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Who Are PNW Paddlers ?


The Pacific Northwest paddlers are a tough, and I'd even say, a unique breed of people. Winter is a very special time to paddle here. Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean are the same temperature year round, but the conditions out there in the winter are rougher, wetter and windier. But for a small, but dedicated group of PNW paddlers, winter means less boaters to contend with, more solitude, and surprisingly glassy days in between storms.

You could be thinking, why face the cold, winds, waves, why jump into freezing water to paddle ? You could ask, what is the payoff ? For any adventurous spirit, there is this element of risk, the unknown and the idea of something unique and interesting. It’s not foolishness, it’s not getting attention or trying to show off.

The video below tells the story of a few Seattle based paddlers, their passion, and what drives them to go paddleboarding in the freezing water.

I think it’s a good reminder that getting out and enjoying nature - no matter how cold and slushy it is - can recharge you, especially when you have the winter blues. The experience of nature helps to restore the mind from the mental fatigue of work or studies, contributing to improved work performance and satisfaction.

As a Seattleite and an adventurer, videos like this inspire me to get out, and enjoy the magnificent beauty of PNW regardless of the season.

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