, WA OC1-W

Terry Fox Issaquah, WA FSK-M

Heath Foxlee 2SK-M

Shawna Franklin Eastsound, WA

Robert Freelove Everett, WA SK-M

Leon P Gander New Westminster BC SK-M

Ryan Gander (+1) SK-M

Jeff Gassen Seattle, WA SUP-M

Michael Germani Tacoma, WA SK-M

Eric Gerstl Bellingham, WA 2OC-M

Sean Gibson Vancouver BC 2HPK-M

Greg Gilbert Seattle, WA SUP-M

Alison Graham Point Roberts, WA SK-W

Mark Greengo SeaTac, WA SK-M

Barbara Gronseth (+1)

Arthur Hamm (+1) Des Moines, WA

Michael Hammer Mount Vernon, WA 2OC-mx

Michael Hammer Registered twice? 2OC-mx

Ed Hand Renton, WA

Blake Hanley SUP-M

Thomas Hanny Kirkland, WA

Vance Hashimoto Honolulu, HI OC1-M

Matt Hayes Port Orchard, WA 3SK-M

Jeff Hegedus Bellingham, WA HPK-M

John Holtman La Conner, WA OWII-M

Wayne Horodowich Mill Creek, WA FSK-M

Troy Husband Burlington, WA FSK-M

Fred Inman Dupont, WA

Andrew Jaquiss SK-M

Joseph Kaftan Seattle WA HPK-M

Lance Kahn Bremerton, WA 2OC-M

Nick Karras Mount Vernon, WA 2Pedal-M

David Kau Eastsound, WA SK-M

Megan Kelly

Jasen Keya Honolulu, HI OC1-M

Don Kiesling Seattle, WA Pdbd-M

Jeffrey Knakal Mill Creek, WA 2OW-mx

Theresa Knakal Mill Creek, WA 2OW-mx

Angela Knightley Seattle, WA 98136 SUP-W

Sherman Krantz Bellingham, WA SK-M

Ken Kroeger Seattle, WA OC1

John Kuntz Poulsbo, WA

Tracy Landboe Shoreline, WA HPK-W

Paul LaPointe Woodinville, WA SK-M

Michael Lee Burbank, CA 2OC-M

Rick Lingbloom Bellingham, WA 2HPK-M

Alan Lipp Bellingham, WA OC1-M

Eric Long Spanaway, WA SK-M

Danniel Longboatshortboat Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, BC, Canada HPK-M

Alan Marshall Kirklnad, WA SK-M

Ed Matkovick Issaquah WA SK-M

Christopher May Woodinville, WA SK-M

Patrick McCarty Portland, OR SK-M

Perry McGinity

Erin McSween Oak Harbor, WA

Eric Mead 2SK-M

Robert Meenk Olympia, WA OWIII

Eric Miller

Heather Nelson Bellingham, WA HPK-W

Brandon Nelson Bellingham, WA HPK-M

Gabriel Newton

Robb Nichols Anacortes, WA FSK-M

Troy Nishikawa Redmond, WA OC1-M

Larry Obryant Lopez Island, WA

Deborah Orth Gig Harbor, WA SK-W

David Ortland Bellevue, WA FSK-M

Ayu Othman Seattle, WA SK-W

Brian Page Vancouver BC

Mark Peele Tacoma, WA SK-M

Douglas Peele Gig Harbor, WA FSK-M

Dean Peterson Seattle, WA HPK-M

Maureen Peterson Seattle, WA SK-W

Bill Porter Kirkland, WA SK-M

Pam Powell Graham, WA SK-W

Scott Prato Aberdeen, WA SK-M

David Price Woodinville, WA 2SK-mx

Thom Prichard Bellingham, WA HPK-M

Don Rice Sequim, WA 2SK-M

Jiri Richter Seattle, WA HPK-M

Aaron Rinn Edmonds, WA 3SK-M

Michael Riordan Eastsound, WA FSK-M

Glenn Rogers Gig Harbor, WA 3SK-M

Henry Romer Olympia, WA SK-M

Aubrey Rosenthal 2SK-mx

Greg Routt Seattle, WA

Holly Rutledge Bellingham, WA SK-W

James Schultz Duvall, WA HPK-M

Rembrandt Smith Anacortes, WA SK-M

Chris Smith

Leon Somme Eastsound, WA

Jerry Sowder Washougal WA SK-M

Melissa Spangler Seattle, WA SK-W

Sam Stroich Walla Walla, WA HPK-M

David Thompson

Jesse Varsi Anacortes, WA FSK-M

Scott Vesey Seattle, WA

Forrest Wells Bainbridge Island, WA FSK-M

Peter Wells Bellingham, WA 2OC-M

Megan White Lynnwood, WA

Beau Whitehead Bellingham, WA

Marc Whitlock 2HPK-M

David Willett Bellingham, WA SK-M

Maxine Williams Shoreline, WA

Warren Williamson Stanwood, WA FSK-M

Ernie Wong Seattle, WA OC1-M

Jodi Wright Portland, OR 2SK-W

Ron Wright Portland, OR SK-M

Robin Yakhour Brush Prairie, WA FSK-W

Jim Zimmerman Anacortes, WA 2SK-mx

Racer Count -- 143!

2010-11-19T22:56:00.000-08:00

With just over two weeks to go we have 143 racers registered. This is an awesome showing – keep those registrations coming in, and remember you have just two days to pay the low entry fee of $45. After midnight Sunday the 21^st of November, it’s $70 per racer… and we can’t guarantee you’ll get a prized Dash tee shirt.

Here’s the list – where it says “+1” it means the person signed up for two but we don’t have the second name yet.

Kimberly Allen Shoreline, WA

Harry Allen Bremerton, WA

Gerardo Andaluz Blaine, WA

John Anderson Seattle, WA

Kim Andersson Portland, OR

Karl Andersson Portland, OR

Morris Arthur +1 Bellingham, WA

Peter Babler Seattle, WA

Dan Baharav Bellingham, WA

Nadja Baker Zimmerman Anacortes, WA

Marianne Banks Anacortes, WA

Greg Bawden Duvall, WA

Terri Bedford Folsom, CA

Jeff Bedford Folsom, CA

Darrel Bednark Seattle, WA

Trista Bilmer Vancouver BC

Brian Boatman +1 Bellingham, WA

Erik Borgnes Sequim, WA

Thomas Borst Marblemount, WA

Kevin R Bowman Bellingham, WA

Andy Bridge Sultan, WA

Timothy Burke Olympia, WA

Cate Burnett Index, WA

Larry Bussinger Bellingham, WA

John Calvin Point Roberts, WA

Wendy Carter Bremerton, WA

George Cartmill Seattle, WA

Sherri Cassuto Seattle, WA

Matthew Charles Issaquah, WA

Norman Clapp +1 Duvall, WA

Paul Clayton Seattle, WA

Paul Clement Bellingham, WA

Michael Cline Seattle, WA

Traci Cole Kenmore, WA

Clement Corbiell Lakewood, WA

Suzy Cornell

David Couvrette Kenmore, WA

Brent Couvrette Woodinville, WA

Setsuko Cox Lynnwood, WA

Chuck Curry Bainbridge Island, WA

Carl Darmer Olalla, WA

David Desertspring Gig Harbor, WA

James Dougherty Shoreline, WA

Andrew Elizaga Tacoma, WA

Peter Englander Portland, OR

Joe Ferguson Mukilteo, WA

John Fiddler Seattle, WA

John Flynn Seattle, WA

Terry Fox Issaquah, WA

Heath Foxlee

Shawna Franklin +1 Eastsound, WA

Robert Freelove Everett, WA

Leon P Gander New Westminster BC

Ryan Gander (son)

Greg Gilbert Seattle, WA

Mark Greengo SeaTac, WA

Arthur Hamm +1 Des Moines, WA

Michael Hammer Mount Vernon, WA

Ed Hand Renton, WA

Thomas Hanny Kirkland, WA

Vance Hashimoto Honolulu, HI

Jeff Hegedus Bellingham, WA

John Holtman La Conner, WA

Wayne Horodowich Mill Creek, WA

Troy Husband Burlington, WA

Fred Inman Dupont, WA

Lance Kahn +1 Bremerton, WA

Manolis Karras +1 Mount Vernon, WA

David Kau Eastsound, WA

Jasen Keya Honolulu, HI

Don Kiesling Seattle, WA

Jeffrey Knakal +1 Mill Creek, WA

Angela Knightley Seattle, WA

Sherman Krantz +1 Bellingham, WA

Ken Kroeger Seattle, WA

John Kuntz Poulsbo, WA

Tracy Landboe Shoreline, WA

Paul LaPointe Woodinville, WA

Michael Lee Burbank, CA

Rick Lingbloom Bellingham, WA

Alan Lipp Bellingham, WA

Eric Long Spanaway, WA

Alan Marshall Kirklnad, WA

Christopher May Woodinville, WA

Patrick McCarty Portland, OR

Perry McGinity

Erin McSween Oak Harbor, WA

Eric Mead

Robert Meenk Olympia, WA

Heather Nelson Bellingham, WA

Brandon Nelson Bellingham, WA

Troy Nishikawa Redmond, WA

Larry Obryant Lopez Island, WA

Deborah Orth Gig Harbor, WA

David Ortland Bellevue, WA

Brian Page Vancouver BC

Mark Peele Tacoma, WA

Douglas Peele Gig Harbor, WA

Dean Peterson Seattle, WA

Maureen Peterson Seattle, WA

Bill Porter Kirkland, WA

Pam Powell Graham, WA

Scott Prato Aberdeen, WA

David Price +1 Woodinville, WA

Thom Prichard Bellingham, WA

Don Rice Sequim, WA

Jiri Richter Seattle, WA

Michael Riordan Eastsound, WA

Henry Romer Olympia, WA

Greg Routt Seattle, WA

James Schultz Duvall, WA

Rembrandt Smith Anacortes, WA

Chris Smith

Jerry Sowder Washougal WA

Melissa Spangler Seattle, WA

Sam Stroich Walla Walla, WA

Jesse Varsi Anacortes, WA

Scott Vesey Seattle, WA

Forrest Wells Poulsbo, WA

Peter Wells Bellingham, WA

Megan White Lynnwood, WA

Beau Whitehead Bellingham, WA

Marc Whitlock

David Willett Bellingham, WA

Maxine Williams Shoreline, WA

Warren Williamson Stanwood, WA

Ernie Wong +1 Seattle, WA

Jodi Wright Portland, OR

Ron Wright Portland, OR

Robin Yakhour Brush Prairie, WA

Jim Zimmerman Anacortes, WA

Please call or email with your questions or concerns – see you out there on race day!

