Team Pandatrax

Welcome to Team Pandatrax, the racing log of endurance kayaker Doug Rodgers. I paddle a Stellar S18 Expedition on the waters of Puget Sound and race the Seventy48, 70 miles from Tacoma to Port Townsend, and the WA360, a 360-mile loop around the Sound. You'll find race reports, training paddles, and notes on gear and conditions here.

• Seventy48 2026: Solo Kayak from Tacoma to Port Townsend

  70 miles in 15 hours 38 minutes, 1st single kayak and 21st overall

  Posted on May 29, 2026

  TL;DR Four races in, and I still bury the results at the bottom like some kind of suspense novelist. If you want the quick version: scroll down, grab the stats, feel good on my behalf. If you want the full tale of wind, ferries, and a free donut, read on.... [Read More]

  Tags:

  • Seventy48
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • Tacoma
  • Port Townsend
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18
  • human-powered race

• 11.25 mile practice paddle

  Posted on April 10, 2026

  The sun wasn’t up yet when we started and the water was like glass. I met up with Wind and Waves and Water and we paddled south from Lemolo around Keyport and down toward Fletcher Bay before turning back. It was a gorgeous morning to be on the water. [Read More]

• 22.31 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 21, 2026

  Eight boats launched from Kingston on a gray March morning. Three kayaks (including one tandem) and five rowboats, all crewed by teams who have raced or are lining up for the Seventy48. Team OctoCosta, Team Salish, Team Grin and Bair It, RoBear Rucker, and a few others made the trip.... [Read More]

  Tags:

  • kayaking
  • practice paddle
  • Seventy48 training
  • Puget Sound
  • Hood Canal
  • Kingston
  • Hansville
  • sea kayaking
  • Stellar S18

• 10.84 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 28, 2026

  [Read More]

• 3.79 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 22, 2026

  Had a great time out on the water with my son today. Always nice to share the paddling with family! [Read More]

• 4.85 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 16, 2026

  [Read More]

• 4.40 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 15, 2026

  Stats [Read More]

• Seventy48 - It's Official

  Posted on February 9, 2026

  It’s official!! Team Pandatrax is listed as a team racing in the 2026 Seventy48!! Race starts on May 29, 2026. I’m very excited!! [Read More]

• 11.18 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 8, 2026

  [Read More]

• 3.90 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 1, 2026

  Stats [Read More]

• 8.00 mile practice paddle

  Posted on January 17, 2026

  [Read More]

• 11.31 mile practice paddle

  Posted on December 20, 2025

  Forgot to start the GPS at the beginning, so the distance is a bit short. I picked up tracking partway through. Had some stiff headwinds on the return leg, which made for a good workout! [Read More]

• Push For the Finish

  Posted on July 13, 2025

  Blog posts for the 2025 WA360 And They’re Off Past the Halfway Point Third Times a Charm Into the Thick of It Camraderie and the Kindness of Strangers Big Open Water Crossings Push For the Finish [Read More]

• Big Open Water Crossings

  Posted on July 8, 2025

  Blog posts for the 2025 WA360 And They’re Off Past the Halfway Point Third Times a Charm Into the Thick of It Camraderie and the Kindness of Strangers Big Open Water Crossings Push For the Finish [Read More]

  Tags:

  • WA360
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • Bellingham
  • Point Roberts
  • San Juan Islands
  • Patos Island
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18

• Camraderie and the Kindness of Strangers

  Posted on July 7, 2025

  Blog posts for the 2025 WA360 And They’re Off Past the Halfway Point Third Times a Charm Into the Thick of It Camraderie and the Kindness of Strangers Big Open Water Crossings Push For the Finish [Read More]

  Tags:

  • WA360
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • San Juan Islands
  • Swinomish Channel
  • LaConner
  • Bellingham
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18

• Into the Thick of It

  Posted on July 4, 2025

  Blog posts for the 2025 WA360 And They’re Off Past the Halfway Point Third Times a Charm Into the Thick of It Camraderie and the Kindness of Strangers Big Open Water Crossings Push For the Finish [Read More]

