Continent
North America
Country
Washington (USA)
Next Big City
Seattle, Tacoma
Next Town
Purdy, Wauna
 
Type:
Lake
Rider Ability:
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Features:
Parking

Water

Type:
Shallow, Flat, Chop
Hazards:
None
Quality:
Clean
Best Tide:
Low tide

At low tide the bay is quite shallow for ways out.

Beach

Type:
Sand, Rocks
Size:
Tidal
Hazards:
Road, Power lines
Beach Users:
None

The launch is similar to Richmond Beach with a mixture of sand and rocks. At low tide there is a lot of room and the bay is quite shallow for a ways out making for a good body dragging location. At high tide there is barely any beach and the road and power lines are closer to the launch so be careful!

Weather

Spring:
Normal
Summer:
Shorts, Shorty
Fall:
Normal
Winter:
Thick

4/3 wetsuit late spring, shorty to board shorts in late June through July and August. Water temp 50°F late spring to upper 60's°F in August (tide will effect this more than in Gorge). Air temps 50's to 70°F in spring and 70's to 90's°F in summer.

Wind

Best Months:
No information
Wind Type:
No information
Best Direction:
SW
Main Direction:
No information

Purdy light's up when clearing begins and the post frontal Southwesterlies kick in. Purdy is sometimes a sneaker place, which blows when not much else is going. It can also tease and disappoint you. Purdy usually blows if there is a 2 millibar (.06") or greater westerly gradient between Bremerton and at least two to the following: Forks, Hoquiam, Astoria and Portland. Westerly winds blow in from the coast and accelerate as they make their way around the Olympic Mountains. West winds and Southwest "clearing winds" are what you want to make the Purdy Spit work.



How to get there

Transport
Car
Access
Short walk

Tacoma Airport. From I-5 southbound make your way though Tacoma. At the Tacoma Mall exit (38th Street/Hwy 16) bear off to the right hand lane. You will cross the Narrows Bridge in about 5 miles. Head north about 10 miles to the Wauna exit and go right. Follow under the overpass and down the hill to the little town. Take a left at the stop light and travel 1 mile over the bridge to the little post office.

Extra information

Rules
None

Nightlife

No information