Bill Walker

Ruby Creek Boathouse LLC

206-940-6269

RACE DIRECTOR

Lodging & Camping at the Dash

2010-11-17T21:11:00.001-08:00

Check it out. Lodging for the Dash features some nice local places.

Coachman Inn was a sponsor of the 2009 Dash – in Oak Harbor http://www.thecoachmaninn.com/index.html Special note for Coachman Inn guests: You GOTTA go next door to Frank’s Place for breakfast. Frank is from Hawaii and really digs two things: US Military collectibles, and SPAM. Pretty much every menu item can be ordered with Spam. And Elvis is just outside the door (unless he’s traveled to a gig in town).

The Cap Sante in Anacortes was also a sponsor of the 2009 Dash. http://www.capsanteinn.com/

Or try the Fidalgo Inn on Hwy 20 where you turn to head south for DP - http://www.fidalgocountryinn.com/

The closest lodging to the Dash is Campbell Lake Lodge - http://www.lakecampbelllodging.com/index.php

Or, if you’re going to tough it out and camp, the campsite loop at Bowman Bay next to the start-finish line is closed for the season. But the main campground across the bridge is open all year and you can get more info at:

http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Deception%20Pass …just be clear on the warnings about the Sound of Freedom from NAS Whidbey down the road. The north end of the runway is just 2.5 miles from the park and you may hear jets any time of day or night.

The Fidalgo-Whidbey area is a beautiful place. Take your time and look around.

Volunteer job list - 2010 Dash

2010-11-17T00:40:00.001-08:00

Feel like helping out with the 2010 DP Dash? Well we’d love to have you. As our thanks, you’ll receive a Dash tee shirt, a warm meal, and one raffle entry for some awesome prizes. Here are some areas where you can contribute, and names of people to contact:

Safety boaters: If you’re trained and experienced in rough-water rescue scenarios, and willing to let Blair grill you a little bit on your skill level, this is a fun and challenging part of our volunteer crew. The racers will love you for being out there. Please contact Blair Corson, info@outdooradventurecenter.com or 425-883-9039.

Safety crew, 2007 Dash... thanks guys!

Race operations, Check-in & Timing – please pick two of the following 4 jobs, depending on your schedule and availability.

Please contact Bill Walker, rubycreekboathouse@gmail.com or 206-940-6269.

2-3 people for Thursday night 12/2 at Ruby Creek Boathouse in Anacortes, sorting tee shirts and preparing boat numbers and other essentials.

3-4 people for Friday night setup at Bowman Bay, about 3pm til dark or a little later – help with tents and arranging the check-in area; early-bird check-in and possible boat corral setup.

8-10 people for Saturday check-in 9am-1pm: verify racer info; collect waivers; hand out tee shirts, boat numbers & raffle entries; assist racers with boat numbers.

6-8 people for Saturday timing & results, on the dock, noon-4pm: Set up timers’ tent area, record finish times and compile results. Dress warmly, this is a chilly job.

Food and raffle – please contact Kathy or Jared Corson, info@outdooradventurecenter.com or 425-883-9039.

Setsuko is racing this year... can anyone replace her soup? Naaa, didn't think so. (thanks, Ramblin Lamb Photography)

Current volunteer list – please let me know if I got anything wrong. Land-based folks, please let me know which will be your second job:

Safety boaters: Beth Bielstein, Rhonda Schwab, Bob Weathers, Bob Burnett, Ken Biddle, Jeanette Rogers, Cathy Haggerty, Leslie Mix, Jim Oosterhof, Max Stevens, & Power Boat Pilot Capn Tom Dillard.

Thursday night: -- room for 3

Friday night: -- Karen Scharer, Whende Keatts & room for 2 more

Sat check-in: Dede Chinlund, Cathy Federici, Whende Keatts, Elise Mebel, Karen Scharer, Linda Sanford, Kathleen Murphy, Mary Oosterhof, Tim Hallmark, Debbie Gillaspie, Marty Houser

Sat timing: Tim Hallmark, Mary Oosterhof, Debbie Gillaspie, Rich Knapton, Cathy Federici, Linda Sanford, Marty Houser, Kathleen Murphy & Denny Lange

Thanks everyone, see you out there!

Boston Bob says "calling all happy paddlers... get on out here!" (thanks, Ramblin Lamb Photography)

Practice run Sunday 11/14

2010-11-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

Attention: The Coast Guard will NOT be in attendance at this practice run.

Check out the conditions and the course (be sure to bring your top secret pirate map) along with some of your fellow racers... smack talk all you want and take a practice run through the Pass, Sunday morning November 14th. Slack before ebb is at 10:03am so plan on starting about 9:40. There will be no formal start, so bring your stopwatch, start when you want and go at your own pace.

2010-11-14  7:16 AM PST   Sunrise
2010-11-14 10:03 AM PST  -0.00 knots  Slack, Ebb Begins
2010-11-14 12:52 PM PST  -6.02 knots  Max Ebb
2010-11-14  4:32 PM PST   Sunset

Maybe we'll get summer-like weather like we did for last year's test paddle:
http://deceptionpassdash.blogspot.com/2009/11/sups-test-run-successful.html

NOAA Forecast:

NORTHERN INLAND WATERS INCLUDING THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS-
900 AM PST WED NOV 10 2010

SAT AND SUN
SE WIND 10 TO 20 KT. WIND WAVES 1 TO 3 FT.

This is a non-sanctioned, informal practice paddle. Ruby Creek, OAC, and any other involved entities in the 12/4 real Dash, are NOT in charge here. It's just a bunch of paddlers getting together to have some fun.

That said, it's recommended that you buddy up with a partner(s) before leaving the starting area; look out for each other; bring your safety gear; dress for immersion; and don't do anything stupid.

Race for your life!

2010-11-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

Announcing a joint effort between Paddling Dynamics and Ruby Creek Boathouse – a 4-race series around Puget Sound, PLUS a championship weekend event at Magnuson Park in Seattle.

Points for top finishers will be awarded at:

The DP Dash, December 4^th

The New Years Challenge on Lake Washington, January 8^th

Paddle the Dragon, May

deFuca Downwind, June

Championship Weekend, July

The final weekend will be two awesome days of sprints, distance, multiple boat classes and massive festivities culminating in grand champion awards for the top male and female paddlers.

For a shot at the overall title, you better get out to all five events. More details on exact dates, racer classes and scoring system coming soon.

Outrigger paddlers Ernie Wong and Troy Nishikawa are Paddling Dynamics, and this idea was brewed in their creative minds along with a push from their mate Brady Guinn.

Warmup victory... with a stick!

2010-11-10T06:58:00.001-08:00

Congrats to Wayne Horodowich, winner of the 6-mile race at Kayak Academy’s Greenland Week festivities on Lake Sammamish, November 6^th. Here he smiles for the camera with his stick paddle and blue ribbon… and he’s thinking how much faster he’ll go at the Dash with that awesome wing paddle.

Go Wayne! See you next month!

Top secret pirate map returns!

2010-11-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

It’s back, unchanged but still as useful as always, salvaged from the depths of someone’s old stinky gear bag… the old, yellow, wrinkled pirate map that’ll prep you for the joys of your race.

Let’s dip our paddles and check out what’s happening as we sit in our boats with hearts pounding, waiting to do battle with a couple hundred of our best paddling buddies at the starting line on the right of the page.

The starting line goes from the end of the pier to a buoy we’ll designate in the Bay. Please don’t aggravate the starter by crossing early. We’ll sound five blasts of the air horn with five minutes til the start; three blasts with one minute til the start, and one LONG, UNMISTAKABLE blast to send you flailing on your way.

It’s a mile from the start to Deception Island. If there’s a south wind, you’ll feel it as you pass Reservation Head on your left and head into open water. The ebb noted on the pirate map, running from left to right, won’t be a factor on this leg, but may be on your return.

Deception Island is surrounded by kelp, as are the other two islands on the course. In flat water you can see it as you come up on it; when it’s rough that’s a little harder to do. It can really slow you down when it hits your rudder, so stay wide if you want to avoid it.

There are some rocks on the south side of Deception Island. At this tide level they should not be an issue but they’re also home to the thickest kelp bed on the course so if you can, stay between the rocks and the island like the nifty yellow line here (note that north is UP in this pic, and WEST is up on the pirate map):

From the Island to the big crux move in Deception Pass, where races are won and lost and big strong dudes are reduced to tears watching Sherri Cassuto cruise past, it’s a mile and a half of wide-open water paddling.

When you reach the Pass, you’ll go under the big bridge over the main pass – to the right (south) of Pass Island. Experienced Pass paddlers have their favorite ways of approaching the crux, but here’s the key info: the longer it takes you to get to this point, the stronger the current will be against you and the fewer choices you’ll have. If the ebb is against you already, tuck in behind Pass Island and sneak along the wall in the kelp-filled eddy that gets narrower as you go under the bridge and approach the east end of the island. Hit the power here, this is the crux… do not rest, do not slow down, do not think, just power, power, power through the eddy wall and into the open water of the Pass. Once you’re beyond the end of the island, the current will ease a bit but you’ll still need to crank it the rest of the way – half a mile – to Strawberry Island, the halfway point of the race.

Stay wide again if you want to avoid the kelp, as Strawberry has it too.

It’s a half mile back to Canoe Pass, and now you’re going with the current… so the hard work is over and the fun’s about to start… right? Well, yes, in certain conditions. You may find that friendly 3-4 knot current sending you on a thrill ride into some amazing standing waves at the pinch point in the narrowest part of the Pass, only to spit you into that mile-and-a-half return to Deception Island in a world that looks a lot more confusing than it did 20 minutes ago. OR you might be in swift, glassy water without a ripple except those boiling slicks that keep pushing your bow left and right. OR you might be so busy trying to shake that punkass who’s been drafting you since the start, that you don’t care about the conditions. In any case, slog it back to Deception Island.

