Wildcat Run (short classic version)

This is the favorite local downwind run for Bellingham, WA. It most commonly works with a south wind. There are longer versions that continue north another 4+ kms to the the north shore of Bellingham Bay with a number of takeout location options.

• Bellingham Bay, Washington State, USA

  Distance in KM

  13
  Estimated Time to complete

  55 - 70 minutes (best 28-29 minutes)
• Wind Direction

  South

  SSW

  SE

  SW

  SSE
  Best months

  Jan

  Feb

  Mar

  Apr

  May

  Oct

  Nov

  Dec
• Average Rating

  0.0
  
  
  No of Followers:

  1
• Created

  about 4 years ago
  Last updated

  over 3 years ago
  Kindly shared by:

  reavleyreg

  
  
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  • Map
  • Details
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  • Safety
  • Conditions
  • Reviews
  Replay

  
  

  Launch is at the boat ramp at Wildcat Cove in Larrabee State Park south of Bellingham, WA. If you plan to leave a vehicle at the put in you need to display a yearly Discover Pass for Washington State Parks or pay a day parking fee. Vehicle break-ins, while not frequent, have occurred from time to time. Don't leave valuables in your parked vehicles. There is a toilet at the launch. At low tide you may have to carry you boat out a ways to get clear of scraping your rudder on the bottom.

  
  

  
  The Wildcat Cove Boat Launch is fairly protected and shallow a good distance out from shore, so shore break is rarely a serious problem. You will paddle out to the SW (against the wind) initially to set up a line clear of the east shoreline and Whiskey Rock for the first part of your downwind run. How far you want to paddle out (.5 km, 1km, 2km, 3km ?) depends on how westerly the wind and waves are, your appetite for paddling against the wind, and/or whether the size of the waves looks more appealing to you farther offshore.  The east shoreline runs farther east after you pass Governor's Point and go by Chuckanut Bay on your right.  At this point the waves often will slowly begin to build but you can also get crossing waves from the east with wind rolling off of Chuckanut mountain and coming across Chuckanut Bay with some east in it.  Getting to the north end of Chuckanut bay on your right, the shoreline is more abrupt and on a westerly wind day can create significant rebound that can reach well out into your path but is strongest close to the east shore. There is a large red buoy about 150 yds out from the east shoreline when you are getting close to Marine Park. Usually the waves become more organized and larger in the 3/4 mile approach to the red buoy. (and this tendency creates the common decision locals have to make of whether to do the Wildcat downwinder (requiring shuttle etc) or to do laps from Marine Park if going upwind isn't too much work - the best waves are often just upwind from Marine Park and if you do laps you can repeat those waves over and over) Then the waves will often diminish continuing north across Bellingham Bay, but not always (particularly on bigger days).
  
  ** Late spring going through summer, eelgrass (seaweed) accumulates in floating mats and long stringers. Paddlers may want to use weed guards and weedless surfing fins for downwinding.
  
  
  Video below is of Wildcat on a medium small day when west wind is pushing you toward east shore at the beginning and causing rebound in the later part of the video. The beginning shows the boat ramp and a low tide launch.
  

  
  
  Video below is of Wildcat on a pretty big day from  Collin Smith

  
  

  You finish at Marine Park in Fairhaven. You will need to either be far right soon after the red buoy or work sharply right in order to make the small beach at Marine Park on your right (east side of bay - see map). The Park is usually somewhat protected from the south wind unless there is a strong west component in the wind.  When you get on the beach there is a short steep rise to walk up to grass where boats can be laid down. But don't relax or get careless with you boat placement on stronger wind days because gusts can sweep across the Park and roll boats or pick them up out of roof racks if they are not secured. There is a boat rinse station currently (2022) being added to this small park which already has a small picnic shelter and bathrooms. Fairhaven downtown is only 1/2 mile away and contains a number of good cafes/bakeries (such as Avenue Bread), and restaurants. When Marine Park parking is full, there are a number of nearby parking lots within easy walking distance where a shuttle vehicle can be parked.
  
  
  
  

  Bellingham Bay water is COLD and conditions can get BIG. Ocean swell does not reach the bay because swell is blocked by the islands ("the San Juans") of Puget Sound. So locals rely on wind for good downwinding and the bay does get plenty of high wind.
  
  The average monthly water temp varies from 6 degrees Celsius (42.8 Fahrenheit) to 13 degrees Celsius (55.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Make sure your ability and safety precautions are adequate for the conditions on the Bay. Talk to experienced local boaters about doing this downwinder if you have not done it before. Bellingham Webcams and Weather. Bellingham has a local coast guard station and smart local paddlers carry VHF radios.  Cold water paddling incidents on Bellingham Bay and in the Pacific Northwest
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Have fun and please stay safe!

  Some Basic Safety Guidelines

  - It is very difficult to spot someone in the water especially in strong wind conditions, so please make sure you can be seen - use bright colour clothing. Wear a brightly coloured PFD Wear a brightly coloured rash vest ( luminous green or orange is best)

  - Use a buddy system - doing a downwind with someone else is always safer than on your own.

  - Have a VHF Radio, mobile/cell phone in a waterproof bag ( test that you can use this in all conditions)

  - Know who to call for help and be sure that your family know who to call. Be sure that someone knows where you are and when you should return. And that they will call for help if this time is exceeded.

  - Other useful tips - Use a leash from the craft to your body. Have a signal flare (hand held are best) or pencil flares. Carry a reflector / mirror. Have a whistle that works when wet. Have your name and landline number on your craft. Leave a card with your name and phone number (mobile/cell and landline) on your vehicle dashboard.

  
  

  Whatcom Paddlers discussions about when the bay is good to paddle or too big.
  
  This run can be good anytime of the year. I have just indicated some of the typically better months for wind. Winter generally has the strongest wind. I have included January and February but they are the coldest months, so be careful. When it is not too cold and you have the experience and suitable water clothing it can be great. Wind with an east component needs to be taken into consideration for its offshore push. Too much westerly can create miserable beam waves as well as strong rebound off of the east shores. Note that a north wind works also. This reverse run (north to south) can be very good, but for a run from the north you really should be launching from the north side of the bay because the waves in the bay north of Marine Park on north wind days are often the best of the whole run. We will describe this option also as another route.
  
  Duncan Howat on Bellingham Bay conditions:
  "Well the thing about the weather and wind forecast is kinda this: when NOAA is calling for Gale Warning , (34-47 knots,or 39-54 miles per hr) SE, or even S,makes it a little strong and difficult to get away from the cove (Wildcat cove start against wind), and then the mix up out of Chuckanut Bay for a mile or two makes for a very challenging run, except for those who have done it many times or other similar runs. That 40 + wind can get you, particularly in a surfski in winter like conditions. Gale Warning = 5-6 foot seas ,mixed even without much tide, Mix in a big ebb, then it can get big"
  
  

  

  
  

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