First Solo Paddle

Trip Overview

My first trip out on a paddle board solo. I put in into Kingman Lake next to RFK Stadium south of East Capitol, right on the shoreline and paddled south against the wind & current. Paused at the southern tip of Kingman islan, not sure what to make of the Burnham Barrier and its trash catching bouys. While I had a snack a kayaking group came through, so I kept on without issue. Paddled down to the CSXrail bridge, which was only ~2 feet higher than the water with the high tide. Easily cleared by kneeling & ducking through. After I had gone through a rower went under while a train was passing over, impressively.

I paddled down past the piers at Evans Point, where some boats have seen better days, and had a nice convo with a rower disembarking at Capital Rowing Club. I made it to John Phillip Sousa bridge, whacked it with my paddle, and headed back upstream. The wind was shifting but mostly at my back, and the tide was just beginning to turn having hit the high mark right around my turn around. Dodged a few rowers, ducked back under teh CSX line, found my way back into Kingman Lake. Passed the kayak group again on their way back.

I decided I wasn't quite done and paddle past my put in up to the pedestrian bridge from the shore to Heritage Island, whacked it with my paddle, and paddled back to my put in.