  Tags:

  • WA360
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • Vashon Island
  • Olympia
  • San Juan Islands
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18

• Third Time's a Charm

  Posted on July 3, 2025

  Blog posts for the 2025 WA360 And They’re Off Past the Halfway Point Third Times a Charm Into the Thick of It Camraderie and the Kindness of Strangers Big Open Water Crossings Push For the Finish [Read More]

  Tags:

  • WA360
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • Port Townsend
  • Colvos Passage
  • Tacoma Narrows
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18

• Past the Halfway Point

  Posted on July 3, 2025

  Blog posts for the 2025 WA360 And They’re Off Past the Halfway Point Third Times a Charm Into the Thick of It Camraderie and the Kindness of Strangers Big Open Water Crossings Push For the Finish [Read More]

  Tags:

  • WA360
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • Port Townsend
  • Colvos Passage
  • Tacoma Narrows
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18

• And They're Off

  Posted on June 29, 2025

  Blog posts for the 2025 WA360 And They’re Off Past the Halfway Point Third Times a Charm Into the Thick of It Camraderie and the Kindness of Strangers Big Open Water Crossings Push For the Finish [Read More]

  Tags:

  • WA360
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • Port Townsend
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18

• Seventy48 2025

  Posted on June 8, 2025

  TL;DR If you don’t have time to read everything and just want know how I did, scroll to the bottom. You’ll also find my thanks and appreciation down there. :) [Read More]

  Tags:

  • Seventy48
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • Tacoma
  • Port Townsend
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18
  • human-powered race

• 8.41 mile practice paddle

  Posted on June 2, 2025

  Today’s paddle came with a surprise visit from my favorite harbor seal, who I’m pretty sure has been keeping an eye on me for weeks near the tombolo in Squamish Harbor. Usually, it’s the classic “stare and look away” routine, but today was different: as I glided by, the seal... [Read More]

• 16.70 mile practice paddle

  Posted on May 31, 2025

  Took it easy today, but still racked up some solid miles as I get ready for the Seventy48 on Friday! Even at a relaxed pace, I managed to keep a strong average speed. The water was calm, the scenery was beautiful, and every stroke brought me one step closer to... [Read More]

• 8.11 mile practice paddle

  Posted on May 29, 2025

  [Read More]

• Practicing in the waves with new paddle

  Posted on May 26, 2025

  Stats [Read More]

• 8.20 mile practice paddle

  Posted on May 25, 2025

  [Read More]

• 8.35 mile practice paddle

  Posted on May 24, 2025

  Wow, this new paddle is a total game changer! 🚀 I crushed 8.35 miles today and hit average speeds I’ve never seen before over this kind of distance. Every stroke felt powerful and smooth, and I couldn’t help but push harder just to see what was possible. [Read More]

• First Spin with the New Wing Blade Paddle!!

  Posted on May 23, 2025

  Took my brand new wing blade paddle out for its maiden voyage today. Huge thanks to Mary for this awesome gift! 🚣‍♂️💨 The first leg was a real test, pushing hard against the wind. But once I turned around, the wind dropped and I could really feel the speed kick... [Read More]

• 8.31 mile practice paddle

  Posted on May 21, 2025

  [Read More]

• Seals, Porpoises, and Rainbows, Oh My! 8.21 Mile Paddle

  Posted on May 20, 2025

  What an unforgettable paddle! Today’s adventure included curious harbour seals, a pair of playful porpoises darting just 60 feet off my bow, and, best of all, a stunning double rainbow arching over the water. Moments like these make every mile worth it! [Read More]

• 5.56 mile practice paddle

  Posted on May 10, 2025

  [Read More]

• 4.56 mile practice paddle

  Posted on April 22, 2025

  [Read More]

• 2.44 mile practice paddle

  Posted on April 21, 2025

  Short paddle. [Read More]

