Deception Pass Kayak/Paddle Event – The Rest of the Story
The US. Coast Guard Thirteenth District recently issued a press release, reporting events of December 11th in Deception Pass, where participants in the Deception Pass Challenge event were rescued by Coast Guard and other First Responders. Waggoner Facebook posted the USCG press release which received a number of comments.
One of the comments suggested that the event had USCG approval. The event was listed in USCG Local Notice to Mariners, which indicates that the organizers provided the required notice to USCG of the event on form CG-4423 – see
https://homeport.uscg.mil/Pages/MarineEventFormSubmission.aspx for the sample form.
Most recently, organizers of the event contacted Waggoner and provided their perspective on preparations and events of that day. What follows are the organizers’ account of the events of December 11, 2021 at the Deception Pass Challenge:
• Coast Guard vessels were already at the event
• Required Coast Guard permit gives access to their boats to support the event
• We also had two Skagit Search and Rescue boats (SAR) as part of the event
• Most paddlers were ‘assisted’ or righted and got back on their own
• Only a handful were ‘rescued’ and brought to shore. All the assists and rescues took place off Bowman Bay, not in the Pass
• This event has taken place for 14 years without incident. It’s a rough water race not unlike sailing events held regularly in our waters in winter
• We had a window in the weather for the day, but got a freak wind storm that was over in 2 hours. The gale wind warning had lifted by morning. Forecasts and real time wind readings for the area showed SE 15kt winds, which don’t build waves in the Pass on the ebb
• All racers were required to wear life jackets, wear immersion clothing, carry a communication device, and wear Hi-Vis clothing for visibility
• No agency involved opposed us starting the race
• All were on shore 30 min after the race was cancelled, paddlers in good spirits afterwards (with no injuries)
Thank you to all who provided comments on Waggoner Facebook and to the organizers of the event for further clarification. Our mission at Waggoner is to provide boaters with accurate and helpful information.