12.15.2024
It was finally calm enough in Tokyo Bay for me to connect my Yokosuka trips to my Yokohama trips. Launched from Sea Side Paradise and paddled into Negishi Bay / Horiwari River (linked with my 2019 Yokohama Trans Canoe Race). Always sketchy going through this stretch of Tokyo Bay with all the fishing boats, other traffic, and bathtub waves... but made it safe and sound.
Total Distance: 13.69 miles
Duration: 03:26.30
Average Speed: 4.0 mph
Max Speed: 6.7 mph
11.22.2024
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) returned to Japan and I welcomed her back via kayak. I almost missed her as I was paddling around waiting and didn't see her in the distance steaming in. I had to paddle hard to get to a good spot in time.
Total Distance: 9.80 miles
Duration: 02:36.00
Average Speed: 3.8 mph
Max Speed: 6.7 mph
11.09.2024
Paddled Yokohama for the first time since returning to Japan. Took a slightly different route from the first time as I paddled down the bay side of North Dock and also explored more of the canals past the Yokohama Train Station. Going to have to return for a few more trips in Yokohama in the near future.
Total Distance: 13.17 miles
Duration: 03:22.13
Average Speed: 3.9 mph
Max Speed: N/A mph
11.03.2024
Today was a very different type of paddle for me. I typically go out early in the morning, let the trip wake me up and start my day with a clear mind. Today I paddled angry, and also left in the afternoon. It was much needed. I paddled hard and let the ocean absorb my anger and frustration. On my return back to home, I was spent... the last 3/4 of the trip turned out to be relaxing...the seas also calmed and got to paddle back to shore close to sunset. I can't help but think about this quote:
"No matter how hard I stabbed the ocean, with that blade, it would yield, it would accept all my energy and it just sucked it out of me." - Tom Verrerl
Total Distance: 5.59 miles
Duration: 01:22.12
Average Speed: 4.1 mph
Max Speed: 5.4 mph
10.18.2024
Launched from close-by to Enoshima Island and then paddled up the Sakai River until it Y-d with the River. I initially thought I wasn't allowed to keep going upstream due to bouys being layed over the river, however luckily there were a couple surf-skiers behind me who went around the buoys and I followed. That's two river paddles in a row now.
Total Distance: 8.75 miles
Duration: 02:13.52
Average Speed: 3.9 mph
Max Speed: 8.5 mph
10.12.2024
Returned to Chigasaki, but this time paddled away from Enoshima Island and explored paddling up the Sagami River. It was a beautiful fall day and even got to see a SUP race going on along the river as I was paddling back out. Also almost got hit by a large jumping fish.
Total Distance: 11.45 miles
Duration: 03:06.21
Average Speed: 3.7 mph
Max Speed: 7.8 mph
10.06.2024
First race since moving back to Japan. Super fun race participating in the 7th Annual Kanazawa-hakkei Canoe Race. Felt like I held my own pretty well and beat quite a few surf skis...sadly didn't do so well with the kayaks in my category, finishing 6th out of 9. Still had a great time.
Total Distance: 4.44 miles
Duration: 00:49:05
Average Speed: 5.4 mph
Max Speed: 6.3 mph
09.27.2024
Launched from Wada Beach and paddled North to Kasa Island and back. It's been a long time since I paddled this area and I forgot how amazing the Arasaki Park coastline was. Forecast had thundershowers in the area and I got absolutely dumped on during my paddle back.
Total Distance: 7.19 miles
Duration: 01:49.27
Average Speed: 3.9 mph
Max Speed: 5.0 mph
09.06.2024
It's September, so that means free parking at Wada Beach! Beautiful calm morning as I paddled around Jogashima Island from Wada beach and back. Got to test out some of my new gear in the process: my new Stellar kayak seat pad and NRS Ninja PFD I got on closeout.
Total Distance: 10.75 miles
Duration: 02:35.10
Average Speed: 4.2 mph
Max Speed: 5.7 mph
08.31.2024
Returned to Hakone and Lake Ashinoko. It was a stormy weekend with Typhoon Shanshan outer bands hitting, but found a nice window in the AM between thunderstorms. Paddling lake Ashi is so peaceful and remote...only a couple fisherman out on the water with me.
