Paddle the Dragon


Join us at this year's Northwest Adventure Sports Festival for the run of the Paddle the Dragon Race. Compete against all levels of paddlers in various disciplines of paddling including outrigger canoes, paddle boards, standup paddle boards, surf skis, kayaks, and many other human powered crafts. This year's race course will take competitors from Port Gamble out across the Hood Canal and past the Hood Head dragon, rounding a buoy, and finally returning to the waterfront at Port Gamble.

Course may be changed to Port Gamble bay if there is severe weather conditions on the canal. Distance is the same.

* Click for 2010 kayak race results

* Click for 2011 kayak race results

Click to Enlarge Image of Race Course

Click to Enlarge Race Venue

Outrigger canoe with trailers can either use our beach put-in or use the boat ramp at Salisbury state park just down the road.

Salisbury Point County Park

Located just north of the Hood Canal Bridge, the Salisbury Point County Park and Public Boat Launch is a popular day-use destination for family picnics or launching your boat out onto Hood Canal.

How to determine your Sea Kayak Boat Classification

Click on table below to open the boat classification table. Boat classifications are determined by taking the length of the boat divided by the width in inches and then selecting the class.

Boat Classifications Sea Kayak

Race Registration

Individual Adult: $40.00
Individual Youth(18 & Under): $25
Outrigger Team: $20 per person
  (4 or more members)
Single Kayak Rental: $30
Double Kayak Rental: $40

Includes: Race, T-Shirt, Awards, Full Admission to Sports Festival.

Full Admission includes access to all demos, classes, venues, beach pass, the works.

Safety

  • A safety boat and safety kayakers will be on hand.
  • All race boats must be seaworthy, inherently buoyant (decked boats should have air bags or foam flotation), and capable of self rescue in the event of a capsize.
  • Flat water racing and training boats are not allowed.
  • Paddlers must wear a PFD and carry a whistle.
  • Paddlers must be dressed for immersion.
  • Paddle or boat leashes are highly recommended.
  • A VHF radio and/or visual signaling devices are highly recommended.

Check-in

All racers must check in at the registration table prior to the start of the race (even if you are paddling a tandem!). We reserve the right to delay/adjust the start time based on the tides and weather, or if safety precautions warrant it. All participants must sign a release form.

Ferry Schedules

Always check ferry schedule before planning your trip. These are estimated times.
Click for WSF Ferry Schedule

Boat Classification

All seaworthy crafts are welcome; canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, surf skis, outrigger canoes, ...

It is your responsibility to ensure that your vessel has adequate flotation/buoyancy on the day of the race and that you are capable of meeting any challenges of the course.

Click to find your Boat Classification from Sound Rowers.

SK - Sea Kayak
SK2 - Sea Kayak Double
FSK - Fast Sea Kayak
FSK2 - Fast Sea Kayak Double
HPK - High Performance Kayak
HPK2 - High Performance Double
OC1 -  Outrigger Class
OC2 - Outrigger Class
OC6 - Outrigger Class
OW -  Open Water
SUP - Standup Paddleboard

Many thanks to Sound Rowers for developing the boat classifications we use. Please support SR by joining and attending their yearlong series of races around Puget Sound.

Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers for water and land assistance. If you would like to help, please email us at programs@kayakproshop.com  Positions include; Racer and Volunteer check-in, Beach Crew to provide assistance to the racers, Timing Crew, Clean-up, etc.

Registration

Paddlers can register separately or together if a team or in a double.

We accept credit cards or PayPal and the process is 100% secure.