Description

Mappy Hour Seattle is excited to cohost the 5th annual "Kayak the Ballard Locks" event over Memorial Day weekend with the PNW kayaking community!

Meet at the new Fritz Hedges park for a potluck breakfast social on Saturday May 28th at 8:30am. Meet members of the kayaking community, check out gear, and share a meal. The group will then launch kayaks and begin the paddle at 10am.

This is a 10-mile out-and-back paddle from the north end of Lake Union, through the Ballard Locks, and out to Puget Sound near Golden Gardens.

Bring your own kayak, gear, and plan to either pack a lunch or buy lunch at Un Bien at the halfway point.

Due to the length of the paddle, sea kayaks that are 14' to 17' in length will be the most efficient type of kayak for this trip. Kayaks of all types are welcome, but inflatables and sit-on-tops can struggle to keep up with the larger group. Paddlers may opt to paddle halfway and arrange their own pickup from Point Shilshole Beach or Golden Gardens.

RSVP for access to our private Whatsapp event chat. This is a free event, but we gladly accept your donations to help us procure breakfast supplies!

FB event page:

https://facebook.com/events/s/nw-kayaking-big-seattle-paddle/1442239313167285/

Fritz Hedges Waterway Park:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vdkcR1VKPby9M9a56

Un Buen:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wFqcmay2AHDcBU3M7

Agenda:
8:30am-10am Meet at Fritz Hedges park for a potluck breakfast social
10am Launch from Fritz Hedges park and paddle through the Ballard Locks
2pm lunch stop at Point Shilshole Beach and Un Bien, then paddle back to Fritz Hedges
Estimated total trip distance and duration: 10 miles and 6-8 hours depending on halfway point break duration