• 2.22 mile morning practice paddle

  Posted on April 16, 2025

  Short early morning paddle. [Read More]

• 16 mile practice paddle

  Posted on April 12, 2025

  Hail fell on me for about 10 minutes half way through my 16 miles. [Read More]

• 8.2 mile practice paddle

  Posted on April 4, 2025

  [Read More]

• 8.22 mile practice paddle

  Posted on April 2, 2025

  Great paddle tonight. 8.2 miles within 1 hour 45 minutes. I have an average moving speed of 4.7 mi/hr. [Read More]

• 8.33 mile practice paddle

  Posted on April 1, 2025

  Stats [Read More]

• 16.17 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 30, 2025

  Laps!! [Read More]

• 8.35 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 29, 2025

  [Read More]

• 19.69 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 22, 2025

  [Read More]

• 6.75 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 18, 2025

  Stats [Read More]

• 17.93 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 16, 2025

  [Read More]

• 8.4 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 13, 2025

  [Read More]

• 7.21 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 11, 2025

  Stats [Read More]

• 2.63 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 8, 2025

  The winds were crazy today creating some huge waves. Took the opportunity to practice my bracing. [Read More]

• 8.31 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 6, 2025

  [Read More]

• 7.14 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 5, 2025

  Stats [Read More]

• 15.95 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 2, 2025

  Stats [Read More]

• 7.91 mile practice paddle

  Posted on March 1, 2025

  Stats [Read More]

• 8.37 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 28, 2025

  [Read More]

• 8.42 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 26, 2025

  There’s something magical about paddling at sunset and continuing into the night. Beatiful view of the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier made an appearance. The water was incredibly smooth the entire time, making for a peaceful and enjoyable practice session. [Read More]

• 4.13 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 23, 2025

  Stats [Read More]

• 3.59 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 16, 2025

  Headed back from camping. [Read More]

• 12.45 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 15, 2025

  Got some camping in this weekend. Didn’t go as far as I wanted due to fighting the wind, but it was a great night. [Read More]

• Got accepted into the WA360

  Posted on February 8, 2025

  It’s official, I’m in! I’ll be racing in the WA360, one of the most challenging and thrilling endurance races out there! I couldn’t be more excited to take on this epic adventure. 🚣‍♂️💪 #WA360 [Read More]

  Tags:

  • WA360
  • kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • Puget Sound
  • Port Townsend
  • endurance racing
  • Stellar S18
  • Team Pandatrax

• 7.2 mile practice paddle

  Posted on February 8, 2025

  Today’s paddle was a refreshing 7.2 miles, filled with unexpected wildlife encounters that made the experience even more memorable. The calm waters were perfect for a steady pace, and I was lucky enough to have some curious company along the way. [Read More]

• 3.7 mile fun tandem paddle

  Posted on January 5, 2025

  Mary and I had a very fun paddle up to the Hood Canal Bridge and back. While we were out on the water, we saw multiple harbor seals, porpoices, a family of otters and an eagle. The eagle was out on a fallen tree eating a fish and one of... [Read More]

• 8 mile practice paddle

  Posted on January 2, 2025

  Went out on the water twice today for a total of 12 miles. Great day for it!! [Read More]

• 10 mile practice paddle

  Posted on December 29, 2024

  Today’s paddle was a rewarding 10-mile journey filled with scenic views and a touch of adventure. I started by heading up to Hood Head to see the dragon on the spit. Afterward, I wandered down to Port Gamble, where I paused to take in the picturesque view of the town... [Read More]

• Seventy48 2024 Necktie Affair!

  Posted on June 2, 2024

  [Read More]

• Seventy48 2024 Racing!

  Posted on June 1, 2024

  [Read More]

• Seventy48 2024 Race Start!

  Posted on May 31, 2024

  [Read More]

• Seventy48 2023

  Posted on June 4, 2023

  TL;DR If you don’t want to read all of this, scroll to the bottom for the stats. :) [Read More]