If you’re baked, and you want to skip the slog, take “Escape Bay” on your pirate map, or “Lottie Bay” on modern charts. It’s just a short portage from there to the parking lot.

Back to the slog, for that open water crossing to the island, remember the “Ebb” arrow on the pirate map. Heading for the left side of the island, the current will move you a little to the right; even more so in a stiff south wind. And by this point you’re pretty tired, so use your head more than your brawn right here. Point your bow a little more to the left and crab across the channel.

Rounding the island for the last mile back to the dock, it’s even more important to follow this “crabbing” advice. If you end up entering the bay too far to the north, your hull will find some rocks it really isn’t going to like. STAY RIGHT!

The finish line is at the tip of the pier, as close as you can get so the timers can read your boat number. If you’ve lost the number, be ready to holler it out so the officials can hear.

After you’re done, STAY OUT OF THE FINISH AREA. We don’t want to count you twice.

Hit the beach, get out of your boat, and come on back to grab a meal. Nice job!

Directions to the Dash

2010-11-04T16:05:00.001-07:00

Getting to the Dash is simple.

From the I-5 Corridor, give yourself an hour and a half minimum from North Seattle, an hour from Bellingham.

• Take I-5 to exit 230 (Burlington/Hwy 20).

• Go 11.5 miles West

• Follow the signs to turn left (South) and continue on Hwy 20 toward Oak Harbor. DO NOT continue West to Anacortes.

• From this junction, follow Hwy 20 another 5.5 miles. You’ll see Pass Lake on your right.

• At the end of the Lake, turn right on Rosario Road and IMMEDIATELY left into the Park on Bowman Bay Road. DO NOT CROSS the Deception Pass Bridge to the main park entrance.

• The race venue start/finish line is at the Bowman Bay Boat Launch, at the bottom of the hill on Bowman Bay Road. Please follow the signs to unload area as we may ask you to park elsewhere after you unload.

If you're coming from Port Townsend on the ferry, give yourself 45 minutes from Keystone.

• Turn left from the ferry dock and follow the road to Coupeville.

• At the stop light in Coupeville, turn left onto Hwy 20 northbound.

• Follow Hwy 20 through Oak Harbor and continue North to the Deception Pass bridge.

• DO NOT turn left into the main park entrance just before the bridge.

• About a half mile AFTER the bridge, turn left on Rosario Road and IMMEDIATELY left AGAIN into the Park on Bowman Bay Road.

Here's a link to a closeup of the roads leading to Bowman Bay.

Please contact Race Director Bill Walker in advance of race day if you have any questions. Cell coverage really sucks at Bowman Bay.

Bill Walker

206-940-6269

rubycreekboathouse@gmail.com

RACE DIRECTOR,

5th Annual Deception Pass Dash

5th Annual Dash set for December 4th at 1pm

2010-10-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Dashers will be glad to hear that it's confirmed, Outdoor Adventure Center is once again hosting the Deception Pass Dash at Bowman Bay on Saturday, December 4th. This year's Slack Before Ebb is predicted at 1:25pm...

...so we're scheduling the start for 1pm. This gives you 25 minutes to make about 2.5 nautical miles from the starting line to the crux move at the top of Pass Island. The rest is cake. Right? We'll see.

Based on your feedback from the 2009 race, we may move the start time based on conditions. In challenging weather we may make it earlier, or in flat conditions we may even move it back a little. In any case please be at the High Noon Mandatory Racer Meeting.

Sign up for the 2010 Deception Pass Dash right here:
http://www.outdooradventurecenter.com/40227/Deception-Pass-Dash.html

... and we'll see you out there!
Stay tuned right here for updates. Please contact Bill Walker, Race Director, with any questions or comments. deceptionpassdash@gmail.com or 206-940-6269.

de Fuca Downwind June 12

2010-05-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

On June 12, 2010, the inaugural de Fuca Downwind race takes off from Freshwater Bay and heads, downwind of course, 13.5 miles to Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles. All the info is on the Olympic Raft & Kayak web site, and be sure to connect with us on Facebook!

Gabe Newton came up with the idea for the race after researching the weather trends for the area and finding that prevailing downwind conditions are most reliable in June.

Many thanks to Dick and Jason at Discovery Sea Kayaks of Friday Harbor, major sponsors of the Downwind and 2-time awardees as one of National Geographic Adventure's best outfitters in the world...
...and to the Red Lion Inn on the finish line at Hollywood Beach, official hotel of the Downwind.

Winter Paddlesports Races

2009-12-30T11:27:00.001-08:00

Info on Winter races below forwarded by Shane Baker. Thanks Shane!

Also don't forget the Sound Rowers races (http://www.soundrowers.org/) starting with LaConner on Feb 6 and Lake Sammamish on March 13. Lots of fun opportunities for racers this year.

Mark your calendar -- Here is an updated 2010 Winter Series Race Schedule.

In addition to this list below, there is an Annual Fox Island paddle around Fox Island at 10am on January 1st. At the Fox Island Bridge. contact Shane Baker at Kiwibaker@aol.com if interested for more details.

Happy New Year!

2010 New Year's Challenge - This Weekend!
OC-1/2/6, Surfskis, Kayaks, SUP'S and non-motorized watercrafts
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Race Starts at 11:00am
6.5 mile downwinder from Gasworks Park to Magnuson Park or vice-versa depending on winds

More details and info to come or see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=185806376055&mid=17f9351G222b4f4aG3529d9bG7
Hosted by the Sail Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club

Ruston Way Solo/Relay
Tacoma, Washington
March 20th, 2010
On Tacoma's Commencement Bay
Jack Hyde Park
Open to all OC's, Surfski's, Kayaks, SUP's and non-motorized watercrafts
10.5 miles Solo or Partners of 2 - 8 paddlers 2.6 miles per lap(4 total laps)
Registration at 9am
Race Starts at 11am
(special fundraiser for our 2010 World Sprint Paddler headed to New Caledonia)
Hosted by PNW-ORCA

2010 PNW-ORCA WINTER SERIES RACE SCHEDULE

January 16th - B.C. Canada - Jericho OCC - 11am

January 30th - Lake Union, Wa. - Hui Wa'a O Wakinikona - 11am

February 13th - Portland, Oregon - Mountain Home CC - 11am

February 27th - Silverdale, Washington - Hui Heihei Wa'a - 11am

March 13th - Portland, Oregon - Kai Ikaika CC - 11am

March 27th - B.C. Canada - False Creek CC - 11am

April 10th - Sand Point, Washington - Sail Sand Point OCC - 11am

Check www.pnworca.org for more details on race series and points

Please pass on to your paddlers

Mahalo and Happy Holidays!

Final results

2009-12-17T23:59:00.001-08:00

Thanks for your comments and edits to the two preliminary passes at the results. We cleared up a couple things regarding times and boat classes, so it looks like the list below is a final-final. Sorry about the formatting with all the commas… if you’d like a spreadsheet please email deceptionpassdash@gmail.com and we’ll send one along.

Mark your calendar for the 5^th annual Dash, Saturday December 4^th 2010, 1pm start. See you out there!

place, place-div, First Name, Last name, Home Town, Boat model, Div., time

1, 1, Greg, Barton, Seattle WA, Epic V12, HPK-M, 46:24

2, 1, Tyler, Peterson, Burien WA, Maas 24, OWIII-M, 47:33

3, 2, Erik , Borgnes, Sturgeon Bay WI, Epic v12, HPK-M, 48:35

4, 1, Larry Goolsby & Shaun Sullivan, Ferndale WA, Fenn Mako XT, 2HPK-M, 48:58

5, 3, David , Jacobson, Bellingham WA, Fenn Elite, HPK-M, 50:33

6, 4, Gabriel, Newton, Seattle WA, Epic V10 L, HPK-M, 50:35

7, 5, Chris , Dobrovolny, Vancouver BC Canada, think Evo, HPK-M, 51:19

8, 6, Jeffrey , Hegedus, Bellingham WA, Epic V10, HPK-M, 51:23

9, 1, Brian Boatman, Eric Gerstl, Bellingham WA, Tiger 2, 2OC-M, 52:09

10, 7, Matt, Kelly, Vancouver BC Canada, think Uno, HPK-M, 52:26

11, 2, Sean Gibson & Gary Cassulis, North Vancouver CA, Fenn Mako XT, 2HPK-M, 53:33

12, 8, Bob , Putnam, Vancouver BC Canada, Epic V10 Super Elite, HPK-M, 53:43

13, 2, Lance Kahn & Geoff Briggs, Bremerton WA, Huki OC2, 2OC-M, 54:00

14, 9, Reivers, Dustin, Bellingham WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, 54:29

15, 10, Roger, Lamb, Bellingham WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, 54:35

16, 1, Shane Baker & Traci Cole, Port Orchard WA & Kenmore WA, Ruahine Adv. Duet, 2SK-mx, 54:38

17, 1, Michael Gregory & Scarlett Johansson, Bellingham WA, Fenn Mako XT, 2HPK-mx, 54:40

18, 1, Aaron Rinn, Glenn Rogers, Ryan Van Gorder, Seattle WA, NWK Seascape 3, 3SK-M, 55:47

19, 2, Howard, Lee, Seattle WA, Maas 24, OWIII-M, 56:16

20, 11, David , Couvrette, Seattle WA, Epic V10, HPK-M, 57:27

21, 1, Andy Bridge & Greg Dutton, Sultan WA, Seaward Passat, 2SK-M, 57:46

22, 12, Steven, Jones, Seattle WA, Epic V10, HPK-M, 58:20

23, 13, Rick , Lingbloom, Bellingham WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, 58:26

24, 2, Trista Bilmer & Brian Page, Vancouver BC Canada, Nelo Waterman tandem, 2SK-mx, 58:29

25, 14, Paul , Clement, Bellingham WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, 58:35

