Why Paddle With Me?
When I first started in 1980, I was the only local company leading kayak expeditions in the San Juans. Today there are a lot of outfitters out there. That means a lot of choices for you. Here are twelve solid reasons why you should choose San Juan Kayak Expeditions for your multi-day adventure:
1. EXPERIENCE
I am a local. I have lived and kayaked in these islands for thirty-two years. I have guided my own multi-day trips for twenty-nine years, have led over 450 expeditions throughout these islands and have logged more than 10,000 miles paddling in the San Juans. I specialize in orca whale spotting. No one else can offer you that kind of experience.
If you paddle with me, you’ll be paddling in my backyard. In a place where the tides can change up to thirteen vertical feet in one six hour period and the winds are unpredictable, a guide with my knowledge, experience and judgement is imperitive to a safe, fulfilling and educational multi-day sea kayak journey. When you sign up for a San Juan Kayak Expeditions adventure, you are certain who your guide is going to be and what his experience level is. With any other company, no matter how long they’ve been in business, the guide you get will be a roll of the dice, and something that important is not worth the gamble.
“We wanted to drop you a line to say THANKS. We had a great time. The weather, food and the people really made this a trip to remember. I am sure you hear this all the time, but your sense of humor and your knowledge of the area are what make your trips so enjoyable. I will be in contact with you as we get closer to September to book our next trip. I have quite a few friends who will love to join us next year. Thanks again” Rick and Jeanne ThompsonScandia, MN
2. SAFETY
I have never had a client capsize on one of my trips. That unprecedented record is a reflection of my experience, judgement, quality equipment and observational skills. My record stands alone. I carry all safety equipment(flares, GPS, chart, VHF radio, cell phone, first aid kit, etc.).
“Thanks for making this an extraordinary experience for all of us…from start to finish.”Mark Epley
Portland, OR
3. TOP QUALITY EQUIPMENT
I use only new, state-of-the-art, two-person, rudder-controlled sea kayaks(Seascape II by Northwest Kayaks), lightweight fiberglass paddles(Camano by Werner Paddles), top quality, comfortable and dry spray skirts(Snap Dragon Designs)and comfortable life jackets(Sabre by Extrasport). I also supply you with a Therma-Rest inflatable seat cushion while paddling, cockpit covers to keep things dry inside your kayak at night, new two-person tents and, just in case, a quality rain tarp for our comfort in camp.
I am out on the water all summer,every summer, so I know there is no other outfitter around here whose equipment ranks up there with mine. I am as proud as punch of that fact.
4. VALUE
Because I am a small operation, I am able to keep my prices low without sacrificing service, quality and professionalism. I don’t have seasonal guides, multiple vans and trailers, outlets in town, motorized support boats, heavy advertising expenses(no “sponsored” listings on Google, for example) or other overhead. I run a well organized yet simple operation honed by experience, and that means a positive experience for you at an affordable rate.
“I’m on my way home from Seattle this morning. I just wanted to say thanks for all you did for us. The trip was safe, fun, varied, challenging, delicious, relaxing, informative and beautiful. All the best to you.”Christin Arnini
Bethany, CT
5. PERSONAL ATTENTION
The small size and professional nature of my company mean I can give you the personal attention necessary to make your kayak experience a positive one. I answer your e-mail and telephone inquiries personally. In fact, I take care of every aspect of the trip including guide it.
6. LAUGHTER
Yes, laughter is an important aspect of my trips that sets them apart. Perhaps it is the nature of my website, the clients who come to me via word-of-mouth or just my bubbly personality that attracts fun people, but everyone just seems to bring along a sense of humor. My trips are full of variety, relaxing, action-packed and totally fun. Possibly the sorest part of your body after paddling three or four days with me just may be your cheeks (facial, that is).
“We came, we paddled, we laughed, we conquered. Thanks,Tim for our sixth great trip. They just keep getting better. Just wish we could have won a game of horseshoes.” Craig and Ryan Britt West Seattle, WA7. WILDFLOWERS AND WHALES
In the month of May, I offer you a chance to enjoy the spectacle of up to thirty-five species of blooming wildflowers in a marine setting as we hike a little-known island jewel and to paddle with orca whales in the wild. Indian paintbrush, great camas, shooting stars, naked desert parsley, broadleaf starflower, western buttercup, field chickweed, chocolate and fawn lillies, etc. form a colorful carpet at our feet while blue ocean dotted with small islands creates a unique backdrop. This trip has all of the usual scenery and wildlife plus a little more. Let’s go wildflower and whale watching this spring.
