Image thanks to Rob Casey
Director’s Corner
Gratefulness and #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday Is here!
We hope that if you have set aside tax deductible dollars for year-end giving, you will keep us in mind.
Without your support we wouldn’t be able to continue working on creating access to the water, and safe haven while paddling. This year we have been able to reach-out through our events in the North and South Sound, meet new people, and gain new ideas.
Delivering new signage to park rangers has been a wonderful way to get to know them better and what they need. I had the pleasure to meet-up with Ranger David Halpern of Lime Kiln State Park and go with him on his rounds of Posey and Stuart Islands. We had some great conversations on what those areas need and how they are used.
Thanks to all the volunteers who have driven or paddled to various sites with the tools needed to clean and repair our signage.
Our wishes for more sites along the Hood Canal are coming to fruition. We have added three day-use sites belonging 
to the Great Peninsula Conservancy: Hahobas, Filucy, and Misery Point. These are strict Leave No Trace pack-it-in, pack-it-our sites. Many thanks to Jared Brockway for adding these to our mapping system!
Aaron Bartleson of Kitsap County Parks also reached out to us to let us know they want to reopen two of our sites on the Hood Canal.
We have been able to keep our site at Oak Harbor open. It is important as it satisfies the need to have safe haven while paddling, and has the added advantage of being close to town for resupply and a good meal. This was accomplished after three separate meetings with the Chief of Police, City Manager and City Council. Now we just need to work on signage!
We have started conversations with Clallum County Parks regarding a potential site at Salt Creek County Park, and they seem amenable.
Our steward of Griffin Bay, Susan Ridgley, alerted us to the fact that an outfitter has been liberally using the area. She contacted our Department of Natural Resources contact, Tristan Currin about the issue, and I followed up with him. He is going to see what he can do regarding the movement of picnic tables and other issues.
Our Paddles and Picnics and Work Parties have been very well attended this year, and thanks to all who contributed through leading and attending. Ala Spit is a great example. We are so happy that we have a green light to keep Ala Spit open thanks to Jan Van Muyden of Island County Parks.
Our educational events are also going well. Members seem to enjoy learning more about tides and currents, wind and waves and trip planning. One of our goals is to make sure everyone is trying to stay safe on the water, and also knowing how to maintain our natural resources.
We ask for a donation for these events as a fundraiser and are always looking for more great speakers. Tomorrow, as a matter of fact, Daniel Joy is giving an Introduction to Trip Planning on Zoom!
One of our members said: “Everything WWTA has done and continues to do is a great success. It’s all important to me and to many others. I am truly grateful to have kayaked and camped at many of the WWTA campsites over the years. We have an amazing resource here in Washington state thanks to WWTA staff and volunteers”.
We appreciate and are grateful for every donation we receive to help us continue with our mission:
Through advocacy, education, and stewardship, Washington Water Trails Association protects and promotes public access to Washington waterways, shorelines, and marine trails for human-powered watercraft.
Donations help us carry on the vision of Tom Steinburn, Tom Deschner and other founders to not only create access to the water but to create and maintain more trail sites for human powered craft.
Sincerely,
Andrée Hurley
Executive Director
PS
On the subject of fundraising, we are listed on AmazonSmile; each time you shop, you can help!
Events
November 29th, 2022
#GivingTuesday; we hope you will join in the giving! You can donate through Washington Gives or directly on our website with a special button we have created.
November 30th, 2022
Introduction to Kayak Trip Planning – a great follow-up to our last class!
With Daniel Joy: there are many options for day trips and over night trips in the Puget Sound. This talk will cover how to use the tools needed to plan a kayak trip – charts, compass, course plotter, current predictions (and tides), and weather.
We will then use these tools to pick the best trip out of three examples based on currents, time, and weather.
Be prepared to use your web browsers to follow the links during the exercise portion of the talk.
(We are discussing an on-water segment as a follow-up to this Zoom class.)
Biography: Daniel Joy has taught with the Kayak Academy for over ten years. He is a level 3 certified ACA Sea Kayak Instructor. He got his start kayaking by taking the Kayak Academy’s five-day training camp course from George Gronseth in 2007. Dan teaches the SK101, SK102, SK110, rolling and other classes. Dan has been known to assist with the overnight San Juan class and the Deception Pass tidal rapids class. He has built two wooden sea kayaks and kayaks year round for both fun and exercise.
Dan is the co-founder of LogicMatter, Inc – A Seattle-based company that does data analytics and reporting for critical environments. He lives in Seattle, Washington. All four of his kids have become kayakers!
Suggested donation: $30.00
Find tickets on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-kayak-trip-planning-with-daniel-joy-tickets-465165100337
Save the Dates:
December 8th, 2022:
Planning Your Next Inside Passage Kayak Trip
Bill Brackin will give you a good overview of how to pick and plan a successful and safe multi-day Inside Passage sea kayak trip. Helpful tips, books, websites, apps, and more will be shared. Photos of the beauty of the Inside Passage will be shown.
January 26th, 2023
Cascadia Marine Trail by Sail & Oar
The Cascadia Marine Trail is open to all types of human and wind powered vessels, but most people paddle it by kayak. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to row or sail the Trail? Join writer and sailor Bruce Bateau for an overview of his travels along the Marine Trail in a variety of small boats. He’ll share stories, tips for boats and equipment, and spend time answering questions about how to get started.
*We offer classes and events both to educate and to raise money as donations. The suggested donation is $30.00 although we offer a sliding scale so as not to exclude anyone.