ALL HUMAN POWERED CRAFT WELCOME
Date: Saturday, Sept. 11th
Start: 10am
Location: Start/Finish at Washington Park, Anacortes (camping available)
Distance: Approx. 15.5 miles / 25 Km
Course: Start WA Park, continue down & around Deception Island and return. Strong rip current potential. Experienced paddlers only.
Course Description: This year’s race will start in line with the dock next to the boat launch in Washington Park, Anacortes. Paddlers then travel southward down Rosario Strait, keeping Burrows & Allan Islands port-side. From south end of Allan island cross Burrows Bay over to Biz Point. Keeping shoreline on the port until reach Bowman Bay. Round Deception Island and return along same route, keeping Biz Point on starboard now, and cross Burrows Bay to put Allan Island on paddlers close port-side. Round Burrows Island & continue through Burrows Channel. Turn right (north) and round Fidalgo Head to finish back at Start. Approx 15.5 miles/ 25 kms.

The new 2010 Orca Challenge race course takes paddlers through the most challenging, open waters the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Racers will be getting help from or fighting against the strong currents in Rosario Strait, Deception Pass and the Strait of San Juan de Fuca throughout this 15.5 mile/ 25 km distance adventure race~

The challenging waters, stunning, dramatic rugged islands, cliffs, sea caves, bountiful Nature sightings, and multiple mountain ranges as backdrops create a world class paddling venue which rivals no other race course in the PNW.

‘One-Eyed Willy”, the friendliest disfigured harbor seal you’ll ever meet, greets all boaters returning to WA Park

The adventurous, open waters, of the ‘Orca Challenge’ are the West Coasts the equivalent of the East Coasts infamous ‘Blackburn Challenge’ distance paddling race.

Plans are in the works to return this legendary distance paddling race to the Seattle Sound Rowers racing paddling club.

A new Orca Challenge race website is under construction & will be unveiled in the coming months, in plenty of time to pre-register online for this year’s race.

Safety power boats will be stationed throughout race course at all known potentially hazardous tide & reef rips.

Alternative course will be used in event of severely inclement weather.

Relay team options possibly possible (*depends on participant interest & state park approval)

course photos available at: http://picasaweb.google.com/expeditionpaddlers/TheMakingOfARace#

Press Release and photos submitted by Race Founders Jim Zimmerman and Nadja Baker

See you on the water!!!

Heather, Brandon and Hayden