“I just wanted to drop you a line to make sure you know how special our trip in the San Juans with you was! I had so many amazing moments – it has been very inspiring, and it is mostly due to your positive energy and enthusiasm for what you do – it is absolutely contagious! Thank you for leading us all in an experience that I’m sure we will all remember dearly for the rest of our lives!”
Emily La Shorne Brooklyn, NY8. KAYAK SAILING
I have devised and patented a safe, lightweight and easy to use spinnaker complete with a forward viewing window that allows each kayak to sail with the wind at exciting speeds. Anyone can sail. You will receive professional instruction on how to safely and efficiently use the wind to propel your double kayak through the sea. My patented sailing system is no gimmick and definitely raises my expeditions to an exciting new level of adventure. No other outfitter offers this unique alternative to paddling. It’s a total rush and makes kayaking a breeze (pun intended).
“Sailing totally blew us away. HAR. HAR. The sound of the sea rushing under our kayak as we crossed effortlessly to Speiden Island at 7 knots made us realize that we were unique and awesome adventurers. Thanks Tim for an experience of a lifetime.”
Mike and Krishna Smith Portland, OR9. WE ARE MOVING FORWARD
I do not use base camps, so my expeditions are unique and constantly changing. We break camp every morning and paddle or sail to new and different areas. This maximizes your experience by increasing your exposure to varied coastlines and wildlife habitat. Your chance to paddle with orca whales increases by traveling coastlines frequented by our resident pods. You are also better able to experience the rhythm of a sea kayak expedition. One word that best describes my expeditions is “variety.” We finish our adventure miles from where it began, and we never backtrack. Every mile of your journey will be new, exciting, adventurous and unique. And on the last evening of every trip – an island to ourselves. Reserved exclusively for San Juan Kayak Expeditions, this small, island jewel will be ours for a night. Enjoy.
10. HIKE & PADDLE
Every evening of each trip we enjoy a leisurely sunset paddle or hike. These special moments are always a highlight of my expeditions. Looking west into Canada from our elevated mossy bluff or from our floating kayaks, the serenity is palpable. As we enjoy the magic of the day’s last light, seals and porpoise feed around us while sea birds make their daily evening flights to their roosting sites. As night falls, our seclusion is complete. Upon our return to camp in the dusk, let’s light the campfire and share a few tales of our travels.
“I wanted to send you a brief thank you note. Kathy and I had a great time on our trip with you – it was over much too quickly -and we are having fun recounting our experiences to family, friends and co-workers. We particularly enjoyed the short hikes and the sunsets and your sharing of your knowledge about the area and the things we were seeing. We will be back for another whale encounter. Thanks.”Al Raymond
Minneapolis, MN
“Thanks for a fabulous trip. What a great way to see a beautiful part of the world.”
Terri Furman
Broomfield, CO
11. LOW-IMPACT CAMPING
I have called these islands home since 1978, and I feel that they and local wildlife are worth protecting. For this reason, my expeditions emphasize low-impact camping. Only by treating each beach, each campsite, each hiking trail and each creature with care and respect can we justify our passage.
My groups average six to eight and NEVER exceed twelve people. We leave each campsite cleaner than when we arrived. Evening fires use beach driftwood only and are kept small.
I am not affiliated with motorized, whale-watch tour companies, as these “stink pots” are extremely polluting and have a very high, negative impact on orca quality of life and marine life in general. In fact, research over the last ten years has shown that low salmon populations in conjunction with ever-increasing whale-watch tour boat numbers are combining to literally starve our resident orca population to death. In 2008 we lost eight whales due to starvation, two of them breeding-age females. I call upon all motorized,whale watch tour companies (both US and Canadian) to immediately halt the illegal, greedy, destructive, relentless pursuit of our local orca pods.
I do not use motorized support boats. Please be wary of kayak companies that promote power boat shuttles or “Mothership” tours. This really goes against the grain of what sea kayaking is all about and greatly adds to the noise, air and water pollution of the San Juan Islands. Don’t be a part of the problem.
As a self-appointed steward of these islands, I paddle to the Kayak Education & Leadership Program (K.E.L.P.) code to help protect marine wildlife.
Upon conclusion of each trip, participants are proud, not only of what they have accomplished together, but also of what little trace we have left behind from our voyage.
12. CARRYING EXTRA BAGGAGE?
Are you bringing clothes, gear or luggage that you don’t need for the kayak trip? You may leave them in my van for the duration. It will be waiting for you at our landing site. I highly recommend you leave your car in Anacortes and walk aboard the ferry to Friday Harbor. You may, if you drove across, park your car (or bicycle) safely at my shop. Be sure to let me know if you will have your vehicle, so that I can make the appropriate arrangements with you.