Paddle Kitsap

Transforming Individuals and Communities

through Paddling

Member of the North Kitsap Trails Association
Paddle Kitsap paddler

Paddler Info

Be Prepared Be Safe

Paddle in Groups

What We Provide

Evening Before

  • Paddler City tent site in Kingston
  • Shuttle to Port Gamble the next morning

Day 1

  • Continental Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner in Kingston that Evening
  • Entertainment that Evening
  • Rest Stops Snacks and Drinks
  • Paddler City tent site in Kingston
  • Showers and Restroom

Day 2

  • Continental Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner at Poulsbo Waterfront Park that Evening
  • Entertainment that Evening
  • Rest Stops Snacks and Drinks
  • Shuttle back to Kingston or Port Gamble at End of Day

The Goods! What you get to Keep!

  • Keepsake T-Shirt
  • Paddle Kitsap handbook
  • Boat decal (3"x3") of Paddle Kitsap logo that will surely make you the envy of your paddling group and keep you coming back year after year for more.

What to Bring

Your Boat in the following condition:

  • Flotation in each end of the boat either bulk headed hatches with covers or float bags.

  • No cracked hatch covers missing covers or unsafe hatch systems. Boat must be able to float in case of capsize.

  • Carry handles on each end of the boat.

  • Bow and Stern lines - 12 foot long, nylon cord OK.

  • Recreational kayaks or open canoes only if provided with proper flotation. Sit on top kayaks OK.

  • All the * items below.

For the Boat (star items are required)

  • ____* Life Jacket(Must wear at all times on the water)

  • ____* Paddle/Oar (light as possible)

  • ____Paddle/Oar Leash

  • ____* Spray Skirt (required for all sit-in boats)

  • ____* Bilge Pump(required for all sit-in boats)

  • ____* Paddle Float (required for all sit-in boats)

  • ____*Whistle(required by Coast Guard)

  • ____Basic First-Aid Kit

  • ____* Bow Tow Line (12 feet)

  • ____* Stern Tow Line (12 feet)

  • ____*Two 20-oz. water bottles (or equal hydration pack)

  • ____Waterproof cases (cell phone, GPS,VHF, iPod, etc.)

  • ____*Cell Phone for emergency(at least 1 per group)

  • ____Dry Bags size 5 and 10 for clothes and gear

  • ____Binoculars

  • ____Chart Case or large zip lock for days chart

Boating Clothing

  • ____Short-sleeve Shirt

  • ____Long-sleeve Shirt

  • ____Shorts

  • ____Tights

  • ____Wind jacket or paddling jacket

  • ____Wind pants or paddling pants

  • ____Dry suit or wetsuit (optional)

  • ____Tennis shoes, sandals or water shoe, NO flip-flops.

  • ____Paddling Gloves and/or Poggies

  • ____Hat

  • ____Sun Screen

  • ____Lip balm

  • ____Sunglasses with strap

Other

  • ____Camera(you will want to have one of these)

  • ____Pocket knife

  • ____* Personal identification(required by Coast Guard)

  • ____Cash or Bank Card for waterfront stores

  • ____Personal Snacks and Drinks

  • ____Small Tent and overnight gear.

Paddle Kitsap Paddlers Handbook

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On The Course

Course Support

Paddle Kitsap Prides itself on providing a fully supported Paddle. Our goal is to help you finish the days Paddle. To that end, our course is complete with the following services and amenities.



Ferry Pick Up Locations:


At this time we are only able to pickup in Kingston at the ferry terminal. For those coming from the Seattle side you can walk your boats onto the ferry and we will transport you and your boat to Port Gamble and back. There is no pickup at the ferry terminal on Bainbridge at this time.

Course Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5p.m.

Course support services are available only during the course hours. All Paddle Kitsap Paddlers must be off the course by 5:00 p.m. - no exceptions. Any paddler(s) still on the course after 5:00 p.m. will be given a escort to camp.

Lunch Site

Lunch is provided on the course each day , usually near the halfway point. Lunch sites will be complete with food, beverages, restrooms, water.



Rest Stops

At least one, usually two, rest stops will be available along the route each day to provide water, beverages and nutritious and delicious snacks. Rest Stop signs alert Paddlers when one is just ahead. You can also see the location of each Rest Stop on the maps that will be inside the Paddler packet you will receive at check-in.



SAG Van

There will be SAG van on the course each day. They are available to transport paddlers as needed due to problems or medical injuries and are occasionally available to transport paddlers down a section so that paddlers are able to finish the days Paddle. They also have extra water and snacks, if needed. If you do get into a SAG van, you may not be transported directly to the days end point. The SAG vans usually wait to go to until they are full.

There will be a SAG van available each morning to transport paddlers from site to site if paddlers are not feeling well, are injured or need a break from paddling. Go to Paddler Services before 8 a.m. to sign up for this shuttle option.



Boat Patrol

Volunteer boats patrol the Paddle Kitsap course each day. They are a great source of information and assistance and enhance the overall safety of the Paddle.



Boat Problems

Contact Paddler Services

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Two Day Itinerary of Paddle

Day 1 Port Gamble to Kingston 18 Nautical Miles (NM) 6 hours of paddling approx.

Day 2 Kingston to Poulsbo 14.5 NM 5 hours of paddling approx.

Day 1 Itinerary (Friday)

Start: 8AM - 9Am All Paddlers must be on the water

12 - 2 PM Lunch approximate

5Pm - All paddlers must be off the water

Rest Stops

Day2 Itinerary (Saturday)

Start: 9Am - 10AM All Paddlers must be on the water

2PM - 4PM - Lunch

5Pm - All paddlers must be off the water

4PM - BBQ at waterfront park in downtown Poulsbo

Rest Stops

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Where to Meet

Day 1 Meet at the Put-in in Port Gamble.

For those coming over on the Edmonds to Kingston ferry there will be a shuttle with a trailer to transport you and your boat to Port Gamble. This is no shuttle from the Bainbridge Ferry.

Drive to Port Gamble and Follow the signs.

Click here to MapQuest Port Gamble

Click here to visit Washington State Ferry Schedule

Day2 Meet at the Put-in at the Kingston Boat Launch

Start: 9Am - Noon All Paddlers must be on the water

1PM - 2PM - Lunch

5Pm - All paddlers must be off the water

4PM - BBQ at waterfront park in downtown Poulsbo

There will be a shuttle from Poulsbo to the Kingston ferry for you and your boat.

Rest Stops

Click here to MapQuest Kingston

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Overnight Accommodations

With registration you are entitled to one tent site at Paddlers Tent City.

Your overnight accommodations, if you are not using the tent city are your responsibility.

There are many B&B's, motels, and hotels in the area that you can stay. Check with these sites to see if they will provide transportation to and from our event.

The best source for overnight accommodations is to check the Kitsap visitor and convention web site. They have a complete list of camping, B&B's, motels and hotels as well as Suquamish Clearwater Casino.

Poulsbo Inn Paddle Kitsap Rate

Visit Kitsap

Click her for Kitsap Visitor and Convention Center Web Site.

Paddle Kitsap Paddlers Handbook

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Paddle Talk


Paddle Kitsap is for all levels of paddlers. You do not have to be an expert to paddle this course. It is fully supported so you can paddle a little or all of it depending on your ability and how you are feeling. Most of the course does not leave the shoreline and the open water crossings are short in duration. What is for sure is that there will be excellent scenery, glimpses of wildlife, and great friendships.