Gear & Outfitting

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”

–John Lubbock


RAFT UP to break the world record!

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On Sunday, August 17th, 2014, be a part of something BIG. 

Come to Vashon Island, Washington, to break the world’s record for the most kayaks and canoes rafted up in one place! Help fill Quartermaster Harbor with 2,500 human-powered boats to celebrate the fact that we’re stronger together and to raise money for Vashon Youth and Family Services (VYFS). 

Registration for the event is $25 per boat. A boat is a boat is a boat. Any kayak or canoe constitutes 1 (one) boat for the purposes of record setting (sorry SUPs don't count). One registration includes one complimentary t-shirt. Each boat is required to comply with all coast guard and local regulations concerning paddle craft. This means a PFD readily accessible for each person in the boat (I recommend wearing it), and have a whistle or air horn per boat. 

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visit their website to register and get more info

It’s an outrageous effort to set a new world’s record that embraces what we value: the beauty of nature; physical activity; family-friendly; and a low-barrier project that invites people of all fitness levels to be a part of something big.  Every boat matters – whether it’s a single, double, triple or longer! Any kayak or canoe (sorry, no paddle boards during the event), is welcome to come join.

Sutton’s Bay, Michigan holds the current world’s record for the most kayaks and canoes rafted up. In 2013, they organized a raft up of 2,099 boats on Sutton’s Bay.

But, in the past two years the record has been broken by other groups! That’s why we’re aiming to gather 2,500 boats, raise $130,000 for VYFS, and show the world that the Northwest is the canoe and kayak capital of the US!

The Island is only accessible by boat. Public access is gained via the Washington State Ferry system, with boats leaving from Fauntleroy (in West Seattle), Southworth (on the Kitsap Peninsula), and Tacoma (from Pt. Defiance).

Summer ferry travel to Vashon can be very crowded, leading to long lines and delays in crossing on the ferry of your choice. Raft Up planners urge you to consider coming to Vashon on Saturday, August 16th, to avoid the ferry lines on Sunday morning and prevent any risk of you missing the record breaking attempt. Check out the Saturday O Space Festival and lodging opportunities to find out more about staying on Vashon.

If you must come on Sunday, consider taking the boat from Tacoma or Southworth, and plan to be on the Island no later than 10 that morning. You could also paddle over from Tacoma as the tides are favorable on Sunday.

Saturday, August 16th

Raft Up Festival begins on August 16th, with camping and a music festival at the Open Space.

Centrally located on the Island, the O-Space (as it is known) will be open at 2 p.m. for early campers and 4 p.m. for the festival. Approximately 200 camp sites will be available at the O-Space for Raft Up participants and their guests. They encourage Raft Up participants to come on Saturday and camp, to enjoy the music and food, and to avoid long ferry lines on the morning of Sunday, August 17th.

Sunday August 17th 2014 (The RAFT UP)

Where: Burton Acres Park, Jensen Point.

When: 1:30pm (Event organizers strongly encourage you to arrive early, by 10am!)

Starts with a waterfront festival at Jensen Point, along the shores of Quartermaster Harbor. the record-breaking Raft Up attempt will take place at 1:30 p.m. on the 17th.

This website has all the info you need to know about the event, VYFS, and how we can all be stronger together. 

Learn to Paddle with the WKC

The Pacific Northwest is a fabulous place to start learning how to paddle. The Washington Kayak Club (WKC), is registered with the American Canoe Association as a Paddle America Club.  This is a group of clubs across the country that is dedicated to provide positive, fun experiences for people while enjoying and protecting America's recreational waterways.

The WKC is putting on a Basic Sea Kayak Course May 17-19th at The Coronet Bay Environmental Learning Center (ELC) (Located at the scenic Deception Pass State Park). 

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