Paddle Trails Canoe Club

01/03/2024

Upcoming Training! Introduction to Photography and Birding by Canoe or Kayak
Class is on July 13th
Go here to register: https://bit.ly/PTCC-Classes

This one day class will cover the basics of photography from a boat, including composition, settings, protecting your equipment from the elements, and a discussion of post-production techniques.

You'll need a camera (and a boat), but whether it's a professional camera with a 500mm lens or a camera phone, we'll have some fun capturing wildlife from the water.

Class fee is $50 per student.
PTCC membership required for classes. Individual or household memberships are only $25/year! Join today! https://bit.ly/PTCC-Membership

01/03/2024

Upcoming Training! Fundamentals of Canoeing Class II Whitewater
Two-Day Class on June 15-16
Go here to register: https://bit.ly/PTCC-Classes

In this two day course, continue to practice whitewater skills while learning how to safely navigate obstacles and maneuver efficiently and effectively through a dynamic environment. You will learn more advanced skills and dynamic paddling techniques as well as individual and group strategies for navigating rapids.

Students need to have boats that are designed and equipped for whitewater.

Class fee is $75 per boat.
PTCC membership required for classes. Individual or household memberships are only $25/year! Join today! https://bit.ly/PTCC-Membership

01/03/2024

Upcoming Training! Intro to Canoeing Rivers.
Two-Day Class on June 8-9
Go here to register: https://bit.ly/PTCC-Classes

In this two day course, come learn about how moving water affects your boat. This is pre-whitewater, so we are covering some of the basics: entering and exiting current, paddle strokes, and being an active group member. Students must have PFDs, helmets, and canoes suitable for river use. A wetsuit or dry suit is also required, as the water can be very cold.

Students should be available for both Saturday and Sunday sessions to be able to get value out of the class. Canoes must be suitable for easy rivers and have flotation.

Class fee is $75 per boat.
PTCC membership required for classes. Individual or household memberships are only $25/year! Join today! https://bit.ly/PTCC-Membership

01/03/2024

Upcoming Training! Intro to Paddling Saltwater.
Classes: June 2nd (coastal paddling)
and June 30th (tidal river paddling)
Go here to register: https://bit.ly/PTCC-Classes

These one day classes are for confident quiet water or lake paddlers who are looking to make the jump to paddling near shore on the Puget Sound and on tidal rivers. The possibility of wind, waves, current, and cold water all exist, so you should dress appropriately and be prepared for dynamic conditions. An online presentation prior to the day of the class will also be included, to learn about tides, currents, and reading charts.

Solo and Tandem canoes and kayaks are welcome. If you need help with gear, reach out and the club can help get things together for you.

Class fee is $50 per boat.
PTCC membership required for classes. Individual or household memberships are only $25/year! Join today! https://bit.ly/PTCC-Membership

29/02/2024

Upcoming Training! Intro to Canoeing Quietwater.
Classes available June 1st and June 29th
Go here to register: https://bit.ly/PTCC-Classes

This one-day class is designed for total beginners as an intro to canoeing. We'll cover essentials such as basic water safety, equipment familiarization, and basic paddling techniques. No previous experience is necessary.

You'll need a canoe, a PFD, and a paddle. If you need help with gear, or are thinking about signing up solo and would like a partner, reach out and the club can help get things together for you.

Class fee is $50 per boat.
PTCC membership required for classes. Individual or household memberships are only $25/year! Join today! https://bit.ly/PTCC-Membership

28/02/2024

There is currently a strong effort to have the Owyhee Canyonlands protected as a National Monument. Many Paddle Trails members have paddled this very remote river area. If you have had the opportunity to float the Owyhee, you know how amazing this region is. If you have not had the opportunity to see the area, hopefully it will still be so incredible by the time you go! Please consider adding your name to this petition to create the Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument by going to www.protecttheowyhee.org
Thank you.

12/02/2024

A little rain won't stop us! We had a great paddle around Portage and Union Bays in Seattle today, with 4 kayaks and 1 canoe. We all stayed warm and (relatively) dry and saw lots of birds.

22/01/2024

On Sunday, January 14th, seven PTCC members enjoyed beautiful sunny weather as we paddled from Swede Haven to Hazel.

Our timing (and the temperatures) were perfect to see wonderful ice formations on the NF Stillaguamish. The temperature was 23 degrees as we shoved off from the put-in. Immediately, we started see fantastic ice formations all along the river (see attached photos).

The views of White Horse Mountain and Mt Higgins were also spectacular and many eagles were spotted all along this beautiful section of the river. Other than a handful of people fishing along the shore, we had the river all to ourselves.

About a mile and a half above the Hazel take-out we were surprised to find a very large spruce tree blocking the entire width of the river (see attached photo). We were all able safely work our way around the tree, but it certainly made our heart rates spike as we rounded the bend just above it! The tree will likely be there until there is a flow of 20,000 cfs this spring.

One of the most hazardous tasks was taking out at Hazel due to the slippery, steep bank there. However, with lots of hands and Doug pulling boats up the bank with his throw rope, we all made it up to our cars without incident.

A great time was had by all!

See photo album titled "20240114 Old Man Winter Ice Float" for lots of photos of the weird and wonderful ice formations we found!

