I like to be on the water. Less than two years ago I've discovered kayaking and last year added stand up paddling, or SUP. It is always entertaining to go to paddling events and see different types of watercraft, people of all ages and abilities who enjoys being close to nature without leaving huge gasoline driven footprint. In 2011 Andrew and I made a small movie about Deception Pass Dash. 

On March 17th 2013 we drove to Alderbrook Resort and Spa for a First Annual St. Paddle's Day.

Driving across Tacoma Narrows bridge with kayak and SUP

Tacoma Narrows bridge is very windy, so we stopped to check that our kayak and SUP were solidly tied up.It is a beautiful structure, now doubled after construction of the second bridge. Alderbrook Resort is situated in about an hour drive from Tacoma on a shores of Hood Canal overlooking Olympic mountains.

View from the Alderbrook resort

We were expecting to see a big croud of competitors for the 4 mile race and people from Skokomish Tribe welcoming paddlers on traditional wooden canoes. Tribal people called in honestly saying that they slept in. And there were 14 racers, total. Half were on SUP.

Small group of racers

Rob Casey, author of the first book on stand up paddleboarding "Stand Up Paddling" was giving overview of the race course.

Rob Casey

Weather was surprisingly good, sunny and windy.

SUP and hood canal Support group

Here I am , sitting on my cedar strip SUP.

Katya Palladina on cedar strip SUP

And here is the winner of sea kayak division Andrew Elizaga in his Sterling Illusion kayak.

Andrew Elizaga, winner of sea kayak division

It turned out to be a fun event and I hope it will grow into a bigger race every year.

For more images from this event please go here.