26, 1, Brady, Guinn, Seattle WA, Hurricane , OC1-M, 58:39

27, 15, John , Flynn, Seattle WA, think Evo, HPK-M, 59:00

28, 16, Greg , Bawden, Duvall WA, Huki S1-R, HPK-M, 59:01

29, 17, Charles , Curry, Bainbridge Island WA, Epic 18X, HPK-M, 59:13

30, 1, Karl, Andersson, Portland OR, Necky Looksha II, FSK-M, 59:24

31, 2, Wayne, Horodowich, Mill Creek WA, Home made Skin Boat, FSK-M, 59:54

32, 2, Michael , Hammer, Mt Vernon WA, , OC1-M, 60:41

33, 18, Brent, Couvrette, Seattle WA, Epic V10, HPK-M, 61:07

34, 3, Jim, Zimmerman, Anacortes WA, Necky Looksha III, FSK-M, 61:10

35, 4, Leon, Somme, Eastsound WA, Kirton Inuk, FSK-M, 61:26

36, 1, Brandon, Nelson, Bellingham WA, Sterling Grand Illusion, SK-M, 61:27

37, 3, Ken, Kroeger, Seattle WA, Kamanu Pueo, OC1-M, 61:53

38, 19, Andrew , Losli, Forest Grove OR, Futura II, HPK-M, 62:14

39, 20, Joe, Kaftan, Seattle WA, Epic 18x, HPK-M, 62:19

40, 21, Michael , Cline, Seattle WA, Nelo Moskito FW2000, HPK-M, 62:23

41, 22, Pete , Wylie, Lanikai HI, Epic 18x Sport, FSK-M, 62:25

42, 23, Andrew , Elizaga, Tacoma WA, Epic 18X, HPK-M, 62:47

43, 1, Sherri, Cassuto, Seattle Wa, Eddyline Raven, SK-W, 62:59

44, 2, John, Thoreson, Seattle WA, Xplore S, SK-M, 63:26

45, 2, Chris Smith & David Price, Auburn WA & Woodinville WA, NDK Triton, 2SK-M, 63:31

46, 5, Warren, Williamson, Stanwood WA, Superior Hawk, FSK-M, 63:53

47, 2, Shawna , Franklin, Eastsound WA, NDK Greenlander Pro, SK-W, 63:57

48, 24, Michael, Dee, , , HPK-M, 64:15

49, 6, Kevin, Bowman, Bellingham WA, QCC 700x, FSK-M, 64:44

50, 4, Clement, Corbiell, Lakewood WA, Kiamana, OC1-M, 65:05

51, 3, Doug, Peele, Gig Harbor WA , Nigel Foster Legend, SK-M, 65:21

52, 4, Drew, Dixon, Langley, WA, Nadgee Expedition, SK-M, 65:30

53, 5, George, Gronseth, Issaquah WA, Tiderace Xplore, SK-M, 65:34

54, 5, Ernest, Wong, Seattle WA, Kamanu Pueo, OC1-M, 65:58

55, 6, Tracy, Clapp, Duvall WA, Impex Currituck, SK-M, 66:12

56, 7, Jesse, Varsi, Anacortes WA, Eddyline Falcon S18, FSK-M, 66:42

57, 1, Sonya, Bailey, Sedro Woolley WA, Foster Rowe Silhouette, FSK-W, 66:44

58, 24, Matthew , Norton, Portland OR, Valhalla, HPK-M, 67:00

59, 8, Arthur, Ham, Des Moines WA, Necky Looksha III, FSK-M, 67:01

60, 7, John , Doornink, Poulsbo WA, Self built kit boat, SK-M, 67:16

61, 8, Wade, Johnson, Camano Island WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 67:21

62, 6, Troy , Nishikawa, Redmond WA, Kamau Pueo, OC1-M, 67:35

63, 9, Jonathan, Berry, Issaquah WA, Valley Nordkapp, SK-M, 67:40

64, 2, Meg, Kelly, Burien WA, CD Stratus, FSK-W, 67:41

65, 10, Ian, Brosnan, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 67:46

66, 11, Andrew , Jaquiss, Portland OR, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 67:48

67, 12, Adrian , Inglis, Bellevue WA, Impex Assateague, SK-M, 67:50

68, 9, Torolf , Torgersen, Anacortes WA, Eddyline Falcon S18, FSK-M, 67:52

69, 13, William , McKenzie, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 68:51

70, 14, Chris, Mitchell, Bellingham WA, Rockpool Alaw Bach, SK-M, 68:52

71, 15, Robert , Freelove, Everett WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 68:55

72, 1, Darrel, Bednark, Seattle WA, Bark Catalina 18", Pdbd - M, 69:03

73, 16, Timothy , Burke, Olympia, WA , NDK Explorer, SK-M, 69:11

74, 17, Michael , Germani, Tacoma WA, Impex Outer Island, SK-M, 69:13

75, 18, William , Porter, Kirkland WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 69:17

76, 2, Donald, Kiesling, Seattle WA, Bark Catalina 18", Pdbd - M, 69:21

77, 19, Granville, Paulus, Bainbridge Island WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-M, 69:33

78, 7, Kevin, Fitzpatrick, Seattle WA, Huki OC1, OC1-M, 69:36

79, 20, John , Kuntz, Poulsbo WA, Hurricane Tracer 165, SK-M, 70:10

80, 21, Gregory , Routt, Seattle WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 70:16

81, 22, Carl, Darmer, Olalla WA, , SK-M, 70:21

82, 23, Gerardo , Andaluz, Blaine WA, Necky Chatham 18, SK-M, 70:25

83, 24, Travis , Brown, Everett WA, Eddyline Nighthawk 16, SK-M, 70:38

84, 10, Kieran, O'Kane, Seattle WA, QCC 700x, FSK-M, 70:45

85, 25, Edward , Hand, Renton WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 70:56

86, 1, Wendy, Carter, Bremerton WA, Huki OC1, OC1-W, 71:27

87, 3, Debbie, Natelson, Renton WA, CD Infinity, SK-W, 71:28

88, 26, Daniel, Elefant , Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 71:36

89, 4, Ayu, Othman, Seattle WA, Necky Chatham 18, SK-W, 71:38

90, 27, Paul , Shelton, Lacey WA, Valley Skerray, SK-M, 71:40

91, 28, Tim, Niemeyer, Bellingham WA, Coyote Skupper, SK-M, 72:05

92, 29, Jeffrey , Bedford , Folsom, CA , NDK Romany, SK-M, 72:17

93, 2, Minnie, Fontenelle, Seattle WA, Kamanu Pueo, OC1-W, 72:24

94, 30, Aragorn, Mallory, Auburn WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 72:33

95, 31, Pawel, Szopa, , NDK Romany Surf, SK-M, 72:37

96, 32, Ron, Wright, Portland OR, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 72:43

97, 33, Rand , Harrell, Seattle WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 72:50

98, 34, Tom, Borst, Marblemount WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 72:56

99, 5, Marty, Perry, North Vancouver CA, NDK Romany Surf, SK-W, 73:05

100, 6, Juliane , Gust, Seattle WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-W, 73:06

101, 35, Henry , Romer, Olympia, WA , NDK Romany, SK-M, 73:10

102, 36, Tom, Banks, Anacortes WA, Sterling IceKap, SK-M, 73:39

103, 37, Erik, Evans, Bellingham WA, Necky Elaho, SK-M, 73:49

104, 38, David , Harris, Bellingham WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-M, 73:53

105, 11, David , Ortland, Bellevue WA, Valley Q Boat, FSK-M, 73:58

106, 1, Beau, Whitehead, Bellingham WA, Bark Catalina 18", SUP-M, 74:03

107, 39, Alex, Okerman, Seattle WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 74:10

108, 1, Jodi Wright & Kim Anderson, Portland OR, NDK Triton, 2SK-W, 74:14

109, 3, Rhonda, Bintliff, Portland OR, Hurricane, OC1-W, 74:24

110, 40, Dike, Drummond, Mount Vernon WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 74:25

111, 7, Terri , Bedford , Folsom, CA , NDK Pilgrim, SK-W, 74:34

112, 8, Alison , Graham, Point Roberts WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-W, 74:39

113, 41, Terry , Fox, Issaquah WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 75:04

114, 42, Mark , Greengo, Seatac WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 75:53

115, 43, Justin, Lacson, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 76:14

116, 12, Sherman, Krantz, Bellingham WA, Necky Tahsis, FSK-M, 76:34

117, 44, Shane , Sobotka, Lk Stevens WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 76:35

118, 45, David , Fisher, Poulsbo WA, Rockpool Alaw Bach, SK-M, 77:07

119, 9, Deborah, Orth, Gig Harbor WA, Redfish Spring Run, SK-W, 77:08

120, 46, Eoin, West, Seattle WA, Necky Chatham 17, SK-M, 77:17

121, 47, John, Ostermann, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 77:31

122, 10, Barb, Gronseth, Issaquah WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-W, 77:36

123, 48, David , Mohler, Bellingham WA, Necky Looksha IV, SK-M, 77:42

124, 11, Jennifer, O'Neal, Bellingham WA, Sterling IceKap, SK-W, 77:44

125, 49, John, Fiddler, Seattle WA, Perception Eclipse, SK-M, 77:51

126, 50, Mark, Webster, Portland OR, Novus Composites NC19, SK-M, 78:14

127, 51, Chris, Dyko, Bremerton WA, Wildy Tsunami 175, SK-M, 78:19

128, 12, Jennifer, Peloquin, Vashon WA, Valley Nordkapp LV, SK-W, 78:22

129, 13, Marianne , Banks, Anacortes WA, Sterling IceKap, SK-W, 78:23

130, 8, Joe, Evans, Waterville OR, Krueger Sea Wind, OC1-M, 78:32

131, 52, Mark, Peloquin, Vashon WA, Valley Nordkapp LV, SK-M, 78:41

132, 53, Scott , Prato, Aberdeen WA, Pygmy Coho, SK-M, 79:15

133, 14, Jeanette, Rogers, Seattle WA, Mariner Elan, SK-W, 79:36

134, 54, David, Haas, Richmond Beach WA, CD Caribou S, SK-M, 79:43

135, 15, Pamela , Powell, Graham WA, Mariner Express, SK-W, 79:44

136, 3, Heather, Rai, Bellevue WA, Valley Nordkapp , FSK-W, 79:55

137, 55, Peter , Babler, Seattle WA, NDK Greenlander Pro, SK-M, 79:56

138, 2, Jeff , Underwood, Mercer Island WA, , SUP-M, 80:27

139, 56, Harry , Allen, Bremerton WA, Perception Carolina 14, SK-M, 80:44

140, 1, Heather, Nelson, Bellingham WA, C4 Waterman, SUP-W, 80:46

141, 57, James, Stanger, Olympia, WA , Eddyline Wind Dancer, SK-M, 80:48

142, 58, Rob , King, Kirkland WA, Valley Aquanut, SK-M, 80:50

143, 59, Ed , Matkovick, Issaquah WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 82:01

