Let's meet at 8:30 to paddle at 9:00. We will put-in at a sandy beach at a free boat ramp near Tiki Island. There should be porta-potties (unrated) there. With the moderate presently forecast winds, I plan to do the depicted route clockwise. There are bird rookeries on both North and South Deer Islands. These islands are protected habitat so don't plan to land. On prior trips we have seen great egrets, great blue herons, roseate spoonbills, lots of tricolored herons, little blue herons, snowy egrets, black skimmers, oystercatchers, and flocks of white ibis. You will need to be able to paddle 14 miles in open water and handle your boat in windy, choppy conditions. Spray skirts and ability to participate in assisted rescues, if necessary, are required. Bring whatever safety and rescue gear you have (paddle float, bilge pump, radio, etc.) You will be up to a mile from shore during two 2-mile bay crossings.
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We will encounter lots of oysters on this trip, so bring your plastic boat and maybe some mignonette sauce.
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Bring lunch and snacks and LOTS of water. We will find a midway lunch spot, probably at Galveston's 8 Mile Road, which coincidentally is at 8 miles of our paddle. Please consider your appetite and stamina for this long warm open water paddle that we will try to do at a 3+ mph (businesslike) pace. There are no bailout spots for the last 6 miles.
Directions -- Drive I-45 South toward Galveston and take the Tiki Island exit (Exit 4). At the intersection, bear right onto Virginia Point Road. Continue toward the large billboard. Where the road turns right under I-45, continue straight into the parking lot. We will likely put in on the sand beach beyond the parking lot. Look for a teal Honda CRV FWC 6215. There is a service station at the exit.
Lat - lon of the put-in is 29°18'24.17"N, 94°54'23.30"W
Hazards -- Dehydradtion!!! Bring more water than you think you need, at least 3 - 4 quarts. We will be crossing the Intracostal Waterway with large boat traffic. Current in the Intracostal can intensify choppy conditions. There is also a lot of small boat traffic in the area. Oyster Reefs - These are both above and below the water. Submerged reefs can usually be seen as a darker area. The boat ramp may be slippery.
Trip Leader |
Carl Kuhnen |
Trip Assistants |
Karen Newcomb, Bob Scaldino |
Trip Rating* |
3 |
Ready to Launch at |
9:00 AM |
Duration (hours |
7 |
Paddling Miles |
14 |
Emergency Initiator |
Linda Kuhnen 713-444-6727 |
Emergency Phone #s |
Galveston Police (409) 765-3702, Galveston County Sheriff 409-766-2300,
USCG 713-678-9057 |
Latest Expected Return |
6 PM |
Auto Description/Lic # |
Teal Honda CRV FWC 6215 |
Distance from Houston |
45 |
* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather.
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This is an ACA sanctioned event. Every participant must wear a PFD.
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Guests – You are welcome to join us for a couple of paddle trips. HASK will cover the $5 ACA event membership for non-ACA members. Hopefully you will then join HASK and continue paddling with us.