Total Distance: 8.96 miles
Duration: 02:24.52
Average Speed: 3.7 mph
Max Speed: 4.5 mph
08.22.2024
Paddled in a new spot in Japan...launched from Chigasaki and paddled out to Eboshi Iwa Island, and lapped Enoshima Island from the West. Nice paddle, and also saw a couple small sharks swimming at the surface (my best guess is leapord sharks).
Total Distance: 11.07 miles
Duration: 02:42.06
Average Speed: 4.1 mph
Max Speed: 5.0 mph
08.02.2024
Finally a calmer day out in the ocean. Launched from Jogashima Island and was able to explore the amazing coastline, along with the southern end of the Miura Peninsula. Also got to practice a new forward paddle technique that I'm really digging...helps with core paddling getting proper torso rotation.
I also had a first time experience too, paddled with a sea turtle! I didn't even know they were out here in Japan, but he/she popped up in front of me and dove down while I passed him/her on my side.
Total Distance: 8.66 miles
Duration: 02:16.09
Average Speed: 3.8 mph
Max Speed: 5.1 mph
07.20.2024
Paddled from Glass Beach on a breezy Saturday. I thought this spot would be more protected, but I was wrong! Good training paddle though...there were moments where I had swell, wind, and fishing boats coming from different directions at the same time.
Total Distance: 4.08 miles
Duration: 01:10.41
Average Speed: 3.5 mph
Max Speed: 5.1 mph
07.13.2024
Took the Stellar out again, launched from Miura Beach and paddled south towards the end of Miura Peninsula. It was glass in Tokyo Bay, but the seas came alive once I passed the Tsurugisaki Lighthouse...made for a fun paddle. And for the first time since my return to Japan, free parking!
Total Distance: 9.40 miles
Duration: 02:09.58
Average Speed: 4.3 mph
Max Speed: 5.2 mph
07.06.2024
Purchased a new kayak! Felt like I got a steal on this brand new 2011 model Stellar S18 Sport. Picked it up from South Wind Kayak shop in Yokohama yesterday and maiden trip on the water today.
Launched from Morito Beach and paddled south to Sajima Marina and back. Still need to adjust the seat a little better, but the kayak does feel pretty fast. Happy I got a fast kayak to do some Japan races!
Total Distance: 10.70 miles
Duration: 02:35.13
Average Speed: 4.1 mph
Max Speed: 5.1 mph
07.04.2024
4th of July Paddle in Japan. I still need to get better about how to predict the conditions of the sea...it was a calm day wind-wise, but man the ocean was alive! Launched from Jogashima Island and paddled a lap around it. Almost turned around on my lap as I almost flipped a couple of times, but man was in good practice. Sure don't get conditions like this back in the Puget Sound!
Total Distance: 6.88 miles
Duration: 01:53.09
Average Speed: 3.6 mph
Max Speed: 5.0 mph
06.22.2024
Nice and easy paddle this morning, lauched from Morito and paddled south towards Isshiki, around Oga Island and back. Mt. Fuji was out with barely and snow on it...plus first trip with the Chatham to to the Tori Gate.
Total Distance: 5.77 miles
Duration: 01:33.59
Average Speed: 3.7 mph
Max Speed: 4.7 mph
06.19.2024
Returned to Glass Beach and this is now the 2nd spot in Japan I used to park for free and now have to pay... can't really complain though.
Juneteenth paddle as went from Glass Beach around Monkey Island and back. Getting hot/humid here in Japan as I need to start bringing water! Good paddle though as Tokyo Bay was nice a calm.
Total Distance: 12.21 miles
Duration: 03:15.58
Average Speed: 3.7 mph
Max Speed: 5.1 mph
06.12.2024
Work trip to Honolulu Hawaii, and suprisingly was able to knock out a paddle during our team-building off-site.
Our off-site was at the Kualoa Ranch at Secret Island. After our team-building exercises, we got free time and I was able to take one of the kayaks out. The downside is they were all sit-on-tops and couldn't go past the buoys. I felt like a caged animal, but can't complain. This would be a beautiful area to paddle in the future....