144-T, 60-T, David, Kau, Eastsound WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 82:31

144-T, 60-T, Jim, Lehocky, Friday Harbor WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 82:31

144-T, 60-T, Dean , Peterson, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 82:31

144-T, 16-T, Janet, Brownell, Eastsound WA, NDK Explorer, SK-W, 82:31

144-T, 16-T, Maureen , Peterson, Seattle WA, Valley Nordkapp LV, SK-W, 82:31

149, 63, Jeffrey , Kahler, Wauna WA, Dagger Sitka, SK-M, 83:33

150, 64, Christopher, May, Woodinville WA, Pygmy Queen Charlotte, SK-M, 83:48

151, 65, David , Desertspring, Gig Harbor WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-M, 84:06

152, 66, Leon , Gander, Vancouver BC Canada, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 85:31

153, 67, Paul , La Pointe, Woodinville WA, NWK Synergy, SK-M, 87:30

154, 68, Dennis, Malcom, Bremerton WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 88:06

155, 69, Chad, Mickelson, Oak Harbor WA, Prijon, SK-M, 90:04

156, 70, Patrick, Martin, Oak Harbor WA, Wildy Tsunami , SK-M, 90:05

157, 1, Michael , Lampi, Bellevue WA, Nauticraft Escapade, Pedal, 90:14

158, 3, Bob , McDermott, Seattle WA, Hemel 11' SUP, SUP-M, 93:43

159, 4, David , Quasha, Seattle WA, Starboard Ultimate, SUP-M, 95:40

160, 5, Garth, Day, Vancouver BC Canada, SUP-M, 96:03

, , James, Doherty, Shoreline WA, , SUP-M, DNF

, , John , Day, North Bend WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, Scr

, , Sam, Mulder, Portland OR, Huki S1-X, HPK-M, Scr

, , Erik, Wermus, Bellingham WA, Epic V10L, HPK-M, Scr

, , Alan , Goto, Seattle WA, Kamau Pueo, OC1-M, Scr

, , Michael, Vanderwater, Portland OR, Huki V1Z, OC1-M, Scr

, , James, Dunderdale, North Vancouver CA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, Scr

, , John , Sindelar, Seattle WA, Betsy Bay Valkyrie, SK-M, Scr

, , Daniel, White , Victoria BC Canada, NDK Greenlander Pro, SK-M, Scr

, , Elizabeth , Gould, LaConner WA, Riot Aura, SK-W, Scr

, , Tyler, Hesse, , , SUP-M, Scr

Photo, news & blog links for the Dash

2009-12-14T13:11:00.001-08:00

It's only a day and a half post-Dash, and already the pictures and blog posts are popping up out there with paddlers' and spectators' shots of the race. Here are some links. If you choose to share or forward any of the images you find, please do so only with the permission of the photographers. They have been generous to send these links along for your enjoyment; let's not abuse that by using these images without credit or permission.

Rick & Nancy Lamb's RamblinLamb Photography Shots... thanks you two for coming out again!

Keep checking back to this page for updates. We'll add more links as they come in, including anything we see in the press.

Great race, results coming!

2009-12-13T14:03:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out --- all those 160+ racers, all the volunteers, the extraordinaire chefs from OAC, spectators, press photographers, everyone! We had an awesome time.

Results are on the way. Still tallying and making sure we’re accurate, we should have them posted by tonight right here on the blog. Thanks for your patience!

If you have comments about race organization, please draft them up and send along to deceptionpassdash@gmail.com. Merry Christmas everyone, and we’ll see you next year at the 5^th Annual Dash! The date will be published for your 2010 calendar, within a week.

Sweet vids of Dash #2 and 3

2009-12-10T15:50:00.000-08:00

For a little Dash history, check these videos of the past two Dashes, from Steve Weileman and Jason Goldstein of Essex Explorations. These two adventurers are based right here on the Salish Sea and have documented their travels far and wide, and they’ve become regulars at the Dash each year.

http://www.xexplore.com/?p=1996

Looking forward to what Jason will put together after shooting this year’s race. Thanks for the coverage fellas!

Volunteer update

2009-12-09T01:11:00.001-08:00

Hi volunteers, here's the latest...

Volunteers are invited, if you live in the Anacortes area or close by, to help put boat numbers and a few signs together, Wednesday 12/9 at Ruby Creek Boathouse's warehouse at 9117 Molly Lane #107. This is one block south of Hwy 20 on Reservation Road, just behind Jerry Smith Chevrolet. Whoever's into it, let's meet at 7:30pm, we can hang out for a couple hours or whatever time you can spend, and knock out a little prep work for the race. RSVP back to deceptionpassdash@gmail.com if you can make it.

If you're a safety boater, you should have been contacted by Blair Corson from Outdoor Adventure Center to review your paddling & rescue skills. If you haven't heard from Blair, please connect with him to get all the data on what you need to bring and when you'll be having your safety meeting. He's at info@outdooradventurecenter.com .

There will be things happening on Friday at Bowman Bay and if you can come help with setup starting about noon, that's awesome. The OAC crew can get it done, but it's always a good time with more people. Also, safety boaters are encouraged, if you're available, to come hang out on Friday and practice some rescues, get to know each other, maybe discuss funky things like how to tow a surfski, etc. on Friday afternoon.

Saturday morning, racer check-in starts at 8am so we'd like to have our entire volunteer crew checked in and ready to go by that time. Safety kayakers will report to Blair; for all you on-land folks, we'll divide you between:

Check-in crew -- greeting racers, verifying their data on a list, receiving their release forms, issuing their tee shirts, and signing them up for the raffle.
Beach crew -- wandering around with duct tape, helping racers mount their boat numbers, generally keeping things moving during launch time... and after the race, receiving boat numbers, keeping traffic moving in the landing area, helping racers with their gear.
Timing crew (there will be some overlap with the check-in crew if some people want to do both jobs) -- Monitoring the start, recording the finishers. This job requires good focus and quick thinking, so please don't consider it just a chance to watch the excitement at the finish. You'll need to stay focused on recording finish times.
There may be some need for help with the OAC food crew.

If you have a preference for a specific job, please say so.

Many thanks everyone for all your help making the Dash a success! We love our volunteers!

Friday prerace festivities

2009-12-07T12:10:00.001-08:00

Outdoor Adventure Center invites all Dash racers and volunteers to come out to Bowman Bay on Friday December 11^th for informal socializing and hanging out all day and into the evening.

If you want to paddle the course in similar current conditions to race day, you’ll need to hit the starting line around 10am, so get there early.

Racers and volunteers are welcome to check in for the event, pick up your tee shirts and boat numbers, and practice safety techniques in the shelter of the Bay.

It’s getting close! See you out there!

Dash Day weather

2009-12-06T21:52:00.001-08:00

Much as we’ve heard at Dash HQ how you’d all love to see another epic day “just like last year”, the current forecast for Saturday in Anacortes looks like this…

High 42

Partly cloudy

10% chance of precip

Wind – Northeast, 5mph

Track it yourself as race day gets closer, at:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/98221?dp=windsdp

See you at the Dash!

Where to stay at the Dash

2009-12-06T21:43:00.000-08:00

Just a few reminders to everyone:

Camping at the Bowman Bay section of the Park, right next to the start/finish venue, is closed for the winter. You can stay in the main campground across the bridge to the south, on Whidbey Island. You can make a reservation at: https://secure.camis.com/WA/DeceptionPassStatePark?Map

We’ve had awesome offers of deals for our participants at both the Cap Sante Inn in Anacortes, and the Coachman Inn in Oak Harbor . Both towns are full of great places to see and things to do. Deals on rooms are good both Friday and Saturday of race weekend. Just ask for the Dash special rates when you call to reserve a room.

Sleep good, see you at the Dash!

2009 Dash Boat Numbering system

2009-12-06T20:58:00.001-08:00

At the first three Dashes, we asked you to position boat numbers vertically on your stern, so your number could be read by anyone close to you – safety boaters, other racers, photographers, etc. We did it like this:

We’re making a change this year. We’ve lost quite a few numbers to the elements in each race, which not only litters the bottom of our Salish Sea, it makes it hard for the timing/judging crew to figure out who you are at the finish. In 2009 we’re asking you to put your boat number on the bow of your boat, down flat so it can be read from high up on the pier at the finish line. Please be sure your number is on your bow, not your stern... and down flat like this:

Directions to the Dash

2009-12-06T20:46:00.001-08:00

Not familiar with the race venue? Easy. Give yourself an hour and a half minimum from North Seattle, an hour from Bellingham.

· Take I-5 to exit 230 (Burlington/Hwy 20).

· Go 11.5 miles West

· Follow the signs to turn left (South) and continue on Hwy 20 toward Oak Harbor. DO NOT continue West to Anacortes.

· From this junction, follow Hwy 20 another 5.5 miles. You’ll see Pass Lake on your right.

· At the end of the Lake, turn right on Rosario Road and IMMEDIATELY left into the Park on Bowman Bay Road. DO NOT CROSS the Deception Pass Bridge to the main park entrance.

· The race venue start/finish line is at the Bowman Bay Boat Launch, at the bottom of the hill on Bowman Bay Road.

Over 160 racers

2009-12-03T12:24:00.001-08:00

Another record turnout for the Dash, with 10 days til race day. Many thanks for all the support to our racers, dozens of volunteers, the local media for jumping on board, and of course to our amazing sponsors – check the list in the right margin – who were so generous in getting some incredible prizes out for the raffle.

Here’s the list of registered racers. This is two days old at this point – it was current on Tuesday morning, Dec 1^st. If you registered after that, have faith, we know about you.

If you haven’t replied to our request for your boat class, home town, please do so. We’d like to have all our data straight when you check in. See you out there!