22/01/2024

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and nobody else signed up for my trip, but I'm awfully glad I went anyway! I put in at the north end of Golden Gardens, from the beach, and paddled north along the shoreline, about a mile past Carkeek to Boeing Creek, then turned around and came back, about 6 miles total.

No rain at all while I was on the water, and very little wind. I spotted plenty of cormorants, buffleheads, mergansers, and gulls. Also one kingfisher and a great blue heron. Several seals kept me company for a while, including one that surfaced about 15' in front of me, saw me, and made a fast and splashy exit again. Just off the beach on my return, I paralleled a sea lion who kept showing off its flippers and was being quite vocal. Very cool way to end a beautiful trip. Here's a video of that: https://vimeo.com/samwestover/sealion

10/01/2024

Our annual eagle-watching float trip on the Skagit River was a great success, offering stunning scenery, good company, and plenty of feathered friends. Though eagle numbers were down compared to some past years, the low water conditions provided a little more fun than usual, and the weather cooperated beautifully.

11/12/2023

10 paddlers in 7 gloriously decorated boats set out on Green Lake last night for the annual Pathway of Lights. Despite a bit of rain, we had a great time and hollered "Merry Christmas," and my new favorite greeting, "Happy Canew Year!" at all the folks walking around the lake.

17/08/2023

Join us and Seattle's paddling community for a special weekend!
Register here:
https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/diversify-whitewater-paddling-weekend---seattle-issaquah-september-888801?fbclid=IwAR3hbfOQ-8e4LvrF2Rg0z8gDtnc5_O5Ftb0cXH3kXIRx2QwGI4XmV0ZckOE_aem_AfuFrNdiFftUzqwC7EvnXd712HjPifj8fZWpb6fOipc092SbWsQUXZFNO03Ztl3SKzQ

While focused mainly on canoeing, Paddle Trails Canoe Club sponsors and supports the safety and enjo

08/08/2023

Join us for a River Safety Training Day - Saturday August 12th! This hands-on class will cover the fundamentals of River Safety and Rescue. It will include topics such as wet exiting your boat, how to swim a rapid, use of throw ropes, swimmer and boat rescues, wading in current and techniques for unpinning boats.
Sign up on the Paddle Trails web site
https://www.paddletrails.org/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=697352&item_id=1927832&event_date_id=255

08/06/2023

We're placing an order for Paddle Trails embroidered caps in the next few days. You've likely seen board members and trip coordinators sporting theirs at recent events. $20/hat. Let me know what color you'd like. The store also has other clothing options. Please let me know if there's something else you'd like to order. queensboro.com

Hat colors are shown here:

26/05/2023

Canoe Training This Summer!

Ever gone out for a nice day of tandem canoeing only to have it result in months of couples’ therapy? Planning an overnight trip and want to build your skills? Interested in stepping up to whitewater?

Paddle Trails Canoe Club has excellent member-instructors who will focus on safety, helping you learn, and making sure you have a great time on the water.
Check out our training page for details.
https://www.paddletrails.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=697352&module_id=175358

11/02/2023

Photos by Damian Shaw from a few different trips. Gorgeous!

31/01/2023

Check out Trip Reports for a full recap!

31/01/2023

PTCC has an Instagram account! If you post pictures of PTCC trips, please tag . Or, if you’d like us to post your pictures on the PTCC account, please send images to [email protected]. We hope you’ll follow us on Instagram and help us grow our online presence.

30/12/2022

PTCC Members, join us for the Skagit Eagle Float Saturday Jan. 7! We should see hundreds of eagles as we paddle the Skagit River from Marblemount to Rockport.
Learn more at https://paddletrails.org/

26/11/2022

A Thanksgiving Day paddle on Elliott Bay and the lower Duwamish River. Near-zero boat traffic, wind, or waves, and just perfect weather.

Sam and Lucy in the yellow boat, Jeff and Louise in the red boat.

23/11/2022

3 boats on the Black River. Another chilly morning and very little current except at the very end of our 7-mile paddle. Tons of ducks, 2 swans, a beaver, a muskrat, several kingfishers, and a bald eagle.

20/11/2022

A beautiful fall day in the PNW. Perfect for this flatwater paddle on Lake Whatcom. The morning started pretty chilly, around 40°, but warmed up with the sun.

Check out the club info here: https://paddletrails.org/ and join us to come along on future trips!

26/08/2022

Join Us at this Diversify Whitewater event!
https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/diversify-whitewater-paddling-weekend---seattle-issaquah-september-852569?fbclid=IwAR3ME14lcU4oyxSVJY4RT9CtQeyo3PTmF2consYhLTyNwOQ12oEd0zgTUX0

06/08/2022

We’re putting on a River Safety Clinic this coming Saturday! Sign up and brush up on your skills! https://www.paddletrails.org/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=697352&item_id=1638075&event_date_id=255

22/07/2022

Hey Paddle Trails - here's a chance to help recreational boating on the Skagit River! Take this quick survey about recreational flow preferences on Skagit. It's one of a number of studies being done as part of the dam relicensing effort.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Skagitrecflowsurvey

13/07/2022

American Whitewater is proud to release a new series of river safety films. These films offer up-to-date and easily digestible tips to help keep you and your friends safe on the water. Designed to simply and effectively communicate the most basic elements of whitewater safety, these films provide a....