Kayakers rescued at Deception Pass

By JUSTIN BURNETT
Whidbey News Times Staff reporter
September 4, 2012 · Updated 3:38 PM 

Two kayakers got into trouble at Deception Pass on North Whidbey Sunday and had to be rescued by park rangers.

According to Jack Hartt, manager of Deception Pass State Park, the incident occurred in the late afternoon under Canoe Pass, the smaller of the two waterways that are spanned by the two bridges.

“They got hit by a wave and went into the water,” Hartt said.

The two paddlers were able to cling to some rocks until park rangers deployed a boat to come to their rescue.

They were then shuttled to Cornet Bay where North Whidbey Fire and Rescue crews checked them out.

Hart said the waters that shoot through the passes are extremely frigid and dangerous, though the kayakers were wearing wetsuits and life jackets. They walked away from the incident largely unharmed.

“They got a little cut up from the rocks but were otherwise in good condition,” he said.

They also got their kayak back thanks to a fisherman who saw it adrift and brought it back to them.

 

Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Justin Burnett at jburnett@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5054.

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