Harry Allen Bremerton WA

Gerardo Andaluz Blaine WA

Kim Anderson Portland OR

Karl Andersson Portland OR

Peter Babler Seattle WA

Sonya Bailey Sedro Woolley WA

Shane Baker Port Orchard WA

Marianne Banks Anacortes WA

Tom Banks Anacortes WA

Greg Barton

Greg Bawden Duvall WA

Jeffrey Bedford Folsom, CA

Terri Bedford Folsom, CA

Darrel Bednark Seattle WA

Trista Bilmer Vancouver BC Canada

Rhonda Bintliff Portland OR

Brian Boatman

Tom Borst Marblemount WA

Kevin Bowman

Andy Bridge Sultan WA

Ian Brosnan

Travis Brown Everett WA

Janet Brownell Eastsound WA

Timothy Burke Olympia, WA

Gary Cassulis North Vancouver CA

Sherri Cassuto Seattle Wa

Tracy Clapp Duvall WA

Paul Clement Bellingham WA

Michael Cline Seattle WA

Traci Cole Kenmore WA

Clement Corbiell

Brett Couvrette Seattle WA

David Couvrette Seattle WA

Charles Curry Bainbridge Island WA

Carl Darmer Olalla WA

Garth Day Vancouver BC Canada

John Day North Bend WA

Michael Dee

David Desertspring Gig Harbor WA

Chris Dobrovolny Vancouver BC Canada

James Doherty Shoreline WA

John Doornink Poulsbo WA

James Dunderdale Vancouver BC Canada

Reivers Dustin Bellingham WA

Greg Dutton

Chris Dyko Bremerton WA

Daniel Elefant Seattle WA

Andrew Elizaga Tacoma WA

Erik Evans Bellingham WA

John Fiddler Seattle WA

David Fisher Poulsbo WA

Kevin Fitzpatrick Seattle WA

John Flynn Seattle WA

Minnie Fontenelle Seattle WA

Terry Fox Issaquah WA

Shawna Franklin Eastsound WA

Robert Freelove Everett WA

Michael Germani Tacoma WA

Sean Gibson North Vancouver CA

Larry Goolsby Ferndale WA

Alan Goto Seattle WA

Elizabeth Gould LaConner WA

Alison Graham Point Roberts WA

Mark Greengo Seatac WA

Michael Gregory Bellingham WA

Barb Gronseth Issaquah WA

George Gronseth Issaquah WA

Brady Guinn Seattle WA

Juliane Gust Seattle WA

David Haas Richmond Beach WA

Arthur Ham Des Moines WA

Michael Hammer

Edward Hand Renton WA

Rand Harrell Seattle WA

David Harris Bellingham WA

Jeffrey Hegedus Bellingham WA

Tyler Hesse

Wayne Horodowich Mill Creek WA

Adrian Inglis Bellevue WA

David Jacobson Bellingham WA

Andrew Jaquiss Portland OR

Wade Johnson Camano Island WA

Steven Jones Seattle WA

Joe Kaftan Seattle WA

Jeffrey Kahler Wauna WA

David Kau Eastsound WA

Matt Kelly

Meg Kelly Burien WA

Donald Kiesling Seattle WA

Rob King

Sherman Krantz

Ken Kroeger Seattle WA

John Kuntz Poulsbo WA

Paul La Pointe Woodinville WA

Roger Lamb Bellingham WA

Michael Lampi Bellevue WA

Justin Larcos Seattle WA

Howard Lee

Jim Lehocky Friday Harbor WA

Rick Lingbloom Bellingham WA

Andrew Losli Forest Grove OR

Dennis Malcom Bremerton WA

Aragorn Mallory

Ed Matkovick Issaquah WA

Christopher May Woodinville WA

Bob McDermott Seattle WA

Tana McDowell Des Moines WA

William McKenzie Seattle WA

Chris Mitchell Bellingham WA

David Mohler Bellingham WA

Sam Mulder Portland OR

Debbie Natelson Renton WA

Brandon Nelson Bellingham WA

Heather Nelson Bellingham WA

Gabriel Newton Seattle WA

Troy Nishikawa Redmond WA

Matthew Norton Portland OR

Alex Okerman Seattle WA

Jennifer O'Neal Bellingham WA

Deborah Orth Gig Harbor WA

David Ortland Bellevue WA

John Ostermann

Ayu Othman Seattle WA

Brian Page Vancouver BC Canada

Doug Peele Gig Harbor WA

Marty Perry North Vancouver CA

Dean Peterson Seattle WA

Maureen Peterson Seattle WA

Tyler Peterson Burien WA

William Porter Kirkland WA

Pamela Powell Graham WA

Scott Prato Aberdeen WA

David Price Woodinville WA

Bob Putnam Vancouver BC Canada

David Quasha Seattle WA

Heather Rai Bellevue WA

Glenn Rogers Gig Harbor WA

Jeanette Rogers

Henry Romer Olympia, WA

Gregory Routt Seattle WA

Paul Shelton Lacey WA

John Sindelar Seattle WA

Chris Smith Auburn WA

Shane Sobotka Lk Stevens WA

Leon Somme Eastsound WA

James Stanger Olympia, WA

Shaun Sullivan Ferndale WA

Pawel Szopa

Torolf Torgersen Anacortes WA

Jeff Underwood Mercer Island WA

Jesse Varsi Anacortes WA

Mark Webster Portland OR

Erik Wermus

T Eoin West

Beau Whitehead Bellingham WA

Marc Whitlock Bellingham WA

Warren Williamson

Ernest Wong Seattle WA

Jodi Wright Portland OR

Ron Wright Portland OR

Pete Wylie

Jim Zimmerman Anacortes WA

Dash safety checklist

2009-12-03T11:36:00.001-08:00

As we approach Dash Day, here’s a reminder. Last year’s paddling conditions caused one racer / long-time paddling instructor to comment that some racers were “clearly out of their element”. We had gone the first two years with sweet conditions and no capsizes, to last year’s epic seas with racers, safety paddlers, and powerboats teaming up on rescue after rescue. So here are a few things we want everyone to bring along:

Good judgment is your number one safety tool. You are responsible for your own safety, even though we'll have a couple dozen expert paddlers out there along with the sheriff and Cap’n Dillard keeping an eye on you.

There’s nothing wrong with saying to yourself, after checking in and getting your tee shirt, “I may be beyond my capabilities today and I don’t feel like burdening the safety crew”. You still get free coffee, a hot meal, and a chance to win a sweet raffle prize. Keep in mind too, that in an emergency we’re focused only on getting you safely warm and back to shore… which means your $3,000 boat may be long gone because we care less about your gear than we do about you.

Requirements of all paddlers: CG-approved pfd, loud signal whistle, and confidence that you could self-rescue even without safety crew help.

You’re required to stop and help a fellow racer in distress if the safety crew hasn’t gotten there first.

Dress for immersion: This means dry suit or wet suit, to keep you insulated while you’re in the water, even if you get separated from your boat.

Know the course and its hazards!

Recommendations: VHF radio, extra fleece, small thermos with hot drink, paddle float, bilge pump.

Weather forecast for Dash Day

2009-12-03T11:08:00.001-08:00

As of today, Thursday the 3^rd, here’s the weather forecast for Dash Day from weatherchannel.com:

43 degrees with snow showers (go figure)… 60% chance of precip, and 9kt SSE wind.

Stay tuned at http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/98221?dp=windsdp to see the current look.

Race Day Timeline

2009-11-23T22:56:00.001-08:00

We’re still putting together a plan for Friday, the day before the race. There may be some festivities on tap. Here’s what’s happening on race day, Saturday December 12^th:

8am – Park opens, check-in begins – free coffee all day from Fidalgo Bay Coffee Company! All volunteers please check in too; we need to make sure you’re there and ready, and this year we’ll get you your tee shirts before the race.

9:45am – Safety Kayakers meet with Blair. Please be ready to paddle before the meeting starts, so you can get on the water soon after the meeting is over.

10:15am – Mandatory prerace meeting for all competitors. This will be a quick review of the race course, that’s all… we heard your feedback last year about needless jabber.

11am SHARP, no delays – race starts.

11:37am – slack in the Pass; ebb starts.

12:30 (give or take) – lunch is served!

1pm – last racer off the course please. Safety crew needs to get back for burgers & a bonfire.

1:15pm – raffle begins. Please look over the prizes, and find your name on the pick order. We’ll only be giving you a few seconds to go get your prize. Your feedback from last year said the raffle took too long. And you all wanted our volunteers to be part of the raffle, not just racers. Soooo…. With record numbers of raffle participants and prizes, we’ll need to keep it moving.

Quick, cheap, easy and effective safety

2009-11-23T22:31:00.001-08:00

Got this from racer Brandon Nelson. For a few bucks, ruddered boats can be rigged to paddle safely even if a cable breaks. Check out what Brandon sent:

“I shared one of Sterling Donalson’s ingenious field repair tips recently on YouTube, and it’s been getting a fair bit of buzz from far-off paddlers in colder regions for its solo safety aspect. It’d certainly make sense for any DP Dash boat (with a rudder) to rig it pre-race. Here’s the link, and feel free to post it on the DP Dash blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAknFR3-rjE”

Thanks Brandon!

