LAPUSH — Paddlers from near and far will zip up their wet suits for the LaPush Pummel surf kayak event this weekend.
The informal gathering has no judges or competitive rules.
It is free and open to anyone who wants to rides the waves with other kayakers.
Race co-organizer Ken DeBondt said the swells are expected to be around 5 or 6 feet.
“Just about perfect for kayaking,” he said.
The event runs today, Saturday and Sunday at First Beach off LaPush.
Most kayakers will be heading out at low tide, which will happen in the morning hours.
Spectators are welcome.
A sea kayak trip up the Quillayute River will start at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The wildlife-viewing paddle begins at the boat ramp at the Quillayute Marina. It, too, is free. Participants must use their own kayaks.
An open potluck is planned for 6 p.m. Saturday at the clubhouse at the Quileute RV Park, which is just off First Beach.
“Anybody is welcome,” DeBondt said.
LaPush Pummel started in the mid-1980s mainly as a sea kayak event. It evolved into a surf boat gathering as the technology of kayaks improved.
Surf kayaks are shorter and more maneuverable than the sleeker, faster sea kayaks.
‘Surfboard with a deck’
“Surf kayaks are more like a surfboard with a deck,” DeBondt said. “They have sharper edges that you can use to turn.”
LaPush Pummel had been held on the first week of January — when the swell often rises to 20 feet or more — until last year.
“It was more a test of survival skills,” DeBondt said.
Moving the event to mid-February should help drive up participation because conditions are likely to be less dangerous, he added.
Last year’s event brought sunny skies, 6- to 7-foot swells and offshore winds that made for clean-breaking waves.
DeBondt said it’s hard to tell how many kayakers will show up this weekend.
He said participation has dwindled since about 100 paddlers showed up 10 years ago.
“There’s a pretty good size surf kayak community here in town,” said DeBondt, who has organized the event with his wife, Ellen, for 11 years.
“We’ve been trying to get more of those people to come out.”
The DeBondts moved to the Crescent Bay area from Seattle last year.
The forecast for LaPush this weekend calls for mostly sunny skies with highs in the mid-50s.
For more information, phone DeBondt at 260-808-2040.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