Trip 1 Total Distance: 1.12 miles
Duration: 00:31.21
Average Speed: 2.4 mph
Max Speed: 3.6 mph
Trip 2 Total Distance: 1.12 miles
Duration: 00:24.12
Average Speed: 2.8 mph
Max Speed: 3.6 mph
05.25.2024
Did one of my classic paddles in Japan, lap around Enoshima Island from Hayama. Felt good to get a long paddle in again.
Total Distance: 11.67 miles
Duration: 03:01.25
Average Speed: 3.9 mph
Max Speed: 5.1 mph
05.18.2024
Household goods arrive and got the Chatham out in Japanese waters. Man I've missed this kayak as it's so smooth going through the water. Figured out the parking at Wadanahama Beach and had a nice paddle South into Aburatsubo Bay
Kayaking feels so different in Japan and I definately miss it.
Total Distance: 6.66 miles
Duration: 01:46.49
Average Speed: 3.7 mph
Max Speed: 5.5 mph
05.11.2024
Very windy/choppy paddle but got to see the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) return from Sea Trials. Not as close as I normally get to the CVNs like in the States, but felt like being extra cautions being in a foreign country!
It was tough making it out at first with the long lines of fishing boats heading out into Tokyo Bay, but eventually made it out just in time. Also paddled a bit in the protected harbor after seeing the Reagan come in.
Total Distance: 6.52 miles
Duration: 02:13.58
Average Speed: 2.9 mph
Max Speed: 5.4 mph
04.28.2024
First trip back in Japan with the Pakayak showing up in my unaccopanied baggage shipment. Ended up being a really short/quick paddle as the parking situation at Wadanahama Beach was confusing and didn't want to get a parking ticket.
It was good getting back to the water as I forgot how beautiful kayaking in Japan was.
Total Distance: 2.76 miles
Duration: 00:39.52
Average Speed: 4.1 mph
Max Speed: 4.7 mph
03.16.2024
Last race in the US for quite some time... worked out well as it's right before all my stuff gets packed out to Japan. Ben joined me in St. Paddle's Day 2024. Beautiful day for a race as I placed 2nd in kayaks (although mostly SUPs in the race). I pushed hard as I couldn't lift my right shoulder after the race!
Total Distance: 6.58 miles
Duration: 01:12:47
Average Speed: 5.4 mph
Max Speed: 6.6 mph
02.24.2024
Going away camping / kayaking trip with Jon and Jeramy. Camped on Jeramy's property off of Guillemot Cove on the Hood Canal. It was a super calm day on the canal as we paddled south to the Hamma Hamma River, shared a pitcher of Potlatch IPA at the Hamma Hamma Oyster Saloon, and paddled back. It was the first time I've paddled up to a place for a beer which was awesome (and I'm sure we all looked cool in our bright yellow drysuits, haha). Also really cool exporing a part of the Hood Canal I've never paddled before.
Camping was good too which included an awesome bonfire...a camping must.
Total Distance: 18.19 miles
Duration: 05:29.25
Average Speed: 3.3 mph
Max Speed: 5.1 mph
02.16.2024
Returned to the Skokomish River from Union and took the other river route through the estuary at high tide. Launched just before sunset on a beautiful brisk February morning for a nice paddle, a little breeze on the canal on the return, but can't compain!
Total Distance: 7.14 miles
Duration: 01:47.32
Average Speed: 4.0 mph
Max Speed: 4.6 mph
01.20.2024
Knocked another one off my list -> paddling around Protection Island off of Sequim. Launched from the Gardiner Boat launch in Discovery Bay and Protection Island was cool to see up close; the launch spot made it a perfect 12 mile-ish round trip distance. Lots of wildlife and the tall cliffs to see on the island.
Total Distance: 12.39 miles
Duration: 02:54.50
Average Speed: 4.3 mph
Max Speed: 5.3 mph
01.14.2024
Cold kayaking as it was 18 degrees at launch and warmed up to a balmy 22 degrees later. Met up with Jon and Jeramy as we launched from Lions Park and paddled counter-clockwise around in Dyes inlet. Had to break through ice in a few spots which was pretty cool. Also stopped for a quick warm snack break near Jackson Park. Good paddle for the new year.
Total Distance: 13.90 miles
Duration: 03:40.26
Average Speed: 3.8 mph
Max Speed: 6.5 mph