Current Racer List, November 23

2009-11-23T19:55:00.001-08:00

Revised midday today…

Harry Allen Bremerton WA

Gerardo Andaluz Blaine WA

Kim Anderson Portland OR

Karl Andersson Portland OR

Peter Babler Seattle WA

Sonya Bailey Sedro Woolley WA

Shane Baker Port Orchard WA

Marianne Banks Anacortes WA

Tom Banks Anacortes WA

Greg Bawden Duvall WA

Jeffrey Bedford Folsom, CA

Terri Bedford Folsom, CA

Darrel Bednark Seattle WA

Trista Bilmer Vancouver BC Canada

Tom Borst Marblemount WA

Andy Bridge Sultan WA

Travis Brown Everett WA

Timothy Burke Olympia, WA

Paul Clement Bellingham WA

Michael Cline Seattle WA

Traci Cole Kenmore WA

Charles Curry Bainbridge Island WA

Carl Darmer Olalla WA

John Day North Bend WA

David Desertspring Gig Harbor WA

Chris Dobrovolny Vancouver BC Canada

John Doornink Poulsbo WA

James Dunderdale Vancouver BC Canada

Greg Dutton

Daniel Elefant (2) Seattle WA

Andrew Elizaga Tacoma WA

Erik Evans Bellingham WA

David Fisher Poulsbo WA

Kevin Fitzpatrick Seattle WA

John Flynn Seattle WA

Minnie Fontenelle Seattle WA

Terry Fox Issaquah WA

Shawna Franklin Eastsound WA

Robert Freelove Everett WA

Michael Germani Tacoma WA

Larry Goolsby Ferndale WA

Alan Goto Seattle WA

Elizabeth Gould LaConner WA

Alison Graham Point Roberts WA

Mark Greengo Seatac WA

Michael Gregory Bellingham WA

George Gronseth Issaquah WA

Barb Gronseth Issaquah WA

Juliane Gust Seattle WA

Edward Hand Renton WA

Rand Harrell Seattle WA

David Harris Bellingham WA

Jeffrey Hegedus Bellingham WA

Wayne Horodowich Mill Creek WA

Adrian Inglis Bellevue WA

David Jacobson Bellingham WA

Andrew Jaquiss Portland OR

Wade Johnson Camano Island WA

Steven Jones Seattle WA

Jeffrey Kahler Wauna WA

Donald Kiesling Seattle WA

Ken Kroeger Seattle WA

John Kuntz Poulsbo WA

Paul La Pointe Woodinville WA

Roger Lamb Bellingham WA

Michael Lampi Bellevue WA

Jim Lehocky Friday Harbor WA

Andrew Losli Forest Grove OR

Dennis Malcom Bremerton WA

Ed Matkovick Issaquah WA

Christopher May Woodinville WA

Bob McDermott Seattle WA

William McKenzie Seattle WA

Chris Mitchell Bellingham WA

Heather Nelson Bellingham WA

Brandon Nelson Bellingham WA

Troy Nishikawa Redmond WA

Matthew Norton Portland OR

Alex Okerman Seattle WA

Deborah Orth Gig Harbor WA

David Ortland Bellevue WA

Ayu Othman Seattle WA

Brian Page Vancouver BC Canada

Maureen Peterson Seattle WA

Dean Peterson Seattle WA

Tyler Peterson Burien WA

William Porter Kirkland WA

Pamela Powell Graham WA

Scott Prato Aberdeen WA

David Price Woodinville WA

Bob Putnam Vancouver BC Canada

David Quasha Seattle WA

Heather Rai Bellevue WA

Glenn Rogers Gig Harbor WA

Henry Romer Olympia, WA

Gregory Routt Seattle WA

Paul Shelton Lacey WA

John Sindelar Seattle WA

Chris Smith Auburn WA

Shane Sobotka Lk Stevens WA

Leon Somme Eastsound WA

James Stanger Olympia, WA

Shaun Sullivan Ferndale WA

Torolf Torgersen Anacortes WA

Jeff Underwood Mercer Island WA

Ernest Wong Seattle WA

Jodi Wright Portland OR

Ron Wright Portland OR

Jim Zimmerman Anacortes WA

Cap Sante Inn Dash rates

2009-11-21T10:29:00.001-08:00

Mark Lione, owner of the Cap Sante Inn in Anacortes, dropped a line to the Dash this morning, offering special rates for rooms at his place. Thanks Mark!

===============================
We would like to offer your participants a Special "Deception Pass Dash" Discount Rate if they decide to spend the Night or the Weekend in Anacortes. Our Deception Pass Dash Rates would be as follows:

One Person / One King or Queen Bed $59.00 + $6.02 Tax

Two People / One King/Queen or 2 Queens $65.00 + $6.63 Tax

Three People / 2 Queen Beds $71.00 + $7.24 Tax

Four People / 2 Queen Beds $77.00 + $7.86 Tax

All of our rooms are appointed with Sealy Posturpedic Beds, Refrigerators, Microwaves, 32" Flat Screen HD Color TV's, Hair Dryers, and most rooms have Complimentary WI-FI reception. We provide complimentary Starbucks coffee, Tea, Herbal Teas, Brita Filtered Water, Breakfast Treats and Granola Bars in the morning, Cookies and snacks in the afternoon and evenings, and Seattle Times Newspapers on Sundays.

We are in the Old Town Section of Anacortes where the majority of the Restaurants, Shops, Galleries, and Antique Stores are located. We provide a large and secure Free Parking lot in Front of each of our rooms. Our Website is under Re-Construction, but the old site with old pictures is still available at www.capsanteinn.com

Thanks again & Best Regards,

Mark Lione
Cap Sante Inn
360-293-0602

Current volunteer list

2009-11-18T17:43:00.001-08:00

Here’s your list of safety boaters and land crew. Check back with us if you have questions. We’ll post job descriptions for each volunteer position soon. And yes, we can always use more help, so talk to us if you'd like to join this list. See you out there!

Safety boaters

Tom Dillard, piloting MV Base Mother

Beth Bielstein

Bob Burnett

Ken Biddle

Dan Thrush

Rhonda Schwab

Dave Mottershead

Mark Whitaker

Steve Andrews

Susan Roth

Leslie Mix

Jonathan Karuna

Racer check-in, timing, food etc

Whende Keatts

Setsuko Cox

Lynn Wang

Cathy Federici

Helaine Mottershead

Elise Mebel

Karen Scharer

Dede Chinlund

Herb Kai

Linda Sanford

Jacqueline Kahler

Hazel Simpson

Esther Andrews

Current racer list 11/17/09

2009-11-18T17:39:00.001-08:00

Here’s the current list of registered racers. Please let us know if we made any errors, or if you have any questions.

Harry Allen Bremerton WA

Gerardo Andaluz Blaine WA

Kim Anderson Portland OR

Karl Andersson Portland OR

Peter Babler Seattle WA

Shane Baker Port Orchard WA

Marianne Banks Anacortes WA

Greg Bawden Duvall WA

Jeffrey Bedford Folsom, CA

Terri Bedford Folsom, CA

Darrel Bednark Seattle WA

Trista Bilmer Vancouver BC Canada

Thomas Borst Marblemount WA

Andy Bridge Sultan WA

Travis Brown Everett WA

Timothy Burke Olympia, WA

Paul Clement Bellingham WA

Michael Cline Seattle WA

Traci Cole Kenmore WA

Charles Curry Bainbridge Island WA

John Day North Bend WA

David Desertspring Gig Harbor WA

Chris Dobrovolny Vancouver BC Canada

John Doornink Poulsbo WA

James Dunderdale Vancouver BC Canada

Greg Dutton

Andrew Elizaga Tacoma WA

Erik Evans Bellingham WA

David Fisher Poulsbo WA

Minnie Fontenelle Seattle WA

Terry Fox Issaquah WA

Shawna Franklin Eastsound WA

Robert Freelove Everett WA

Michael Germani Tacoma WA

Larry Goolsby Ferndale WA

Alan Goto Seattle WA

Elizabeth Gould LaConner WA

Alison Graham Point Roberts WA

Mark Greengo Seatac WA

Michael Gregory Bellingham WA

Juliane Gust Seattle WA

Edward Hand Renton WA

Rand Harrell Seattle WA

David Harris Bellingham WA

Jeffrey Hegedus Bellingham WA

Adrian Inglis Bellevue WA

Andrew Jaquiss Portland OR

Wade Johnson Camano Island WA

Steven Jones Seattle WA

Jim Kahler Wauna WA

Donald Kiesling Seattle WA

Ken Kroeger Seattle WA

Paul La Pointe Woodinville WA

Michael Lampi Bellevue WA

Jim Lehocky Friday Harbor WA

Andrew Losli Forest Grove OR

Dennis Malcom Bremerton WA

Ed Matkovick Issaquah WA

Christopher May Woodinville WA

Bob McDermott Seattle WA

William McKenzie Seattle WA

Heather Nelson Bellingham WA

Brandon Nelson Bellingham WA

Troy Nishikawa Redmond WA

Matthew Norton Portland OR

Alex Okerman Seattle WA

Ayu Othman Seattle WA

Brian Page Vancouver BC Canada

Maureen Peterson Seattle WA

Dean Peterson Seattle WA

William Porter Kirkland WA

Pamela Powell Graham WA

Scott Prato Aberdeen WA

David Price Woodinville WA

Bob Putnam Vancouver BC Canada

Heather Rai Bellevue WA

Glenn Rogers Gig Harbor WA

Henry Romer Olympia, WA

Gregory Routt Seattle WA

Paul Shelton Lacey WA

John Sindelar Seattle WA

Chris Smith Auburn WA

Shane Sobotka Lk Stevens WA

Leon Somme Eastsound WA

James Stanger Olympia, WA

Shaun Sullivan Ferndale WA

Torolf Torgersen Anacortes WA

Ernest Wong Seattle WA

Jodi Wright Portland OR

Ron Wright Portland OR

Oak Harbor Coachman Inn - special rates for Dashers

2009-11-17T10:50:00.001-08:00

Big thanks for supporting the Dash go out to Randy, General Manager of the Coachman Inn in Oak Harbor, who has offered his rooms at 20% off normal rates for the Dash. A standard room at $89, AAA rate $80, will go for $72 per night on the weekend of the Dash. Call toll-free 800–635–0043 and be sure to mention the Deception Pass Dash when you book your room.

Thanks Randy!

Weather resources for Dash racers

2009-11-16T21:52:00.000-08:00

Looking for helpful data on just how the course will look on race day? Here’s the first word of advice…

Be ready for anything.

Your own good judgment is the most important piece of safety equipment you can bring with you.

Beyond that, here are four nice links to give you an idea what’s up.

10-day Anacortes weather forecast – For those planning waaaayyy ahead. By December 2^nd you can start visualizing the conditions on race day. Practice your mental adjustments each morning when you realize the prediction for December 12^th has changed. Hmmmmm… Temp 25 degrees or 50? Wind 8 knots SE or 30 W? Fun game if you’re a little schizophrenic, or want to be.

Cape Flattery surf report – take a look at this one a day or two before the event. Big ol’ waves, ten feet or more, heading East through the Strait, mean a lot of fun – wooo hooo! – as you exit Canoe Pass in those standing waves as they stack up against the building ebb. Remember the secret Dash treasure map? Check it again.

Smith Island Weather Station – just ten miles SW of the Pass, Smith gives you a good idea of current wind & sea conditions, plus links to detailed local NWS Marine forecasts. With 24 hours of historical data, this is the place to check out when you get home from the race wondering how hard that wind was blowing.

Deception Pass current predictions for race day – and remember, if the Skagit is in flood and there’s a strong SE wind, your ebb will start way early and you better kick butt to get through the crux.

Race day warmth: Fidalgo Bay Coffee

2009-11-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

When you're warming up at the Dash with a hot cup of coffee, you can thank Daryl Miller and the Fidalgo Bay Coffee team.

