Hammer the Inlet Course Details
Hammer the Inlet Course Details
Hammer the Inlet is roughly a 16 mile race in swift tidal current on Hammersley Inlet in South Puget Sound. Take the 1.9 knot ebb out from Shelton and the 1.4 knot flood current back up the winding picturesque inlet.
Paddlers call this run the ‘Hammersley Shuttle’ or ‘Shuffle’ for the tidal push allowing for a nice glide with current. Back eddies and eddy-lines add a little spice or challenge around the various bends and curves at Skookum and Libby Points and Cape Horn.
Date: Saturday – May 8, 2021
Heat Start Times: 10:15 AM to catch end of the ebb current out
Length: Approx 15.3 miles in tidal current. Depends if you hug the shore or take a more direct route.
Who Should Come? All human powered paddling and rowing craft that can self rescue. Tour or race the course!
Rates: $45 1 person, $55 2 person craft. *Price Increase 5/5: $55 1p, $65 2p / *Registration Ends Friday 5/7 7pm.
Hotel Discounts for Racers: 10% off a the Shelton Inn / We’ll have a food truck from Kerns Kitchen.
Directions to the Shelton Yacht Club
Fiona Wylde SUP Racing Clinic (Friday)
COVID-19 – This is a ‘real on-water race’ with Virtual Race shore safety protocols following current Phase guidance with online registration only, social distancing and masks on shore and 1 min segmented starts for distancing. No land event before/after and Online awards.
Tides for May 8th in Hammersley Inlet
2021-05-08 Sat 9:16 AM PDT -1.9 knots Max Ebb 2021-05-08 Sat 12:16 PM PDT 0.0 knots Slack, Flood Begins
2021-05-08 Sat 3:21 PM PDT 1.4 knots Max Flood
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QUESTIONS / CONTACT: Rob Casey – Email preferred or 206-465-7167
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Blue Swirls are boils, eddy lines or similar tidal features
Red ‘L’ are for launch locations. Main launch / start at Shelton Yacht Club. There’s a big boat ramp there.
LEFT Turn-a-round at Pickering Passage is a power boat specified on Race Day. Location at mouth may change.
The MV El Mistico is the turn-a-round boat at mouth of Hammersley Inlet at Pickering Passage.
The boat will be available to assist paddlers as well.
Directions to the Shelton Yacht Club
Restrooms in the Shelton Yacht Club – * One person only per restroom per Covid guidance.
Parking – Park in the Shelton Yacht Club lot.
Launching at low tide, it may be muddy below the boat ramp.
Pilings in photo have been removed.
RACE REQUIREMENTS:
- Kayaks 12’+ and SUP minimum 12-6′
- Must know how to swim and self rescue
- Team or 2 person boats should be within the same household.
- Must finish under 3 hours per current Phase guidance
- Life Jacket Requirements – PFDs required to be worn for racers plus leashes for SUPs. Prone paddle board and rowers can carry on craft.
Terms and Conditions
NOTE – Regardless of Circumstances:
- Refunds cannot be issued
- Tickets can be transferred between participants only if our registration receives the data prior to race.
- Tickets cannot be deferred to next year
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QUESTIONS / CONTACT: Rob Casey – Email preferred/ 206-465-7167
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CHECK OUT OUR OTHER 2021 RACES:
- Past: Seattle Race Series – 5 Bridges Race – Jan 17, 2021
- Past – Elks Crossing Benevolent Benefit to help the Ballard Elks Lodge. 6 miles.
- March 28 – Seattle Race Series – Agua Verde and Link the Lakes Race
- April 24 – Deception Pass Challenge Spring Race – New Course to Cornet to Hope Island RT
- June 13 – Wanda Fuca Downwinder, Port Angeles – 10am. (13.5 miles)
- Sept 18 – Lake Crescent Downwinder (8-10m)
- December 4 – Deception Pass Challenge (Dash)
OTHER PNW 2021 RACES SERIES
Ballard Elks Paddling Club – Summer Monday Night Fundraiser Series (Starts May 3)
