It’s been 15 years in the making, but he’s finally bringing an idea and an adventure for the masses to fruition.
In 1994, John Kuntz, president of the Olympic Outdoor Center, paddled his away around the entire 150-nautical mile Kitsap Peninsula.
“I thought that was such a great experience I should open it up to others,” Kuntz recalled. “Fifteen years later I’m finally getting around to doing it.”
Poulsbo-based Olympic Outdoor Center, in conjunction with the Olympic Kayak Club, is hosting a paddle around the Kitsap Peninsula “Puget Sound Challenge.”
All are invited to participate in the 150-nautical mile journey from Belfair to Allyn. The only requirement is participants must complete the journey in one year.
The club has broken the challenge into 14 tide-assisted segments, but paddlers can conquer the course in any order, length, direction and at any time of their choosing.
Paddlers can begin the challenge whenever they like, but the club’s schedule can be found at www.olympickayakclub.com/puget-sound-challenge-schedule.html. It’s not a race and there are no rules. However, two days have been determined as official start and end dates: Start, April 4 at the Belfair State Park boat ramp at 9 a.m. End, Oct. 10, noon at the Allyn Waterfront Park.
The first leg is an eight-mile stretch, which is the equivalent of about three hours of paddling, as Kuntz said most can paddle as fast as they can walk.
Not only do kayakers stand to accomplish a paddling milestone, but a tremendous aesthetic and physical journey awaits.
“Number one, you’re paddling in the midst of mountains and rivers in the beautiful Puget Sound. Coming up the Hood Canal there’s the whole Olympic range and when you turn around the North End there’s the whole Cascade range with Mount Baker and Rainier,” Kuntz said. “Number two is the marine environment and the mammals: whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises and resident mammals like river otters.”
Kuntz said when he did the journey in 1994 he saw three whales about 10-15 feet from his kayak.
The challenge is intended to create kayak enthusiasts, to raise money and awareness for Washington Water Trails and to offer an awesome experience to all participants.
So far about 40 people have signed up for the challenge and Kuntz anticipates upwards of 200 participants.
The challenge is slated to be an annual event, but the course will vary. A few possible future challenge courses could run around the San Juan Islands and the South Sound area.
A $25 donation is suggested, which provides a 3-inch-by-3-inch boat decal, a Puget Sound Challenge T-shirt and $5 for Washington Water Trails.
Those who wish to paddle can sign up anytime throughout the year by mailing a $25 check made out to Olympic Kayak Club to Olympic Kayak Club, PO Box 2247, Poulsbo, WA 9837, or online at www.olympickayakclub.com/puget-sound-challenge-sign-up.html.
“Paddling this whole thing would be a major goal for kayakers,” Kuntz said. “It’s like the Seattle to Portland bike ride of paddling.”