Fidalgo Bay is a Skagit County roaster and member of our community since 1992, providing jobs, a commitment to our neighbors, and a great cup of coffee. Thanks guys!

Route map & race tips

2009-11-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

Some deep digging through the files at DPDash Headquarters recently unearthed this ancient, hand-drawn map of the race course. We share it with you here to give a few pointers and course knowledge if you're unsure what awaits you out there. You might want to consult a REAL chart of the area for more information.

Here are the highlights of what's revealed by the map. Click on it for a larger view.

Approximate distances:

Bowman Bay - Deception Island, 1 mile;

Deception to the far end of Pass Island, 1.5 miles;

Pass to Strawberry Island, .5 miles.

Total approximately 6 miles round trip.

There’s a lot of kelp around all three islands, especially on the SW side of Deception. Tempting as it is to cut close to the islands and shorten the course, if you have a rudder you’ll be happy to stay wide of it.

When you get to Pass Island (2.5 miles) the current will be starting to build against you. There’s a narrow eddy next to the island which will allow you to get to the upstream end (marked “CRUX MOVE” on the map). Please do not stop and rest in this eddy as you’ll block the path for other racers. Rest if you must, in the large eddy at the far downstream (West) end of Pass Island.

Some racers have successfully avoided the congestion in the eddy, and the dynamic water at the "CRUX", and powered all the way past the island in the main channel, against the current. You need to be ready for a long, powerful sprint to make this strategy work. It's up to you to decide if it's worth it.

“CRUX MOVE”: For most racers, this brief, turbulent moment determines your ability to complete the course. Use the eddy as far as you can, then break out into the opposing current and go hard toward Strawberry Island. The whole idea behind this race is: The longer it takes you to paddle the 2.5 miles to this point, the stronger the current against you when you get there.

Between Pass and Strawberry islands, the water is typically calm as it's protected from wind on all sides. You'll find some mild boils and slicks that try to push you off course, so pay attention and keep going! You're nearly halfway there, and the return trip is the fun part!

Big ol’ standing waves stack up at the West end of Canoe Pass on the return loop. Paddle hard and straight, and you'll go right through it. In some conditions, ocean swell comes down the Strait until it meets the building ebb at this pinch point, and can get pretty big. On a flat day with no wind and no swell, you'll barely notice it. As some paddlers have witnessed, on the other hand, in "perfect" conditions you may get slapped in the face by a wave, or even paddle right under it to get through... wahooo!

Returning around Deception Island and racing the final mile into Bowman Bay, be aware that the building ebb current will be pushing you from South to North. There are gnarly, submerged rocks throughout the north half of the bay, so you really want to enter on the South side. Watch where you're going, angle your bow to the right, and make sure your course is taking you straight to the pier.

The finish line is right next to the end of the pier, where the timers can look down and see your boat number. We'll only be able to get your time marked accurately if you finish where we can see you.

Surfer Dave puts up cash Dash prizes!

2009-11-10T19:38:00.000-08:00

For the first time in our short history, we at the Dash are honored to announce that Surfer Dave Agnew, distributor of Mega Surf Kayaks, has put up his sponsor's fee in CASH, rather than raffle goods.

Your host OAC crew has agreed with Surfer Dave that his prize money will be awarded, $50 each, to the winners of the top 6-most-populated racer categories. Dave wil be on hand at the race to award the prizes to the winners in person.

Thanks Surfer Dave!

SUPs test run successful!

2009-11-02T12:40:00.000-08:00

The question was inevitable, and it was posed about two months ago… “Will SUPs be allowed in the Dash this year?” Hmmm… the minds of the Dashmasters had no idea what to think. Tall, susceptible to wind, maybe not fast enough, can they maneuver eddylines, all those cool questions balanced against the solid evidence of the growth of this awesome sport… 100+ racers in Mercer Island’s “Round the Rock” in September… whaddya going to do?

Have a test run, of course.

Sunday November 1 on Bowman Bay were assembled 7 SUP boarders, 2 prone boarders, and ten safety kayakers who just had to be there to see the spectacle. And a perfect spectacle it was. After a briefing on the course, we took off from the starting line at 1:27pm, exactly 37 minutes before slack, just like on race day. Wind speeds were not what we might see on race day, evidenced by data according to the Smith Island weather station a few miles to the Southwest:

1:00 pm SE 8

2:00 pm SSE 5

3:00 pm SSE 8

Dueling for the lead, and pulling far away from the pack off the line, were Beau Whitehead on his 18’ SUP and Don Kiesling and his buddy Darrell on their prone boards. These guys paddle with their hands, on their bellies. What a couple stud bolts. The rest of the field trailed behind, but all nine boards completed the full course. Beau nipped the other two at the finish in about an hour 14 minutes. We’ll see how it looks on race day, but it’ll be another sweet twist on this spectacular race, having our SUP family join in the action.

Thanks to all the intrepid SUPrs who eagerly posed as course guinea pigs, and thanks also to Dave, Sonya, Marianne, Leslie, Mark, Wade, Jim (& your wife’s name was… oh I’m spacing that one) who got out there with radios, tow ropes & helmets to shepherd the group safely through the course.

Post race, the paddlers hung out, cooled off in the chilly water, and swapped boards for a few test runs. We debriefed the test run, congratulated all the boarders for making it through, and headed home to care for the unexpected sunburns we got on the first day of November.

Brandon and Heather Nelson put a nice writeup on their blog. These two adventurers have spent a big part of their lives pushing the envelope with outlandish experiences including a circumnavigation of Lake Baikal, a victory in the Yukon Challenge, and a spot in the Guiness World Record book for 24-hour paddling distance. Now they're racing SUPs and we're thrilled to have them talking up this very cool sport.

Great fun and sweet times on a beautiful day!

Epic Kayaks steps up as Dash sponsor

2009-11-02T12:22:00.000-08:00

Dash HQ received an email this morning from Chris Laughlin at Epic Kayaks, letting us know that they’ve committed to “Major Sponsor” status for the Dash. Already grateful for the support, we read on to see what some lucky racer is going to take home from the raffle… a Carbon Mid Wing Length Lock paddle.

This is an amazing stick, and big props go out to all the team at Epic including co-founder and Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Barton, who is back home living in the Seattle area and plans to race the Dash this year as well.

Many thanks Epic for your support!

Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Barton

Setsuko's soup is back!

2009-10-29T17:23:00.001-07:00

Ladies and gents of the Dash,

It’s our pleasure to recognize the souper champion of the soup pot, Ms Setsuko Cox in her return performance as she once again presents her “best-of-the-Dash” secret soup.

Most of Setsuko's days are spent at Kisaku Sushi Restaurant in Seattle's Greenlake neighborhood, and she just can't keep herself from sharing her special recipe with her paddling friends.

When you’ve finished your race and your soup, please flag her down with a hearty, healthy thanks for her three straight years of contributing so much to the happy-paddling community!

Thanks Setsuko!

Volunteer list update

2009-10-29T17:10:00.001-07:00

Here’s the list of registered volunteers as of yesterday, Wednesday the 28^th. If you'dlike to join this happy crew, please get an email off to deceptionpassdash@gmail.com letting us know what you’d like to do to help out. Please also let us know your phone number and tee shirt size – thanks!

Safety boaters:

Cap’n Tom Dillard in the “Base Mother” power launch

Bob Burnett

Ken Biddle

Beth Bielstein

Dan Thrush

Rhonda Schwab

Check-in & Timing:

Whende Keatts

Setsuko Cox (Miso soup! Woot!)

Lynn Wang

Cathy Federici

Current racer & volunteer list - October 28

2009-10-29T15:11:00.001-07:00

As of Wednesday the 28^th – with just over 6 weeks to go til race day – we have the following 40 racers registered. If you want to race and you’re not on this list, get on over and sign up now:

http://www.outdooradventurecenter.com/40227/Deception-Pass-Dash.html

Next post will show current sign-ups of volunteers. If you’re a safety boater, timer, or check-in & beach coordinator, keep an eye out for your name.

Please send an email to deceptionpassdash@gmail.com with any questions.

Racers:

Kim	Anderson	Portland OR
Peter	Babler	Seattle WA
Marianne	Banks	Anacortes WA
Greg	Bawden	Duvall WA
Jeffrey	Bedford	Folsom, CA
Terri	Bedford	Folsom, CA
Travis	Brown	Everett WA
Timothy	Burke	Olympia, WA
Terry	Fox	Issaquah WA
Shawna	Franklin	Eastsound WA
Robert	Freelove	Everett WA
Michael	Germani	Tacoma WA
Larry	Goolsby	Ferndale WA
Alan	Goto	Seattle WA
Elizabeth	Gould	LaConner WA
Alison	Graham	Point Roberts WA
Mark	Greengo	Seatac WA
Juliane	Gust	Seattle WA
Rand	Harrell	Seattle WA
Adrian	Inglis	Bellevue WA
Paul	La Pointe	Woodinville WA
Michael	Lampi	Bellevue WA
Bob	McDermott	Seattle WA
Troy	Nishikawa	Redmond WA
Matthew	Norton	Portland OR
Maureen	Peterson	Seattle WA
Dean	Peterson	Seattle WA
William	Porter	Kirkland WA
Pamela	Powell	Graham WA
Scott	Prato	Aberdeen WA
Henry	Romer	Olympia, WA
Gregory	Routt	Seattle WA
Paul	Shelton	Lacey WA
John	Sindelar	Seattle WA
Chris	Smith	Auburn WA
Shane	Sobotka	Lk Stevens WA
Leon	Somme	Eastsound WA
Shaun	Sullivan	Ferndale WA
Torolf	Torgersen	Anacortes WA
Jodi	Wright	Portland OR

More major sponsors!

2009-10-29T11:56:00.001-07:00

Today’s inbox at the DPDash found two more generous major sponsors, Aquabound/Bending Branches Paddles and Snap Dragon Designs Sprayskirts.

This brings our list of major sponsors – those who’ve provided $300 or more in prizes for you, our racers and volunteers – to 18 of the finest names in paddlesports. To Rich, Mike and the crew at Snap Dragon, and to Ed, Gregg and all our Wisconsin friends at AB/BB, many many thanks for your support.

If you're a paddler, please show ‘em all some love!