Have you ever wondered what it is like to paddle a kayak, or more exciting yet, one of the "stand up paddleboards"? Olympic Outdoor Center is figuring there are a lot of people wanting to since they have committed a lot of time and boats to their rental market.
And there has been a lot of interest shown. Of course it is possible that the main attraction is the scenery where you can try the boats out... right here in Gamble Bay. It's a beautiful, well protected bay with lots of kinds of birds, including eagles, lots of kinds of fish to watch or try to catch, seals, shellfish, although be sure and check on weather the tide is in, and of course lots of other kayakers.
And Olympic Outdoor Center makes it easier than I thought it was going to be to get checked out and on the water. For one thing, they can take as many as 100 people out in their kayaks. Wouldn't that be a fun crowd? They have classes for technique and safety, and once you are past the nervous stage, there are lots of classes from beginning paddling, through capsize recovery and other safety issues, and lots of camps if you enjoy being with others on the water.
And rates for both kayaks and paddle boards are quite reasonable, with single person kayaks and paddle boards only $16 per hour, or less than $10 per hour if you rent it for a full day. And you won't come to Port Gamble and find all their boats gone for the day, with as many boats as they have committed to the rental market. And beside the boat you get a PFD ("personal flotation device"), paddle, optional skirt, bilge pump, paddle float, and safety talk. Sorry, lunch is not included, but with three eateries in Port Gamble, you ought to be able to find something to eat.
When my daughter and I took their rental boats out, I could not believe how easy it was to arrange. They asked us some questions about our skill level, both for safety and so they would know which boats to give us, and the boats were already on the shore of the Bay, ready to go. The point of entry into the water was at a very well protected spot, so even on a windy day there was no problem getting started. And the Bay is a real bonus, a real comfortable area where a small group (or that group of 100 if you like crowds) can get a lot of valuable time together in an extremely peaceful setting.
