Narrows Challenge
Open Water human powered craft: Kayak, Surfski, SUP, Outrigger Canoe, Paddleboard and others. Paddlers familiar with tides and open water conditions. Start & Finish outside the entrance of Gig Harbor. Paddle south towards the Narrows Bridge with buoy turns returning to the finish for each course.
Organized by Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team - Masters
RACE INFORMATION
Saturday October 11, 2025
Pick up race number 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Pre-race meeting 12:00
Start 1:00 pm
- 0.3 miles North of Bridge (PUG1527): 2.71 knot max ebb at 12:39 PM\
- North end - midstream (PUG1524): 1.8 knots max ebb at 12;57 PM
Tide predictions:
- High tide: 12.64 feet at 10:02 AM
- Low tide: 7.41' at 3:16 PM
RACE COURSES
Courses are open to OC, SUP, HPK, SK, OW and Other capable human powered craft.
Short Course: Distance @ 5 Kilometers (Approximately 3 miles).
Skill Level 1/2 depending on conditions day of race.
For those new to open water or if day of race conditions are above your abilities for the longer courses.
Start/Finish just outside the Gig Harbor entrance paddling South along shoreline to buoy at 2.5 Km and return to finish line.
Intermidiate Course: Distance @ 10 Kilometers (Approximately 6 miles).
Skill level 2/3 depending on conditions day or race.
Participants should have considerable experience in open water and considered intermidiate to expert paddler.
Start/Finish just outside the Gig Harbor entrance paddling South to Point Evans and bouy turn at 5 Km. Return to finish line.
Nautical course with the participant taking into account the tide, current, wind and weather conditions.
Expert Course: Distance @ 20 Kilometers (approximately 12 miles).
Skill Level 2/3 depending on conditions day of race.
Participants should be highly experienced in open water and considered intermidiate to expert paddler. Able to average 5+ MPH on flatwater and complete course withing 3 hours.
Start/Finish just outside the Gig Harbor entrance paddling South under the Narrows Bridge with turn around buoy at 10 Km between Narrows Park and Point Fosdick.
Nautical course with the participant taking into account the tide, current, wind & weather conditions.
Skill Level & Conditions.
1: Relatively calm with some wave & current action. For the Narrows Challenge paddling close to shore. Favorable to those with experience paddling in open water from beginner to intermediate.
2: Potential rough water with wind and current. Favorable to those with a considerable amount of paddling in open water from intermediate to expert.
3: Potential for high winds with strong current and rough water. Favorable to those with a considerable amount of paddling in open water at the expert level.
* Race Commissioners reserve the right to limit any participant based on type of craft, age, experience or conditions.
** The Narrows Passage frequently experiences high winds, potentially creating extreme downwind and upwind race day conditions.
Participate at your level of experience according to the conditions at time of event.
ENTRY FEES
Pre-registration opens July 1st: Per person $45 / Teams of 6 or more $225.
Registration starting October 7th: Per person $55 / Teams of 6 or more $275.
AWARDS - Ceremony at 3:30 pm
20Km: 1st $200, 2nd $100, 3rd $50, Hot Shot $100.
10Km: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25, Hot Shot $50.
5Km: 1st $50, 2nd $25, 3rd $15, Hot Shot $25.
Hot Shot: First single person craft to buoy turn on each of the courses.
Medals to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place for all categories with two or more participants.
RACE REGISTRATION
Registration through Pacific Multisports. Create a login if not already a member.
Pacific Multisports Registartion
Registration online July 1 thru 10 AM October 13th.
Participants will recieve pre-race information via PowerPoint presentation.
Race day morning pick up your race number at Skansie Brother Park, Gig Harbor.
12:00 in person pre-race meeting at Check-in location.
GETTING TO THE START
From Highway 16 follow signs to downtown Gig Harbor.
There are public launch sites at Skansie Brothers Park, Eden Boat Park, Ancich Waterfront Park, Gig Harbor Boat Ramp. After you have launched paddle to the harbor entrance near Lighthouse Point. Start and Finish will be across from Lighthouse Point. Further instructions provided in pre-race instructions.
Mandatory Safety Rules
Participants testify they have experience & are completely capable of remounting their craft in rough water.
Will always wear a Coast Guard Approved PFD.
Will always wear a leash (except sea kayaks).
Will wear bright colors for high visibility on the water.
Recommended to carry VHF Marine Radio.
Will render assistance to any other participant in need.
Water Safety
Event Permit filed with US Coast Guard.
8+ Safety boats positioned on course.
VHF Radio – Channel 72.
Equipped with throw ropes.
Additional floatation devices.
Dedicated individual to monitor Commercial Traffic.
Participants & Safety Boats maintain required distance from all whales.
Will adjust start times as needed.
Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol requested.
Race Day Course Decisions
Any neccassary evaluations of the course conditions on the day of event will be made in agreement with race commissioners:
- Tod Cole: Race Director
-
Robert Nissenbaum: ACA Certified Coastal Sea Kayak Instructor & ACA WA State Director.
Medical Plan
911 is primary Emergency contact for all participants, volunteers and staff.
First aid supplies and guidance available at start/finish line dock.
Local Hospital:
St Anthony Hospital
11567 Canterwood Blvd
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Ph. 253-530-2000
Disaster Response
Race Director will make decision to end event in case of natural or man made events.
On site mass communication will be done via volunteers on site.
Mass Email to participants for communication if required.
Race Director : Tod Cole
Email: paddle@narrowschallenge.com
Sponsored by Gig Harbor Canoe Kayak Racing Team - Masters
LODGING
The Maritime Inn is located across the street from Skansie Park and the event headquarters.
Pleasure Craft Houseboat Rentals is located next door to Skansie Park providing easy access to the water and event headquarters.
Gig Harbor Marina Guest House and Fleets is located on site with the event headquarters.
Waterfront Inn provides lodging and private dock with a 10 minute paddle to the Start/Finish line.
The Inn at Gig Harbor provides lodging just off of Highway 16 with a five minute drive to the event headquarters.
Best Western Wesley Inn is located off of Highway 16 with less then a five minute drive to event headquarters.
DINING AND BREWERIES
Anthony's in the historic Shoreline with a full view of the Harbor.
Bella Fammina Restaurante with Sicilian inspired dishes.
Java & Clay will provide you with a hot cup of coffee or tea and will also keep your kids busy creating artwork to go.
Tides Tavern is a Gig Harbor mainstay for good food and views of the harbor.
El Pueblito located across the street from Skansie park providing great Mexican fair for the hunger.
Net Shed #9 excellent lunch on the harbor.
Il Luciano Italanian at its best.
Gig Harbor Brewery located directly above the even headquarters for your easy access.
7 Seas Brewery Tasting Room provides the prime view for your family and friends to watcht he Start/Finish line.
Brix 25 great dining minutes from event headquarters.
Millville Pizza Company prividing pizza to go and dine in.
TOUR BOATS
If you would like family and friends to watch the race from the water please reach out to one of the tour boats in the harbor.
Destiny Harobr Tours provides harbor boats capable of going out into the Narrows for viewing the race first hand.
Gig Harbor Gondala has two authentic Venician gondola's that will take you around the harbor and watcht he start/finish is style.
Reviera Cruises can provide a large party the ability to watch the race from anywhere along the Narrows Challenge course.
Sponsored by Gig Harbor Canoe Kayak Racing Team - Masters
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